Presidents Notes

President's Notes

27 November 2019

Dear fellows,

NOVEMBER IS FOUNDATION MONTH

Rotary Peace Fellowships

This year, the Rotary Foundation has awarded 100 fully funded fellowships from over 800 applicants from around the world to study at one of 7 peace centres located around the world.

We are pleased to announce that Sahba Clara Delshad, who was endorsed by our District and supported by the Rotary Club of Parramatta City, has be selected to attend the Professional Development Certificate program at the University of Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Sahba is a Community Engagement Officer in Multicultural NSW and has had a 10 year career working around the world in human rights, peace and social justice. She has worked with marginalised communities from remote island villages to refugee camps, the United Nations to Silicon Valley. She has a strong passion around the empowerment of women and girls and the elimination of racism to create a more just and peaceful society.

Polio Update

The exciting news is that the second of three forms of the polio virus has been eradicated. There are three types of the wild polio virus, which, while scientifically different, cause the same symptoms, including paralysis or even death. The world was declared free of type 2 four years ago - and in last month the World Health Organization has said type 3 has also been eradicated.

The not so exciting news is that there has been an increase in Type 1 cases detected with 94 cases this year compared with 28 cases this time last year. Nigeria is close to being declared polio free but there are challenges in Pakistan and Afghanistan with Pakistan being the most serious. We have to work together and support Rotary’s challenge to rid the world of polio. A great example of this support was the recent train ride where Rotarians from around our District came together with D9685 to raise around $150,000, thank you.

The challenge is there and we need to see this through to the end.

Extracts from DG Di North's Newsletter

Yours in Rotary

Arie Pappas

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