Press Release from RIBI

March 2004

Focus on health at home and abroad at Rotary’s Annual Conference in Bournemouth

79th Annual Conference of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland
22th – 25th April 2002, Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth

Around 2,500 Rotarians and partners will be in Bournemouth for their annual conference from April 22-25, and on the agenda are Rotary’s health projects at home and abroad. Africa Malaria Day will be celebrated on Friday 23rd April with an update on Rotary’s REMIT project to eliminate malaria in Tanzania.

More than 3000 African children are dying daily from malaria. New and effective drugs are not yet accessible to those who need them and only a small proportion of children at risk are protected by highly effective insecticide nets. The REMIT project has involved Rotary Clubs providing funds in excess of £50,000 in the last year for nets, insecticide sprays, diagnostic equipment and education and training symposia in Tanzania.

President Brian Stoyel will also report on the Rotaract Overseas projects in Tanzania and Uganda. The first project in Tanzania was in August 2003 when Brian led a team of fourteen Rotaractors to Maji Ya Chai. They built a community centre which serves as a classroom for adult learning schemes, visiting health workers, a library, village meeting hall, and a play centre complete with consultation rooms and toilets. The second project is in Njeru, Uganda in August 2004 to build a School Clinic and two sick bays for financially less-able boys and girls.

President of Rotary International Jonathan Majiyagbe will give an update on Rotary’s Polio Eradication Campaign. Since 1985 two billion children have been immunised and a target set to eradicate polio by 2005. By 2005 Rotary’s contribution to polio eradication will exceed half a billion dollars.
The final phase is proving the most difficult and renewed efforts are being made to bridge a $275 million funding gap.Through Rotary’s efforts and those of partner agencies including World Health Organisation, United Nations Children’s Fund, United States Centers for Disease Control and governments around the world, the world has seen a 99 per cent reduction in the number of polio cases worldwide since 1985.

Closer to home, on Friday 23rd April, broadcaster Martyn Lewis will thank Rotarians for their support for the Association of Children’s Hospices (ACH) which provides expert palliative and emergency care for some 20,000 children across the UK with conditions that mean they will not live to reach adulthood. The ACH this year is the preferred community charity of Brian Stoyel, President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, and so far this year more than £500,000 has been donated by Rotary Clubs to various hospices around the country. This project has been well supported by the whole Family of Rotary including Inner Wheel, Rotaract and Interact. Martyn will appeal on behalf of the hospices for continued support as they are almost entirely self supporting.

The role of the volunteer in the 21st century? will be the subject for discussion on Saturday 24th April with a Question Time style presentation. The guest panel includes Dame Stephanie Shirley, Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of National Council of Voluntary Organisations, and Bill Cochran Communications Officer The Salvation Army.

President Brian Stoyel said: “2003 to 2004 has been an activity packed year for Rotary, where a number of new fundraising projects have proven to be very successful. Rotary welcomes the opportunity to meet and discuss both existing and new projects in the wonderful setting that Bournemouth offers. We are living in a world that is constantly changing and the need for volunteers is greater than ever. I am looking forward to a lively discussion on the role of volunteers in the future which will help us take Rotary forward.”

On Saturday afternoon Rotary is providing an entertainment for local school children aged 8 to 14 from local special schools in the Bournemouth area. The entertainment is ‘That’ll be the day Children’s Show featuring Swish of the Curtain, performing excerpts from FAME, the musical with special guest star Chris Jarvis from C Beebies , ITV’s ‘Jungle Run’ and Channel 4 ‘Maths Mansion’ .

On Friday and Saturday there will be an exhibition of more than 60 stands showing the work of Rotary around the world as well as many of the charities supported by Rotary Clubs. This exhibition called the House of Friendship will be open to the public from 8.30am-17.00 on Friday and Saturday.

Ends

Photocall opportunity with all keynote speakers at 8.45 am on 23rd April.

Press enquiries to Judith Diment 01628 672965 Mobile 07860 162313 Conference Office from 14.00 Thursday 21st April 01202 456577

Notes for Editors

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 31,600 Rotary clubs located in 166 countries.
In nearly 100 years, Rotary has grown from a small club of four members to a worldwide network of men and women who share a common vision for a better world. The world’s first service organisation, Rotary has a long history of helping those in need and uniting people of different cultures and beliefs. Through the work of individual Rotary clubs, and through the programmes of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, Rotary is making the world a better place.

For general information on Rotary in your area, contact the local Rotary Club President. Details from Robin Freeman: 01789 765411