A few weeks ago I attended the annual conference of Rotary District 1060 in Torquay, England. The district conference is where Rotarians from more than 70 clubs in the English midlands gather to listen to speakers, dress up for fabulous parties and musical events, and get motivated for the coming year of Rotary activities. But, as one speaker put it, many people across the world still ask this important question: “What is Rotary?”

Rotary International is an organization of business and professional men and women who strive to provide humanitarian service, promote high ethical standards in all vocations, and build peace, goodwill and global understanding among all people. Founded in 1905, there are now approximately 1.2 million Rotarians in more than 30,000 clubs in 160 countries.

Rotarians seek to provide service in their communities, in their jobs and to the international community. Projects of Rotary clubs and districts address such issues as poverty, the environment, illiteracy, children, and violence. Truly, the Rotary motto is “Service Above Self.”

One of the humanitarian campaigns of the Rotary Foundation is the PolioPlus program. Rotarians have been working to immunize children from polio since 1985 and hope to reach the goal of polio eradication by 2005. By that time, Rotary will have contributed over $500 million to this worthwhile project.

The Rotary Foundation also promotes global understanding through its educational and cultural exchanges. Educational programs are designed for youth, students, teachers and other professionals. The many programs include cultural scholarships, university grants for teachers, group study exchanges, youth exchanges, world peace scholarships and ambassadorial scholarships.

The ambassadorial scholars program is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarship program. Beginning in 1947, it provides students with an opportunity for international study in hopes of fostering friendly relations between citizens of all countries. As an ambassadorial scholar, I make presentations during my year abroad to Rotary clubs in my host district and participate in Rotary activities, making connections with many Rotarians. However, my task is to also cultivate conversation among all the non-Rotarians I meet. Talks with fellow students from around the world are equally, if not more important in my role as an ambassador of goodwill. Upon my return, I will also make presentations to Rotary clubs in the United States about my unique experience. Therefore, Rotary was at the forefront of establishing an educational program to promote peace after World War II.

This fall, Rotary began a new educational program called world peace scholars. These students are assigned to Rotary centers for international studies in peace and conflict resolution and fulfil similar obligations as ambassadorial scholars. Again, Rotary’s initiative is a catalyst for peace in the current global climate of conflict. There is no more appropriate Rotary theme than this year’s message of “Sow the Seeds of Love.”

All of the work of the Rotary Foundation is supported by voluntary contributions by Rotarians and others who share in the Rotary vision. The Foundation has awarded more than $1.1 billion in humanitarian and educational grants since 1947. Today, Rotary works with the United Nations and its agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other inter-governmental organizations to complete its goals.

Some people call Rotary’s mission of global peace and understanding simply naive and idealistic. I call it necessary.

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Lucas McMillan is a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar studying international relations at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England. He represents the Rotary Club of Mullins and Rotary District 7770 of South Carolina.

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