WHO director, former UN envoy to inspire convention attendees

When thousands of Rotarians gather in Los Angeles for fun and fellowship at the 2008 RI Convention, they will also have the opportunity to hear inspirational keynote addresses from two prominent speakers with a global view.

Dr. Margaret Chan, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), will give the keynote address at the third plenary session on Tuesday, 17 June, a day themed “Rotary Today.” 2008 marks the twentieth year of the historic global partnership of Rotary International with WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to eradicate polio. Chan, who began her post in November 2006, has been a key ally in the initiative. In November, she praised the US$100 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to The Rotary Foundation as an “investment [that helps] us reach the finish line and is precisely the catalyst we need to get additional resources to finish polio.” Learn more about Chan.

Stephen Lewis, the former special envoy to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and current chair of the Stephen Lewis Foundation in Canada, will be the keynote speaker on the morning of Wednesday, 18 June. His organization works to support communities affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa at the grassroots level, providing care to dying mothers and surviving grandmothers, and assisting AIDS orphans. Lewis is also co-director of AIDS-Free World, a U.S.-based advocacy organization.

These star humanitarian speakers, as well as featured entertainer , singer Natalie Cole, will ensure that the 2008 RI Convention will be an unforgettable event. Be sure to register by 15 December to save on registration fees.