The United Nations--that is a pretty big deal.  And lucky for Rotarians- we have a part of the past, present, and future of the United Nations.  What does Rotary Internatioal have anything to do with the United Nations??!! First article in our club site and newsletter on the relationship of Rotary International with the United Nations.  Look for the next, PRESENT, information next week!  

 

Rotary's close ties with the United Nations date back to 1945 when 49 Rotarians helped draft the UN charter.  Rotary has an emphasis on building peace and goodwill in the world and the relationship with the United Nations is part that ideal. 

By the end of the late 1940's, RI was one of the largest international organizations in the world.  There were more than 6,800 clubs in more than 81 countries.  More importantly, Rotary was already working on projects around the world to diminish the causes of war and aggression.  In fact, during a 1943 conference in London, an outline of the development of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was established in 1946 and Rotarians helped to write its constitution.  Many of the delegates at the San Francisco Conference that were representing their respective governments, were also members of their own Rotary clubs and utilized their clubs to develop support for the soon to be established United Nations Organization (UN).

In 1945, 49 Rotary club members served in 29 delegations to the UN Charter Conference. 

"Few there are who do not recognize the good work which is done by Rotary clubs throughout the free world," former Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain once declared. 

(Article Borrowed from http://www.rotaryeclubofmelbourne.org.au/pages/rotary-and-the-united-nations and http://nyrotaryunitednations.blogspot.com/2008/05/test.html)

Peace on Earth and Goodwill Towards All Men~~