Editor's Note

MELBOURNE 2023. The Rotary International Convention took place this week in the southern-most city of mainland Australia -- Melbourne. It felt great to be back to this vibrant and cosmopolitan city for Rotary’s biggest event of the year, where Rotarians from all over the globe all came together to, among others, renew their commitment to being people of action. We all know that over 1.2 million Rotary members from more than 200 countries tackle the world’s most humanitarian challenges; and a major gathering is organized every year. For 2023, the event was held down under. One thing is sure: to the more than 14,000 delegates, Melbourne did not disappoint.

This picturesque city set on the shores of Port Phillip Bay, with its beauty enhanced by the meandering Yarra River, charmed all Rotarians and guests in attendance. For at least 5 days, Melbourne, with its immaculate parks and gardens, public art, classical buildings, innovative design, became the perfect spot for Rotary members to celebrate the successes of this year’s Imagine Rotary, and to look forward to a hope-creating year.

The excitement and energy from Day 1 during the opening program was palpable. Rotary leaders, members, and global leaders definitely motivated and empowered everyone in attendance. The various programs, from opening to closing, were sprinkled with amazing entertainment. The Tenors, an international vocal group made up of Victor Micallef, Clifton Murray, Alberto Urso, and Mark Masri, had the audience in awe with their operatic pop style. There was also The Greatest Show, a group of vocalists, dancers, circus artists, and musical theater performers brought together by choreographer Chantelle Fava. Notably, there were no winding speeches, as all speakers, including Rotary Leaders Jennifer Jones and Gordon McInally, were judiciously conscious of the time. In other words, there were no boring speeches, and the introductions were kept very short.

During the general session, one particularly memorable speaker was Leymah Gbowee, a 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate and champion of women’s rights. Gbowee, together with her female compatriots, led a nonviolent movement that helped end a 14-year-long civil war in Liberia. She has lived in a refugee camp, worked as a counselor for child soldiers and currently sits on the United Nations Secretary-General’s High Level Advisory Board on Mediation. She’s the founder and current president of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa and serves as the executive director of the Gender, Law and Transformative Peace Initiative of the City of New York School of Law, USA. She was a founding member and Liberia coordinator of the Women in Peacebuilding Network, a program of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.

To the Manila Rotarians who were able to attend the Melbourne convention – it was not only an occasion to forge new relations or strengthen old ties with Rotarians from around the world. It was also an opportunity to bond among themselves.

[ Next year’s convention on May 25-29, 2024 will be in Singapore, and hopefully, more Manila Rotarians will be able to join. Registration is now open -- https://convention.rotary.org/en-us/2024-rotary-convention-singapore ]