Monday, December 3, 2007

Humanitarian Award - October 29, 2007

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL HONOURED - 2007 HUMANITARIAN AWARD

The United Nations Association of New York has honoured Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation of RI with its 2007 Humanitarian Award on 25 October, in recognition of Rotary’s significant efforts to provide safe water and sanitation and its commitment to sustainable development worldwide.

"In the years since Rotary International has started focusing on water as one of its annual service emphases…we’ve learned just how much can be accomplished with relatively little, how a single small water project, perhaps a pump or a filter, can change the life of a community," says RI President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson. "However, our work has also included participation in many other major water projects."

The award is presented annually in observance of United Nations Day (24 October). This year's award ceremony focused on the global water crisis. Other honorees include Antony Burgmans, former chair of Unilever, and Cirque du Soleil's One Drop Foundation for their deep commitment to water care initiatives and sustainable development.

Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and special adviser to the UN secretary-general, served as honourary chair of the event.
Last October, the association honoured Robert L. Corcoran, president of the General Electric Foundation and Ann M. Veneman, executive director of UNICEF, for their significant work in global education.

The proceeds from the black-tie dinner will benefit organizations and enterprises working to alleviate water-related problems around the world.

For more information about Rotary, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose. You too can be part of this exceptional organization.

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