President, Rotary International
As my year as President of Rotary International comes to a close, I offer my heartfelt thanks to each member of our global Rotary family. Your kindness, warmth, and dedication have changed my life.
During this year, I had the privilege of travelling across our world, from San Francisco, birthplace of the United Nations, to the innovative Rotary clubs of Nigeria. In every place, I saw Rotary members and our partners working side by side to create lasting, positive change, reminding me that our strength lies in shared purpose.
That spirit leads naturally to a simple truth: Rotary is not something we attend, but something we do. We are not spectators. We act, and through that action, we transform our communities and ourselves.
As we continue this work, we must keep our focus on building conditions for peace. Rotary is, at its core, a peace machine. But maintaining that machine requires intention, commitment, and steady effort.
That same resolve is needed now as we push toward polio eradication. The final mile is often the hardest, but we cannot falter in our promise to the children of the world.
You have shown that when we Unite for Good, there is no challenge we cannot meet if we stand together. Let us carry this momentum forward with courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and prosperity of all.
Francesco Arezzo
President, Rotary International