Rotary convention brings 24K people to Toronto Toronto will witness a sea of Rotarians interacting on global issues as it hosts the 5-day Rotary convention that will inject nearly CAD $48.5 million into the local economy.

The 109th annual international Rotary convention will take place in Toronto on June 23–27, and is expected to bring 24,000 Rotary club members from over 175 countries to the city – injecting an estimated $48.5 million CAD (Canadian dollars) into the local economy.

Often described as a “mini-United Nations”, Rotary’s fifth convention in Toronto will transform the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Air Canada Centre into a cultural mosaic as the organisation’s global network of volunteers gather to exchange ideas on how to improve lives and bring positive, lasting change to communities around the world.

Registrants will engage in workshops and hear from a lineup of world-class speakers, including Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand, former administrator of the United Nations Development Programme; Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general, World Health Organisation; and Caryl Stern, president and CEO of UNICEF.

Organised by Rotary International in conjunction with the Toronto Host Organising Committee of local Rotary members, registrants of the convention will also get to experience Toronto’s hospitality with visits to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and the historic Distillery District.

Highlights will include:

Monday, June 18

Rotary Photo Exhibit (Nathan Phillips Square; June 18-27): Free and open to the public, this exhibit will showcase 26 images of Rotary members improving communities in Canada and around the world.

Friday, June 22

9 am – 5 pm Peacebuilding Summit (Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, Level 100, 105-107): The peace conference is an event open to the public that will explore how to create peace and inspire others to take action. General public can purchase tickets here.

10 am Dr Tererai Trent, Oprah Book Club author and founder, Tererai Trent International Foundation

2 pm Positive Peace Breakout Session – local students will learn what positive peace means and how to incorporate it in their lives.

3.30 pm The Pink Shirt Movement Breakout Session – One in five kids are affected by bullying according to Pink Shirt Day.

This breakout session, moderated by Jeremy Dias, founder of International Day of Pink and the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, will raise awareness about the effects of bullying and teach students how to identify, peacefully confront and end bullying.

Saturday, June 23

8 am – 9 am Positive Peace Mapping (Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Olympic Park): 300-500 participants will display what positive peace looks like through an interactive outdoor activity at Olympic Park. General public can purchase tickets here.

Kat Graham, actor, musician, producer and philanthropist

9 am – 12.30 pm Peacebuilding Summit (Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, Level 100, 105-107): General public can purchase tickets here.

9 am David Morley, President and CEO, UNICEF Canada; Kat Graham, actor, musician, producer and philanthropist will close out the programme.

10 am House of Friendship Grand Opening (Metro Toronto Convention Centre Level 800, Halls D&E, South Building) Event open to Rotary members and accredited press only.

Hundreds of humanitarian projects will be on display from June 23-27.

Photo-Op: Crowds of Rotary members will gather in their traditional cultural attire – from Indian saris to West African Kente.

FEATURED BOOTH: Virtual Reality Booth (House of Friendship): Three immersive virtual reality experiences put you at the centre of polio immunisation drives, and with a child growing up in a conflict zone.

“I Dream of an Empty Ward” tells the inspiring story of Alokita, one of the last children in India to be paralysed by polio.

We journey with her as she takes her first steps in 11 years. Actress and Rotary polio ambassador Archie Panjabi introduces the film.

“One Small Act” takes us on the journey of a child whose world has been torn apart by conflict.

We see the powerful impact that small acts of kindness can have on the life of one little girl.

SNEAK PEEK- SEE BEFORE IT’S AVAILABLE “Two Drops of Patience” follows Rotary members and health workers on a special journey to see what it takes to immunise some of the hardest to reach children in Uganda.

Sunday, June 24

10.30 am – 1 pm Opening General Session (Air Canada Centre – Gate 2): Event open to Rotary members and accredited press only.

10.40 am The ceremony features a flag presentation of the 200 countries and regions where Rotary clubs serve their communities.

11.20am Red Sky Group will perform a First Nations Cultural Ceremony

11.40 am Ontario Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell will welcome Rotary members to Toronto

12 pm Rotary International President Ian HS Riseley will deliver the keynote address

3.30 pm – 6 pm Second Seating of the General Session (Air Canada Centre – Gate 2): Event open to Rotary members and accredited press only.

Monday, June 25

10 am – 12 pm General Session (Air Canada Centre – Gate 2): Event open to Rotary members and accredited press only.

11 am Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation

11.18 am Ann Gloag, Founder, Gloag Foundation and Freedom from Fistula Foundation

11.30 am Caryl Stern, President and CEO, UNICEF USA

Tuesday, June 26

10 am – 12 pm General Session (Air Canada Centre – Gate 2): Event open to Rotary members and accredited press only.

Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States (2001-2009)

Wednesday, June 27

10 am – 12 pm General Session (Air Canada Centre – Gate 2): Event open to Rotary members and accredited press only.

11 am Helen Clark, Former prime minister of New Zealand, former administrator of the United Nations Development Programme

5 pm – 7 pm Closing Plenary Session (Air Canada Centre – Gate 2): Event open to Rotary members and accredited press only.

Source: newswire.ca.com