Navigating the Global Network

Navigating the Global Network

October 2009

Itzhak Perlman joins New York Philharmonic in Concert to End Polio

Rotary International is teaming up with violin virtuoso and polio survivor Itzhak Perlman and the world-renowned New York Philharmonic to present the Concert to End Polio, a benefit performance supporting the global effort to eradicate this disabling, sometimes fatal, childhood disease. The one-night-only performance will be held on 2 December at 7:30 p.m. in New York City.

Polio eradication resonates strongly with Perlman, who contracted the disease at age 4 and overcame serious physical challenges to become one of the world's most celebrated musicians. "The fact that polio is still around is ridiculous," says Perlman. "There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to get polio."

In this historic event - his first performance with the New York Philharmonic in four years - Perlman will help Rotary in its effort to raise $200 million to match $355 million in grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. All proceeds will go toward polio immunization for children in parts of South Asia and Africa.

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Rotary fast fact

Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu - This close to eradicating polio

In addition to violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman, many well-known figures are also polio survivors.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, contracted polio as an infant.
Champion professional golfer Jack Nicklaus was diagnosed with polio at the age of 13.
Actress and UNICEF goodwill ambassador Mia Farrow suffered from polio at age 9.
Country singer Willie Nelson had polio as a child.

Rotary is working to ensure that polio will never again cripple or cause harm and that all children can live up to their potential.

To learn more about Rotary's campaign to eradicate polio click here.

Rotary calendar

Rotary Representatives will be attending the following events

16 October: World Food Day - Special ceremony at Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome

21 October: State of the World's Vaccines and Immunization report reception, Washington DC

26 October: United Nations Ninth Annual Women Ambassadors' Luncheon, New York

7 November: Rotary Day at the United Nations, New York

14-16 November: World Summit on Food Security: Civil Society Forum, Rome

2 December: Concert to End Polio, New York

Speak with our representatives about any of these stories or to discuss how your organization can work with Rotary International

Learn more about Rotary at www.rotary.org

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Representatives to the UN and Other Organizations

Rotary representatives are appointed by the Rotary International president to increase awareness and recognition of Rotary's programs, policies, and activities within the international community. Rotary representatives work with NGOs and intergovernmental organizations to lay the groundwork for future collaboration at regional and community levels.

UNITED NATIONS - NEW YORK
Brad Jenkins, Primary Representative
Sylvan M. Barnet, Jr., Alternate
Robert A. Coultas, Alternate
William A. "Bill" Miller, Alternate
Helen B. Reisler, Alternate

UNITED NATIONS - GENEVA
Peter Eichenberger, Primary Representative
Kurt Tritten, Alternate

UNITED NATIONS - VIENNA
Franz Zeidler, Primary Representative Anton Hilscher, Alternate

UNITED NATIONS
ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA (ECA)

& AFRICAN UNION
Nahu Araya, Primary Representative

UNITED NATIONS
ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE (ECE)
Peter Eichenberger, Primary Representative Anton Hilscher, Alternate

UNITED NATIONS
ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (ECLAC)
Eric Krumm, Primary Representative

UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR WESTERN ASIA (ESCWA)
Michel Jazzar, Primary Representative

UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP)
Som Indra-Payoong, Primary Representative

UNITED NATIONS
EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND CULTURAL
ORGANIZATION (UNESCO)
Bernard Dervaux, Primary Representative
Cyril Noirtin, Alternate

COUNCIL OF EUROPE
G�rard Caen, Primary Representative
Fran�ois Goettelmann, Alternate

UNITED NATIONS
ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP)
Henry Kyemba, Primary Representative

UNITED NATIONS
HUMAN SETTLEMENT PROGRAMME (UN-HABITAT)
Samuel F. Owori, Primary Representative

UN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO)/ WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP)
Marco Randone, Primary Representative
Antonio Lico, Alternate

WORLD BANK
Doris Margolis, Primary Representative Peter Kyle, Alternate

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES/WASHINGTON, D.C.
Richard S. Carson, Primary Representative

Contact Information

Rotary International
External Relations (PR 210)
One Rotary Center
1560 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201-3698 USA
ER Fax: +1 847 866 8237
ers@rotary.org

Christine Sanders
External Relations Specialist
Tel: +1 847 866 3254

Bryant Brownlee

External Relations Specialist

Tel: +1 847 866 3023

About Rotary

AN ORGANIZATION OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL LEADERS� UNITED WORLDWIDE � 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE � MORE THAN 200 COUNTRIES AND GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS � PROVIDING HUMANITARIAN SERVICE � BUILDING GOODWILL AND PEACE IN THE WORLD