Rotary is dedicated to causes that build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever.
The work of Rotary begins in the community, and every community has its own unique needs and concerns. While we serve in countless ways, we’ve focused our efforts in seven key areas to maximize our impact. These areas encompass some of the world’s most critical and widespread humanitarian needs, and Rotary has a record of success in accomplishing them.
fighting disease
We believe good health care is everyone's right. Yet 400 million people in the world can't afford or don't have access to basic health care.
We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. We improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in developing areas.
The eradication of polio is one of our longest standing and most significant efforts. Along with our partners, we have helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children against polio in 122 countries. We have reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent worldwide and we won't stop until we end the disease for good.
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SUPPORTING EDUCATION
"When you teach somebody how to read, they have that for a lifetime. It ripples through the community, one by one." Mark Wilson, Rotary Club member
More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Rotary's goal is to empower and strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
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SAVING MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
Nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. We expand access to quality care, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger.
Rotary provides education, immunizations, birth kits, and mobile health clinics. Women are taught how to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission, how to breast-feed, and how to protect themselves and their children from disease.
PROVIDING CLEAN WATER
We support local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to more people every day. We don’t just build wells and walk away. We share our expertise with community leaders and educators to make sure our projects succeed long-term.
When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.
GROWING LOCAL ECONOMIES
Nearly 800 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. Rotary members are passionate about providing sustainable solutions to poverty.
We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
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promoting peace
Today, over 70 million people are displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution, and human rights violations. Half of them are children.
Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. We train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict and help refugees who have fled dangerous areas.
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PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Our environment is our common legacy. Rotarians understand that the whole world is their backyard and we're taking action to protect the environment.
Rotary members are tackling environmental issues the way they always do: coming up with projects, using their connections to change policy and planning for the future.
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