Press Release

YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT  ROTARY’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN BOURNEMOUTH

4th April 2007

82nd Annual Conference of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland
13th-15th April 2007 Bournemouth International Centre

Around 3000 delegates from more than twenty countries will be in Bournemouth for the annual conference of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland to be held at the Bournemouth International Centre from April 13th   -15th, where the accent this year will be on youth. It is the largest annual gathering of members of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland.

The conference activities will be underlining one of the key principles of Rotary – that of Service above Self and that Rotarians work to improve the quality of life for others. A keynote address will be given by Rotary International President Bill Boyd on Rotary programmes for literacy, water, health and poverty. This year in particular the conference will be addressing issues relating to young people, with key note addresses from broadcaster Andrew Neil who will speak in support of Barnado's, and actor/ writer Julian Fellowes who will speak on facing Cancer Today.  The conference objective will continue with a key note address by Chris Moon on the issue of landmines and the work of Adopt a Minefield campaign. Clearing landmines in Mozambique in 1995 he stood on a landmine and lost both his lower right leg and right arm.
 
On the international front Ken Behring, Chairman Wheelchair Foundation will give an update on the work of the Foundation. It is one of the preferred international projects this year for Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland.  

President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Peter Offer said: “Rotary works in many ways with young people on Rotary programmes, projects and initiatives to assist them in achieving their goals. We are very proud of our competitions for youth including Young Musician, Rotary Young Chef and Rotary Youth Speaks. The Rotary Youth Leadership awards afford an excellent opportunity for young people to develop and mature in an outward bound environment. Many young disabled people participate in the Rotary Disabled Games and many clubs are active in supporting young sports men and women to achieve their potential especially with regard to the 2012 Olympics. At the conference we are looking to engage with the young people in the Bournemouth area through an attempt to beat the Guinness Book of Records for flying the most kites at one time.  I am also very proud that Rotary is working with the BBC News 24 on Rotary Young Citizen Awards which will be presented at conference by Ellie Crissell. ” 

Rotary is an organisation of business and professional persons united world-wide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help to build goodwill and peace in the world.