Taipei Times: As you are going to attend Rotary's Presidential Celebration in Taipei today, can you describe the role of Taiwanese Rotarians in the global organization?
Glenn Estess: Rotary has clubs in 168 countries. As one of this big family, Taiwan for some time has been the role model for other Rotaries in terms of voluntarism and members' commitment to serve above self. As I was planning celebrations to be held around the world, Taiwan was obviously the place I'd like to come. We see great vigor and leadership being promoted among Rotarians here.
TT: Since Rotary International is a non-profit organization that has dedicated itself to polio eradication and international education, what contributions have Taiwanese Rotarians made to help to achieve the project's objectives?
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
Estess: From a financial standpoint, Taiwan has been very supportive of polio efforts, which are our major projects. Taiwan's government contributed some US$3 million and substantial donations from individual Rotarians continue to pour in.
But more than just polio efforts, Taiwan's Rotarians have been also very supportive of our educational programs. You know Rotary is the world's largest privately funded source of international scholarships. Each year, nearly 1,000 university students receive Rotary scholarships to study in another country. Not only helping your own students, Taiwan's Rotary clubs also assist students in other countries who are not able to fund their own studies. Taiwan-sponsored programs also include helping hearing-impaired children and laboratory projects in other countries.
TT: Apart from financial contributions, what expertise do Taiwanese Rotarians offer to the global community?
Estess: Taiwanese Rotarians play a key role in Rotary International's core leadership. As a matter of fact, Gary Huang (
As for our health project, there is a newly emerging health risk which Taiwan's Rotarians can help put an end to. As you probably noticed in the newspaper, a second case of polio has been discovered in Indonesia, where the disease has not been seen since 1995. It is a fresh setback to the global effort to stamp out the crippling disease. It illustrates again that we need to speed up a vaccination drive to prevent an outbreak of the deadly disease.
From what I can understand, the virus was found to be the same type of virus found in certain places in Nigeria three years ago. Nigeria had discontinued immunization for a year and polio came back with a vengeance. There were more than 750 cases of the paralytic disease in Nigeria last year. Sadly, the virus traveled to 16 other countries, including Indonesia. This means we will have to go back to Indonesia to refuel our anti-polio drive there.
I think Taiwanese Rotarians have been on the forefront of volunteering for immunization programs against polio. I have high hopes for Taiwanese Rotarians. Taiwanese Rotarians have been such strong Rotarians. I'd say that Taiwan's Rotarians have already given more than what other Rotarians expect.
TT: As peace is on the top of Rotary's agenda, what kinds of grassroots effort do you think is needed to ensure both Taiwanese' safety and sovereignty at the same time?
Estess: We have several programs to promote better understanding among peoples. To promote world peace and develop the next generation of community and world leaders, Rotary recently established the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution.
The Rotary Center program -- created in partnership with eight prestigious universities around the globe -- aims to train future leaders in international relations, conflict resolution and formulate social and political policies that will avert flaring of violence. Each year, 70 scholars are chosen from countries and cultures around the world. An estimated $US20 million is there to provide full scholarships for the first five classes of scholars and fund other scholars' study in two-year master's level or certificate programs.
Albeit this program is very new, it has proven to be a very successful program. It is a program focused on commitment to peace through participants' personal experience and professional achievements. Those participants -- people coming out of ministries, state governments, federal governments -- go through the program and return to their previous job with a renewed understanding of other countries.
We also have a study-exchange program where non-Rotarians along with Rotarian leaders go to other countries. In this program, people meet on a one-to-one basis with others from similar professions. That program has been very effective as well. I recall that recently Taiwan and Denmark have engaged in the study-exchange program. Each time you send a team to other countries, they [the team members] come away with a deeper understanding of the cultural values of that country. What's more important is that the exchange program offers an opportunity for people in the visited country to understand more about Taiwan.
And how does that make significance back in Taiwan where some imminent conflicts loom? We believe that Rotarians are able to cross cultural borders and step into policy making that will help prevent future conflicts.
TT: In the case of the Taiwan Strait, which is often viewed as one of the world's most dangerous flashpoints, how do you plan to extend Rotary's humanitarian efforts in China, where people's freedom of assembly is denied?
Estess: Rotary has two provisional clubs in China. Rotary once thrived in China. The first Rotary club in Shanghai was chartered in 1919. The change of political climate in 1949, however, forced the closure of all 23 Rotary clubs in China. In March 1997, after many meetings between Rotary and Chinese government officials, our board agreed to open the People's Republic of China for Rotary extension. As far as we know, the Chinese government is currently developing policies and criteria for humanitarian organization operations in China.
We'd like to give full status to our two provisional clubs in Beijing and Shanghai and launch more Rotary project initiatives there. But Rotarians must have the freedom to assemble. Once the Chinese government can recognize people's freedom of assembly, Rotary clubs in China will be officially chartered.
TT: Will Taiwanese Rotarians be beneficial to Chinese Rotarians in expanding the outreach of their community services?
Estess: Certainly, Chinese Rotarians can benefit from Taiwanese Rotarians by learning what their mutual needs are on a cooperative basis. Every one in Rotary is treated on an equal basis. Also, Taiwan has set an example for Rotarians in China in creating a culture of volunteerism, which plays a vital role in Rotary's expansion in a country. Taiwanese Rotarians are already helping Chinese Rotaries pave the way for future expansion of humanitarian efforts.
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