President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday said at a meeting with Rotary International's local leaders that the spirit of the organization is an important foundation on which can be built upon to achieve the goals of the "Volunteer Taiwan" movement.
Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 31,000 Rotary clubs in 167 countries.
Common beliefs
Chen said that the members of Rotary International adhere to the common beliefs of concern for other people and providing services, and that this not only facilitated mutual understanding between different countries but also contributed to world peace.
"Although I am one of the 1.2 million members of Rotary International, I feel that I should be more modest while facing a large organization that grew from just four members 100 years ago," Chen said.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Rotary International, the organization has announced that "Service Above Self" will be its theme for the year.
With this theme in mind, Rotary International aims at encouraging Rotarians all over the world to volunteer their vocational or professional services for a minimum of 10 hours.
Chen urged Rotary's local leaders to continue volunteering their services in this spirit and said that he would also spur himself on in this regard.
Conference
Taiwan's Rotaract (
The conference is held to provide training and knowledge to the Asia-Pacific Rotaractors, said Taiwan's Rotaract, noting that the conference would not only showcase Taiwanese Rotaractors' vision but also present Taiwan's culture to the world.
The participants will be able to feel the beauty and passion of Taiwan, according to the Rotaract.
Chen said that he was very happy that the conference will be held in Taipei and that the spirit of Rotary International will be passed on to the world's youth.
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