Subject: Rotarians committed to landmine action---Actions taken at the Brisbane
International Convention
Rotarians,
A group of us met at the International Convention in
1. Creation of a Fellowship---
The attendees agreed to create a fellowship (the
Fellowship of Rotarians for Mine Action). This will be one important way in
which we can work together in an organized fashion. DG Richard Clarke 7070
prepared the documents, which are attached. He will serve as the initial
president. I have agreed to serve as well.
Once the Fellowship is approved, we would ask you to
circulate to clubs and interested Rotarians---so we can get more people
involved. Those individuals could then help inventory what is going on
throughout the Rotary World. Richard Clarke (District 7070,
While the Fellowship will provide an opportunity to
build awareness and to take action in a networked fashion---we will still
advocate for creation of a Task Force at some future time.
2. The Landmine Action service model
We agreed to expand the definition of landmine action,
to include broader community development activities which may be required once
landmines are cleared. These would include education programs, microcredit, low incomine housing
and more. The purpose of this: it allows Rotary clubs who are passionate
about microcredit to focus their efforts on communities
previously affected by landmines. It provides more opportunities for more
Rotarians and Rotary Clubs to be involved.
You will be seeing more about this concept.
3. A Geographic model??
Some discussion about the
feasibility/desirability of districts focusing on specific countries.
While no action was taken on this---the US West Coast
Districts agreed to put together a strawman
proposal (for example, to focus their efforts on a particular country----taking
action from landmine removel, prosthetics,
education---to include more complete community development). Expect to see a
bit more about this concept.
4. Future International Conventions
We, members of Fellowship of Rotarians for Mine
Action, will meet at future international
conventions. We understood that the Osaka 2004
Convention might have a limited amount of booth space--for
landmine action booths or the
fellowship. Please plan for 2005,
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemary Barker Aragon
Rotary District Governor 2002-2003
District 5030 Phone:
(425) 844 8871 Fax:
(425) 844 0557 rba2002@earthlink.net