Rotary International Program

The most notable current global project , Polio Plus , is contributing to the global eradication of Polio.  Since beginning the project in 1985, Rotarians have contributed over $600 million and tens of thousands of volunteer-hours, leading to the inoculation of more than two billion of the world’s children.  Inspired by Rotary’s commitment, the World Health Organization (WHO)  passed a resolution in 1988 to eradicate polio by 2000.  Now in partnership with WHO, UNICEF  and the   U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Rotary is recognized by the United Nations as the key private partner in the eradication effort. Youth Exchanges and Scholarships Some of rotary’s most visible programs include Rotary Youth Exchange, a student exchange program for students in secondary education, and rotary’s oldest program, Ambassadorial Scholarships.  Today, there are six different types of Rotary Scholarships.  More than 37,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad under the auspices of Ambassadorial Scholarship, and today it is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships program.

Youth Exchanges and scholarships

Some of rotary’s most visible programs include Rotary Youth Exchange , a student exchange program for students in secondary education, and rotary’s oldest program, Ambassadorial Scholarships.  Today, there are six different types of Rotary Scholarships.  More than 37,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad under the auspices of Ambassadorial Scholarship, and today it is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships program.

Rotary Fellowships

Paid by the foundation launched in honor of Paul Harris in 1947, specialize in providing graduate fellowships around the world, usually in countries other than their own in order to provide international exposure and experience to the recipient.

The Rotary Foundation

Recently the Rotary Foundation partnered with eight universities around the world to create the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution in 2002.  The universities include International Christian University (Japan), University of Queensland (Australia), Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) (France), University of Bradford (United Kingdom), University del Salvador (Argentina), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (U.S.), Duke University (U.S.), and University of California, Berkeley (U.S.) rotary World Peace Fellows complete two year masters level programs in conflict resolution, peace studies, and international relations.  The first class graduated in 2004.  In 2004, Fellows established the Rotary World Peace Fellows Association to promote interaction among Fellows, Rotarians, and the public on issues related to peace studies.