A World in Order

The closest world organization to RI in terms of memberships is the United Nations with its 192 member countries. The mandate is for this intergovernmental organization to achieve cooperation among its members, maintain peace and security and collaborative relations and harmony with each other.

The relationship goes farther back with Rotarians having a hand with the drafting of the UN Charter in 1945 and that legacy continues till now with RI connecting with the UN to serve the world together.

The UN is likewise for inclusiveness and equality for all. Through these years, the UN – with its Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – has strived to “bring people and issues together to promote collective action for a sustainable world”.

On the other hand, RI is -- in effect -- a socio-economic binding force which has substantial human and economic resources to be able to carry out its global missions.  From the standpoint of a total GDP of close to 180 RI member-countries, altogether, is substantial at about $80,000B.  

On human resources,  Rotarians are estimated to have rendered "45 million man hours or about $850M a year if communities had to pay for such services provided," RI General Secretary John Hewko pointed out.