Rotary: Celebrating 120 Years of Global Service and Leadership

As Rotary International prepares to mark its 120th anniversary in February 2025, the organization remains a shining example of global service and leadership

Day one of the Subnational Immunization Days in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, a weeklong campaign to vaccinate children against polio. Rotarians, Rotaractors, health workers, and other volunteers set up and operate more than 1,500 immunization booths in the area. 23 June 2019.

By Nikola Božić
Rotary International End Polio Now Coordinator

Over its remarkable history, Rotary has addressed some of the world’s most pressing challenges, but few initiatives highlight its impact as profoundly as the End Polio Now campaign. For more than three decades, Rotary has been at the forefront of efforts to eradicate polio, transforming a once-devastating disease into one that is now nearly eliminated worldwide.

This mission is about more than just fighting a disease—it represents a commitment to diplomacy, partnerships, and the creation of a healthier, safer world. For leaders in diplomatic and business communities, Rotary’s work serves as both an inspiration and a call to action.

A Legacy of Service

Founded in 1905 in Chicago by Paul Harris, Rotary International has grown into one of the world’s largest service organizations, with 1.4 million members in more than 46,000 clubs across 200 countries. Guided by its motto, “Service Above Self,” Rotary has spent 120 years promoting international understanding, goodwill, and peace.

Rotary’s efforts center around its Seven Areas of Focus, which include: Promoting peace; Fighting disease; Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; Saving mothers and children; Supporting education; Growing local economies; Protecting the environment.

These focus areas reflect Rotary’s comprehensive approach to tackling global challenges. Through its Avenues of Service—Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service, and New Generation Service—Rotarians design and implement sustainable projects that create lasting, positive change in their communities and beyond.

The Fight Against Polio: A Global Achievement

Among Rotary’s many accomplishments, its leadership in eradicating polio stands out as a truly remarkable success story. The End Polio Now initiative began in 1985 when polio was paralyzing hundreds of thousands of children annually across 125 countries. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Rotary committed to eliminating the disease through global collaboration.

Rotary co-founded the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) alongside partners like the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and governments worldwide. This unprecedented coalition has reduced polio cases by more than 99.9%, with wild poliovirus now confined to just two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.

As of 2024, only 92 cases of wild poliovirus were reported globally, compared to 140 in 2020. While this progress is extraordinary, it underscores the need for continued vigilance to ensure the disease is completely eradicated.

Day one of the Subnational Immunization Days in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, a weeklong campaign to vaccinate children against polio. Rotarians, Rotaractors, health workers, and other volunteers set up and operate more than 1,500 immunization booths in the area. 23 June 2019.

Diplomacy and Action: Building Partnerships for Change

Rotary’s success in the fight against polio lies in its ability to connect people and organizations across all levels—from grassroots volunteers to government leaders. The GPEI is a model of international collaboration, demonstrating how shared goals can overcome global challenges. Rotary’s ability to mobilize communities, advocate for funding, and engage governments has been essential in bridging the gap between local action and high-level diplomacy.

These partnerships have fostered trust and cooperation across borders, uniting nations, businesses, and communities to achieve a common goal.

Why Polio Eradication Still Matters

Rotary’s work against polio offers valuable lessons about the power of collective action and investment. Beyond its humanitarian impact, eradicating polio will save $33 billion in healthcare costs by 2035. It will also enhance public health, boost workforce productivity, and promote stability in both developing and developed countries.

For businesses operating in Serbia, supporting initiatives like End Polio Now is an opportunity to align with a cause that resonates globally. By partnering with Rotary, companies can demonstrate a commitment to corporate social responsibility, earning respect from employees and communities alike.

A Celebration of 120 Years of Impact

As Rotary celebrates its 120th anniversary, it is a moment to reflect on the organization’s enduring legacy. From advocating for peace to providing clean water and eliminating polio, Rotary has consistently championed causes that unite people across borders.

Rotary’s fight against polio is a powerful example of what humanity can achieve by working together. This legacy offers Serbia’s diplomatic and business communities a chance to join a historic effort that will shape the future.

Health workers and volunteers participate in a door-to-door polio immunization campaign in Kaduna, Nigeria. 13 April 2019. Rotary International is working closely with the government of Nigeria and its GPEI partners to intensify polio-eradication efforts there by addressing cultural barriers, fostering community education, and increasing surveillance in a mobile population.

Why Eradication Matters for Serbia

Although Serbia has been polio-free for decades, the fight to eradicate the disease globally remains critical. Polio anywhere is a threat everywhere. In our interconnected world, frequent travel and migration mean that no country is truly safe until polio is eradicated everywhere. The re-emergence of the virus in areas previously declared polio-free serves as a stark reminder of the risks.

Supporting the global fight against polio ensures that Serbia, along with the rest of the world, stays protected. By contributing to End Polio Now, individuals, businesses, and communities in Serbia can make a lasting impact. Every donation, advocacy campaign, and awareness effort brings the world closer to a future where no child suffers from polio.

Rotary’s 120-year journey exemplifies its mission of “Service Above Self.” Its fight against polio showcases how diplomacy, business, and community action can come together to address global challenges. As the finish line draws near, every contribution matters. Together, we can celebrate not just 120 years of Rotary, but the achievement of a polio-free world.

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Nikola Božić is Rotary International End Polio Now Coordinator in Zone 21, International Assembly 2025 Learning Facilitator, member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, and past District 2483 Governor in Serbia and Montenegro

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