Calgary finale addresses peacebuilding, literacy, and human trafficking – Rotary International

Report on the Final Day of the 2025 Rotary International Convention

Overview

The 2025 Rotary International Convention, held in Calgary, Canada, concluded with a focus on fellowship, leadership, and advancing Rotary’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event emphasized the power of relationships and community engagement as fundamental to achieving impactful service aligned with the SDGs.

Keynote Addresses and Leadership Vision

Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick highlighted the essential role of members in driving Rotary’s mission, underscoring the importance of friendship and encouragement in achieving collective goals. This aligns with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), emphasizing collaboration as a catalyst for sustainable development.

President-elect Francesco Arezzo introduced his 2025-26 presidential message, Unite for Good, which advocates for expanding Rotary’s reach through inclusive partnerships involving members, organizations, and local administrations. This vision supports multiple SDGs by fostering inclusive communities and collaborative action.

Sessions Focused on Sustainable Development Goals

1. The Amazing Peace Race: This session explored integrating the eight Pillars of Positive Peace into Rotary club projects, promoting SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
2. Literacy Alive: Highlighted a successful initiative to develop early reading skills among children in Belize, directly contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education).
3. Rotary Action Group Against Slavery: Focused on combating human trafficking, a critical issue addressed under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Cheryl Perera, founder of OneChild and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, shared her experience fighting child trafficking and mobilizing youth awareness.

Indigenous Peoples and Cultural Awareness

In the House of Friendship exhibition hall, Rotary District 5360 sponsored a 20-foot-tall tipi equipped with educational tools to raise awareness about Indigenous peoples’ concerns. This initiative supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting cultural understanding and inclusion.

Event Reflections and Future Engagements

• Event Success: Bryn Styles, chair of the 2025 Calgary Convention Committee, praised the venue and the warm reception from attendees.
• Upcoming Convention: Andreas von Möller, chair of the 2026 Taipei Convention Committee, invited members to the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan, promising a culturally enriching experience that continues Rotary’s commitment to global fellowship and SDG advancement.

Additional Resources

• Speech by RI President Stephanie Urchick (PDF)
• Speech by RI President-elect Francesco Arezzo (PDF)
• Speech by RI General Secretary and CEO John Hewko (PDF)
• Speech by Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Mark Daniel Maloney (PDF)
• RI Treasurer’s Report
• RI General Secretary’s Report

For more information and updates, visit the 2026 Rotary International Convention registration page and explore the 2025 convention social media coverage.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Highlighted by the Literacy Alive initiative focusing on building early reading skills in children in Belize.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Addressed through the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery’s efforts to fight human trafficking and child trafficking worldwide.
   • The Amazing Peace Race session promoting the eight Pillars of Positive Peace.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Emphasized by President-elect Francesco Arezzo’s message to involve members, partner organizations, local administrations, and voluntary associations to expand Rotary’s reach.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Implied by Rotary District 5360’s sponsorship of an exhibit to raise awareness about Indigenous peoples’ concerns.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.2: Ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. For SDG 4 (Quality Education)
   • Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being.
   • Implied measurement through success of early reading skills initiatives like Literacy Alive.
2. For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)
   • Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age, and form of exploitation.
   • Implied tracking of human trafficking cases and arrests, as exemplified by Cheryl Perera’s involvement in sting operations.
   • Indicator 16.1.4: Proportion of population that feel safe walking alone around the area they live.
3. For SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
   • Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships.
   • Implied measurement through the extent of collaboration among Rotary members, partner organizations, and local administrations.
4. For SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
   • No specific indicator mentioned, but implied through efforts to raise awareness and inclusion of Indigenous peoples.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: rotary.org