As World Polio Day approaches, Rotary members around the world are mobilizing their communities to raise awareness, advocate for continued commitment and help make polio history.
In Mongolia, the World Polio Day season got off to an energetic start as around 200 members of Rotary, Rotaract and Interact clubs came together for a 3.5-kilometre End Polio Walk through the Mongolian National Park.
Organized by Areas 9 and 10 of Rotary District 3450, the event brought together Rotary members from across Mongolia, joined by District Deputy Secretary Joao Francisco Pinto, who travelled from Hong Kong to take part. Before setting off, participants warmed up together with Biyelgee, a traditional Mongolian dance – bringing a distinctly local flavour to a global cause.
And Mongolia is just the beginning.
In the weeks around World Polio Day on 24 October, Rotary members and partners will come together through events and activities across the globe – each different, but united behind the same goal.
At WHO headquarters in Geneva, WHO and Rotary will bring together Rotary members, Member States, polio survivors and eradication partners for a special event featuring WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and highlighting the extraordinary partnership that has brought the world to the threshold of eradication.
In Brussels, one of the city’s most famous residents will also join the effort: on 23 October, Manneken Pis will be dressed in a specially designed End Polio Now outfit, turning the iconic landmark into perhaps the world’s smallest polio eradication ambassador.
In London, parliamentarians and polio advocates will come together to keep political attention focused on finishing the job. And in Essen, Germany, Rotary members and partners will gather at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Zollverein industrial complex to reflect on the progress made and the commitment still needed to make polio history.
These are just a few examples of activities taking place around the world – from community walks and public events to political advocacy, awareness campaigns and fundraising – demonstrating the unique role Rotary members continue to play in mobilizing communities and sustaining commitment to a polio-free world.
Join Team End Polio
This year, people everywhere can also take part through the Team End Polio Challenge on Strava, turning their own walks, runs and rides into a show of support for polio eradication. Participants can also raise funds for Rotary’s PolioPlus Fund, helping support efforts to reach and protect children from polio.
Since launching PolioPlus more than four decades ago, Rotary has combined grassroots action with global advocacy and resource mobilization to help drive the world towards eradication. World Polio Day is an opportunity to celebrate that extraordinary progress – but also to remind the world that the job is not yet finished.
More than 99% of the way there is an extraordinary achievement. But when it comes to eradication, 99% is not enough.
From Mongolia to Geneva, Brussels, London and Essen – and in communities around the world – the message this World Polio Day is the same: Together, we can make polio history.
