Archive for the ‘Politics’ category

House Resolution Honors Rotary International for 105 Years of Humanitarian Service

December 9th, 2010

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPyqp6XqJ1s

Rotary International, an international club dedicated to promoting peace and goodwill through humanitarian service recently received a new honor. The organization with an impressive following of more than 1.2 million members in 34,000 clubs around the world was recognized by the U.S Congress!

This week, in honor of Rotary’s 105 years of service, Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX) introduced a new resolution that was passed unanimously by the U.S. House of Representatives with 72 co-sponsors.

From the official release:

“All across the United States, business, professional, and community leaders better their communities and the world,” said Smith. “For over a century now, Rotary Club members have worked to help those in need, and their efforts to provide humanitarian services, and promote international good will and peace are invaluable. Rotary’s four point test that encourages truth, fairness, friendship and benefit to others in all actions is an inspiring model to live by.  I want to commend all members for their dedication to the worthy mission and principles of Rotary.”

Here at the Global Network, we’re excited about this recognition and the way that Rotary International has served so many communities and individuals. In fact, we have seen the kindness of various Rotarian clubs firsthand! There are a number of Rotary Clubs all over the country that have helped us spread the word about the devastating impact of NTDs. From holding informational sessions at meetings to educate Rotarians, to passing around jars to collect change, several Rotary chapters have been helping us wave the NTD flag!

We are looking forward to continuing to work with Rotary clubs, and are certain the prestigious organization will see another successful 105 years of service!

The Vaccine Veteran: Albert Sabin

November 11th, 2010

By: Jennifer Segal

Today is Veteran’s Day!  A day to honor U.S .veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Sabin Archive U Cincinnati

The Sabin Vaccine Institute was founded in honor of Dr. Albert Sabin, a renowned scientist and a great American veteran. Dr. Sabin was in the midst of his polio research in Ohio, when he joined the U.S. Army Epidemiological Board’s Virus Committee and accepted assignments all over the world at the start of World War II. During his time serving abroad, he developed vaccines for encephalitis (sleeping sickness), sand-fly fever, and dengue fever. » Read more: The Vaccine Veteran: Albert Sabin

WHO Releases First Comprehensive Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases

October 14th, 2010

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqROB3GHMq4

For the first time ever,  the World Health Organization (WHO) has published a report on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) called, “Working to overcome the global impact of neglected tropical diseases,”  released this morning in Geneva, Switzerland. The report demonstrates that control and elimination efforts are producing results—and that achievements are being recognized.

» Read more: WHO Releases First Comprehensive Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases

International Day of Nonviolence and NTDs!

October 2nd, 2010

By: Jennifer Segal

An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”

That famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi really helps define what today is–The International Day of Nonviolence (IDN) celebrated each year on October 2nd in memory of Mahatma Gandhi. IDN was established to help educate and spread awareness of nonviolence in order to promote a global environment of peace, tolerance and understanding.  Unfortunately, there is a strong connection between violence and poverty; we often see a trend of high rates of violence in areas with low income and little to no access to health care.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) summary report on world health and non- violence published in 2002, discusses the implications and priority of violence and its impact on global health. In 1979, the U.S. Surgeon General produced the first of several reports linking violence and health.In the report, the U.S. Surgeon General states that “the consequences of violent behavior could not be ignored in the effort to improve the nation’s health and made tackling the roots of violence a top priority for the health community.” The same goes for other nations too; if we want to make nonviolence a priority, we need to tackle one of its effecting contributors, and that is global health. Solutions to promoting nonviolence are based in education and awareness much like the recommendations for controlling and eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

» Read more: International Day of Nonviolence and NTDs!