More Clarence News
Posted by Robert Artis
UNITED NATIONS DAY
.jpg)
My name is Bob Artis. I am a member of the Rotary Club of Clarence. I was fortunate to be one of approximately 400 recent attendees at the United Nations General Assembly, as was Robb McCloud, PDG of our District 7090. The following represents my impressions of the outstanding presenters (from around the globe). They spoke on a wide range of topics.
Starting w/Ambassador Kim Won-soo, Under Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and Special Advisor to UN Secretary General. The Under Secretary included the following remarks.
1. Be socially responsible
2. Enable sustainable health care
3. Responsible trade
4. Good trade practices
5. Gender bias
6. Eliminate weapons from reaching criminals
7. Responsible investments
2. Enable sustainable health care
3. Responsible trade
4. Good trade practices
5. Gender bias
6. Eliminate weapons from reaching criminals
7. Responsible investments
Next I was able to hear Reza Hosseini, UNICEF Chief of Polio, who gave an update on polio eradication. In 1988, there were 350,000 cases a year in 125 endemic countries. In 2015, there were 32 cases in three countries and the UN provided 1.3 billion doses of vaccines in some of the most remote areas. To aid in the cost of vaccines, businesses donated $2.5 billion. Today there are 265,363,511 volunteers.
Finally I heard from Per Saxeguard, CEO of Business for Peace Foundation who noted:
1. Equal minds think alike.
2. Young students wants to know how to become rich?
3. No amount of money will bring about happiness.
4. Money motivates but no amount can inspire.
5. Being business worthy is more important.
1. Equal minds think alike.
2. Young students wants to know how to become rich?
3. No amount of money will bring about happiness.
4. Money motivates but no amount can inspire.
5. Being business worthy is more important.
He noted that the three forces confronting business are: technology, globization and climate change. Also, he stated that we are moving business but questioned, "Is there a trust factor"? He stressed that there is a mutual like of trustworthiness. He commented that the engine of business is solving the problems of other businesses, money is part of the capitalism in a social manner helping others, not all profits are created equal, social needs can define markets, suggested that business reconnect to rebuild trust, and described peace as the absence of war: Peace is the optimal environment for the human potential to flourish. The Oslo Business Peace Award was presented to several Rotarians and small businesses that has distinguished themselves as mirroring the philosophy of Business for Peace Foundation.
Overall it was an interesting and outstanding event.