News Release

For immediate release

CONTACTS:
Evan Zelikovitz - ezelikov@apcoworldwide.com, Phone: + 1-613-862-0302
Vivian Fiore - Vivian.fiore@rotary.org, Phone: +1 (847) 866-3234 (US)

TORONTO, Canada (October 18, 2014) — Rotary International recognized Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Saturday, 18 October, with the organization’s Polio Eradication Champion Award for his efforts to support a polio-free world.

With a commitment of more than US$ 580 million to polio eradication since 1988, Canada has been a longstanding partner with Rotary International in the effort to eradicate polio and a major leader among a core group of strong donor nations.

Throughout his tenure, Prime Minister Harper has maintained a strong focus on global polio eradication, particularly in Afghanistan, where polio eradication efforts have been a signature project for Canada, and also in Nigeria. Polio eradication was featured in the 2010 G8 Summit in Muskoka, and Prime Minister Harper reaffirmed Canada’s commitment during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2011. Canada also significantly increased its commitment to polio eradication in 2013 when a five year commitment to provide C$250 million to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was announced at the Global Vaccine Summit. Prime Minister Harper continues to support global polio eradication within the context of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Initiative launched in May of this year. Immunization is a top priority of the Initiative. 

“Thanks in great part to the support of Prime Minister Harper and the Government of Canada, the world is on the verge of defeating polio once and for all.” said Wilf Wilkinson, Past President of Rotary International. “Polio eradication efforts are serving as a gateway to reach children with other essential immunizations and health services, thereby serving as an effective bridge for Canada’s broader Maternal and Child Health objectives.”

Rotary established the Polio Eradication Champion Award in 1995 to honor heads of state, health agency leaders and others who have made significant contributions to the global eradication of polio. Past recipients  include Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany; Britain’s Prime Minister, David Cameron; Ireland’s Prime Minister, Enda Kenny; President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria; and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Prime Minister Harper is the second Canadian leader to receive this recognition. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien was honoured by Rotary in 1999.

When Rotary launched its PolioPlus program in 1985, polio struck more than 1,000 children around the world every day. Just 222 cases have been confirmed in 2014 as of 8 October – primarily in the countries where polio has never been stopped: Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Rotary made polio eradication its top philanthropic goal in 1985. As the volunteer arm of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary has contributed more than US$1.3 billion and countless hours of volunteer service to ending polio. This includes more than 26 million contributed by the more than 25,000 members of Rotary clubs in Canada. To date, more than 2.5 billion children have been immunized against the paralyzing and sometimes deadly poliovirus.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative includes the World Health Organization, Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

About Rotary

Rotary is a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary’s 1.2 million members hail from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.

# # #