ICC Symposium in Lille

President Frank Devlyn attends the ICC Symposium in Lille
Excerpts from Past Governor Marcel Stéfanski's report.

It was on 26 May 1999 that the then Governor nominee Serge Gouteyron and Past Governors Georges Crapet and Marcel Stéfanski extended an invitation to Rotary President nominee Frank Devlyn to preside over the Lille symposium focusing on the global expansion of ICCs..

Twenty-two months later, that dream became a reality. On 25 March 2001, 450 Rotarians met the RI president at the symposium. 630 Rotarians greeted him in the evening during the Friendship Gathering.

Regional Prefect Rémi Pautrat received the president that morning.       Frank Devlyn, Rémi Pautrat and Norbert Turco

Later, Mr. Devlyn and his wife Gloria Rita were accompanied by about 60 Rotarians and given a tour of ARBS (Rotarian Association of School Libraries) by its president, Marc Derville. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Roubaix Sud, the association has inspired similar projects both in France and abroad. The president was impressed by the structure, organization and quality services provided to families and students (80,000 individuals are served in 250 locations). He congratulated Mr. Derville on his hard won success and indicated his desire to create an identical organization in his country of Mexico.

ICC Symposium

Wolfgang Baschata, ICC, CEEMA and RIBI President stressed that ICCs have helped newly Rotarian countries to integrate into the Rotary Family. On the other hand, however, Wolfgang noted that even after 40 years, ICCs continue to face the same problems: no official recognition from the RI Board, no training for governors at the International Assembly, doubts about the effectiveness of ICCs, lack of motivation in clubs for international service.

Louis Massot-Bordenave, National ICC coordinator in France stressed that, in his own words, "from the time it finalized its name, Rotary has stressed its international nature". It is evident by its presence in more than 160 countries, but also by the goals that it has set for itself (the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service).   Louis Massot-Bordenave and Serge Gouteyron

ICC Presentations

France-Germany
André Merlin recalled 70 years of Franco-German Rotary relations. It was indeed in 1931 that the first European Conference was held at the Hague. A joint meeting of French and German Rotarians was held at this time. Then, in 1937 the first " small committee " was organized between District 73 (Germany-Austria) and the Parisian District. It was finally in Strasbourg in 1950 that the France-Germany ICC was born.Today there are 18 French districts that actively participate in the ICC. There are 310 Franco-German twin clubs; 33% of all French clubs have a twin club in Germany. 12,000 Rotarians are involved in Franco-German relations.

France-Poland
President Janusz Laskowski of the Polish Section spoke of "10 Years of Projects". Created in April 1991, FRAPOL was the first Central East and East European ICC of its kind. From its inception, both sections have strived to move beyond their different economic positions and work together in a spirit of true exchange: In keeping with that goal, Polish Rotarians have welcomed young French Rotarians, students and Rotaractors. They have organized the first RYLA in Central Eastern Europe. For their part, 73 clubs from 11 of the 18 French districts have been participated in a number of educational, cultural and humanitarian projects amounting to a million dollars. What makes the FRAPOL ICC unique, however, is its project partnerships with public and private institutions: The European Union for the Tempus programs, Socrates, Universities, Hospitals, Clinics, Chambers of Commerce and Industry and, of course, The Rotary Foundation.

France-Algeria
Jacques Chauvin pointed out that running an ICC designed to help implement humanitarian and cultural projects in needy countries is a constant challenge. When trying to find partners in France for WCS projects, personal relationships are a must. Attempts to publicize WCS projects in France through current governors often yields less than satisfactory results. On the other hand, making direct contact with 900 French clubs is simply not in an ICC's budget. To be an ICC president is to invest significant time and money.

France-Spain
Daniel Navarro, Spain's National ICC Coordinator, emphasized the importance of regular meetings between both sections, in Spain one year, in France the next. Decisions are made at these meetings about future projects, of which those benefiting youth are a priority: RYLA, summer camps for the disabled, internships, etc.

France-Senegal
Jacques Dailly believes that ICCs can be divided into two groups: those that bring together two countries with comparable development and those between two countries of disparate development levels: mutual understanding and friendship requires the wealthier of the two aid the disadvantaged country. Such is the case for the France-Senegal ICC. Senegal is experiencing a number of problems; the growing reach of the desert has left many rural populations in desperate situations without water. The solution is a simple one: create special areas outfitted with basic needs that allow these peoples to continue living in their villages. Three steps are needed to accomplish this: Drill wells to provide to ensure that populations have sufficient water. Provide first aid medical support. Offer basic education to children.

France-Bulgaria
Vasil Baev, Secretary of the French Section gave a presentation entitled "Milk for Orphans". The idea of creating a farm-school in Glawinitza arose when visiting French Rotarians discovered that humanitarian aid shipments, while useful, provided only temporary relief. Despite their difficult situation, Bulgarians in the Glawinitza region are very proud and do not want to accept handouts. In 1998 a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant was used to purchase 25 cows. Today there are 35. The ICC also shipped in 3 tractors. The mayor of a the city has made 85 hectares of prairie available for grazing and the milk is provided to orphans all over the region.

France-Russia
Georges Crapet summarized major projects: The main desire of the ICC was to improve training for Russian Rotarians. Toward that end, the ICC prepared a training manual in Russian entitled "Let's talk about Rotary" and worked on a 100,000 WCS project in partnership with District 1670, District 1620 (Belgium), the Rotary Foundation. The purpose of the project was to create Mother/Child Care Center in Moscow to fight against thrombosis in pregnant women. Specifically, the project purchased laboratory equipment to conduct biological tests and printed 10,000 Russian health booklets that offer information to women about their pregnancy. Young Russian physicians who will be working at the maternity facility in Moscow were hosted in France. The project was publicized via two concerts in France and Belgium in 1996 and 2000 respectively. These concerts featured the Loktev Group: singers, dancers and musicians from Moscow.

France-Switzerland-Liechtenstein

Michel Dubois raised an important question: President Frank Devlyn has asked Rotarians to Build Awareness, but of what? And with whom? What? Of Rotary's Internationality? Although we are far to small to make all of humanity happy, we satisfy ourselves by doing something concrete and selfless. This is well and good, but not enough. Of the fact that international service is accomplished through human relations, "communication" and Rotarian friendship are very important. ICCs are the perfect tool for developing this aspect of the Rotarian ideal.

Who?

Year after year, Governors, Rotarians and New Generations because it is a common fact that those attending ICC meetings are primarily Rotarians of a certain age. Part of this is certainly attributable to the cost of such meetings. The cost should remain at a minimum or clubs should assume responsibility.

Conclusion by Frank Devlyn
The President said:

"I can see that you are all loyal Rotarians dedicated to the great cause of world understanding. France and all countries who work with her toward this idea serve as an example. My dream is to have what France has accomplished be reproduced in other Rotary member countries, and this should be Rotary International's dream as well. RI's work includes youth and group student exchanges, Ambassadors, Rotary Foundation programs and ICCs also have an important role because they are hard at work in the field. For all these reasons it is my fervent wish to have my dream, your dream become a reality all over the world. Alongside Norbert Turco I have listened to you and I count on him, as member of the RI Board of Directors, to pave the way toward ICC expansion on every continent. With that goal in mind, more information must be provided whether it is at International Assemblies, Institutes, or District Assemblies and Conferences. ICC should be promoted in all clubs.

I would truly like to see all ICCs have a website. You have heard this and you will work toward this. I will personally carry this message to the Board of Directors and to the Council on Legislation ".

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