Rotary International has named John Hewko, an attorney with extensive international experience in both the private and public sectors, to be the global humanitarian service organization’s new top executive, serving as its general secretary. Rotary’s Secretariat supports the activities of more than 33,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas, with a combined membership of 1.2 million men and women. The Rotary Foundation annually distributes over $180 million to fund a variety of educational programs and humanitarian projects throughout the world.
Hewko is a former partner with the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie and was vice president at the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. government agency established in 2004 to deliver U.S. foreign assistance to the world’s poorest countries. He begins work on 1 July at a key moment in Rotary’s 106-year history.
“I am delighted to be joining Rotary and honored to be able to participate in the organization’s mission to promote world peace and understanding by addressing some of the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, and the global water and sanitation crisis,” Hewko said. “Rotary’s global membership of 1.2 million business and professional leaders -- supported by a dedicated, professional staff -- is a powerful resource that is making a meaningful global and grassroots contribution to that goal. Just look at what Rotary already has accomplished in the area of polio prevention and eradication.”
As RI's general secretary, Hewko will play a lead role in the implementation of the organization’s newly revised strategic plan that envisions Rotary’s expanded engagement in areas such as maternal and child health, water and sanitation, disease prevention and treatment, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, and peace studies and conflict prevention/resolution. His tenure could also see the successful conclusion of Rotary’s principal humanitarian initiative: its 25-year campaign to eradicate the crippling disease polio, a goal that is more than 99 percent complete.
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