District 5495 will join with Pakistan District 3272 to present a very special update during World Polio Day weekend on Rotary’s efforts to eliminate polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“Pakistan and Afghanistan: Countdown to History” will be presented virtually 8-10 a.m. Oct. 23 (8-10 p.m. in Pakistan).
The program will be conducted via Zoom and limited to the first 300 who register.
The program takes place one day prior to World Polio Day, Oct. 24.
Past District Governor Abe Feder will serve as moderator. Among the scheduled speakers:
- Carol Pandek, director of Polio Plus for Rotary International, will provide an update on Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio.
- Stephen Brown, Past Rotary Foundation Trustee, will provide a brief update on efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Mr. Brown will interview Mohamed Ishak of Afghanistan on current status of the polio immunization campaign in Afghanistan.
- Salman Mubarek, District 3272 Governor Nominee will interview The Rotary Foundation Trustee Aziz Memon of Pakistan.
- Masheim Mubarak, a Rotaractor in Pakistan, will provide updates on the efforts of female polio workers in Pakistan.
“Past District Governors Abe Feder and Jim Erickson have put together an incredibly powerful program that should be of interest to any of our Rotarians who care about our efforts to eradicate polio from the face the earth,” said Bret McKeand, District 5495 Governor.
“Between our two districts, we’ve put together a lineup of speakers that features the top experts in the world when it comes to Rotary’s efforts to fight polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I can’t think of a better way to kick off World Polio Day weekend,” said Bret.
Mr. Ishak is on the front line of Rotary’s polio efforts in Afghanistan. He will be joining the program from a location in Afghanistan but his appearance is dependent on the availability of electricity and Internet connectivity.
