International Services Committee Annual Report 2005-2006

Kingdom of Nepal

During the Rotary year, the Committee explored the possibility of a long-term educational support role for 2 students in the Kingdom of Nepal.

Finance for this project is to be generated via a series of Medical Lectures for non-clinicians. Each lecture will be sponsored by Boehringer-Ingelheim in Bracknell. The series of lectures by eminent people in their field will commence in October 2006 and will cater for a paying audience of up to 100 attendees. A modest charge will be set at a level to secure sufficient funding for the sponsorship project.

Due to deepening political unrest progress with this project was suspended. As an alternative, the committee is looking to support some African students.

Visit to Mainz

In December, a visit was arranged to a Christmas Market in Mainz, Germany. The programme allowed for cultural and commercial activity and a meeting with some local Rotarians. This event proved so popular that a further visit is planned for July 2006.

Gulpen/Vaals

In March a visit took place to our contact club Gulpen/Vaals in Holland. A party of 8 Rotarians and their wives enjoyed a long weekend, which included ample opportunity for both cultural and social exchange and was considered very enjoyable by all participants.

Our French Connections

In May, we were invited to attend the 50th Anniversary celebrations of our French contact club St Nazaire. Sadly, this clashed with our own pre-arranged President's Weekend (being held in Calais) so we were unable to send a representative. A card signed by all members with a message from our President was sent instead.

Royal Ascot

In view of the Ascot Racecourse re-development, the traditional invitation to attend Royal Ascot was not made this year to our contact clubs. We are intending to offer an alternative race meeting in September 2006, when all the contractors have gone and the landscaping is complete. We hope to be joined by both our French and Dutch friends who will stay with Rotarian families.

Future Visits

Further cultural exchange events are already planned for Rotary Year 2006-2007. These include a second visit to Mainz in July, and a Champagne visit to Rheims in September.