New Challenges for Inter-Country Committees (ICCs): Focusing on Countries in Asia, New Roads to Peace

“Intercountry committees, or ICCs, are one of Rotary’s many paths to fostering goodwill and peace among nations.  In addition to encouraging international contact between clubs and Rotarians to promote fellowship, tolerance and understanding, ICCs also facilitate bilateral humanitarian and peace projects, to promote a service that transcends club, district, and national borders. 

Moderator

Arthur Bowden, PDG (General Secretary ICC Executive Council) RC of Wilton, England

Panelists

1) Anton Polsterer, PDG, ICC Executive Council Chair, Rotary Club of Wien-Nordost, Austria

• History of ICC: the 1950’s (France and Germany)

• The added value of ICC  ( Longer term commitment)

• How to organize an ICC  (agreement  between DG and National Coordinator ICC)

• The role of ICC for peace ( ICC are bilateral : they pave the way for communication) 

2) Örscelik Balkan, Past RI Director (2006 - 2008),  Rotary Club of Istanbul-Karaköy ,Turkey

• The three objectives for the Mediterranean Peace Initiative:

- Build bridges between communities

- Mobilize Rotarians for partnership with communities

- Facilitate communication between the leaders of the Mediterranean countries   

3) Guenther Koenig, PDG, ICC National Coordinator Germany, RC of Lemgo-Sternberg, 

• New ways to attract new members

• Connection to GSE

• Examples of ICC activities with countries in South East Asia, including ICCs with France and ICCs with Germany.

• The great progress made between ICCs Germany - Africa

4) Bernard Lacaze, PDG, ICC National Coordinator France, Rotary Club of Rodez, France

• Large network of ICC in France (47 + Japan)

• Introduction of partnership with Thailand

• Examples of ICC activities with countries in South East Asia, including ICCs with France and ICCs with Germany.

5) Gianni Jandolo, PDG, ICC Executive Council Chair Elect, RC of San Donato Milanese, Italy

• ICC new challenges 

• (a)more effective and efficient, connected with the needs of communities,        

• b) skills to overcome barriers and engage diversities, 

• c) peace and coexistence where needed)

• Development of partnership and communication

• Future peace meeting : Berlin end November 2012 / beginning December

• Importance of Rotaract involvement 

This was followed by a structured discussion on the subjects covered by the panelists. The focus was on humanitarian and peace projects through ICCs between countries in Asia and remote countries such as countries in Africa, the Americas and Europe; and through ICCs between countries with conflict potential in Asia, taking the Mediterranean Peace Initiative as an example.  

Details of how ICCs can help clubs and districts with bilateral international relationships.

Also covered was a question regarding the structure of an ICC in “new” ICC countries which do not yet have an established ICC organization. 

Toni Polsterer answered, that ICCs were a country-based initiative and that it was up to the countries to tailor their ICC organization to the country structure and, depending on the number of participating districts in the country, staying within the ICC guidelines in the RI code of policies. 

He pointed out that an ICC was normally with two, and not, three countries

Replying to a question about forming an ICC in countries with a large number of districts, like the USA and India, Toni suggested that chairs of existing ICCs should approach their District Governors to nominate respectively and support a National Coordinator. Ideally all districts should take part in the nomination. It is, however, reasonable to start with participating districts and keep all ICCs open for the others to join later. 

Zone Institutes or GETS could be a possible forum for this.

An ICC Israel-Palestine appeared unlikely at the moment.

How best to get an ICC input on the training agenda of DGEs’ at the International Assembly is still beyond our control.

View the Presentation given during this breakout Session :