A Kiwanis International Resource Portal
Home Blogs Downloads Forums Wikis Groups
 
Kiwanis Public News » Kiwanis International searches for next global cause

Kiwanis International searches for next global cause

Kiwanis International is searching for its next Worldwide Service Project, and its International Board of Trustees heard proposals this week from issue experts and advocates on four potential projects: malaria, maternal and neonatal tetanus, tropical diseases, and education and literacy.

Advocates for each cause delivered 30-minute presentations to the International Board of Trustees, Kiwanis International Past-Presidents, the Kiwanis International Foundation Board and Kiwanis staff members. Advocates included Malaria No More, UNICEF and the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Kiwanis International is scheduled to announce the official finalists later this month. The next Worldwide Service Project will be announced in June at the Kiwanis International Convention in Las Vegas, NV.

What is a Worldwide Service Project?
Children and communities worldwide have diverse needs-access to healthcare, clean water, safe shelter, safety from slavery, access to education and so many others. A Worldwide Service Project is a directed program that engages all 600,000 youth and adult Kiwanis family members to make a positive difference in the world by helping children in need.

Kiwanis successfully completed its first Worldwide Service Project, virtually eliminating iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Kiwanis raised more than $100 million, which today is at work in more than 89 nations. The number of households estimated to be consuming iodized salt has jumped from 20 percent in 1990 to more than 70 percent, and the effort has been heralded as one of the most successful health initiatives in the world.

Posted Jan 21 2010, 01:03 PM by Chris Hayworth

Comments

Jack Parker - Club 03532 wrote re: Kiwanis International searches for next global cause
on 01-22-2010 7:48 PM

 I'm a 30-plus year member of Kiwanis.  Enjoyed the IDD effort.  Now time to tackle the "Lack of Clean Water" problem.

Very effective filters have been developed that are cheap and easy to use.  Let's get going on this one !!!  

Kellye McElroy wrote re: Kiwanis International searches for next global cause
on 01-24-2010 8:44 AM

I feel we should work on the malaria problem.  With nets, medication, education and eventually the new vaccine they are working on we can make a difference in children's lives around the world!

Greg Smith wrote re: Kiwanis International searches for next global cause
on 01-26-2010 7:51 PM

I'm puzzled.  Would somebody please explain to me why "Malaria No More" and "Neglected Tropical Diseases" meet the criteria of a Kiwanis World-Wide Service Project?  When this initiative was announced it needed to be Child-focused, Hands-on service, Have a Global Impact, and Support Membership Growth.

What can we do with these two that is hands-on? How can they involve the whole Kiwanis family (other than raising money and sending a check)?  How does it have a global impact especially in the US and Europe where these problems are virtually non-existent?  If DDT were allowed, Malaria would not even be a problem.  How do these projects promote membership growth?

I think we are in the process of making a wrong choice that will not accomplish the goals we expect.

Calvin J. Pancheri wrote re: Kiwanis International searches for next global cause
on 02-01-2010 1:45 PM

All the projects currently under review are good projects but may not be as helpful as just plain education.  If Kiwanis could help educate the children of the world, we would be in a better position to see them help them selves. This could cover the areas within the USA as well as around the world.

CJP

Chris Hayworth wrote re: Kiwanis International searches for next global cause
on 02-02-2010 1:52 PM

Thank you for weighing in on Kiwanis International's next Worldwide Service Project. On Jan. 27, we launched a Web site announcing the three finalists and inviting members to select a favorite finalist and/or comment on the search for our next global cause. All comments are welcome. Please make your voice heard by going to _www.kiwanis.org/wsp and click the Join Discussion button.

Lucy West wrote re: Kiwanis International searches for next global cause
on 02-05-2010 9:32 AM

I would like to suggest that perhaps Kiwanis creates -adopt a child program.  Many of us are already with organizations such as world vision and on going support and care of a child is so in keeping with our mission.

Add a Comment

(required)  
(optional)
(required)  
Remember Me?
Copyright © 2007 Kiwanis International. All Rights Reserved. Web design by www.danfinney.com