#rotarybonn2024
Welcome to the City of Joy
Experience the “Rotary European Summit“ when members of the Rotary family from more than ten countries will come together to be inspired and to learn from one another. Book your tickets now and we will see you in Bonn from 30 August to 1 September, 2024.
Watch the amazing Bonn video
Welcome to Bonn, the city of Beethoven and the German city of the United Nations! Yes, that’s right: Bonn is home to over 25 United Nations organisations, all dedicated to different aspects of global sustainability.
One of them is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which organises the annual climate summits. Bonn itself takes sustainability very seriously and has developed into an international centre for sustainability over the last 25 years. Ludwig van Beethoven, who was born here in 1770, already incorporated sustainability into his Symphony No.6, also known as the “Pastoral Symphony“. His birthplace is now a museum and can also be visited digitally.
In 1949, the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany was passed here in Bonn. For the past 75 years, this fundamental law has been the basis for the successful democratic and economic development of the Federal Republic of Germany. The “Path of Democracy“ in the City of Bonn takes you to the buildings where history was made for more than five decades.
European Summit
Europe and Sustainability
Europe
Great goals are best achieved together. That’s why the European Summit 2024 in Bonn is also a hub where we want to create Europe-wide synergies – in line with our Rotary Action Plan and our strategic priorities.
Sustainability
Our clubs have been active with respect to sustainability for many years, not just since Rotary officially introduced its seventh area of focus: environmental protection. At the European Summit, you will be energised by Rotary’s ideas and initiatives, and you will meet the movers and shakers behind them.
“We look forward to your participation
in the Rotary European Summit 2024 in Bonn“
Mário César Martins de Camargo, RI President 2025/2026
Hans-Hermann Kasten, RI Director 2023-2025, Convener
Alain van de Poel, RI Director 2024-2026, Co-Convener
Inspiration + Breakouts + Dialogue
To link the topics of Europe and sustainability in the best possible way, we’re using a combination of inspiring keynote speakers, breakout sessions and dialogues in the “House of Friendship”.
Thank you to our sponsors
A big thank you to all our sponsors who support the European Summit. Special thanks go to the following sponsors:
Bonn – City of Joy
Bonn is a fascinating, extremely interesting city that has much more to offer than just its contribution to political world history. The images give just a small impression. Our tip: Extend your stay and explore this remarkable city.
Hotel
The Rotary European Summit 2024 will take place at the Maritim Hotel in Bonn. With its central location, attractive rooms, relaxation offers and inviting restaurants, it offers the ideal infrastructure for great events and meetings. To enable as many members of the Rotary family as possible to participate, we have negotiated very attractive room rates. Take this opportunity and book your room and your ticket.
Location Maritim Hotel
Our conference hotel offers excellent conditions for large, motivating and encouraging presentations in the plenum, as well as for interactive breakout sessions. At the Maritim, everything is within walking distance. In addition, the hotel’s central location makes it an ideal starting point for discovery tours through the former German capital.
House of Friendship
Just like at the Rotary International Convention, the European Summit will also include an attractive “House of Friendship”. There will also be the “Rotary Showcase”, presenting activities. Come and meet our partners during this a perfect opportunity for dialogue and inspiration. This is the place where ideas are exchanged. If you’re interested in having a booth at the “House of Friendship”, please feel free to contact us.
Accommodation
Hotels in Bonn
The most comfortable accommodation for the European Summit and GELS/GNLS/PLS is, of course, our event hotel Maritim. We have reserved lots of rooms. There are also many other good hotels in Bonn. A tip from experience: It pays to book early.
Rotaract/Interact-Specials
Although the room rates in the conference hotel are very attractive, we are also offering some private overnight accommodation for registered members of Rotaract and Interact, in cooperation with regional Rotaract and Rotary clubs. Beds are limited, so it will be a case of first come, first served.
Travel
As the former capital of Germany, Bonn has excellent connections, by rail, air or road. In the spirit of sustainability, we are planning a climate calculator for all participants, to offset their travel costs through donations to Rotary projects. For this, we are working together with ESRAG, our sustainability action group.
Programme GELS/GNLS/PLS and European Summit
Prior to the actual summit, from August 28 to 30, the GELS/GNLS/PLS will take place, to prepare future governors. In the morning of 30 August, there will be an inspiring Foundation Seminar and an important opportunity for the CoL delegates to meet. This will be followed immediately by the start of the European Summit. An optional programme for partners will be offered during the European Summit.
Tuesday, 27 August 2024
- Arrival of Facilitators, participants and partners
- 18.00 Facilitators’ preparation, drinks & light Dinner
Wednesday, 28 August 2024
Day 1 of the GELS and GNLS (Governor Elect/Nominee Learning Seminar) and the PLS (Partner Learning Seminar).
The GELS and GNLS (Governor Elect/Nominee Learning Seminar) and the Partner Learning Seminar is a regional meeting that prepares the incoming class of governors and future governors and their partners to successfully lead and support their district.
The GELS/GNLS/PLS is taking place at the Maritim Hotel in Bonn from 10.00 for the whole day on Wednesday, 28 August 2024 and Thursday, 29 August. It will finish at 12.30 on Friday, 30 August. The Seminar will be held in five language groups (DE, EN, IT, FR and ES).
Chaired by Lies van Wijngaarden, Lead Facilitator
- 08.00–09.30 Opening session (Facilitators only)
- 09.30–10.00 Break
- 10.00–12.00 Opening session GELS/GNLS/Partners
- 12.00–13.00 Lunch
- 13.00–15.30 GELS/GNLS/PLS individual sessions
- 15.30–16.00 Break
- 16.00–17.00 GELS/GNTS/PLS joint session with Rotaract
- 17.15–17.45 Count down in the History of Irradicating Polio GELS/GNLS/Partners
- 18.30–21.00 Drinks reception & Finger Food
Thursday, 29 August 2024
Day 2 of the GELS and GNLS (Governor Elect/Nominee Learning Seminar) and the PLS (Partner Learning Seminar).
- 8.30–10.00 GELS/GNLS/PLS joint and individual sessions
- 10.00–10.30 Break
- 10.30–13.00 GELS/GNLS/PLS joint and individual sessions
- 13.00–14.00 Lunch
- 14.00–15.30 GELS/GNLS/PLS joint and individual sessions
- 15.30–16.00 Break
- 16.00–17.00 GELS/GNLS/PLS joint sessions
- 19.00–22.00 Dinner (individually)
- 19.00–22.00 Major Donors Dinner (by invitation only)
Friday, 30 August 2024
Day 3 of the GELS and GNLS (Governor Elect/Nominee Learning Seminar) and the PLS (Partner Learning Seminar).
- 8.30–10.00 GELS/GNLS/PLS joint sessions partly with Rotaract
- 9.15–10.00 GELS/GNLS/PLS joint sessions
- 10.00–10.30 Break
- 10.30–11.30 GELS/GNLS/PLS joint sessions
- 11.30–12.30 Closing (joint GELS/GNLS/PLS)
- 12.30–13.30 Lunch
Parallel Event
Council on Legislation Representative Learning Session – Friday, 30 August 2024
(The session is mandatory for representatives and strongly encouraged for their alternates and limited to them):
- 08:30 Opening
- 10:00–10:30 Break
- 12:00 End
Rotary European Summit Day 1:
Moderator: PDG Ursula Schoepfer
- 13:00–14:00 Lunch self organized
- 14:00 Opening speech by the host team and welcome
Welcoming speech by Katja Dörner, Mayor of the City of Bonn - Bell
- Flag ceremony and anthems
- Music (Beethoven)
- RIPE Mario César Martins de Camargo: “Rotary – People of Action for Sustainability and Peace“
- Tim Höttges, CEO Telekom (tbc): „Artificial Intelligence as a Driver of Sustainability“
- Holger Klein, CEO ZF: „Europe, sustainability and our economies – interdependences and outlook“
- Break
- Gilly Lord (Global Leader Regulation and Public Policy, PwC): „Green Deal, Corporate Reporting and Sustainable Business Transformation“
- Christoph Heusgen, Chairman Munich Security Conference: „Europe’s role in securing active and positive peace“
- Panel Discussion: Mario Cesar, Bharat Pandya, Holger Klein, Tim Höttges: „Relevance of Rotary: Challenges and Opportunities “
- Music (Beethoven)
- Dinner self-organized
- Evening: Optional possibility of district meetings in our meeting rooms for paying attendees
Saturday, 31 August 2024
Rotary European Summit Day 2:
15 exciting breakout sessions relating to the five theme lines. Find the details below under Theme lines for our breakout sessions.
Moderators: Charlotte Zenner and John-Melle Bokhorst
- 9.00 Introduction
- Music (Beethoven)
- „What the day brings/find your way” (Panel of the Theme Leads)
- Break (and transfer to the breakout rooms)
- 5 breakout sessions Topic 1 (Details see below)
- Lunch
- 5 breakout sessions Topic 2 (Details see below)
- Break
- 5 breakout sessions Topic 3 (Details see below)
- End
- 19.00 Gala Dinner
Sunday, 1 September 2024
Rotary European Summit Day 3:
Rotary looking forward to the future.
Closing Session 9.00–13.00
- Music
- „Introduction and overview of previous days“ – Helmut Rassfeld (Chair)
- Breakout groups outcomes (4–5 speakers)
- Mario Martins de Camargo, RIPE „My Vision“
- RI Treasurer or CFO NN „Rotary International financial updates“
- Trustee Bharat Pandya „Touching lives – Transforming Communities“
- Break
- Frankly speaking: Rotary’s challenges and opportunities
– Mario Martins de Camargo
– Bharat Pandya
– Holger Knaack
(Questions from the audience)
Moderator: PRID Urs Klemm - COR 2023/24 (review) and Council on Legislation 2025 (Preview), Jürgen Horvath
- Promoting the Rotary Institute 2025 in Brussels, Alain van de Poel
- Promoting the Calgary Convention
- Closing remarks, Convener Hans-Hermann Kasten
- Bell
- 13.00 Farewell Lunch
Theme lines for our breakout sessions
On the second day of the summit, after a joint introduction, there will be three workshops/breakout sessions for each of the following theme lines.
Rotary’s role for a sustainable future
Rotary’s role for a sustainable future
Rotary’s role for a sustainable future will be influenced by your clubs and districts – accompanied by Rotary Action Group ES-CED-RMCH-WASH. We figure out your chances of the Green Deal. You learn how to increase your handprint and reduce your footprint. We showcase successful projects, explain three steps to becoming sustainable and climate-friendly – from grassroot to action.
Theme Leads:
Rebecca Siebinga, RI District 1590, DG 19/20
Ludwig Kalthoff, RI District 1900, DG 24/25
Breakout sessions:
- The chances of the Green Deal
- How to increase your handprint and reduce our footprint – from grassroot-level to action
- RI becoming sustainable
Relevance of Rotary in a changing world
In the workshop “The relevance of Rotary in a changing world” we will shed light on the changing framework conditions for Rotary in Europe and worldwide. And discuss the resulting consequences for the individual clubs.
Theme Leads:
Jörg M. Haas, RI District 1940, DG 23/24
Rutger C. Mazel, RI District 1580, PDG, RPIC 23/26
Breakout Sessions:
TOPIC 1 – The Rotary Action Plan – a Translation for Clubs
Exchange of views on the existing Rotary Action Plan. How can clubs use this Action Plan for their future strategic planning?
Speakers: PRIP Holger Knaack, Rotary Club Herzogtum Lauenburg Mölln (tbc); Jan Lucas Ket, PRID
TOPIC 2 – Rotary’s vision and mission
Rotary’s vision and mission statement is a great starting point for all we do in Rotary and Rotaract. Are we on the right course, how can we adapt in a changing world?
Speakers: Laura Verdegaal en Marlin Leemhuis (Rotaract)
TOPIC 3 – Controversy or consensus? Rotary’s role in an ever changing European society
The world changes, Europe changes. There are increasing uncertainties due to political tensions worldwide. With influence on how individual members want to contribute to Rotary. What role does Rotary play, or can Rotary play towards less controversy and more consensus?
Speakers: Past-President Nicole Sroc-Stanley, Rotary Club Berlin; Past -President Matthias Meifert, Rotary Club Berlin – Alexanderplatz
Rotary’s Role in Building a Network for Peace
“Peacebuilding” and “Conflict Prevention” is needed more than ever. Let’s discuss the role Rotary can play to help promote peace in Europe. We will not solve every problem. However, we can become a catalyst for peace. Join us in promoting “Positive Peace” as a global power, and discussing Rotary’s role as a Network for Peace.
Theme Leads:
Lies van Wijngaarden, RI District 1570, PDG 17/18
Christine Buering, RI District 1950, PDG 16/17, RIDE 2025-27
Breakout Sessions:
1 Positive Peace Workshop – the Game
We surprise you with an interactive game for peace which was developed by IEP/Rotary Peace Centers. Introducing the eight pillars of positive peace with this hands-on activity you will experience that peace is more than the absence of war.
Moderators: Rtn Anna-Lena Løbakk, IEP adviser, Norway, Rtn Manouchher Shamsrizi, Hamburg, E-Club Silicon Valley
2 Global Power and Rotary’s role
Two world experts; one from Germany, to be prepared for war in order to keep peace, and one from the Netherlands, by stopping to produce and sell the armory of war we can learn to keep peace.
Hear the arguments and discuss with them their perspectives and our Rotary role and programs.
Rtn Martin Schelleis, Rotary Club Köln am Rhein, Generalleutnant der Bundeswehr, Inspekteur der Streitkräftebasis, Rotarian from the Netherlands (tbc)
3 Working for Peace – Rotary Peace Café
There are many ways to help promote peace with Rotary. We take a broad approach and you meet a wide range of initiatives from the RAG for Peace to the Fellowship of mental health counselors, ICC, some of our partner organizations and peace clubs.
Rtn Denise, Klischan, Rotary Club Ibiza, Rotaracter/Rtn Laura Verdegaal, Netherlands
Rotary – Supporting Intergenerational Dialogue
More than talk. This is about how we can work together across generations and enter into partnerships to create relevant projects in a challenging and changing world, to enable Rotary to play a more significant role.
Theme Leads:
Sérgio Almeida, RI District 1970, DG 20/21
Christian Falkenstein, RI District 1930, DG 23/24
Breakout sessions:
- Does Artificial Intelligence matter to Rotary?
- How to adapt in a changing world – intergenerational dialogue on Change Management
- Crossing Borders: Exploring the unknown generation
Developing Rotary for the future
How can we build the future of Rotary together? Join us for breakout sessions in which we discuss how to connect Rotaract and Rotary, create effective and innovative clubs, enhance Rotary’s reputation and impact, and embrace diversity. The Rotary Action Plan will be our guide to achieve new and greater goals together.
Theme Leads:
Riccardo de Paola, RI District 2060, DG 18/19
Julian Seethaler, RI District 1841, Chair Rotaract Germany 23/24
Breakout sessions:
„How to build bridges from Rotaract to Rotary“
How can we make the transition and cooperation Rotaract-Rotary easier and more attractive? In this breakout session, we will share best practices, challenges, and opportunities for building bridges between the two parts of our Rotarian family. Let’s boost the membership and impact of Rotary and Rotaract!
Cristina Giacomini (Rotary Club Meda e Delle Brughiere), District Training Committee D2042, Julius Schölkopf (Rotaract Club Ludwigsburg & Rotary Club Stuttgart-Wildpark), DRR D1830 2023/24, ARPIC ab 2024/25
2. „New club models – examples of success“
Learn how different club models can be attractive to members, increase our reach, and adapt to changing needs. Hear about successful clubs that have embraced innovation and flexibility. Let’s discover and propose new possibilities together!
Davide Gallasso (Rotary Club Merate Brianza), PDG D2042
3. „DEI – Opportunities of diversity“
Discover how embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion can enrich our Rotary experience. Learn from inspiring examples of clubs that have fostered a culture of DEI and welcomed people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Every person is unique and precious. Join the conversation and share your ideas!
Katharina Weingärtner (Rotaract Club Hybrid Südwest 1860), Präsidentin des ERIC 2024/25, Viktoria Carzavec (Rotaract Club München), DRR D1842 2022/24, Alberto Ganna (Rotary Club Busto Gallarate Legnano Ticino), PDG D2042, RI Training Leader
Programme for your partner
Spaces are limited, so early registration is recommended. You can find all the options in the schedule. Note: During the GELS/GNLS, there will be a separate Partner Learning Seminar.
