Mediterranean, a Sea of Peace

Message from the President

Eversince I was a young girl, I always dreamed of changing in the

world around me, of making people aware that I came to this world

for a reason. I always told myself that I do not want to leave this

world without helping humanity, without making a difference. I

originate from a country that knew war, that was to be

exterminated, but my ancestors decided to live. They moved from

Armenia without knowing the country that they were going to. It

was by chance that their boats reached the coasts of Lebanon, and

so, after many generations, I came to life to be the girl of a

Lebanese father and a Syrian mother. Yes, I am the child of war,

and I am willing, with the help of the Mediterranean Rotaractors,

with all our faith and strength, towork for peace.

Here I am, a Rotaractor! More particularly, I am a Mediterranean Rotaractor who has been

given the chance to hold the Mediterranean Rotaract torch and lead it for one year. What I

wish is that during this year, my team and I would make this difference that we all carry in our

spirits. This is our time, this is our chance! Our resources are all there: we have the most

motivated team ever with so many creative ideas, we have extremely interacting districts and

clubs that are so willing to communicate and accomplish what Rotary International has placed

between our hands. Rotary is giving us the chance to make the world a better place, and I

believe that we should make the best out of it.

Together with the Med MDIO Service Coordinator, Mr. Socrates Panayi, we brainstormed and

resumed the themes that will eventually be officially assigned and announced as the

Mediterranean Themes for this year. The first and foremost theme is PEACE with all the

meanings and ideas that it implicitly carries. Peace comes through education, through

tolerance, through love and goodwill. Peace comes through social justice and equality. The

second and third themes are HEALTH and the ENVIRONMENT, respectively, for their

significance in people's lives and their indispensability in providing the essential human rights

of enjoying a healthy lifestyle in healthy surroundings. We hope that we will give our

Mediterranean Sea the help it deserves by putting our hands together and serving it with one

heart. We greatly encourage our districts and clubs to work on these themes, and particularly,

to work on them together.

In the spirit of last year, we are happy to renew the Med MDIO Outstanding Project

Awardsthat will reward the three Rotaract projects that prove to be the most outreaching and

influential. In addition, I am very proud to introduce the Mediterranean Prize for Peacewhich

will be granted during the Mediterranean Peace Forum to the greatest peacemaking project

among the Mediterranean districts. The Mediterranean Peace Forum will also give us the

opportunity to create a book telling stories of peace in the time of war in our region: stories of

friendships, partnerships, saving lives, and more of what proves that the good always wins

over the bad.

Yes, it is the truth. It is fair to all concerned. It will build goodwill and friendship, and it will

be beneficial to all concerned. The Mediterranean is waiting for us, it is all there for us. Let's

go ahead and make it a better place.

July-September 2014

In this issue :

1. Message from the

President

2. MED MDIO Executive

Board

3. MED MDIO Country

Representatives

4. Mediterranean News

MED MDIO EXECUTIVE BOARD 2014 — 2015

President

Vera Damerjian

International Coordinator

Daphne Iannelli

Rotary Delegate

Alberto Avallone

Communication Coordinator

Marco Gagliostro

Vice President

Adrien Skhns

Service Coordinator

Socrates Panayi

Sergeant at Arms

Ana Rus

General Secretary

Dina Gazayerli

Treasurer

Carlos Valverde Peris

Immediate Past President

Housni Sbai Idrissi

Social Media Coordinator

Salma Maatouk

Country Representatives 2014 — 2015

Montenegro

Milos Dimic

Cyprus

Antigoni Karakoulli

Egypt

Salma Maatouk

France

Alexandra Gimello

Italy

Daphne Ianelli

Lebanon

Fouad El Haddad

Malta

Petra Sant

Monaco

Emmanuelle Kerforne

Slovenia

Ana Rus

Spain

Bernardo Feliu Vega

Algeria

Raid Bouch

Croatia

Marina Sare

MONTENEGRO

Rotary Day Celebrations Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of Budva

It has become a tradition that every year, in the final week of

August, we celebrate Rotary Day in Montenegro. This mani-

festation in organized by Rotary Club Budva with the help of

Rotaract Club Budva.

Rotary Day is celebrated like summer party on the island of

Saint Nikola just in front of Budva. Around hundred Rotari-

ans, Rotaractors, and friends joined the party.

The event starts around noon. A boat takes you to the island

where you are welcomed by Rotary and Rotaract members.

You get comfortable in the outdoor restaurant while live mu-

sic is played on the stage, and three different bands entertain

guests during this one-day celebration. In the meantime, din-

ner is served, everything from sea food, meat, vegetables and cakes. However, to avoid lots of sitting,

sports games are organized too, and you can take part in swimming competition, diving, and pulling the

rope for both men and women. Winners, of the first two places receive medals and trophies.

This year, a small fashion show was organized and a local designer presented dresses which were worn by

models and Rotaract members.

Also in this gathering, we raise money by selling lottery. The second way to raise money was by a painting

auction with a rule that not the highest but the final offer wins the painting.

In sunset time, a boat takes you back to Budva. It’s a beautiful day varying from helping others to having a

good time, taking part in sports, and meeting other guests. So the MED MDIO team and everyone else, you

are more than welcome to join us in our next summer party!!

CYPRUS

Presentation on Business Ethics

Prof. Alexandros Antonaras, PhD, MSc, BSc,

MCQI CQP, PMP, Assistant Professor of Man-

agement at the University of Nicosia.

Prof. Antonaras delivered a very interesting talk

on Business Ethics by encouraging everyone to

participate in the discussion. He explained how

different professionals would answer differently

based on their own values and benefits and how

different societies have different sets of values

and morals. He also talked about Corporate So-

cial Responsibility and Ethics.

“Ethics means treating everyone with respect

not because of who they are but because of who

you are.”

Aspelia Dragons Promote the Rotary Image of

Enthusiasm and Fellowship

For three consecutive years, RAC Nicosia Aspelia is

represented at the Limassol Dragon Boat Festival

sanctioned by the Cyprus Dragon Boat Association.

On July 22nd 2014, Aspelian Dragons made it to the

semifinals at the Dragon Boat Race!!! Captain of the

Boat was our founding member EvgenyTarakanov!

Bookmarks Project

The Bookmarks Project was a fundraiser for the Club’s

International Project ‘A Smaller World’ with the aim to

raise money for the purchase of a Shelter Box.

The bookmarks were printed and sold 2 euros each.

All designs were made by Rotaract Club Nicosia

Aspelia members and their friends.

Finally we managed to raise funds for two Shelter

Boxes!

Rotaract Nicosia Aspelia

Rotaract Nicosia Ledra

Handover Ceremony

After more than a year for being an active member

and serving Rotaract as a founding president, Rover-

tos Hanadjias became now our past president (PP)

and remains a dynamic contributor within our club.

It was with a great pleasure and honour that we cele-

brated the take-over of our new president, Christos

Alexandrou, at a new bar in the town. By enjoying

some wine and tasting some finger food, members

from various clubs celebrated the handover cere-

mony. Members had the opportunity to socialize,

relax, and have fun, since Rotaract is actually mak-

ing a meaningful difference in the society while hav-

ing fun.

Christos is an experienced board member, who will

have the opportunity to explore many areas in his

new position. Although the previous year was our

first year as a club and everyone was inexperienced,

we managed through hard work to raise a significant

amount of money. None of these events would have

been possible without time, effort, teamwork, and

unselfish good honest labor put in by all our mem-

bers on a consistent basis.

We grasp the opportunity to thank our PP for his

constant support and help, and we wish to Christos

and the rest of the members the very best of luck in

the new Rotarian year.

Ice Bucket Challenge

Rotaract is all about having fun and serving the

society, and Rotaract Nicosia Ledra proved it!

We grasped the opportunity to participate in the

recently known activity called ‘Ice Bucket Chal-

lenge’ to promote awareness of the disease amyo-

trophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and donate money

to Telethon.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge went viral through-

out the social media platforms during late summer

2014. Anyone who has been mentioned or tagged

by participants had to accept the challenge and re-

cord a video of them pouring a bucket of ice-cold

water over their heads and then nominate this chal-

lenge to others.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease

that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal

cord.It basically triggers a slow paralysis on those

who are stricken by causing the nerve cells to stop

working. The progressive degeneration of the

nerve cells eventually leads to their death. There is

no cure for the disease as of the moment.

We have been challenged by our Past President

Rovertos Hanadjias for the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Our members accepted the challenge and nomi-

nated Rotaract Club Dubai, Rotaract club Aspelia

and Mrs.. Maria Karantoni.

CYPRUS

Rotaract Limassol Amathusia

Handover Ceremony

On July 4th, during a breezy summery night full of strong feel-

ings and emotions, our Club’s Handover event took place. Fol-

lowing a successful year full of events and fellowships, the club

gathered in a friendly environment to congratulate the old

Board for each achievement and to pin the new one. The Club’s

new President Antigoni Karakoulli 2014/15 gave a short speech

thanking the old Board and members for their achievements

and contributions and briefly explained her priorities and vi-

sions for the upcoming year. As of 4th of July 2014, the Board

of Rotaract Limassol Amathusia is constituted by the following

members:

Antigoni Karakoulli – President 2014/15

Eva Antoniou - Past President 2013/14

Andreas Christofides - PR/Vice President 2014/15

Anastacia Schini - Secretary 2014/15

Ermos Christodoulou - Treasurer 2014-15

Directors 2014/15: Christina Photiou - International Service Director

Maria Myrianthous - Community Service Director

Giannis Schinis - Professional Development Director

George Loizou - Membership Development Director

Andreas Ttoppouzis - New member & Club Service Director

Thereafter, the participants enjoyed the night having cheese and

wine at Lab Cafe Bar then continued partying in Limassol Ma-

rina and Breeze Club with VDRR Charis Michael and fellow

Rotaractor from Limassol Berengaria Cosmopolitan Rico Cor-

tes, the President of Rotaract Club of Larnaca Kition Socrates

Panayi and E.R.I.C Representative, Aspelia Antonis Yemenaris

of Rotaract Club Nicosia and Alexandros Daskalakis, an old

member of Limassol Amathusia Rotaract Club .

‘Hawaiian’ Beach Party 2014 Rotaract Limassol Amathusia organized a ‘Hawaiian’ themed

beach party during July 2014, which was attended by more

than 300 people. The night turned out to be a great success,

receiving enthusiastic comments from the participants. For

the entertainment of the attendees, we had created a beautiful

scenery with candles and bamboo torches and had booked an

exclusive DJ while organizing a raffle with valuable prizes

coming from the sponsors of the event. According to the pro-

ject planning finalized by our members, the net proceeds

from the event were to be used for charity. For this purpose,

we teamed up with a local supermarket chain and we bought

coupons that can be used in the supermarkets. More than

EUR1500 were used for the purchase of coupons that were

thereafter handed over to students of the Evening High

School of Limassol who were in need of financial assistance.

The delivery of the coupons to the students took place during

a small ceremony that was organized by the school headmas-

ter to thank our Club for its contribution.

CYPRUS

Egypt

Al Qafela 2 – Medical Convoy

After the success of the 1st “Al-Qafela” project

last year, Rotaract Alexandria Cosmopolitan con-

tinued the initiative with “Al-Qafela 2” project.

Simply, it’s a medical convoy event in which they

visit a needy place where they offer basic medical

support to its residents. This time they went to

Abd-el-Kader Village, on Friday 19th of Septem-

ber where they provided medical support to over

300 patients in different medical areas including

Dermatology, Gynecology and Pediatrics. The

project was done in cooperation with Scoute El

Shark.

Rotaractors Breaking Stereotypes

Are you tired from being judged by physical appear-

ance, profession, gender or even color? Don't you just

wish to bomb those stereotypes? Members of Rotaract

club of Alexandria Cosmopolitan decided to expose

their personal stereotypes they face daily.

The project was divided into 2 parts. The first was a

discussion during one of the weekly meetings. Step 2

was the photo shoot where members posed with signs

that had the stereotypes they faced in their daily lives.

(Project initiative started originally by Truly-

Madly.com)

Rotaract Alexandria Cosmopolitan

International Day of Literacy Rotaract Metropolitain d'Alexandrie

On Friday September 12th, Rotaract Metropolitan

d’Alexandrie went to ‘Dar El Amal’ to celebrate the

International Day of Literacy. We tried to eliminate a

new type of illiteracy, computer skills, as they are

highly needed nowadays. We taught them the basics

of Microsoft Word and Paint programs, and the kids

were very excited to learn about computers.

Egypt

Paralympics Cairo 2014 Rotaract Heliopolis Nozha

On 19th of September, Rotaract Heliopolis Nozha, Ro-

taract Pharos Lighthouse, Rotaract Heliopolis and Rota-

ract Kattameya held the Paralympics Event at the Egyp-

tian Shooting

Club 6th of Octo-

ber jointly with

Special Olympics

Egypt and Egyp-

tian Paralympic

committee.The

event was spon-

sored by Coca-

C o l a , M a c -

Donald’s, Global

P a r a d i g m

School, Ministry

of Youth and

Sports, Rotaract

Committee, and

D.T.F covered by

El Nahar El

Youm, Nile T.V

and KSA sports

T.V Channels.

It was a full sports day event including a variety of

summer Paralympics programs such as: Ping pong,

swimming, table tennis, basketball, weightlifting as

well as other activities. This event was met with an out-

standing participation of 350 mentally and physically

challenged participants supervised by 45 Rotaract or-

ganizers. The day started at 10:00 am by organizing the

competitions between the participants distributed

among the games and each game had a referee for

evaluating the results and it last till 5:00 pm, followed

by a ceremony and concluded by medals awarding and

accreditation among all the participants.

Change your thoughts and you will

change your world Rotaract Kasr El Nil

An amazing session was given by our member

Nahwat Metwally presenting how to be positive in

life, set your dreams, and laws of attraction. At the

end of the session, a workshop was handled for each

participant to set his/her vision board. Everyone

enjoyed the session, and lots of positive feedback

was received back from all the attendees.

A Meeting with a Mexican Twist

The second official meeting for our new President

Menna Arafa was complimented by the attendance of

an international guest Alejandra Urias from Rotaract

Navolato Sinaloa of Mexico. After finishing our meet-

ing's agenda; we left the floor to our guest to enrich us

with her country's cultural activities as well as the or-

ganizational hierarchy of her district. Moving to the

mouth-watery part; she happily mentioned how much

she is enjoying our Egyptian food (Koshari & Molkhya

especially) and as a Mexican, she didn't find spicy

Egyptian food to be super spicy - not a fair comparison.

Our members started exploring with Alejandra the

points of similarities between Mexico and Egypt to find

out that the friendliness & hospitality are the most com-

mon of all. At the end, she invited our club to visit her

hometown and Mexico to explore more her club activi-

ties.We wish her a pleasant stay in Cairo and a future

cooperation with her club.

Problem Tree

How do we solve a problem? We describe, ana-

lyze and evidently find possible solutions. This

is exactly what Laila Kenawy humbly explained

to us in our weekly meeting. She showed us how

to use the ‘Problem Tree’ tool. This ingenious

brainstorming tool is used to map causes and

effects of a problem as well as outline alterna-

tives for solving a particular problem. How?

Well, Laila divided us into groups of 5-6 and

had each group pick one of the major problems

in Egypt; examples were harassment in Cairo

streets, traffic in Cairo and primary education.

Afterwards, she asked each group to brainstorm

the problems chosen clearly and write their as-

signed problem on a card, which she then took

and stuck to the trunks of the giant trees drawn

on the board.

The next task was writing down each cause and

effect for the problem at hand. The causes were

stuck on the tree’s roots while the effects were

suck on the canopy. The final and most interest-

ing task was to write next to each cause and ef-

fect their exact opposites. When we wrote the

opposites of the causes, we ended up with alter-

native interventions and the effects' opposites

turned out to be outcomes and indicators of

those interventions. Eventually each problem

tree became the logical framework of a project

aimed at resolving a major problem.

Back-to-School packs

Back-to-School season is coming up. We all have had

our first day of school traditions; forgetting a pencil,

losing class-schedule, or the classic tradition of being

late for your first class. This is the time of the year

where kids get excited and start stuffing their backpacks

with new school supplies. In an attempt to motivate the

girls at La Femme Nouvelle Orphanage to look forward

to going back to school and

attending classes; we have

prepared school bags for

these girls. Each bag con-

tained; a regular copybook,

mathematics copybook and

surely a pencil-case with a

pencil, pen, sharpener,

eraser and ruler.

Egypt

Rotaract Cairo Royal

World Peace Day

On the 20th of September, Rotaract Alexandria El

Nozha celebrated International World Peace Day

along with Rotaract Club of Metn in Lebanon by dis-

tributing white roses in Kafr Abdo to people with a tip

about peace. The aim of it was the interaction and the

creation of more awareness about the day.

Egypt

Rotaract Alexandria Nozha

El Matbakh Rotaract Alexandria El Nozha - Alexandria East

For the past 11 years, Rotaract Club of

Alexandria El Nozha jointly with Alexandria

East have been doing a great project during the

holy month of Ramadan, which is El Matbakh

(The Kitchen). The idea is to prepare hot meals

to have them distributed to needy families in

different areas of Alexandria during iftar time.

This year the club prepared around 600-1000

meals, which have been distributed on a daily

basis. At the end of the month, they were able to

provide a total of 20,000 meals all around

Alexandria.

First Rotaract Academy The Rotaract Academy was launched on November 26, 2012 in Ehden Country Club as an initiative by

PDRR Belal Ayoubi, IDRR Emil Moawad, IPDRR Vincent Fayad, and PVDRR Abbas Sibai. Its vision is

to prepare effective Rotaract clubs through enhancing knowledge and skills of Rotaractors.

On September 6th, 2014 the Rotaract Academy reopened its doors for the new RI year at Country Lodge,

Bsalim (Lebanon).The day gathered 77 participants from all the Lebanese clubs, in the presence of PDG

Jamil Moawad , PDRR Belal Al Ayoubi, Med MDIO President Vera Damerjian, VDRR Najah Elias,

PVDRRs Jean Marc Adaimi and Fouad el Haddad, Past Presidents Nader Houella and Anthony Mezher,

Information Officer Tamara Hanna, Nazih Jabr, members and guests.

Rotaract Clubs of Lebanon would like to express gratitude to all the amazing speakers for their encourage-

ment, for all the efforts that they put, for their guidance and wonderful support in all aspects to help us

achieve such a success. THANK YOU as well to the amazing PARTICIPANTS: Presidents, Past Presi-

dents, Directors, Members and Guests. We couldn’t have done it without you!

The vision for this year’s First Rotaract Academy was to have a memorable experience whereby partici-

pants learn from every single activity set out in the program, to have extraordinary speakers and real life

examples, as well as hands on training sessions for participants to take back lessons and apply them in their

daily Rotaract journey.

Thus, the Rotaract Academy has achieved its first step during this year towards spreading Rotaract infor-

mation and advanced leadership skills. Mark your calendars from now for the Second Rotaract Academy

taking place January 17th, 2015 to share again wonderful moments together!

LEBANON

End Polio Now Campaign in Lebanon Rotaract Club of LAU Byblos

As the Rotaract Club of the Lebanese American Univer-

sity - Byblos, our mission is to spread awareness in our

university community about Rotaract in general and about

the humanitarian/professional/social part of it. We aim to

get university and high school students involved in com-

munity service projects that will not only benefit the soci-

ety but will promote their love to life. Rotaract LAU By-

blos is the 1st University-based club in Lebanon and in

Rotary District 2452. It was first initiated in 2009 but

launched in 2010 by 3 founding members to become 15

members and 10 guests at the end of the year.. We belong

to district 2452 and It is one of the eighteen Rotaract

clubs located in various regions in Lebanon and growing

by the day.

Our Club Members and Guests along with our colleagues

from the Lebanese American University are participating

in the Rotary End Polio Campaign in Lebanon on the

span of 3 months (July, August and September) Aware-

ness campaigns are also done all through Jbeil District in

Blat, Amchit and Jbeil, in which we are taking part of as a

Club along with Rotarians.

RotarBike II

Rotaract Club Baabda

The Event is a Rally Paper By Bike aiming to

gather funds for the Renovation of The Rabta

Public School in Louaize - Baabda. The reno-

vation will include the rehabilitation of the

School’s Library; Classrooms and playground.

The event included 6/7 regular stages. At the

beginning of each stage, the participants were

given a question booklet. The booklet con-

tained information about the next challenge,

in addition to riddles referring to the check-

points that should be visited next and few

questions to be solved.

LEBANON

Handing-Over and Pinning Ceremony Rotaract AUB

The Rotaract Club of AUB held their first handing over

and pinning ceremony, with the beginning of the new

university year this September. 24 new members were

pinned, and it was attended by IDRR Emil Mouawad

and IPVDRR Magda Tanjar along with representatives

from the sponsoring Rotary Club Cadmus.

A Drifting Fundraiser

Rotaract Batroun

Rotaract Club of Batroun's first fundraising for

this year was held on the 2nd of August, 2014 at

AJALTOUN SQUARE. It was a drifting event

organized by the ATCL and the Lebanese rally

champion and drift superstar ABDO FEGHALI.

Three persons had the opportunity to sit next to

Abdo in his own car and enjoy a full drifting

section. We will be recording these moment with

3 in car full HD cameras. All the funds will be

donated to the SOS. Drive Safe !

LEBANON

Meeting with the Med MDIO President Rotaract Zahle-Bekaa

Rotaract Club of Zahle had the pleasure to invite Vera

Damerjian, President of the Rotaract Med MDIO 2014-

2015 to their meeting that was held on 23/8/2014 at

Grand Hotel Kadri, Zahle. Vera shared information

with the whole club about her role as a president and

the Med MDIO while the club shared with Vera their

future plans.

A Pink Floyd Tribute Night Rotaract Sahel Metn

Rotaract Club of Sahel Metn started the Rotarian year

on a “good note”. This Club Service relied on the

tunes of one of the best Pink Floyd tribute bands in

Lebanon to create a laid-back atmosphere. Lebanese

Rotaractors and their Rotaract guests from Egypt got

the chance to know each other while enjoying great

music. “Encore” for this night.

Celebrating the International Peace Day

Rotaract Metn

On the mission to spread peace through interna-

tional understanding, the Rotaract Club of Metn

decided to celebrate the International Peace Day

with its twin club Rotaract Alexandria Nozha,

Egypt. So, in the afternoon of the 20th of Septem-

ber, the members of both clubs went on the streets

and distributed white flowers to passengers and

habitants as a symbol of love, peace and toler-

ance. Words of peace were communicated.

This small gesture allowed us to draw smiles on

people’s faces and make them feel like despite the

chaos and anarchy in the region, there is still hope

somewhere! Happy International Peace day!

LEBANON

First Fundraiser Party Rotaract Zgharta-Zawieh

Rotaract Club of Zgharta Zawieh's first fundraising

event for this year was held at LOCO - PUBLICITY

Byblos on 19th July, 2014 . All the proceeds were to

provide benches at Ehden Highway. The benches are

almost done!

Fundraising on a Boat Rotaract Beirut Phoenix-USJ

The Rotaract club of Phoenix-USJ had its first

fundraising event...on a boat! We organized a sail-

ing trip with a DJ who played the trendiest tubes,

and had many activities during the sail. The funds

collected from the 65 participants are going to the

renovation of houses in a deprived area in the sub-

urbs of the capital Beirut, a project with a high

cost, but that we are willing to accomplish as a

club during all this year.

Annual Iftar and Fundraiser

Rotaract Tripoli-Mina

The Rotaract Club of Tripoli Mina held its Annual

Iftar Dinner and first fundraising for our New Rotar-

ian year. All for a good cause, the proceeds will go to

orphans and other children in need. In the photo ap-

pear the VDRR Najah Elias, directors, members,

guests and the orphans.

LEBANON

Fiesta II Rotaract Beirut Center

After the huge success of Sunset Fiesta 1 last year,

the Rotaract Club of Beirut Center continued this tra-

dition with the 2nd fundraising event for this year

held at Cinco-Praia on the 21st of August. Great mu-

sic, Jacuzzi, Neon face painting, professional dancers

and premium open bar were all for $50. All proceeds

were used to fund our community service project: the

renovation of the library of the public school of Ras

El Nabaa Al Moukhtalata.

Trip and Meeting Rotaract Kesrouan

Rotaract Club of Kesrouan at the invitation of Ro-

tary Kesrouan went on a trip together on Sunday

September 7th to Tannourine, North Lebanon. The

first stop was at the natural reserve, home of the

famous Cedars, where we walked around the ma-

jestic forest. Then we had lunch by the lake which

offered traditional Lebanese mezza. Next, we went

to Batroun to visit St. Stephen Church and indulge

ourselves in some fresh lemonades.

Few days later on Thursday September 18th, we

held a joint meeting together with Rotary to set the

plan for the coming year and attend a presentation

by Rotarian and Rotary International Representa-

tive to the UN-ESCWA Dr. Michel Jazzar. The

presentation dealt with Rotary/Rotaract relations

and protocols.

LEBANON

Photoshoot Session

Rotaract Beirut

On Monday 22 September, we organized a profes-

sional photoshoot session with one of our dear Ro-

tarians Emile Issa who owns a professional photo

studio. Emile offered to help us look better when

applying to job interviews. He explained to us how

to pose in front of the camera, how the colors and

the clothing we wear will affect people’s percep-

tion and which postures to adopt.

I ♥ Byblos Rotaract & Interact Byblos - Rotaract LAU Byblos

"If Beirut is the Paris of the Middle East as the

cliché goes, then Byblos is its Cannes"

This International Understanding Project held from

11 to 15 September 2014 was an opportunity to live

and experience the majesty of Byblos not only for

foreign Rotaractors but also for all the Rotaractors of

Lebanon.

The trip consisted of historical visits, beach activities,

cultural exchange, a boat trip, a treasure hunt to dis-

cover the 7,000 years old city of Byblos, a mountain

day and of course partying. Hoping that this project

will become a yearly one with wider and bigger inter-

national participation.

LEBANON

LEBANON

President Elect Training Seminar (PETS)

Lebanon is part of District 2452 which includes 9

countries: Armenia, Bahrain, Cyprus, Georgia, Jor-

dan, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, and the United

Arab Emirates. Today, we have 18 active Rotaract

Clubs in Lebanon: Rotaract AUB, Aley, Baabda,

Batroun, Beirut, Beirut Center, Beirut Cosmopoli-

tan, Phoenix - USJ, Byblos, Kesrouan, LAU Byblos,

Metn, Sahel Metn, Tripoli, Tripoli el Mina, Tripoli

Maarad, Zahle, and Zgharta.

PETS Lebanon 2014-2015 was held on Saturday

July 5th at Bsalim Country Lodge from 9am to 5pm.

The attendees were: The Rotaract Committee Coun-

try Chairperson Rtn. PP Ralph Sayah,

IDRR Emil Moawad, District Information Officer

Tamara Hanna, IPVDRRs Jean Marc Adaimi and

Fouad el Haddad, VDRR Lebanon Najah Elias; as

well as Lebanese Club Presidents.

Italy

XXXIV HANDICAMP: here we are again!

Rotaract Castelvetrano Valle Del Belice

Since 1980, Rotaract Club of Castelvetrano Valle

del Belice is involved in an activity camp for the

physically and psychologically disabled youths,

accompanied by able-body assistants. This 34th

edition of our traditional handicamp was located in

a great structure in Triscina, from the 30th of Au-

gust until the 5th of September.

During this amazing week, forty Rotaract and In-

teract members had the chance to make young dis-

abled people experience a camp full of activities

and new challenges. This unforgettable event let us

appreciate how differences are fundamental in our

reality and reminded us that nothing is really im-

possible if there is the will to obtain it. All these

fantastic people gave us the inspiration to say that:

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL.

Rotaract Summer School Rotaract Tropea - Rotaract Nicotera Medma

The Rotaract club of Tropea, chaired by Giusi-

Lonetti, with the Rotaract Club of Nicotera Medma,

in collaboration with the Zone "Calabria Ultra", dis-

trict 2100, has done the 2nd Edition of the Rotaract

Summer School. It was held on the 29th and 30th of

August 2014 at the Montalto Golf Club in Limbadi. It

was a club service project with a lot of participation.

The themes raised were: “Club and District” and

“Rotary and Rotaract beyond the national borders”.

The weekend also included a presentation about the

Med MDIO by the Country Representative for Italy

Daphne Iannelli. They were two days full of service,

fun, and friendship - the Rotaract spirit required.

Youth Day

The Rotaract Club of Tropea took part in the District-

Seminar for Youth, "Youth Day", organized by the

Rotary District 2100. It was held on September 20th

2014 at the high school “Enzo Ferrari”, in Battipaglia

(SA). It was amazing to see the Rotarians, Rotarac-

tors, and Interactors, from all the district, together.

We were nearly 400 people. We discussed about pro-

jects that have to be developed involving all the

members of the Rotary family.

The themes were: “Excellence & Made in Italy”, the

Rotaract Med MDIO, the Rotary Foundation, the en-

vironment, youth, etc. The Country Representative

for Italy at the Med MDIO, Daphne Iannelli, had the

chance to present the MDIO once again during this

day. There was also a fantastic promotion of youth

culture through a show called “the Noise of the

Light”, performed by Interactors and Rotaractors to-

gether.

Italy

Rotaract Tropea

“Bike Ract” 2014 Rotaract Club of Termini Imerese

On Sunday September 28th, at 8 am, in Trabia, the “young

people” of the Rotaract Club of Termini Imerese, organized

the first meeting “Bike

Ract”. The event had been

organized thanks to the

help of other associations

as MTB Eventisport, Bici

Italia SRL, the Pro Loco

of Trabia, and with the

support of the municipal-

ity of Trabia. The aim of

the event was to allow

participants, with a strong

passion for bike excur-

sions, to experience the

gorgeous wide area of

Trabia reaching the Eremo

of San Felice and, for the most determined ones, also circum-

navigating the Rosa Marina lake of Caccamo. The route of

the ride had been accurately planned, allowing the partici-

pants to see the region from different angles and perspectives,

thereby giving an idea of the limitless potential of this amaz-

ing land. After the break, the participants kept going with the

ride reaching the Villa Falcone and Borsellino. At the end of

the event, the chairman of the Rotaract Termini Imerese

thanked all the participants for attending and giving the possi-

bility to devolve all the proceeds of the event to the inter-

district Rotaract project, “Project for Nemo Sud”.

Meeting with Fashion! Rotaract Catania Est

"Fashion passes, style remains"… Quot-

ing a famous aphorism of the fashion

queen Coco Chanel, the Rotaract Club

Catania Est, on Saturday, September 13th,

involved members and friends in an ex-

citing visit to the fashion museum of the

Sicilian designer Marella Fererra. Catan-

ese of origin, European adoption, her

creations bring out the raw Sicilian mate-

rials. Colorful ceramic, lava rock, black

sand, and dried papyrus are the protago-

nists of the precious artistic achievements

of the designer that appears on the inter-

national catwalks, making the Made in

Italy a seal of quality. A journey in which

charm and elegance, tradition and innova-

tion win the heart and the mind.

Italy

The Rotaract Reggio Calabria between

Sport and Solidarity Rotaract Reggio Calabria

Happy Run! Two words that hide the dedication and com-

mitment of a young champion of Paralympics from Reg-

gio Calabria, Giusy Versace, who, also this year, together

with the organization that supports him, has come to the

waterfront of Reggio Calabria. Armed with shorts and

running shoes, 800 people walked 3km under the banner

of integration of the disabled and the able-bodied in

sports. Among the participants, a group of young athletes

proudly wore the jersey "Keep calm and join Rotaract," to

show the support of Rotaract Reggio Calabria for solidar-

ity through sports.

President Rosario Barresi infected with his enthusiasm the

whole sports club whose members took part actively in the

initiative, also giving life to a stand that brought together

all the Rotary family."It is a national event not to be

missed," said Rosario " which was confirmed by the con-

tribution, including economic, that the entire Rotary fam-

ily showed. A big applause to all the 800 participants. It is

through events like these that the sense of belonging to the

city leads to results that make us proud. There only re-

mains to thank the entire organization for the wonderful

experience that it gives us every year.

New Generations for Equal

Opportunities! Rotaract Napoli Castel dell'Ovo

Led by President Stefano Meer, the club works for the

personal and professional quality of its members. The

first activity of the year was the "aspirants' coffee", a

traditional date of an internal project where the older

members teach the younger ones and the aspirants the

basic concepts and the values of being a Rotaractor.

On 17/9/2014, the club presented, during a press

conference, at the presence of many civil and political

authorities, its project "Opportunities through Change".

The purpose is to remove certain architectural barriers

in some art locations around the city, by finding funds

through a common way with Rotaract Napoli Posillipo,

called ST'ART, which requires visiting locations with

artistic and culinary excellence.

On Sunday 28/9/2014, the club was at the Santobono

hospital of Naples, in range of the S.O.R.R.I.S.O.

project, through which the members offer material

assistance and moral support to children and their

families.

Italy

The Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid El Fitr Rotaract Tizi-Ouzou

In coherence with the conductive line of Rotaract and its legacy in charity, the club has taken action in this

direction. The beginning of the Rotary year coincided with the holy month of Ramadan and Eid El-Fitr, and

Rotaract Club Tizi-Ouzou provided 120 breaking-the-fast meals every day for the 2nd consecutive year.

The members of the club have devoted themselves during the whole month in the service of the needy until

the end of Ramadan. We then closed this campaign by visiting, on the second day of the Eid, the hospitali-

zed children at Tizi-Ouzou's Hospital, bearing gifts and spreading good humor thanks to all the members of

Rotaract club Tizi-Ouzou.

Algeria

Distribution of Clothes

Over 300 pieces of clothes collected in the charity

party called "Evening of Hope" were distributed by

the Rotaract Club of Setif, the eve of "Eid El Fitr"

(July 2014) for the sake of granting happiness and

smiles to the innocent children in need.

The project was successfully accomplished in the

province of 'Baidaborj' (south of Setif). It is impor-

tant to note that the Syrian children refugees also

benefited from this project.

Collecting Clothes for Charity

Rotaract Club Setif organized, for the 4th year in a

row, an annual Ramadanesque vigil on July 22nd,

to be the second edition of the "Evening of Hope”.

The goal of the project was to collect clothes for

the benefit of underprivileged children of remote

villages hoping to restore their smiles.

Algeria

Rotaract Setif

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