107th RI Convention - Rotary Bringing the World to Seoul

Posted by Ellie Patterson on Jul 01, 2016

The Republic of Korea is home to 50 million people, half of whom live in and around Seoul, the world’s second most populous city.

From May 28 - June 1, this mega city was home to about 50,000 Rotarians attending the Rotary International Convention. Our General Secretary, Hewko said: “Seoul is a perfect place to hold a Rotary Convention. Why? Because, among other things, Korea represents innovation. And innovation is what we need today at Rotary if we are to realize our full potential - in membership, Foundation giving, humanitarian service, public image, and attracting new generations.”

Does Rotary need to follow Samsung’s steps as Samsung struggled to reinvent itself from selling groceries in 1938 to currently being the top manufacturer of TVs, mobile phones and kitchen appliances?

Well, yes! And Rotary is indeed doing that. Many scintillating conversations at the convention centered around its ability to adapt our services to a rapidly changing world. After listening to outstanding speakers, including Ban Ki-moon, General Secretary of the United Nations and attending the many breakout sessions ranging from Strengthening Membership to Service and Projects, one had to recharge. But where do you find that cup of coffee that will provide the lift to sustain the attention needed for late afternoon sessions? Coffee? Can you find coffee in Seoul? Oh, yes. Korea runs on coffee. Seoul is home to more Starbucks than any other city in the world.

Seoul, and Korea in general, is home to friendly people and rich cultural traditions. It's also an economic powerhouse. As more wonderful discoveries, more important than the presence of coffee, kept surfacing, Seoul revealed itself as one of those cities where a return visit is a must.