International Service Committee

    Rotary's fourth Avenue of Service comprises all the things that a Rotarian can do to advance international understanding, goodwill, and peace by getting acquainted with people of other countries, their cultures, customs, accomplishments, aspirations, problems - through personal contacts, travel, and attendance at conventions, through reading and correspondence, and through cooperation in all club activities and projects - including those of The Rotary Foundation - that will help people in other lands.
    One of the key objectives of Rotary is the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business professional persons united in the ideal of service.
    Given its presence in many countries around the world, each with its own point of view, this is the ideal organization to promote the spirit of true international fellowship and goodwill.
    This avenue of service truly embodies and exemplifies the internationality of Rotary, distinguishing it from other locally established and confined service organizations. On entering International Service, founder Paul Harris at the Edinburgh conference in 1921 said, "Yesterday our Rotary was child, today in strength and vigor it steps out into the world".
Peace in this world will thrive with service and understanding that is nourished by truth and strengthened when we work together for a noble cause. To facilitate such an understanding and reiterate the importance of working together Rotary International organizes two important global events - the International Assembly for incoming District Governors and the International Convention for all members.
    Projects under International Service involve Rotarians across national borders. This involvement takes many forms - hosting an international youth or family exchange to financial and their participation in projects and programs in the other avenues of service of other clubs.

    It is the International Service of Rotary that makes it a unique organization. Rotary would not be Rotary if it was not for International Service.