Hiroji Mukasa,

(Nakatsu, Oita, Japan)

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The Toronto Convention 1983

(Mankind is One ─ Build Bridges of Friendship Throughout the World)

"Toronto Symphony Orchestra Performs for Convention-goers."

Toronto was the site of the 74th Annual Convention of Rotary International and the fourth time in the history of Rotary International that the Convention was held in that city. The theme of the Convention was that of RI President Hiroji  Mukasa of Japan for 1982-83 : “Mankind is One ─ Build Bridges of Friendship Throughout the World.” Between 5 and 8 June 1983, 16,250 Rotarians and guests from 100 countries built bridges of friendship as they gathered at the Royal York Hotel, site of the House of Friendship and many other Convention activities and at Maple Leaf Gardens, the location of all plenary sessions.

            There were a number of pre-convention activities and special events. District Youth Exchange officers held a two-day meeting with more than 300 in attendance. On Saturday evening the Toronto Rotary Club sponsored a performance of the 100-piece Toronto Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Andrew Davis.  On Sunday morning, an ecumenical church service at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church was attended by many Rotarians, including President and Mrs Hiroji Mukasa.

            The first plenary session with the theme “Mankind is One” took place on Sunday evening. The session opened with the presentation of R.I. President Hiroji Mukasa and his wife Kiyoko, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honorable John Aird and Mrs Aird, who were escorted by the 1983 Convention Committee Chair, Tibor Gregor a member of the Toronto Eglinton Rotary Club and Mrs Gregor.

"Convention Chair Tibor Gregor (left) with Host Club Chair Ray Bosley"

            Following a welcome by the Lieutenant Governor and a stirring procession and presentation of the flags of the Rotary World by 30 Youth Exchange students, Committee Chair Tibor Gregor declared the 74th Annual Convention of Rotary International open.

            Addressing the Convention on the theme “Mankind is One,” President Mukasa said, “We have seen how the human spirit proudly binds all peoples together through service … we have seen Rotarians at work building bridges in their own communities and in the world community at large.” Highlighting the unity of mankind, he said,“ I believe that the very future of the human family depends on our accepting the concept that truly we are all cousins, the concept that Mankind is One.” He observed that “only human beings deeply feel the need for friendship and peace,” and he added,” to get from the abstraction of what we believe to the reality of serving others means we must mobilize the talents and resources within our organization.”  He stressed the need for emphasis on the extension of Rotary and especially membership development.

            Following the taking of the official photograph of the Convention, the Rotarians and guests were entertained, delightfully, by a colourful, vibrant, and exciting group of young Canadian entertainers in a special program of music and dance entitled “Singin’ and Dancin’ Tonight,” choreographed by Alan Lund.

            The theme of the second plenary session on Monday was “Building Bridges of Friendship Throughout the World.”  Incoming President of the Rotary Club of Toronto, Grant Dickinson, welcomed the persons in attendance at the Convention on behalf of his club and District 7070.  General Secretary Herbert Pigman, Evanston, Illinois, read messages from Governor General Schreyer of Canada, Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada, and Prime Minister Nakasone of Japan. Carlos Conseco Jr., of Monterrey, Mexico, was elected President of Rotary International for 1984-85.

            The first speaker was Dr. John Evans, former president of the University of Toronto and recently appointed director of the Population, Health, and Nutrition Department of the World Bank. Evans’ speech titled “Health Versus Poverty: Can We

Tip the Balance?” was preceded by a special audiovisual presentation entitled “The World Room,” a film which shows how population, hunger, and poverty are interrelated. Using statistics and drawing from his own experience, Evans showed how poverty of the family and the individual will perpetuate the cycle of illiteracy, high fertility, wastage, and under-nutrition of children and limited opportunities for women. He noted that the Rotary Foundation had risen to the challenge of the health needs of the developing world through the Health, Hunger and Humanity (3H) Program, launched in 1978.

            Following Evans’ address, Hiroko Suenaga, wife of one of the R.I. Directors and one of the most renowned pianists in Japan, played Chopin’s “Fantasie Impromptu” and Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsodie No. 6.”

The final speaker of the second plenary session was Dr. Rosey Grier, a star American football player, entertainer, actor, and founder and chair of the board of Giant Step, a not-for-profit organization that helps youth and seniors. Rosey’s address was titled “Are You Committed?” He soon had the audience’s rapt attention as he discussed why children turned to drugs and other problems.

            A sell-out crowd of 1,860 attended a luncheon and fashion show at noon. In the afternoon there were the well-attended International Idea Exchange Assemblies on “Club Presidents” and The Future of Rotary.”

            In the evening a sell-out crowd of 4,800 Rotarians and guests attended seven International  Fellowship “Mystery” Dinners. When they arrived at the various hotel sites, they discovered special entertainment features centred on national or regional themes.

            Tuesday’s plenary session highlighted youth with the theme “Youth Shows the Way…To build Bridges of Friendship,” but the early part of the program concentrated on management matters.  Election of those who had been nominated as Directors of Rotary International took place and reports were presented by the General Secretary and the Treasurer of Rotary International. John C. Spragge, member of the Rotary Club of Toronto and vice-president of programming at the radio station CFRB, talked about “The Business of Rotary” in which he discussed the meaning of The Four-Way Test. President Mukasa  presented a special presentation citation to Mrs. Margerie Abramson, the daughter of James W. Davidson, who as Honorary General Commissioner of Rotary organized Rotary clubs in eleven countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

            In a Youth Exchange presentation entitled “Pearls of Friendship,” 125 young people from Districts 7070,7040, and 7090 entertained the audience with song, dance, and pageantry. Following the special presentation, Sharon Keith, the winner of the President’s Youth Exchange Essay Contest from Zimbabwe, delivered her essay, entitled “Mankind is One.”

            The final speaker of the morning session was Dr. Bernard Lown, President of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, whose subject was “A Physician’s Perspective on the Threat of Nuclear War.” Following Dr. Lown’s address, the audience viewed a slide program entitled “Lighting Candles for Peace─ International Service in Action.”           

            After the plenary session there was a luncheon meeting, chaired by PRID Harold H. Henderson, at which incoming RI President William E. Skelton addressed the incoming club presidents and wives and district governors-elect and wives. For the rest of the afternoon and evening approximately 5,600 Rotarians and guests were hosted by Rotarians and their wives in the Toronto area.

            The theme of the final plenary session on Wednesday was “Building Bridges to the Future.” The first speaker was Finlander Rolf J.V. Klarch, incoming Chair of the Rotary Foundation, who presented a report on the Rotary Foundation entitled “Living in a Changing World.”

            President Mukasa presented the 1983 Rotary Award for World Understanding to Canadian humanitarian Dr. Lotta Hitschmanova, founder of USC, a Canadian sponsored program that provided food, shelter, and medical care to refugees, especially to the children of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

            A major address entitled “The Shape of The 80s” was presented by  Dr. Robert M. Bleiberg, editor and publisher of Barron’s National Business and Financial Weekly, New York.

            The families of President Mukasa and President-elect William E. Skelton were introduced. Following his final address to the Convention President Mukasa offered his heartfelt best wishes to Skelton who addressed the Convention on the theme of Rotary International for 1983-84: “Share Rotary-Serve People.” To implement the theme for 1983-84, President-elect Skelton announced the launching of the Presidential Citation Program that would challenge Rotary Clubs to meet goals in growth and service.(The author served as club president in 1983-84 and had the honour of receiving a Presidential Citation.) In the afternoon there were 15 discussion groups on the programs of Rotary.

            In the evening thousands of Rotarian and guests gathered for the President’s

Reception and Family Night at Ontario Place, a lake-side theme park of islands, walkways, boat harbours and uniquely-shaped buildings.

Prepared by PDG Jim Angus, with considerable assistance from Rotary International Archivist Francine Keyes