An Intercountry Committees (ICC) meeting brought together approximately 100 participants from 30 different countries in Paris on 13 March 2026, hosted at the Ibis Paris Tour Eiffel Cambronne Hotel between 14:00 and 17:00. The gathering served as a dynamic platform for dialogue, international cooperation, and the strengthening of Rotary’s global network.
Rotary Intercountry Committees (ICCs) function as structured partnerships between Rotary clubs and districts across different countries. They are designed to foster international friendship, cultural understanding, and collaboration on humanitarian initiatives. By connecting Rotarians across borders, ICCs act as bridges between nations, enabling joint service projects, peace-building efforts, and long-term relationships grounded in goodwill.
The Paris meeting opened with welcome remarks by ICC Executive Council Chair Nathalie Huyghebaert, setting the tone for an afternoon focused on both operational insights and inspiring field experiences. Financial and structural aspects of ICC operations were addressed by Treasurer Guy Cahane, while Neeraj Bhatnagar highlighted the relationship between Rotary Action Groups for Peace (RAGFP) and ICCs.
The program also featured cultural and emotional contributions, including a peace-themed poem by Tara Vergnet and a compelling video message from Lebanon presented by Emil Mouwad, emphasizing urgent humanitarian needs.
Bilateral ICC collaborations were prominently showcased. Sedef Bircan presented the activities of the Türkiye–France ICC, reflecting the growing engagement between the two countries.
A central highlight of the meeting was the “African Stories” panel, moderated by Richard Knowlton. The session brought forward impactful narratives from across Africa, including contributions from Jenny Elisabeth Bohlin on Equatorial Guinea, Pierre Morelli on humanitarian pathways in Togo, and PDG Barbara Wolf-Wicha on initiatives in Uganda.
Further strengthening international ties, Rodica Harangus Panturu presented the France–Uganda collaboration, while PDG Bernard L'Huillier and Gilles Poncato shared insights on Franco-German cooperation, including a notable high school exchange journey.
The human dimension of resilience and solidarity was highlighted through presentations by Iryna Honcharenko and Tamara Nebodor, focusing on support efforts for Ukraine in exile. Rotaractor Sophia Nebodor further demonstrated how ICC and Rotaract collaborations translate into tangible action.
Environmental and peacebuilding themes were also central to the agenda. Azelio Fulmini presented initiatives under the End Plastic Soup movement, while Ovidiu Cos addressed conflict prevention and resilience in situations where peace processes fail.
Looking ahead, ICC Executive Council Chair-Elect Annemarie Mostert introduced the upcoming ICC Connections Meeting to be held in Cluj-Napoca, inviting continued engagement from the global ICC community.
The meeting concluded with a significant milestone: ICC Charter Signing Ceremonies formalizing new partnerships between France–Brazil, France–Mali, and Portugal–Türkiye. These agreements underscored the expanding reach and relevance of ICCs in fostering international collaboration.
Overall, the Paris ICC meeting exemplified the core mission of Intercountry Committees—building meaningful connections across cultures and borders, and translating those connections into impactful service and sustainable peace.
