Under the motto ‘Service Above Self’, Rotary International is an international service organization that aims to bring together business, professional and community leaders around the world to champion peace, fight illiteracy and poverty, promote clean water and sanitation, and fight disease. With over 75,000 clubs worldwide, the organization is divided into 529 global districts with Rotary District 7030 covering 115+ Rotary and Rotaract clubs in 17 countries and territories in the Southern Caribbean.
Rotary District 7030 adopted Childhood Obesity Prevention (COP) as a priority program under two of Rotary’s Areas of Focus: 1) Disease Prevention and Treatment; and, 2) Maternal and Child Health. In the 2020-2021 Rotary year, and under the tenure of Past District Governor Lisle Chase, District 7030 embarked on an effort and commitment to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity in the region, as it has become an issue of great concern, with an alarming 1 in 3 Caribbean children qualifying as either overweight or obese. Rotary and Rotaract clubs within District 7030 were introduced to the COP program and instructed on types of projects and activities that support healthy behavior to prevent childhood obesity. Products were developed by the District COP Program Team and partnerships were sought with other Caribbean organizations for joint actions.
Although clubs were not steered in any specific direction for actions and projects, in the Rotary year 2020-2021, much attention was given to healthy eating behavior, with the understanding that physical activity is inextricably linked in the fight against childhood obesity. In the current 2021-2022 Rotary year, Rotary and Rotaract clubs are likewise encouraged to sustain their focus on childhood obesity prevention and continue to carry out COP projects and activities.
Consequently, to help promote physical activity as an important factor for healthy living and against obesity, District Governor Sonya Alleyne decided to adopt the merits of and piggyback on World Obesity Day global campaign. Thus, in 2022, District 7030 will officially recognize World Obesity Day (on 4th March) and has adopted the overall merits and message of the World Obesity Federation into its latest actions against obesity.
Following the World Obesity Day theme for 2022 – "Everybody Needs To Act" – District 7030 proudly announces the official launch of the "7030 Moves for Childhood Obesity Prevention (COP)" campaign which starts on 24th January and climaxes on 6th March 2022.
This distinct-wide campaign is linked to the District 7030 COP program and seeks to encourage all of our members and clubs to continue to take action and mobilize against childhood obesity and promote healthier behaviors and lifestyles.
To enact this new and exciting enterprise, District 7030 developed and designed its World Obesity Day campaign to be comprised of several initiatives in which members and clubs are encouraged to participate over several weeks, including:
- 70/30 Physical Activity Challenge – designed to get persons moving via a variety of possible activities for all ages and conditions
- World Obesity Day Webinar – takes place on World Obesity Day itself (4th March) and showcases some great speakers and club activities
- Rotary Day of Service – introduces District 7030's 1st Annual Obesity Awareness Movement event for all clubs and members on 6th March
- Donate to the COP Fund – encourages member and club donations to the District 7030 COP Fund which is geared to supporting great club COP projects
To kick things off, DG Sonya challenges each Rotary and Rotaract club to carry out various types of physical activity which meet our prescribed “70” and “30” targets. Such activities can be on an individual or group basis and can happen once or collectively anytime beginning 24th January 2022 with the last day of reporting an activity being 28th February 2022.
To commemorate World Obesity Day itself, District 7030 will host a webinar on Friday 4th March 2022 to highlight the campaign and various member and club achievements.
To conclude the campaign, District 7030 has designated Sunday 6th March 2022, as an official Rotary Day of Service focused on promoting physical activities as part of a healthy lifestyle among both adults and children. Under the World Obesity Day’s theme for this year – ‘Everybody Needs To Act’ – DG Sonya proudly introduces the 1st Annual Rotary District 7030 Obesity Awareness Movement – a District wide activity for Sunday 6th March 2022 in which all members and clubs are invited to participate.
All Rotary and Rotaract club members, as well as family and friends of District 7030, are invited to recognize World Obesity Day over the course of the campaign, by organizing and participating in as many campaign initiatives as possible, as well as, encouraged to use the information and resources provided on the District website.
Let us all work towards building healthier communities in our region!
Please visit the campaign webpage for more information and details on each of the 7030 Movies for COP campaign initiatives, along with valuable campaign resources and guides.
Members and clubs with questions on any aspects of the campaign and its initiatives may contact the District 7030 COP Program Chair – Virginia Asin-Oostburg – via email (fvirros@yahoo.com) or Mobile/WhatsApp (+ 597 828-2299).