KINGSTON, Jamaica — Rotary International’s District 7020 is poised to host its annual conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel from April 27 to May 2, gathering hundreds of members from across the northern Caribbean. This year’s assembly carries the urgent theme “Unite for Good,” reflecting the organization’s commitment to addressing escalating regional challenges through collective action.
Professor William ‘Bill’ Aiken, District Governor for 2025-2026, emphasized the critical need for strengthened response capabilities in the face of growing threats. “The challenges of the modern world are growing in scale and impact,” Aiken stated, “and our clubs must grow equally in strength to support communities and their people to become resilient and to thrive.”
The conference comes as the region confronts dual crises: increasingly frequent category-five hurricanes and persistently high rates of cardiovascular disease. Aiken cited Hurricane Melissa’s impact on Jamaica last year, following closely after Hurricane Beryl’s category-four encounter, and the devastating 2019 Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas as examples of the “brutal realities” requiring enhanced preparedness.
Rotary’s strategic response encompasses seven key areas: peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, water sanitation and hygiene, community economic development, and environmental protection. The district governor stressed that effective work in these domains demands “not just more diligence on the part of our members, but deliberate capacity building.”
The gathering will feature addresses from prominent Rotary dignitaries including Rotary International President-nominee Larry Lunsford, past RI president Barry Rassin (2018-2019), RI Director Patrick Eakes, and past RI director Jeremy Hurst. In a significant departure from tradition, the opening ceremony on Thursday, April 30 will be held at Emancipation Park, intentionally bringing the conference into the public domain.
“We want the public and Jamaicans at large to come see and understand what Rotary means to Jamaica and the region,” Aiken explained, extending an invitation to corporate Jamaica and other interested parties to participate.
District 7020 encompasses 91 Rotary clubs and 46 Rotaract Clubs across 10 northern Caribbean territories including Anguilla, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, French West Indies, Haiti, Jamaica, Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos, and the US Virgin Islands. The conference aims to forge partnerships, provide upskilling opportunities, and inspire incoming presidents and secretaries to create lasting impact in their communities.