FUSION 2025 – breaking barriers, building bridges

FUSION 2025: Rotarians connect three continents in Brussels

From 25 to 28 September 2025, the prestigious Square Brussels Meeting Centre hosted the remarkable Rotary International FUSION 2025 Summit. Around 2,000 Rotarians from Europe, the Middle East and Africa gathered with Rotary International staff and representatives of The Rotary Foundation and the zone structures. The meeting aimed to strengthen intercontinental ties, deepen mutual understanding and reinforce cooperation in addressing shared challenges such as sustainability, peace and economic prosperity. The Summit’s theme, ‘Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges’, became a symbol of a new spirit in Rotary: openness, dialogue and cooperation with younger generations and civil society.

Strengthening ties between countries

In the days before the Summit, GELS training was held for Governors-elect from the EMEA region. The morning of 25 September began with an intensive ICC (Intercountry Committees) meeting led by Nathalie Huyghebaert, Chair of the ICC Executive Council, with RI President Francesco Arezzo in attendance. Discussions focused on the role of intercountry committees in peacebuilding and on cooperation between Rotary and Rotaract. The address by PRID Kateriny Kotsali-Papadimitriou and DRFC Rameena Javida on Rotary’s development in Afghanistan was particularly moving: despite government bans, Rotarians run schools for girls, demonstrating courage and Rotary’s spirit of service.

Opening ceremony

At 14:00, the opening of the FUSION 2025 Summit began in the main hall of the SQUARE Brussels Meeting Centre. RI President Francesco Arezzo formally opened the Summit in the presence of the Mayor of Brussels, Philippe’a Close’a, emphasising that Rotary unity across borders is the key to lasting peace.

District 2231 represented

Participants included a delegation from District 2231: DG Greg Gregorczyk of RC Warszawa City, PDG Andrzej Ludek of RC Warszawa City, PDG Piotr Jankowski of RC Koszalin, IPDG Krystyna Baj-Pawluk of RC Gorzów Wielkopolski, DGE Michał Sowa of RC Kraków and DES Olena Shpak of RC Warszawa City. Their presence underlined the importance and activity of our district on the international stage.

Sustainability, peace and economic prosperity

The Summit was planned over four days, divided into morning and afternoon sessions. FUSION’s extensive programme included panels on Rotary’s values, the work of The Rotary Foundation, economic and social development, global and mental health, the PolioPlus initiative and Rotary’s cooperation with other international organisations. Participants also heard RI’s financial report, which showed that the actual budget exceeded the planned figure by more than US$1.1 million, reflecting the organisation’s financial stability.

Creating synergies

Alongside the intensive programme of discussions, there were accompanying events that fostered a sense of community. The first day ended with a concert by violinist Lorenzo Gatto in the elegant Place Flagey building, a musical highlight of FUSION 2025.

Recognising Major Donors

A special highlight was the Major Donor Recognition Lunch, traditionally organised by The Rotary Foundation. This exceptional gathering honours Rotarians who provide significant financial support to TRF and belong to the distinctive Major Donor community. This time, those honoured included our colleague PDG Andrzej Ludek of RC Warszawa City, District 2231’s representative on the RI Council on Legislation and ICC National Coordinator. The ceremony, attended by RI President Francesco Arezzo, Past President Gordona McInally’ego and many friends from around the world, was filled with pride, appreciation and gratitude. Guests at the lunch also included DG Greg Gregorczyk and DES Olena Shpak, invited by Andrzeja Ludka. The lunch was also an excellent opportunity for informal conversations about projects, future initiatives and strengthening global relationships within Rotary.

Gala Dinner

The highlight of FUSION 2025 was the formal dinner and gala held on 27 September at Brussels’ Autoworld car museum. Surrounded by vintage cars, music and an atmosphere of friendship, Rotarians from around the world celebrated their shared values and achievements. All guests were served fine food and wine. The evening also provided an opportunity for a special tribute by RI President-elect Olayinki Hakeema Babaloli of RC of Trans Amadi, Rivers State, Nigeria, to one of Rotary’s most distinguished members, PRID Sama Okudzeto of Rotary Club of Accra in Ghana, who was celebrating 58 years of Rotary membership and his 90th birthday. Fellow Rotarians sang ‘Happy Birthday’ in their own languages, including a Polish ‘Sto lat’ performed by PDG Andrzeja Ludka of RC Warszawa City. The choir’s performance, with angelic voices that became a highlight of the evening, delighted the audience so much that participants thanked the artists with a standing ovation at the end of the concert.

A declaration of unity across three continents

FUSION 2025 became a declaration of unity across three continents and of a new era of cooperation. It inspired participants to take joint action, strengthened relations between districts and confirmed that, by bringing together people of goodwill, Rotary can truly build bridges across borders, cultures and generations.

UNITED FOR GOOD – the FUSION 2025 Summit proved that Rotary brings together people of goodwill across borders, cultures and generations.