In 1950, shortly after World War II, some German and French Rotarians met in Strasbourg with a goal of building peace and understanding. What resulted from their talks was Rotary's first-ever Intercountry Committee, or ICC. This was a critical first step in building Rotary in postwar Europe.

For more than 70 years, similar committees have helped to expand Rotary service, carry out large-scale projects and take an active role in expanding peace.

Over the years, these contacts have led clubs and districts to jointly participate in or carry out international projects. Also, twin-clubs, sponsoring new clubs or simply by establishing informal international friendships.

When the Berlin Wall fell, these committees took on another significant role, helping European Rotarians reach out to Poland, Russia, and Ukraine in the early 1990s, which helped reintroduce Rotary to this part of the world.

The ICCs have been a major factor in the expansion of Rotary in Eastern and Central Europe. Without their help, Rotary's first steps into the Baltic states, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine would undoubtedly have been more difficult.

For this many reasons and more Kyiv was chosen, to be the city to hold the 2022 ICC International Conference and General Assembly.

The conference will focus on three objectives:

• Raising awareness about Intercountry Committees and the tremendous peacebuilding opportunities that can be accomplished through these activities.
• Inspiring greater interest and participation in Intercountry Committees and providing an interactive networking opportunity to inspire new projects or new ICCs.
• Exchange on and promote a new strategic vision for the Intercountry Committees.