More than 19,000 Rotarians traveled from 147 countries to attend the 93rd RI Convention in sunny Barcelona, Spain, on 23-26 June. The event opened with remarks from RI President Richard D. King, who focused on the increased need for organizations such as Rotary in the face of wars and tragedies.
   
"The world looks to us for direction," he said. "And why not? We are the most dedicated, energetic, and committed citizen-leaders that the world has ever known." President King then presented a Rotary Award of Honor to U.S. humorist and humanitarian Jerry Lewis. 
   
A highlight of the convention was the announcement on 24 June of the winners of the Global Quest by the RI president and Kenneth Boyd, chairman of the RI Membership Development Executive Steering Committee. Thirty winners received jeweled globes for their achievements, and President King announced that an unprecedented number of more than 72,500 new Rotarians were inducted during 2001-02. 
   
On 25 June, former Soviet Union President and honorary Rotarian Mikhail Gorbachev made a keynote address on the importance of service organizations in promoting world peace, health, and environmental protection. "I would like to congratulate your movement on its great accomplishments and salute all those who are doing projects that respond to the hopes of the people in the 21st century," he said. 
   
President King presented Gorbachev with RI's Humanitarian Service Award, in recognition of his groundbreaking efforts to promote peace and social development. On the same day, Jonathan Majiyagbe of Kano, Nigeria, was declared RI president for 2003-04. 
   
"Never before in the history of the movement has anyone from my part of the world been asked to take charge of Rotary's affairs," said Majiyagbe in a heartfelt acceptance speech. "This is a great testimony to the famous writing of founder Paul Harris in The Rotarian of June 1944. He said, 'Rotary is an integrating force in a world where disintegrating forces are far more numerous.'" 
   
Other featured speakers included Nane Annan, wife of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan; Dr. Jacques Moreillon, secretary general of the World Organization of the Scout Movement; Kenneth Behring, chairman of the Wheelchair Foundation; and Dr. Bruce Aylward of the World Health Organization, who updated participants on the progress of the polio eradication effort. 
   
In recognition of his efforts to end world hunger, President King presented RI's highest award, the Rotary Award for World Understanding and Peace, to Dr. Norman Borlaug, a scientist who won the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his pioneering efforts in developing a strain of high-yield, disease-resistant wheat. "I have long been an admirer of Rotary International and of your motto, 'Service Above Self,'" Borlaug said. "I am a firm believer that education is necessary to overcoming poverty and achieving world peace. Rotary International has made important contributions to individual excellence and advancement through its various scholarship and ambassador programs." 
   
On 26 June, RI President-elect Bhichai Rattakul of the Rotary Club of Dhonburi, Bangkok, Thailand, introduced the 2002-03 RI theme, Sow the Seeds of Love. Rattakul spoke on the importance of "going back to basics" and a bottom-up approach. "The source of next year's theme lies in my long-standing belief that any undertaking must have a sense of mission," he said. "One must have total faith in the cause. It is this sense of mission that infuses our actions with determination, enthusiasm, sincerity, devotion, and above all — love!" 
   
For the first time this year, the programs of Rotaract, Interact, RYLA, and Youth Exchange had their own "mini conventions" during convention week. In the past, these meetings had been held prior to the convention. Participants enjoyed a host of fellowship and entertainment activities including dancing and festivities at the El Pueblo Espanol, a Spanish village; an evening fiesta featuring local delicacies; and a lively performance by Jerry Lewis at the closing ceremony.