The rose is a universally recognised symbol of peace.
By choosing the ICRC, the Lions Club is highlighting the great work of Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross and Nobel peace prize winner.
A ROSE,
A SYMBOL OF PEACE,
TO FINANCE THE CICR'S PROJECTS
PROJECTS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO DRINKING WATER IN DISADVANTAGED REGIONS
On the occasion of its 75th anniversary (1948-2023),
the Lions Club Geneva (Switzerland) signed a partnership agreement on 15 December 2021
with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
A new rose, obtained and donated by Alain MEILLAND (MEILLAND Rose et Création, France), will be sold from 2023 onwards throughout the world to finance a large-scale project aimed at facilitating access to drinking water in disadvantaged regions..
This gesture by the House of MEILLAND is a fantastic and invaluable gift.
This rose, a Meizilena variety protected by a plant variety certificate, will bear, with the agreement of the Director General of the ICRC, Mr Robert MARDINI, the name duly registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
From autumn 2023, the« ICRC ROSE® »will be on sale in many
in Garden Centers in many countries.
For each rose sold, a royalty of CHF 1, $ 1 or € 1 will be paid to the ICRC.
This contribution will be valid for 20 to 30 years depending on the country.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************
WHY A ROSE?
The rose is a universally recognised symbol of peace.
Choosing the ICRC to mark the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Lions Club is both ...
- recognise the tremendous work carried out by Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize,
- to underline the extraordinary and decisive role played for more than 150 years by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) whose headquarters are in Geneva and
- support the actions of International Geneva through the United Nations (UN) headquarters.
WHICH ROSE?
The chosen rose is characterised by its powerful and vigorous growth.
The rose grows as a branched bush 70-80 cm high and its foliage is shiny and very decorative.
The deep red, slightly velvety flowers, which start out classic and turbulent, then fully open their fifteen or so petals into twirling corollas.
Easy to care for, this rose has exceptional resistance to disease and blooms well from late spring until the first frost.
It is in the tradition of roses grown in an environment that respects natural conditions.
It is a perfect rose for cultivation in large pots to embellish patios, stoops, terraces, balconies, etc., but it also has a place in the garden.
WHAT ACTION AND HOW?
The sale of this rose will take place in several phases:
Phase 1: Obtaining propagation material (cuttings) from selected plants to make up the different series of roses intended for sale.
Phase 2: Growing 10,000 rosebushes in flowering pots for sale in Switzerland in May 2023. LC Geneva's 2023 Social Action, which should enable the ICRC to receive a cheque for at least CHF 250,000 when the "ICRC ROSE® " is christened at the gala evening of the 2023 National Convention.
Phase 3: Development of the cultivation of roses and sale of the "ICRC ROSE® ", with priority given to Switzerland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and the USA, and then as plants become available for propagation in at least 40 countries. Sales of the plants will start in autumn 2023 and will continue as long as the variety is successful.
The "ICRC ROSE® ", a MeIzilena variety, is protected for 25 years in Switzerland, 30 years in the European Union and 20 years in the USA.
For each rose sold, a contribution of approximately CHF 1, € 1 or $ 1 will be collected.
Every 6 months, the Maison MEILLAND will pay the contribution corresponding to the sale of the plants to a philanthropic Foundation created for the occasion and managed by the LC Genève. The proceeds of the sale will then be donated to the ICRC to finance projects related to access to drinking water in disadvantaged regions.
Dr. Gérald Meylan
President CO CN23
LC Geneva / MD 102 Switzerland
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************
Press release dated 15 May 2023
A rose for life!
In the presence of Federal Councillor Albert Rösti and two Geneva State Councillors, a cheque for CHF 250,000 was presented last Friday evening by the Geneva Lions Club to Mr Robert Mardini, Director General of the ICRC, at a gala evening at Palexpo Geneva attended by more than 650 people. Founded in May 1948, the Geneva Club is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and has developed an original and far-reaching social action to mark this jubilee by choosing one of the most beautiful flowers, the rose, as its vector. The 'ROSE DU CICR®' was christened as the crowning glory of this charity evening, which also marked the 75th anniversary of the Lions Club in Switzerland.
Why a rose?
The rose is a universally recognised symbol of peace, and choosing it to celebrate this anniversary is an opportunity to recognise the immense work carried out by a man from Geneva, Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. It also highlights the role played for 160 years by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), whose headquarters are based in Geneva. With this in mind, LC Genève approached Mr Robert Mardini, Director General of the ICRC, and told him of its wish to mark this jubilee with a charity initiative. On 15 December 2021, an agreement was signed between the Geneva Lions Club and the ICRC.
A rose for a good cause
The aim of the convention was to name a new rose and sell it worldwide to finance work to improve access to drinking water in disadvantaged regions. Mr Alain Meilland, a rose grower representing the 5th generation of the French company Meilland Rose et Création, donated a new rose that he had grown himself. This gesture is a fantastic gift for this social action. The name of the rose, 'ROSE DU CICR®' var. Meizilena, is duly registered with the World Intellectual Property Organisation, also based in Geneva.
Baptême
This new rose was symbolically baptised 'ROSE DU CICR®' in champagne on Friday 12 May at the Lions Club national convention. Sales of the rose had already begun in mid-May in Switzerland, with some 10,000 pots decorated with flowers for Mother's Day. This first sale enabled the ICRC, through the Lions Club Geneva Philanthropic Foundation created for the occasion, to receive an initial cheque for CHF 250,000. From autumn 2023, sales of this rose will be gradually extended through rose growers in over 40 countries who have undertaken to include the 'ROSE DU CICR®' variety in their catalogues. This sale will continue for as long as the variety is successful and for each rose sold, a contribution of CHF1 or €1 or $1 will be collected. This 'ROSE DU CICR®' is protected for 25 years in Switzerland, 30 years in the European Union and 20 years in the USA.
Each pot for water
Every 6 months, the Philanthropic Foundation of the Lions Club Geneva will collect the contribution corresponding to the sale of the plants and destined, in agreement with the ICRC, to finance projects linked to access to drinking water in underprivileged regions. This long-term initiative will enable the Lions Club International to support the International Committee of the Red Cross in its humanitarian work on behalf of the most disadvantaged.
Geneva, 15 May 2023
Gérald Meylan
Chairman of the Organising Committee
Initiator of the "A rose for life" project
079 217 07 92
