Near the Anhembi Parque Convention Center is a set of 66 spray-painted panels on the pillars of the Metrô rail.

By Megan Ferringer, Rotary staff

São Paulo feels like a museum of modernism. A single iconic image of the city might be a cityscape of endless towers fading into the horizon, or a photo of luxurious high-rise apartment blocks with pools and exotic flora on their terraces, all set against the favelas and their red roofs.

Despite its size, its density, and its growing wealth, São Paulo can fail to feel like a city at all. At street level, it instead feels like an endless collection of compounds. There are malls and offices, guarded apartment blocks behind heavy electric gates, and villa complexes behind high walls. Continue reading →

Ten-year-old Lucía Gómez García speaks at the second plenary session at the Rotary Convention in São Paulo, Brazil. Photo by Alyce Henson.

Ryan Hyland, Rotary staff

Stagehands adjusted the microphones as low as they could go and slid a box into place. And then 10-year-old volunteer leader Lucía Gómez García of Argentina stepped up to the podium to tell Rotary members that kids her age can make positive change in the world.

“As kids we are relentless and happy,” said Lucía, addressing the Rotary Convention on 7 June. “We are always ready to explore and learn, but principally we’re spontaneous and clear. We don’t have problems to say if we don’t like anything. To tell the truth is natural and when we don’t do so, everyone knows, because we blush.” Continue reading →

We’re just days away! Thousands of Rotary members are on their way to São Paulo, or already in town, for our biggest event of the year, the 2015 Rotary Convention. So whether you’re looking for things to do, or peering in on the excitement from afar, follow our blog and return frequently to get the latest news, tips, insights and reactions from attendees. And don’t forget to be a part of the conversation on Twitter and Facebook using hashtag #ricon15.

Beth Murphy

Beth Murphy, a founder of the film production company Principle Pictures and a director, producer, and author, will speak at the second plenary session of the 2015 Rotary Convention in São Paulo. Murphy is the director/producer of “What Tomorrow Brings,” a documentary about Rotary member Razia Jan’s work founding a school for girls in Afghanistan, and “Beyond Belief,” which follows two women who lost their husbands on September 11, 2001. Learn more about Murphy and find information on our other convention speakers.