Report on the “Circle the Atlantic: Flight To End Polio” Initiative

Introduction and Mission Mandate

A significant awareness and fundraising mission, titled “Circle the Atlantic: Flight To End Polio,” is scheduled to commence on August 30th. This initiative is a component of the Rotary Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a long-standing effort dedicated to the worldwide eradication of poliomyelitis. The flight’s core purpose is to generate financial support and heighten public awareness, directly contributing to global health objectives.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The mission is strategically aligned with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating a comprehensive approach to global betterment.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The primary objective of eradicating polio is a direct contribution to Target 3.3, which aims to end the epidemics of communicable diseases by 2030. By preventing this debilitating disease, the initiative promotes healthy lives and well-being for all, particularly for vulnerable children.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: This initiative exemplifies a robust multi-stakeholder partnership. The collaboration between Rotary International, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and private citizen-pilots showcases the effective global cooperation necessary to achieve the SDGs.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Polio disproportionately affects impoverished and marginalized communities. Eradicating the disease is a critical step in reducing health-related inequalities within and among countries.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: By preventing the lifelong disability and associated healthcare costs that polio can cause, the initiative helps to break the cycle of poverty for affected families and communities.

Operational and Logistical Details

The 37-day mission involves a complex and ambitious flight plan designed to maximize media exposure and engagement with donor communities.

1. Itinerary: The flight plan includes 15 landings in 11 different countries.
2. Route: The aircraft will cover approximately 8,800 miles, a journey that includes crossing the Atlantic Ocean twice.
3. Aircraft: A 1976 single-engine Cessna 210 will be utilized for the mission.
4. Personnel: The aircraft will be piloted by 89-year-old Ed Galkin. Upon completion, he is anticipated to be recognized by Guinness World Records as the “Oldest person to pilot a single-engine piston airplane across the Atlantic both Eastbound and Westbound.” Technical support will be provided by John Ockenfels.

Financial Framework and Partnership Model

The financial structure of the initiative is designed for maximum impact and transparency, reflecting a strong commitment to the principles of SDG 17.

• Donation Allocation: 100% of the proceeds raised are directed to the Rotary Foundation for polio eradication efforts.
• Funding Leverage: All donations are matched on a 2:1 basis by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, tripling the impact of each contribution.
• Operational Costs: All expenses related to the flight, logistics, and public presentations are personally covered by the pilots, ensuring that all donated funds are used for the intended purpose.

Historical Context and Proven Impact

The Flight to End Polio initiative, which began in 1985, has a documented history of success. A 2023 mission, “Around the World: Flight to End Polio,” which involved 37 landings in 19 countries, successfully raised over $2 million. This precedent underscores the viability and effectiveness of the model in mobilizing significant resources for critical global health goals aligned with SDG 3.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article’s central theme is the “Flight to End Polio,” an initiative directly aimed at eradicating a specific disease. This aligns perfectly with SDG 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. The entire fundraising effort is for the “Rotary Global Polio Eradication Initiative,” reinforcing the connection to global health.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article highlights a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders. The “Flight to End Polio” initiative, the Rotary Foundation, and the Gates Foundation are working together to achieve a common goal. The article states that proceeds are “donated to the Rotary Foundation and matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation.” This multi-stakeholder partnership, which mobilizes financial resources and raises awareness, is the core principle of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
• The initiative’s stated purpose is the “eradicating of Polio.” Polio is a communicable disease, and the mission’s goal to end it directly contributes to this target. The name of the flight itself, “Flight to End Polio,” makes this connection explicit.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.
• The article describes a major fundraising effort. It mentions that a previous mission “raised well over $2 Million dollars” and that the current flight will include “multiple fundraising events to encourage donors to give financial support.” This is a clear example of mobilizing financial resources from the public to support a global health initiative.
• Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.
• The structure of the initiative described in the article is a model of a multi-stakeholder partnership. It involves pilots providing their expertise and paying for flight expenses, the Rotary Foundation managing the global initiative, and the Gates Foundation providing significant financial leverage by matching donations. This collaboration mobilizes financial resources and uses a unique platform (a record-breaking flight) to share knowledge and raise awareness.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 3 Targets

• Ultimate Eradication of Polio: While not a formal UN indicator number, the article’s core objective is the “eradicating of Polio.” The success of the broader initiative supported by this flight would be measured by the reduction and eventual elimination of polio cases worldwide.

Indicators for SDG 17 Targets

• Indicator 17.3.1: Additional financial resources mobilized for developing countries from multiple sources.
• The article provides a direct, quantifiable measure for this indicator. It states that the 2023 mission “raised well over $2 Million dollars.” The success of the current mission will also be measured by the total funds raised through donations.
• Number of Awareness and Fundraising Events: The article mentions that the mission will include “15 landings in 11 counties” where pilots will “meet with media and speak at multiple fundraising events.” The number of these events serves as a qualitative indicator of the partnership’s efforts to mobilize support and resources.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kcrg.com