THE DISTRICT2170
HISTORY
Prepared by the district and not verified
by Rotary Global History
A Part of our History of Rotary in the
Benelux
Francaise
Current division left with the D1620, at the center D2170 and D1630
right
District 2170 is one of three districts of Belgium.
This district covers the center of Belgium:
* Part of the Province of East Flanders
* Part of the Province of Antwerp
* Part of the Province of Flemish Brabant
* The Brussels-Capital Region
* A portion of the province of Brabant Wallon
* Part of the Province of Namur
While Albert Bouchery was past president of the Rotary Club of
Oostende in 1927-1928, it was not until 1929 that District 61 was
created specially for Belux (Belgium-Luxembourg).
Became In 1950 it became District 68, and then became District 162
in 1957.
In 1968 the district was divided into two districts with the
creation of the new District 163.
In 1978, the territory was again divided, this time into a third
district, namely District 217 which was made the central district.
Finally, in 1991, after renumbering, districts became 1620, 1630 and
2170.
Currently, District 2170 has over 3,400 Rotarians in 90 clubs.
Rotary Club Brussels (1923), chartered by the Rotary Club Paris
(France) is the oldest club in the district, followed by the Rotary
Club Antwerpen (in 1926) and Rotary Club of Namur (in 1927).
Belgium had the honor of being the district host to the 18th
International Convention in 1927 in Oostende.
7000 Rotarians from 40 countries were guests of our Rotarian King,
His Majesty the King Albert I, who was also an honorary member of
the Rotary Club San Francisco.
District 2170 was also the district host to Past-Director Edouard
Willems from the Rotary Club Brussels in 1929-1930 and Emile Deckers
from the Rotary Club of Antwerp in 1939-1940.
Edouard Willems was the first District Governor of Belgium and Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg in 1927-1929.
For 2007-09, Bernard Rosen, a member of the Rotary Club Brussels, is
Director, representative of the Area 13 to the Central Council of
Rotary International.
