The Optimist International Global Spotlight was created to provide another means of communication between Optimist International and the Optimist Clubs outside of the United States and Canada.  The newsletter will be sent monthly. If you have suggestions for improvements, Club projects, articles for inclusion and/or other information about your Club, contact [email protected]. 
Young Africans Leaders Initiative
Optimist International has begun to receive inquiries from across Africa thanks to a new initiative launched this month. The Young African Leaders Initiative was started by the United States Department of State in order to help foster young leaders on the African continent. Dakar, Senegal Optimist Club President Mamadou Gueye is a member of the Y-A-L-I and using his connections within the group, he has spread the word about Optimist International, its mission and the good it can accomplish in a given area. Inquiries about new Club possibilities in Niger, South Africa, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Botswana have already been addressed and there are one or two more inquiries per week as word spreads through social media about Optimist International.
Optimist Oratorical Program

April was the month for some Districts to hold their Oratorical Contest finals and the Optimist Clubs in the Caribbean District were able to present the event to a wide audience. The competition was broadcast live on Jamaican television. Congratulations to everyone in the District who helped make this a possibility. View the recorded broadcasts here.
Optimist International Convention

International Development will be the focus of one of the many seminars presented during the 2018 Optimist International Conventionin Ottawa, Canada July 8-10. It will cover the processes that are being used to develop contacts in foreign countries outside North America and the Caribbean, some of the pitfalls and hurdles that have to be overcome for international development, and how new clubs in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and Australia can be developed from the comforts of your dining room table. The entire list of seminars being offered at the International Convention can be reviewed here .

Please note : In order to view the list, select a currency when prompted to do so after opening the page. You can then review the entire list of seminars by scrolling down the page.
Global Spotlight on Optimist Club of Jhapa, Nepal

The newly formed Optimist Club of Jhapa, Nepal recently concluded its first project which was a tremendous success. The Club formed a partnership with a medical facility in its area and launched an eye donor program. This program allowed people to sign up to be eye donors in the event of their death so others may see. The Club reports more than 200 people signed up to be donors. Congratulations to the Optimists in Jhapa for a great project!