Category: young leaders

2022 Interact Award Winners: Rotary’s young leaders champion diversity, equity, and inclusion

February 23, 2023

By Casey Jones, Programs and Communications Specialist, Rotary International In 2022, nearly half a million Interactors embodied service above self by engaging in projects that supported their schools and communities. To honor their efforts, the annual Interact Awards invites Interact clubs to submit a video, photo(s), and/or essay showcasing their projects. Alongside the opportunity for … More 2022 Interact Award Winners: Rotary’s young leaders champion diversity, equity, and inclusion

Seven ideas to celebrate World Children’s Day in your community

November 3, 2022

By Claudia Urbano, Service and Engagement Senior Communications Specialist at Rotary International World Children’s Day takes place each year on 20 November. It is UNICEF’S global day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The theme for 2022 is “Inclusion, for every child.” Kids … More Seven ideas to celebrate World Children’s Day in your community

Celebrate 60 years of Interact this World Interact Week

October 20, 2022

By Casey Jones, Programs and Communications Specialist, Rotary International Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while engaging in service across their communities. This World Interact Week, Rotary celebrates a legacy of 60 years of Interactors changing the world by demonstrating Service Above Self.   Want to join in the … More Celebrate 60 years of Interact this World Interact Week

In-person Rotary Youth Exchange is back!

August 12, 2022

By Logan Johnson, Youth Exchange and Youth Protection Staff  After a two-year hiatus, Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE), Rotary’s exchange program for students aged 15-19, has resumed in-person exchanges. As we came to terms with the realities of the pandemic in early 2020, new in-person exchanges were paused indefinitely. With the development and distribution of vaccines … More In-person Rotary Youth Exchange is back!

Applauding outstanding service in Rotaract

May 24, 2022

By Molly Friend, Rotary Programs for Young Leaders Rotary International is thrilled to showcase Rotaract service projects from around the world for the 2022 Rotaract Outstanding Project Awards. The awarded projects were evaluated by RI’s Rotaract Committee and RI staff for their sustainability, impact in Rotary’s areas of focus, project promotion, and collaboration with local … More Applauding outstanding service in Rotaract

Five formative years of Interact: My Rotary journey

May 17, 2022

By Hannah Shin, member of the North Allegheny Interact Club and member of the Inaugural Rotary International Interact Advisory Council As an Interact leader, volunteer, and fan of five years, I am filled to the brim with love for Rotary and Interact, especially as I reflect upon how these communities and experiences have permanently impacted … More Five formative years of Interact: My Rotary journey

Interact: Unlocking young people’s potential

May 10, 2022

By Valentina Rigamonti, member of the Interact Advisory Council 2021-22, Rotary Youth Network team member, President of the Interact Club of Vigevano Lomellina (Italy, District 2050) When I first learned about Interact clubs, I had an inexplicable gut feeling that joining was the right choice to make and that it would lead me to other … More Interact: Unlocking young people’s potential

Rotary Youth Exchange creates connections between Venezuela and the United States

May 3, 2022

By Anniela Carracedo, member of the Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, United States and Rotary Youth Exchange Alumna When I decided to become a Rotary Youth Exchange student, I had no idea how much it would change my life and the lives of everyone around me. In 2017, I was invited to the … More Rotary Youth Exchange creates connections between Venezuela and the United States

2021 Interact Award Winner: Learning through service

February 7, 2022

By Isabelle Oh and Meththa Sumanasekara, Balwyn High School Interact Committee, Australia Editor’s note: this essay was submitted to Rotary International’s 2021 Interact Awards. Walking down Flinders Street, the constant banging of coins echoed in my ear. I took in a sharp breath as the harsh clinking carried on, before it was lost to the … More 2021 Interact Award Winner: Learning through service