By Casey Jones, Programs for Young Leaders staff
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Two Rotary Youth Exchange students partner with Rotarians in a service project during a Rotary meeting in Sao Paulo, BrazilAnnually, on 20 November, UNICEF hosts a day of action for children by children, called World Children’s Day: a commemoration of the 1989 adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This year, young people are raising their voices on the issues that matter to their generation and are calling for adults to partner with them in creating a better future. With over 350,000 participants across Rotary’s youth programs, Rotary International knows that young leaders are critical partners in driving social change. Join us in empowering young people and celebrating World Children’s Day! Below are five ways to get involved:
- Learn about Rotary’s impactful youth programs. Youth Service, one of Rotary’s five Avenues of Service, recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through service and leadership development programs, including Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and Rotary Youth Exchange.
- Engage young leaders as partners. Young people are key collaborators in service and often lead the way in making positive change within their communities. Invite young people to your Rotary or Rotaract club meetings and partner in serving your shared community. Remember, positive youth-adult partnerships recognize that adults and youth both have something to contribute to and learn from each other. These partnerships require active listening, flexibility, honesty with each other, and openness to cultural differences between young people and adults.
- Amplify the power of youth voices. Elevating youth voices means including the ideas, thoughts, and actions of young people. Additionally, it requires the inclusion of young leaders in the decision-making process for those things that affect and shape their lives. Create opportunities to include youth in leadership roles in your club and district and invite them to contribute in meaningful ways.
- Empower youth through service-learning. Rotary’s approach to youth service, service-learning, emphasizes that young people should oversee their service experience. Young leaders are empowered to identify the issues they care about and develop and implement an effective action plan, all while honing life skills and having a lasting impact on communities. To learn more, interactive courses and downloadable workbooks are available in Rotary’s Learning Center for adult advisers and youth participants ages 16 and older. Watch this informative video and get started with service-learning today.
- Prioritize Youth Protection. Youth protection is the foundation upon which all Rotary youth programs are built. Review Rotary’s youth protection resources for clubs and districts that participate in youth programs and commit to fostering environments that are safe and positive for young people.
 Academy, a community service and leadership training program for approximately 100 high school students. The curriculum includes conducting a simulated service project, team building exercises, and an introduction to Rotary principles of Service Above Self and the Areas of Focus over four days in a residential setting. Rotary clubs in Districts 6040, 6060, and 6080 promote the event and sponsor the participants. 11 July 2022. University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Missouri, USA.</p><p>” data-medium-file=”https://rotaryservice.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/ryla.jpg?w=300″ data-large-file=”https://rotaryservice.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/ryla.jpg?w=1024″ alt=”” class=”wp-image-13936″ srcset=”https://rotaryservice.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/ryla.jpg?w=1024 1024w, https://rotaryservice.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/ryla.jpg?w=2046 2046w, https://rotaryservice.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/ryla.jpg?w=150 150w, https://rotaryservice.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/ryla.jpg?w=300 300w, https://rotaryservice.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/ryla.jpg?w=768 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”><figcaption class=)
Rotary members and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) participants at a multidistrict RYLA in Missouri, USAWorld Children’s Day is a time to celebrate the rights and potential of all young people. By engaging with Rotary’s youth programs, we can partner with and empower young leaders to make a positive impact on local communities and the world. Through service-learning, we can provide young people with the skills and experience they need to become changemakers. And by prioritizing youth protection, we can ensure that all youth participants are safe and supported. Together with Rotary’s young leaders, we can create a brighter future for all.
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Former Rotary Youth Exchange student, Luiza, speaks about empowering girls at the 2023 International Assembly. 100vw, 1024px”><figcaption class=)
Anniela Carracedo, current Rotary member and alumna of Interact, RYLA, and Rotary Youth Exchange, speaks with Patrick Chisanga, RI Director and Interact alumnus, about the impact of Interact during its 60th anniversary year.