President, Rotary International
Shoki Wafula did not know what to expect when he was forced to leave his birth country of Uganda for South Africa. What he found was a Rotary community that welcomed him with warmth and friendship. That experience inspired him to help create a Rotaract e-club where young leaders from around the world could connect, develop their skills, and serve together.
Today, that community includes members across multiple continents who collaborate on leadership development, peacebuilding and service initiatives. For Wafula, the experience reinforced the lesson that meaningful service begins with people who feel connected, valued, and empowered to lead.
His story reminds us why Youth Service Month is so important. Through Rotaract and programmes like Rotary Youth Exchange, young people build leadership skills, develop global understanding, and discover the impact they can make through service.
Rotary’s Action Plan calls on us to enhance participant engagement. At its heart, that goal asks a simple question: How can we ensure that participation in Rotary is meaningful and fulfilling for everyone? Youth programmes and Rotaract provide a powerful answer.
When clubs mentor Rotaractors, host exchange students, or support youth leadership initiatives, they create opportunities for members to share their experience in ways that feel personal and rewarding. These connections deepen members’ sense of purpose and strengthen the bonds within our Rotary family.
They also create lasting pathways into Rotary. Thousands of young people complete Rotary programmes each year, and they carry those experiences with them throughout their lives. Many remain eager to stay connected.
Organisations such as Rotex International, an association of former Youth Exchange students, help Rotary programme alumni continue serving as mentors, leaders, and advocates for our youth programmes. As Rotex co-founder Hans Lee wrote in a recent reflection on Youth Exchange alumni, “exchange doesn’t end when you return home.”
When we welcome these young leaders into our clubs and activities, we strengthen the continuity of Rotary across generations.
During Youth Service Month, I hope every Rotary club reflects on how youth programmes can enhance engagement for new and longtime members. Collaborate on service projects and invite youth voices into your planning and decision making.
Rotary’s message to the world is that we can Unite for Good. Youth programmes show us how that happens in practice — when generations come together, share ideas, and work side by side in service.
When we invest in young people, we are not only shaping future leaders. We are building a stronger, more connected Rotary today.
Francesco Arezzo
President, Rotary International