Rotary’s belief in the power of young leaders

There’s something powerful about believing in young people — not just in their potential, but in their ability to lead today, not tomorrow. Rotary’s youth service is rooted in that belief. It isn’t just a set of programmes or clubs — it’s a philosophy. A commitment to nurture courage, compassion and character in young individuals, and to give them the space to dream, act and lead.

Across towns and cities, villages and campuses, young people touched by Rotary are not waiting for the world to change; they are becoming the change. Whether they are organising a blood donation drive, leading climate action campaigns, initiating dialogues across borders or simply standing up for what is right, they are living the values of service and leadership every single day.

Youth Service in Rotary doesn’t just teach leadership; it trusts youth with it. It opens doors, but more importantly, it removes ceilings. It tells a 16-year-old that her voice matters in shaping her community. It tells a 24-year-old that he can lead not just projects, but movements. And in doing so, it creates generations of citizens who are not indifferent to the world around them.

Many of these young leaders may not remember every club meeting or training session. But they will remember what Rotary taught them — that service is more powerful than self-interest, that real leadership is about lifting others, and that even one person, with the right intent, can start a ripple of change.

In a world growing more complex, divided and uncertain, Rotary Youth Service is a quiet revolution, a force that prepares young hearts and minds to be bold, empathetic and resilient. And that may just be the kind of revolution the world needs most.

Anirudha Roychowdhury
RI Director, 2023–25