Rotary offers several programs for young leaders aged 12 to 30, including Interact, Rotaract, RYLA, Rotary Youth Exchange, and New Generations Service Exchange, aimed at developing leadership skills, promoting international understanding, and providing service opportunities. Through these programs, participants build connections, gain professional skills, and engage in community service while having fun. Each program is tailored to specific age groups and focuses on fostering global citizenship and personal growth.

1. ROTARY’S PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG LEADERS

2. What are Rotary’s programs for young leaders?

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OUR FAMILY OF PROGRAMS
Interact 12-18
Rotaract 18-30
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
Rotary Youth Exchange 15-19
12 years 30 years
New Generations Service Exchange

4. How do these programs benefit young people?

5. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, YOUNG PEOPLE…
 Develop life skills
 Acquire professional and leadership skills
 Build international understanding and respect for the
rights of others
 Learn ethical standards and how to apply them in your
work
 Gain opportunities for service, locally and globally

6. INTERACT

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INTERACT
Interact clubs brings together young leaders ages 12-18 to take action, build
international understanding, and make new friends around the world.
Interactors develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service
Above Self. It’s serious leadership that is seriously fun!
Interact clubs organize at least two projects every year, one that helps their
school or community and one that promotes international understanding.
Rotary club sponsors mentor and guide Interactors as they carry out projects
and develop leadership skills.
Interactors connect with leaders in communities around the world to take
action to make a difference in schools and communities, discover new cultures
and promote international understanding, and have fun while making new
friends from around the world.

8. RYLA

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ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience
organized by Rotary clubs and districts to develop skills as a leader while
having fun and making connections. RYLA challenges youth and young adults
to become a dynamic leaders and change not only themselves but the world.
RYLA events are organized locally by Rotary clubs and districts for
participants ages 14-30 and customized to match community needs as a one-
day seminar, a three-day retreat, or a weeklong camp. Typically, events are 3-
10 days long and include presentations, activities, and workshops covering a
variety of topics. RYLA participants are nominated by local Rotary clubs.
Connect with leaders in your community and around the world through RYLA
to build communication, develop problem-solving skills, learn from
community leaders, inspirational speakers, and peer mentors, and have fun
and make lasting friendships.

10. ROTARACT

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ROTARACT
Rotaract is a global movement of young leaders taking action to develop
innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. Rotaract clubs
bring together young people ages 18-30 to exchange ideas with leaders in the
community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through
service.
Rotaract clubs decide how to organize and run their club, manage their own
funds, and plan and carry out service projects and activities aligned with
causes important for your community. Rotary club sponsors offer guidance
and support, and work together as “partners in service.”
Rotaractors take action locally and internationally to create sustainable
change, grow their professional network and exchange ideas with proven
leaders, develop professional skills through leadership training opportunities,
and have fun and make new friends from around the world.

12. ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

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ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE
Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. Students
learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global
citizens. Exchange students unlock their true potential through a unique
study-abroad opportunity anywhere from a few weeks to a full year as an
international student hosted by local Rotary clubs.
Rotary Youth Exchanges are administered locally and all applicants must be
sponsored by a local Rotary club and district. Rotary clubs are certified to
participate in Rotary Youth Exchange in over 100 countries and geographical
areas.
Interested participants should contact a local Rotary club to see if it
participates and to learn more about the types of programs offered, and
specific application process required. Because the selection and orientation
process can be lengthy, we suggest applications to be submitted 6–12 months
in advance.

14. SHORT-TERM EXCHANGE

15. LONG-TERM EXCHANGE

16. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
 Students who are:
age 15-19
at the high-school or equivalent
academic level
above-average academically
socially ready to handle living abroad
for an extended period

17. PROGRAM COSTS
Expenses:
 Round-trip airfare
 Travel insurance
 All travel documents
 Spending money
 Additional Long-Term
Expenses:
 Orientation session/language camp
 Emergency fund

18. HOW TO APPLY
 Contact your local Rotary
club or District Youth
Exchange Chair
 www.rotary.org
 youthexchange@rotary.org

19. NEW GENERATIONS SERVICE EXCHANGE

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NEW GENERATIONS SERVICE EXCHANGE
New Generations Service Exchange is professional development with a
purpose. University students and young professionals ages 18-30 build new
skills, learn a language, and take action through humanitarian service during
short-term, customizable exchanges. Some New Generations Service
Exchanges include vocational mentorship, unpaid internships, and team
volunteering or study groups. These exchanges may be one-way or reciprocal,
for individuals or for small groups.
Districts build upon their existing multi-district networks to find partners and
promote participation. Eligible candidates are sponsored by a local Rotary club
and district leaders. Participants don’t have to be a member of Rotary to apply.
Current and former Rotaractors and former Interactors, RYLA participants,
and Youth Exchange students are highly encouraged to apply. Although each
Rotary club determines the specific eligibility criteria, participants must be
adults and should demonstrate a strong commitment to service and the ideals
of Rotary.

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CONNECT WITH NEW GENERATIONS ONLINE
www.facebook.com/interactofficial
www.facebook.com/rotaractor
www.twitter.com/rotaract
Search for: Rotary Youth Exchange
(Closed Group for alumni, host families, and
youth exchange chairs)

22. interact@
rotary.org
ryla@
rotary.org youthexchange
@rotary.org
rotaract@
rotary.org
Contact us