Everything you need to know about the organisations behind SDG RYLA 2026 — Rotary International, RYLA and Rotaract — and how they connect to this programme.
Rotary International is a global network of people of action committed to service, fellowship, leadership and positive change. Founded by Paul Harris on 23 February 1905 in Chicago, Rotary began as a fellowship of professionals and evolved into a global humanitarian movement.
Today, Rotary works across peace, education, health, youth development, community development, environmental sustainability and humanitarian service, while nurturing ethical and compassionate leaders.
A Rotary Club is the local heart of Rotary. Clubs bring together people who want to serve, lead, connect and create lasting change. They identify community needs, run service projects, support young people and work with other organisations to create impact.
Rotary International
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Rotary District
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Rotary Club
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Community
Rotary clubs work on issues including peace, education, health, clean water, environmental protection, community development and ending polio.
The Rotary Foundation turns contributions into action. It provides grants and resources for projects addressing:
Peace · Disease Prevention · Clean Water · Maternal & Child Health · Education · Community Development · Environment
One of its largest global initiatives is PolioPlus, Rotary's campaign to help eradicate polio worldwide.
Members contribute → Foundation provides support → Clubs deliver projects → Communities benefit
A Rotary District is a geographical group of Rotary Clubs that work together. Districts support clubs through leadership development, membership, service projects, youth programmes, Foundation initiatives, training and collaboration.
Each district is led by a District Governor, supported by district leaders and committees.
Rotary International → District → Rotary Clubs → Communities
Rotary International District 3233 serves Chennai and surrounding areas of Tamil Nadu. The district brings together Rotary Clubs, Rotaract clubs and youth programmes to strengthen leadership, service and community impact.
District 3233 supports youth leadership, community service, Rotary Foundation initiatives, Rotaract and district-wide programmes.
RYLA — Rotary Youth Leadership Awards — is Rotary's flagship leadership-development programme for young people. Designed for participants aged 14–30, RYLA creates an intensive, experiential environment where young people develop:
Leadership · Communication · Teamwork · Confidence · Problem-Solving · Decision-Making
RYLA goes beyond conventional seminars through workshops, challenges, activities, interactions and experiential learning. It encourages young people to discover themselves, step outside their comfort zones, take responsibility and turn ideas into action.
Rotary International formally adopted RYLA as an official programme in 1971. Since then, RYLA has evolved across the world into diverse leadership experiences designed around local communities and young people.
Promoting RYLA means creating access to meaningful leadership development. RYLA helps young people:
RYLA should be promoted as more than an event. It should inspire one question:
"What am I capable of becoming?"
Rotaract is Rotary's global movement of young leaders focused on leadership, professional growth, fellowship and community service. The name combines "Rotary" and "Action." The first Rotaract club was officially certified on 13 March 1968 at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Today, Rotaractors develop leadership and professional skills, exchange ideas with community leaders and create positive change through service. They independently organise clubs, manage funds and implement projects, with Rotary Clubs serving as partners and mentors.
In 2019, Rotary formally recognised Rotaract as a membership type within Rotary, strengthening the Rotary–Rotaract partnership.
ROTARY
Service · Fellowship · Leadership · Global Impact
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RYLA
Discover · Develop · Challenge · Lead
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ROTARACT
Act · Serve · Connect · Create Impact
RYLA creates a bridge between potential and participation — introducing young people to Rotary's values, connecting them with leaders and peers, and inspiring them towards continued leadership, service and community action.
Don't just teach young people about leadership.
Give them an experience that makes them lead.
RYLA is where learning becomes experience, experience becomes confidence, and confidence becomes action.
Join 1,000+ students from across Tamil Nadu in the SDG Leadership Certification & RYLA 2026.