Rotaract’s voice at the world’s biggest tables

Since 1991, the Rotary Representative Network has been the bridge between Rotary and the world’s leading international institutions. It is a small group of volunteer representatives, appointed each year by the Rotary International President, whose role is to build relationships, open doors, and carry the values of Rotary and Rotaract into global organizations.

In 2024, the network took an important step forward with the appointment of its first Rotary Youth Representative, in North America. Today, the network includes three Youth Representatives, bringing the voice and perspective of young Rotarians and Rotaractors to the international stage, with representatives serving across North America, Europe, and Africa.

Why it matters for Rotaract Europe?

Several organisations the network engages with are headquartered right here in Europe. Dedicated Youth Representatives help make sure the voice of young people, and specifically Rotaractors, is heard where global decisions get made.

For Rotaract Europe, this means a direct line, through the European Youth Representative, into conversations happening at UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the European Union, and the UN offices in Geneva — institutions whose work on education, youth policy, peacebuilding, and sustainable development overlaps closely with what our clubs already do on the ground.

Within the broader network, Youth Representatives hold a distinct role. Appointed alongside the representatives, they:

  • Serve as liaisons on youth-specific issues with UN agencies and other bodies
  • Amplify the perspectives and priorities of young people within international discussions
  • Help connect Rotaract’s global network of young leaders to institutional partners and opportunities

This isn’t a symbolic title. In 2024, Rotary hosted the first-ever Rotaract United Nations Days, bringing around 200 young Rotaractors, representing 50 nationalities and 10 NGOs, to the UN Office in Geneva for four days of discussions on human rights, health, economic development, peacebuilding, and science. This was a direct result of the network’s work to give Rotaract a genuine presence at the UN, and it led to the creation of six task forces aimed at building projects in partnership with UN organisations:

  1. Peace & Human Rights
  2. Refugees
  3. Mental Health
  4. Climate Preparedness
  5. Water and Environment
  6. Economic Development

For our region specifically, this means Rotaract Europe has a direct line, through the Youth Representative, into conversations happening at UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the EU, and the UN offices in Geneva: institutions whose work on education, youth policy, peacebuilding, and sustainable development overlaps closely with what our clubs already do on the ground.

Meet Laura Sasse, Rotary youth representative for Europe

For Europe, this role is embodied by Laura Sasse, who has been part of the Rotaract movement since 2018 and is a member of Rotaract Club Paris Quai d’Orsay. Driven by a strong interest in youth engagement, international exchange, and community building, she has taken on several roles within the network, including Social Officer for Rotaract France and Assistant Social Officer for Rotaract Europe.

She has also co-organised the Rotaract UN Days, bringing young leaders together around global challenges and international cooperation. Since 2025, Laura has served as a Rotary Youth Representative, where she helps strengthen the bridge between Rotaract and international organisations — including the United Nations, Council of Europe, and European Union — bringing a youth perspective to global conversations.

Laura is a point of contact for Rotaractors across Europe who want to connect with the Representative Network, explore opportunities with international organisations, or bring their projects and perspectives to a wider stage.

What has been done since 2025

    WHAT HAPPENEDDETAILS
    UNESCO-NGO Liaison Committee, “Greening Education”Rotaract Club of Bari, Italy, joined a panel and presented the club’s work setting up a therapeutic garden in its community.
    SDSN Youth, climate change (Africa, Europe, North America)Four Rotaractors from France, Germany, Kenya and Bermuda took part in a working commission giving input on climate change regulations and recommendations.
    Council of Europe, peace and democracy event Rotaract Club of Strasbourg, France, participated in the Council’s annual World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, which runs a dedicated Youth Delegation (ages 18–30) alongside the main policymaker sessions.
    UNESCO, peace in AfricaPresentation of Rotaract’s work in Africa during the “Youth as Co-Architects of Stability” session; four peace projects were shared.
    UNESCO Education Beyond 2030 consultationRotaractors across Europe took part in UNESCO’s Global Survey on the Post-2030 Youth Education & Learning Agenda, gathering youth input (ages 19–30) to shape UNESCO’s education priorities beyond the current 2030 cycle.
    READ HERE THE REPORT OF THE UNESCO EDUCATION BEYOND 2030 CONSULTATION

    What can clubs and districts get from the network?

    Access expertise and resources from organisations such as UNESCO and the EU.

    • Bring international perspectives to club meetings, district conferences, and regional events.
    • Explore connections with institutional partners for projects in areas such as education, climate, human rights, health, and peace.
    • Bring young people’s priorities and perspectives into international discussions.
    • Use handbooks and collaboration guidelines developed by the network to engage with international organisations more effectively.

    Interested in connecting your club or district with the Rotary Representative Network?

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