Rotary President urges clubs to embrace youth for a modern future

In a wide-ranging keynote speech spanning unity, adaptability, and diversity in action, International Rotary President Francesco Arezzo called on local clubs to recruit young people who can help modernise the organisation.

He was speaking during a business breakfast hosted by Rotary District 9350, in partnership with Rotary Club of Stellenbosch, at a hotel in Stellenbosch on Friday, January 30.

The governor of Rotary District 9350, Pam Rawbone, said the international president visited the area as part of his duties of spreading love and preaching unity.

A Rotary member for more than 37 years, President Arezzo is an orthodontist in private practice and hails from Italy.

Speaking under his theme for the year, "Unite for Good", he encouraged Rotary members to embrace unity, adaptability, and diversity, and to work closely with community organisations to address social challenges.

“Rotary has to change with society, and society is changing so quickly. We have to understand the change that is happening. The new generations feel the change.  They are able to see, to understand the first signs of the change. 

“If we are leaders, we have to guide the change, not to see it happening. But to guide the change, we have to understand it very early. And for that reason, we need young people in our clubs. Because they can advise us on how and what is the best way to guide this change,” he said.

President Arezzo added that unity among clubs and collaboration with other non-governmental organisations are essential for Rotary to remain relevant and make meaningful contributions to society, along with continued engagement with former presidents.

“We have to grow in diversity, to grow with young people. That is so important,” he said. 

Rotary International is a global humanitarian service organisation that brings together a network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges and creating lasting change.

Governor Rawbone said: “The Rotary International President has to visit the districts all over the world. During that period, he has to try to see how he can spread the love of Rotary and give everybody the message of uniting for good and being part of this organisation. It's a privilege and honour to have him here.”  

The Stellenbosch Rotary Club was also proud to host the international president in its home ground.

Club president Laurence Chambers said: “He gave a very good message today, which we are going to take to heart. He said Unite for Good. He said each area and region should do so, according to the community's needs. It was a real pleasure for him to come and give us inspiration and have a look at some of our projects.“

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