Rotary Day at the United Nations

Rotary Day at the United Nations celebrates our shared vision for peace and highlights the critical humanitarian activities that Rotary and the UN lead around the world.

With the theme Connecting for Good, this year’s event will focus on community-based solutions to the global refugee crisis. We’ll also honor six members of the Rotary family as Rotary People of Action: Connectors Beyond Borders and see how their inspiring work has addressed the crisis.

Rotary Day at UNESCO 2023-24

The 2023-24 Rotary Day at UNESCO will be held on 4 May 2024 in Paris, France, with a focus on education and peace.

Who attends?

Rotary Day at the United Nations is open to the public. The audience includes: 

• Rotary International president and Board of Directors, Rotary Foundation Trustees, other Rotary leaders, and Rotary club members
• Leaders from the United Nations 
• Experts from other nongovernmental agencies
• Thought leaders and influencers
• Young leaders who attend to exchange ideas, learn about the UN, and meet international leaders

Rotary People of Action

For over a century, Rotary has committed itself to addressing the needs of communities across the globe. In recognition of this commitment, each year the Rotary President recognizes six individuals with the Rotary People of Action Honors for their leadership in implementing impactful projects in their communities or around the world. Historically, our Rotary People of Action honorees were acknowledged as a part of Rotary Days at the United Nations. Beginning in 2024, the People of Action will be formally recognized at the Rotary International Convention.

Nominations for the 2023-24 People of Action: Champions of Impact opened on Thursday, 12 October 2023, and closed on Friday, 17 November 2023.

Past events

October 2023: Under the theme of “World Polio Day 2022 and Beyond,” Rotary members and the World Health Organization gathered in Geneva, Switzerland to advocate a healthier future for mothers and children. The livestreamed event brought in more than 20,000 video views, 73,000 engagements and 1.7 million social media impressions – reemphasizing how every individual’s contribution is vital in the final push to eradicate polio worldwide.

March 2022: In a joint livestreamed event with Rotary and UNICEF, individuals from across the world convened in New York, USA. The effort to advance girls empowerment through social action, health, education and more garnered 20,000 video views, 18,000 engagements and 310,000 social media impressions. Additionally, Six Rotary and Rotaract members were honored as People of Action for their contributions as Champions of Girls’ Empowerment.

February 2021: Rotary partnered with the World Health Organization to host a virtual event titled “Rotary | World Health Organization: Together for Mothers’ and Children’s Health” – highlighting community-based solutions for improving maternal and child health outcomes.

November 2020: In collaboration with the European Union (EU), Rotary hosted an online Global Health Security conference. The event brought together Rotary members and global health stakeholders to discuss the importance of collaboration and coordination on international public health development.

2019: Five Rotary members and a Rotary Peace Fellow were honored as People of Action: Connectors Beyond Borders for their community-based solutions to the refugee crisis.

2018: Nearly a thousand Rotary leaders, members, and guests from around the world met in Nairobi, Kenya, to honor six Rotaract and Rotary members age 35 or under as Rotary People of Action: Young Innovators.

2017: Under the theme of “Peace: Making a Difference,” Rotary honored six Rotary members or Rotary Peace Centers alumni who have done outstanding work for peace, professionally or as volunteers.