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.

Who attends?

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

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

Rotary People of Action Honors

Historically, the Rotary People of Action Honors were acknowledged as a part of Rotary Days at the United Nations. Since 2024, the People of Action Honors are formally recognized at the Rotary International Convention.

Past events

November 2024: Future Global Leaders in Action – Rotaract UN Days in Geneva, Switzerland gathered Rotaract members, youth leaders, Rotarians, and representatives from UN agencies to actively contribute to global development and address pressing challenges. Over 200 attendees had the opportunity to visit the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). The conference supplied valuable insight on how to build a more peaceful world through human rights, health, economic development, peacebuilding efforts, and science.

May 2024: Rotary partnered with UNESCO to hold a joint conference examining the theme of “Education, Culture, Planet: How do Rotary and UNESCO contribute to Peace?” The day-long conference brought together over 400 attendees, highlighting the convergence of thought and action between UNESCO and Rotary, and underscoring their joint contribution to peace, education, and sustainable development.

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 

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.