Rotary Youth Exchange: In pursuit of a program

Though Rotary Youth Exchange was officially recognized as a Rotary activity in 1975, Rotary members have facilitated exchanges since the 1920s. Their efforts over the decades have built an exchange program that now attracts, on average, 7,500 participants annually.

Early concepts

In 1927, Rotary International received two proposals for international youth exchanges: one suggested creating exchanges for children of Rotarians, and the other focused on exchanges for vocational purposes. The proposals, along with others that would involve youth travel, were studied by a special committee. Almost a year later, the committee acknowledged the many benefits of such exchanges but recommended that Rotary International not manage them.

A few months later, in June 1928, the Board of Directors reached a similar conclusion. The Board did not favor creating a Rotary International exchange program or establishing committees in various countries to support them. It didn’t, however, discourage Rotary clubs from organizing exchanges on their own.

Only a month later, the Board had a partial change of opinion, giving “moral approval” to the efforts of Rotarians in Europe to create vocational exchanges for young people and agreeing that Rotary International’s office in Zurich, Switzerland, could provide some support to interested clubs in Europe.

Recognizing the growing interest in exchanges, the Rotary Club of Copenhagen, Denmark, hosted an international conference on youth exchange in June 1929. Attendees came from twelve countries, including England, France, Germany, and the United States.

Rotary International remained reluctant to commit itself to the centralized management of such exchanges but continued to assure members that exchanges were a worthy local undertaking. Clubs were encouraged to have their International Service and Boys Work committees do this work and cooperate with other agencies engaged in exchanges.

Perhaps the outstanding benefit to be had through this proposed exchange of young people between different countries of the world would be the fostering and developing of international peace, good will and understanding. International friendship will be the inevitable result of the individual friendships established through the exchange of young people.

— Committee report, 1928

A program takes shape

In January 1966, the Board tentatively supported youth exchange programs but still did not give its official approval. A worldwide survey of the youth exchanges that were already going on worldwide was planned. By the end of the decade, the Board authorized at least one multidistrict exchange program, and Rotary published a pamphlet with guidelines for international exchanges.

Formal recognition

Noting that Rotary International was already somewhat involved in this activity, two American Rotary clubs asked the 1974 Council on Legislation, a part of Rotary’s governance, to establish an international student exchange program “as an activity of Rotary International.”

The proposal passed and would take effect in January 1975. But that month, the Board noted that formally recognizing any program as an activity of RI was unusual. Specifically, the Board was concerned about how the name Rotary International would be used in conjunction with local programs. The Rotarian magazine summarized the Board’s decision in its April issue, explaining that recognition “as an activity of Rotary International” meant “as an activity of Rotary Clubs.”

Rotary International promotes exchanges and provides guidance for program sponsors and participants, but Rotary Youth Exchange continues to be managed by Rotary districts and Rotary clubs to this day. The dedication and leadership of countless Rotary members and nonmembers alike make this unique program an enduring success.

— March 2025