Young trailblazers find inspiration at Rotaract UN Days
The first Rotaract UN Days brought about 200 young people to the United Nations Office at Geneva for four days of inspiring discussions about human rights, health, economic development, peace, and science — and of course some fun (they’re Rotaractors, after all).
Haneekah Rahil and her Rotary friends Shahd Elshazly & Noël Kutz
Courtesy of Haneekah Rahil
We asked three participants in the 30 October-2 November gathering to tell us about the experience, their takeaways, and what it was like to enter the halls of the historic Palais des Nations.
DAY ONE: Arrival and welcome
Landing in Geneva feels surreal. Over the past year, I’ve traveled to events in Dubai, Mexico, and Chicago. But Geneva’s been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. Even better, I quickly run into my friend Christina from my Rotary district. What are the odds? Even better still, it’s her birthday. We head into the city center to do some sightseeing and sample Switzerland’s legendary chocolate. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. We head back for the welcome cocktail ceremony and after running into more old friends, we celebrate Christina’s birthday at a rooftop bar with a gorgeous view of the city. — Zayne Sinclair
In 2020, I was deputy secretary general for the National Youth Model United Nations in Sri Lanka. I made a promise to myself: One day, I would walk through the halls of the United Nations Office in Geneva. But little did I know that Rotary would bring this dream to life. I’m so excited to see inside the iconic Palais des Nations. — Haneekah Rahil
As an environmentalist, I’m very interested in working with the UN in Nairobi, where I’m from and the home to the United Nations Environment Programme, which partners with Rotary on clean water projects. So, I have dreamed of visiting the United Nations Office at Geneva for a long time. — Lamech Opiyo
DAY TWO: United Nations office at Geneva
Zayne Sinclair attends the first Rotaract UN Days in Geneva on 30 October.
Courtesy of Zayne Sinclair
I stop to take a picture in front of the United Nations building. I’m not exactly sure why I feel compelled to do it, maybe as a silent promise to myself that one day I’ll contribute to service on this scale, far beyond Bermuda’s pink shores. The morning session begins with a welcome address by Tatiana Valovaya, the first woman to serve as director-general here. She shares that only 20 percent of global diplomatic roles are held by women, a sobering statistic. Another eye-opener: Even Grammy-winning singer Gaby Moreno has self-doubts at times. The Rotary celebrity ambassador is speaking about the migration crisis, particularly in Latin America, when she acknowledges once doubting whether her music could make a difference. But she realized that just bringing people joy and comfort matters. My takeaway: Even the smallest acts can create ripples of hope. Then, as if to make that point, Moreno closes out the session with a heartfelt performance of her music. — Zayne Sinclair
In her speech, Rotary President Stephanie Urchick puts an emphasis on youth as leaders of today — not just of tomorrow. That is incredibly powerful and resonates deeply with me. Later, I have the honor of sharing a panel discussion with her. During my own speech on youth in humanitarian action, I discuss the role young people play in driving solutions to global challenges. It is my vision to see Rotaract working toward peace and reconciliation in my home country of Sri Lanka after decades of civil war. — Haneekah Rahil
I don’t just get to meet Gaby Moreno, I have the honor of sitting on the same panel as her for a discussion about human rights, immigrants, and refugees. I’ve interacted with so many artists, but what stands out with her is how she uses her songs to advocate for human rights and to create something positive, which I find inspiring. She is very approachable. She shares her insights and encourages me to do the work that I do. Apart from the serious side, we are having lots of fun. The first evening we attend a VIP dinner and awards ceremony with cocktails. There is a DJ, so of course we dance a lot. Sometimes you almost forget to sleep! — Lamech Opiyo
DAY THREE: World Intellectual Property Organization
We are welcomed by the organization’s Director-General Darin Tang with remarks on innovation as a driver of global progress. That is particularly impactful for me, as I focused on intellectual property law in my graduate studies. — Haneekah Rahil
Left: Gaby Moreno, image credit - Mihail Durnescu. Right: Lamech Opiyo and Rotaractor Daniel Zavala, image credit - Mihail Durnescu.
There is a lot of discussion about how we can apply technological advances and innovations to environmental and sustainability projects and maybe to drive climate action projects as well. Two of the speakers introduce us to WIPO Green, an online platform for technology exchange that supports global efforts to address climate change. Now I’m thinking about how I can apply some of these technologies, for environmental monitoring, for instance. — Lamech Opiyo
DAY FOUR: CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research)
An outing to the birthplace of the World Wide Web! The CERN international physics laboratory on the Swiss-French border is also home to the world’s largest particle accelerator and more than 12,000 scientists from over 70 countries exploring the origins of the universe and more. Its legacy is not just in scientific discovery but in proving that collaboration can overcome division. As CERN’s former Director-General Rolf-Dieter Heuer told us a day earlier: “Science has no agenda; it belongs to everyone.” I am struck by the similarity with our Rotaract values — collaboration, innovation, and the drive to create a better future. — Zayne Sinclair
Rotaract members walk through the CERN International Physics Laboratory display during the Rotaract UN Days event.
Image credit: John Hannes
Quantum tennis, anyone? Or maybe quantum karaoke? The interactive exhibits at CERN’s Science Gateway bring science to life. Beyond the weekend events, I’m also embracing the adventure in me and taking time to explore Switzerland’s stunning beauty. Visiting Jungfrau (aka the Top of Europe) and beautiful Lausanne is a dream come true. It reminds me of the joy of stepping into the unknown, conquering fears, and discovering new stories. — Haneekah Rahil
The Rotaractors
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Zayne Sinclair
- Entrepreneur, food security, sustainable development
- Rotaract Club of Bermuda
- Hamilton City, Bermuda -
Haneekah Rahil
- Law graduate, advocate for peace and climate justice
- Rotaract Club of Cinnamon Gardens
- Dehiwala, Sri Lanka -
Lamech Opiyo
- Climate activist
- Rotaract Club of
- Nairobi Central Nairobi, Kenya -
This story originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of Rotary magazine.