Guam hosts 1st RYLA Conference in the Pacific Basin Group

On March 1-4, 2024, Guam welcomed its very first group from Japan as a part of the island’s very first Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.

The RYLA Program had its humble beginnings in Australia in 1959. It was adopted as an official Rotary International youth program in 1971, and RYLA found its way to Missouri in early 1992.

There are over 350 RYLA programs worldwide today. Through Rotarians’ constant belief in the potential of youth, RYLA has since become an opportunity to help the next generation of leaders define themselves and expand their skills. Officially adopted by Rotary International in 1971, this exciting program engages Rotary clubs and districts around the world.

RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, personal growth, and service and aims to demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth; provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders; encourage leadership of youth by youth; and recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities.

RYLA will assist young people to realize their potential and to adapt to experiences within their life and their communities. RYLA enables participants to join other young people from across the district. Students come together to exchange ideas, plans, and opinions with other talented and energetic people like yourself in a supportive atmosphere, free from pressure and distraction.

For these students, this recognition offers the opportunity to build self-confidence, gain exposure to a variety of issues and people, meet active community leaders, and learn valuable information and career skills. RYLA gives Rotarians the opportunity to mentor promising young leaders serving their own communities and beyond. Rotarians serve as resources for participants on the path to becoming professional and community leaders. In turn, RYLA can bring new energy to a Rotary district, inspire ideas for service, increase support of community service projects, and develop future Rotarians.

Guam, part of the Rotary Pacific Basin Group, has begun hosting its very first RYLA Program in Guam. The RYLA Program is sponsored by the partnership of District 2750 Guam Rotary Clubs and District 2770 Japan Rotary Clubs. The group is comprised of young leaders who have been awarded/sponsored the trip by their Rotary District. Rotarians from the various Guam Rotary clubs use their networks to provide resources, materials, and supplies needed to host RYLA in Guam. This specific group of Japanese Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Young Leaders focused on discussions addressing Peace and Conflict Prevention and Environment, two of Rotary International’s seven Avenues of Service.

Speakers Joshua F. Tenorio, lieutenant governor of Guam, and Kyle Mandapat, associate director of Communications and Community Engagement, University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, educated the group on how the territory of Guam has adopted a 10-year action plan to achieve a sustainable future for the island in line with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Discussions detailed the plan and what exact programs are being offered through the Guam Green Growth (G3) Action Framework.

Special thanks to Wayne SN Santos, international director and past assistant district governor (Rotary Club of Northern Guam), Manami Rosario, president (Rotary Club of Guam Sunrise), and Candise Aragon (Rotary Club of Pago Bay Guam) for their service with the conference’s coordination.

For more information, contact Santos via email at wsnsantos@yahoo.com or Aragon via email at candise.aragon@gmail.com or via call at (671) 747-2494. (PR)