According to the United Nations, youth are people
between the ages of 15 and 24. But the general acceptance in the world is that
young people are between the ages of 18 and 30. At this stage, the young person
goes through a transition from childhood to adulthood. It is during this period
that a person usually makes important decisions in their lives and becomes
accustomed to leadership, the willingness to engage in social activities,
sociability, fun, love, as well as separation. Therefore, young people create
different groups, and they also participate in various social activities. The
Rotaract club is an international body that paves the way for such youth.
The Rotaract
Club is a program of Rotary International. Rotaract is an international
organization dedicated to the leadership, responsibility, sociability, social
support, social service, and entertainment of young people between the ages of
18 and 30. In many cases, there is a misconception among the youth in society
that Rotaract clubs only do social services. But the truth is that Rotaract is
an international community that works for social service as well as to develop
its members' leadership skills, entertainment skills, and sociability skills.
Although the
word "Rotaract" is derived from "Rotary in Action", it is a
combination of the Rotary International school-level program
"Interact" and "Rotary," founded in 1962. The Rotaract Club
was founded in 1968 in the United States. Launched as Rotary International's
Youth Program, it is based at the Charlotte North Rotary Club in the state of
North Carolina in the United States. Thus began the Rotaract
club, which is now a prolific youth club organization with over 10,900 clubs
and over 203,000 members in 189 countries around the world.
There are
several main objectives of the Rotaract Club. That is, to develop the
professional skills of the youth as well as their leadership qualities, to
recognize the values of each
individual and respect the rights of others, to provide a better knowledge and
understanding of the problems and opportunities that exist in their community
as well as in the world at large, and to serve the community with goodwill
towards all people. Development is one of those goals.
The Rotaract
Club, the world's largest youth-led youth volunteer organization, was
introduced to Sri Lanka in 1969. It has expanded from its inception to the
present day as a platform that has nurtured social solidarity and leadership.
Rotary International District 3220 currently has Rotaract Districts in Sri Lanka
and the Maldives. At present, Rotaract
District 3220 has more than 70 clubs in action and more than 7000 members, with
a geographical representation of the 7 administrative provinces.
Most Rotaract
clubs in Sri Lanka can be found in the Sri Lankan university system. The
Rotaract Club of the Defense University of Sir John Kotelawala, of which I am a
member, was established in 2013, with Rtr. Ravindu Bandara as its charter
president and Rtr. Yohani de Silva as its charter secretary. At the moment I am
writing this article, Rtr. Ashen Rodrigo is the President of the Rotaract Club
of General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University. Rtr. Sayumi Jayawardena is
the secretary of the RACKDU. As mentioned earlier,
the Sir Kotelawala Defense University Rotaract Club also conducts social
services such as "Sisu Saviya", "Sleigh of Joy",
"Ecotopia", as well as programs such as "ENIGMA,"
"SHIELD" to enhance the leadership, personality, and entertainment of
RACKDU members.
Also, there is
another Rotaract Club on the southern campus of General Sir John Kotelawala
Defense University.
If you like to brighten your future and like to serve society, this is your chance. join the Rotaract Club and be a ROTARACTOR and coloured your future your own way. Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.
After all,
there is only one thing to say,
“As
Rotaractors, we always try - to reach out and make
things bright.
Together we can
make it happen - For our fellow men,
like no other.
No matter the
creed or culture, - And we proud to be Rotaractors.”
"Career Hunt" program 
Orientation program
KBW Sapumohotti – General member of RACKDU
********* An article based on information found on the
Internet. *********
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