Purpose
For more than 30 years, Rotary Days at the United Nations have highlighted the relationship between Rotary and the United Nations. Each iteration brings communities together to promote peace, health, education, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.
Most importantly, Rotary Days showcase the importance of grassroots action and partnership in addressing the most pressing global challenges.
2026-27: Rotary Day with UNICEF in Nairobi
This year’s UN Day will take place at UNICEF’s headquarters at the UN Office in Nairobi, Kenya, on 2 April 2027. More information on theme, speakers, registration, and activities will be available soon. Check back here for updates.
In the meantime, explore below to learn more about past Rotary Days and Rotary International’s relationship with the UN.
Past Rotary Days
December 2025: Rotary commemorated the 80th anniversary of the United Nations at the very site where the UN Charter was signed in 1945. Over 400 Rotary members, community leaders, and international partners gathered to explore how local collaboration and innovation can drive scalable solutions to the world’s biggest challenges. Attendees also examined how civil society, multilateral institutions, and community members can continue working toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
November 2024: The first-ever Rotaract UN Days in Geneva, Switzerland gathered over 200 Rotaract members, youth leaders, Rotarians, and UN agency representatives to inspire the next generation of leaders to contribute to global development 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 an online Global Health Security conference. The event brought together Rotary members and global health stakeholders to discuss the importance of collaboration and coordination on international public health development.
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: Over 800 Rotary leaders, members, and guests from around the world met in Nairobi, Kenya, to inspire participants to find creative solutions for addressing the world’s problems.
Rotary’s relationship with the United Nations