On March 22, 2025, the youth of St.Martin and Anguilla shone brightly during the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), a day dedicated to personal development and strengthening leadership skills. Organized by the 5 Rotary clubs of St.Martin, this event brought together around a hundred young participants, eager to engage in an enriching experience filled with interactive workshops, collaborative projects, and inspiring exchanges with high-level professionals.
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A dynamic spirit of inter-island and interclub cooperation
RYLA 2025 embodied the spirit of collaboration and exchange, uniting youth from French and Dutch St. Martin and Anguilla. Together, they tackled challenges, devised innovative solutions, and expressed their unique visions of leadership.
The event also stood out for its strong interclub synergy, driven by the joint effort of the 5 local Rotary clubs. This collective initiative, strengthened by the involvement of dedicated speakers, offered participants a diverse and impactful program.
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Inspiring experts with diverse backgrounds
Throughout the day, participants had the chance to interact with a panel of professionals from various fields:
- Business leaders sharing their management experiences.
- Marketing and communication specialists revealing the keys to building a strong professional image.
- IT expert raising awareness about the impact of new technologies on leadership.
- Banking professional emphasizing the importance of investing in social impact initiatives.
- Educators and a psychologist, guiding participants on self-confidence and effective collaboration.
These experts led interactive sessions on key themes:
- Leadership development and charisma.
- Improving communication and public speaking skills.
- Boosting self-esteem, stress management, and self-assertion.
- Collaboration and teamwork in a professional setting.
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Innovative peace projects with real-world impact
In teams, the participants applied their newly acquired skills by developing creative projects to promote peace. Some of the standout ideas included:
- A peace activity center, offering workshops and educational events to unite youth around positive values.
- Team-building sessions in schools, aimed at strengthening cohesion and fostering dialogue among students.
- Peace Benches in schools, serving as symbols of reflection and kindness.
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A day of learning… and plenty of fun!
Between workshops, the participants enjoyed relaxing and entertaining moments, including a giant bingo packed with surprises and prizes. The lively atmosphere also encouraged new friendships and strengthened camaraderie.
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Congratulations to the young leaders and heartfelt thanks to the volunteers!
A huge bravo to the young participants for their creativity, dedication, and boldness. Their ability to innovate and defend their ideas with passion was the true highlight of this event.
A special thanks to the volunteers from the 5 Rotary clubs of Saint-Martin, as well as the speakers and partners, whose commitment made this impactful and inspiring experience possible.
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Looking ahead to an even brighter future
RYLA St.Martin 2025 was a shining example of what youth can achieve when inspired and supported. See you in 2026 for another edition filled with even more projects, learning, and positive energy!
