Thank you
THANK YOU
The Rotary European Action Summit 2026 was made possible by the commitment, energy and contributions of an extraordinary number of people.
On behalf of Convenor RID Harriette Verwey, Co-Conveners RID Massimo Ballotta and Emmanuel Katongole, and Past Trustee of The Rotary Foundation Geeta Manek, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make these days in Rotterdam so memorable.
TO OUR PARTICIPANTS
First and foremost, thank you to all our participants — Rotarians, Rotaractors, partners, guests and changemakers from across Europe and beyond.
You came to Rotterdam with your experience, curiosity, ideas and willingness to connect. You joined the conversations, asked questions, shared your stories, met new people and brought the theme TO BELONG – The Power of Connection and Action to life.
The energy in the rooms, the encounters in the House of Friendship and the many conversations in between sessions were created by you.
Thank you for being there, for contributing and for being part of this European Rotary community.
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO PRESIDENT YINKA BABALOLA
We were especially honoured to have Rotary International President Olayinka “Yinka” Babalola with us throughout the Summit.
Through his inspiring speeches, his energy, his accessibility and his personal connection with participants, he encouraged us to keep learning, growing and taking action.
His words will stay with us:
“Be better than your best!”
A simple but powerful challenge that captured the spirit of these days and our shared ambition to Create Lasting Impact.
SPEAKERS, MODERATORS AND FACILITATORS
Our sincere thanks go to our keynote speakers, speakers, moderators, facilitators and panellists for sharing their knowledge, experience, personal stories and inspiration.
Your contributions challenged us to think differently, start new conversations and turn inspiration into action.
ROTARY LEADERS AND LEARNING PARTICIPANTS
A special thank you to all District Governors, Governors-elect, Governors-nominee and their partners who joined the learning seminars and the Summit.
Our thanks also go to everyone involved in the GELS, GNLS and PLS learning programmes, and to the trainers, facilitators and Rotary leaders who shared their expertise and experience.
Your openness, leadership and willingness to learn together helped create the spirit of connection that defined these days.
OUR HOST CITY: ROTTERDAM
A very special thank you to the City of Rotterdam for its warm welcome.
On 9 September, participants of the GELS, GNLS and PLS programmes were welcomed at Rotterdam City Hall for a wonderful opening reception, including an inspiring speech by Alderwoman Miriam Harika.
It was a memorable start to our days together and a fitting welcome to a city that reflects so much of what this Summit was about: diversity, connection, international collaboration and action.
SPONSORS AND FRIENDS OF THE SUMMIT
We are deeply grateful to all our sponsors and Friends of the Summit for their support, expertise, creativity, services and contributions.
Your involvement helped us turn plans into reality and create the setting, communication and experiences that made the Summit possible.
Thank you for believing in the purpose of the Rotary European Action Summit and for helping us Create Lasting Impact.
OUR VOLUNTEERS AND OPERATIONAL TEAM
A Summit of this scale simply could not happen without the many people working before, during and behind the scenes.
To our volunteers: thank you for welcoming participants, supporting registration and sessions, guiding people through the venue, answering questions and always being ready to help.
And to our operational, programme, communication, technical and organising teams: thank you for the countless hours of preparation, coordination, creativity, flexibility and teamwork.
Much of your work happened behind the scenes, but its impact was visible everywhere.
HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP AND PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS
Thank you to all the Rotary clubs, organisations, projects and exhibitors who contributed to the House of Friendship.
You showed what Rotary action looks like in practice and created even more opportunities to meet, exchange ideas and discover projects with impact.
WORLD TRADE CENTER ROTTERDAM
Our thanks also go to World Trade Center Rotterdam and its team for hosting the Rotary European Action Summit and for their professionalism, flexibility and support throughout the event.
AND TO EVERYONE BEHIND THE SCENES
There are many more people whose names may not appear on a programme or a stage, but whose contribution mattered.
- Those who arranged travel and logistics.
- Those who prepared rooms and presentations.
- Those who organised the Gala and social programme.
- Those who created the photography, films, visuals and communication.
- Those who managed technology, interpretation and the Summit app.
- Those who welcomed speakers and guests.
- Those who solved problems before anyone else noticed them.
Thank you.
Every contribution, large or small, helped create the Rotary European Action Summit 2026.
TOGETHER, WE MADE IT HAPPEN
What made the Summit special was not one speaker, one session or one moment.
It was the combination of people, ideas, conversations, friendship, professionalism and a shared willingness to act.
Thank you for being part of it.
The Summit may be over, but the connections, ideas, partnerships and actions continue.