Sail Training International, Rotary International and the Tall Ships races and regattas.
Rotary International is one of the largest international humanitarian service organisations in the world. One of its key projects is the organisation of youth exchanges.
A project is underway to strengthen the links between Sail Training International and Rotary International, as there is a common aim regarding youth development as well as international friendship and understanding.
There are many examples around the world of Rotary Clubs giving substantial support to sail training operators and host ports of The Tall Ships' Races to help enable young people to participate in sail training.
In 2005, a particularly successful project took place where eight Rotary Clubs in and around Fredrikstad, Norway, joined forces to make it possible for 25 young people to sail from Newcastle Gateshead, UK, to Fredrikstad, Norway. The Clubs also helped recruit more than 100 additional young trainees.
Following on from the success of this project, a working group has been established between Sail Training International and Rotary Club members from Fredrikstad to spread ideas and to encourage other Rotary Clubs around the world to support young people wanting to take part in sail training.
A further aim of the working group is to be a point of reference for clubs and districts all over the world for similar projects to give young people the life changing experience of sail training. Such projects are labelled STAR – Sail Training and Rotary. STAR projects have already been completed in the USA and are continuously developing in many countries. Further information on STAR is available by e-mailing to
Hal Barstow, International Relations Volunteer, Los Angeles Maritime Institute, or
Knut Western, director of Tall Ships Races Europe, Sail Training International.
Rotary is a grass roots organisation. It is made up of approximately 32,600 Clubs in around 170 countries and the Clubs choose the projects they would like to support.
We suggest that groups of young people, individual sail training operators and host ports looking to establish links with their local Rotary Clubs should first read 'How to Work with Rotary' which can be
downloaded here.
We also urge all sail training providers to determine the extent of Rotary membership in their staff, membership and volunteer bases, with the aim of building the bridge between between Sail Training operators and Rotary.
If you would like further help or information in working with Rotary, please contact
Bjørn Jørstad
More information about Rotary International can be found at
www.rotary.org