Rotaract European Meeting (REM) Utrecht 2026

At the end of January, Rotaractors from across Europe gathered in the Netherlands for the Rotaract European Meeting (REM) 2026, hosted this year in the historic city of Utrecht.

REM is one of the most anticipated gatherings in the Rotaract calendar. Each year, young professionals and students from dozens of countries come together to exchange ideas, strengthen friendships, and celebrate the spirit of service that connects Rotaractors across Europe.

The Utrecht edition offered participants a dynamic program that combined leadership, sustainability, culture, and fellowship.

A variety of workshops and discussions gave participants the opportunity to reflect on leadership, cooperation, and global challenges. Sessions included topics such as storytelling and leadership, building strategic partnerships within Rotaract, sustainable urban mobility through cycling infrastructure, and the role of water in peace and international cooperation.

In true Rotaract spirit, the program also included a social project with EndPlasticSoup, where participants learned about the impact of plastic pollution before joining a clean-up initiative across the city of Utrecht.

Beyond the workshops, the event also offered many ways to experience Dutch culture and connect with fellow Rotaractors. Participants explored Utrecht through guided city tours and canal boat rides, cycled through the Dutch countryside, and visited the famous windmills of Kinderdijk alongside a traditional cheese farm.

Other activities included a visit to the International Criminal Court, offering participants insight into international justice and the institutions that make The Hague the global city of peace and justice.

Of course, no international Rotaract gathering would be complete without moments of informal fellowship. From cheese tastings and Dutch beer tastings to cultural exchanges and late-night conversations, REM Utrecht created the kind of friendships and memories that make Rotaract truly international.

For our club, it was inspiring to see Rotaractors from across Europe gather here in the Netherlands. Events like REM remind us that while our projects may start locally, the Rotaract community stretches far beyond borders.