Empowering the Next Generation: Highlights from the 12th Interact Conference
From January 25–26, 2025, the scenic Bled Rose Hotel hosted the 12th Interact Conference, uniting 85 enthusiastic young leaders from Slovenia and North Macedonia.
The event showcased the impactful projects of Interact clubs, fostering connections and empowering participants with knowledge and skills to shape a brighter future. From innovative projects to thought-provoking workshops, the conference celebrated today’s youth’s energy, creativity, and leadership potential.
During the weekend 25–26/01, 2025, the 12th Interact Conference was held at the Bled Rose Hotel, bringing together 85 young individuals aged 12 to 18 from Slovenia and North Macedonia, the Rotarian District 1912. The conference was officially opened with anthems and speeches by the District 1912 Interact Chair for the year 2024/25, Snežana Šuput Gulin, and the District 1912 Governor for the Rotary Year 2024/25, Miroslav Štravs.
The conference serves as a platform for young people to present Interact clubs’ charity projects and achievements and learn more about the opportunities offered by this district and Rotary International.
Nine active Interact clubs presented their activities: Interact Club Maribor, Interact Club Celje, Interact Club Velenje, Interact Club Škofja Loka, Interact Club Carnium, Interact Club Ljubljana, Interact Club Ljubljana 25, Interact Club Novo mesto, and Interact Club Idrija. District 1912 takes great pride in being home to young individuals who organise innovative projects that positively impact society.
Youth also play an active role in shaping the district 1012 Interact conference. The event was moderated by Interact members Iza Zrnec and Karolina Gantar, who prepared all the necessary texts themselves. Iza further enriched the conference with exceptional musical performances. Members of the Interact Club Maribor organised activities that fostered connection and relaxation among participants, rounding off the first day of the conference.
While the first day of the conference focused on Interact club and Rotary-related content, the second day was dedicated to educating and empowering the youth.
Dr. Maša Jazbec from Katapult Trbovlje introduced the concept of living with robots, featuring a performance by the robotic dog Mobi.
Leadership skills were explored through the creation of a word mandala led by Sonja Klopčič, founder of AEIOU Leadership and Besedišče za Razcvet.
Journalist and project leader of the children’s newspaper Časoris, Saša Petejan, taught participants how to recognise fake news and warned about misinformation spread through social media.
Lastly, Klemen K. Verstovšek and Toni Čepon from the Bitcoin Association explained the fundamentals of money, the essence of Bitcoin, and how to identify crypto scams.
The 12th Interact Conference was a resounding success, offering young participants a unique blend of inspiration, education, and connection.
The event highlighted the next generation’s potential to lead with innovation, integrity, and impact through engaging presentations, interactive activities, and meaningful discussions. This conference again underscored the importance of providing young leaders with the tools, knowledge, and platforms to shape a better future.
Source: District 1912 Interact Chair for the year 2024/25