ExxonMobil Qatar will become the sponsor of Reach Out To Asia’s (Rota) Youth Service Clubs for the next two years.
Rota’s Youth Service Clubs (RYSCs) are a network of self-directed, extracurricular clubs designed to unlock the potential of youth, which is in line with Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) overarching vision and
mission.
Supported by the Rota Qatar programme, the clubs provide a unique opportunity for young people across the nation to develop leadership skills and gain understanding of international and community development issues, as well as offering practical experience to carry out creative projects that address local and global issues.
“The RYSCs are at the core of Rota’s mission to unlock youth potential. They offer an informal platform to secondary schools and university students to develop the skills and experiences required to cultivate a responsible, talented, civic-minded youth community,” Rota executive director
Essa al-Mannai said.
“We cannot provide these services without support from companies such as ExxonMobil Qatar, whose belief in investing in the next generation is aligned with Rota’s vision to develop the communities of the future through education and training,” he added.
Since 2009, more than 2,000 young people in Qatar have benefited from Rota activities and gained the confidence and skills needed to become leaders of tomorrow, empowering 16 to 26-year-olds to become active members of their communities and the wider world.
The clubs will focus on issues from marine conservation and environmental awareness, to sports, road safety, and social
entrepreneurship.
“The youth who are taking part in RYSC are part of the largest generation of youth in history,” said Alistair Routledge, president and general manager for ExxonMobil Qatar. “Their actions and support can drive progress and help achieve sustainable development, not just locally, but globally as well.”
“One of the greatest contributions we can make in Qatar as responsible corporate citizens is to help provide the energy to drive human potential,” he noted.
“We do this by working with our local partners, such as Rota so we invest in programmes that are meaningful and contribute to Qatar’s already flourishing society. Rota has given us a wonderful opportunity to do all this and more,” added Routledge.
The RYSC network is open to male and female students aged 16-26. To be eligible to take part, potential participants need to attend the annual RYSC Leadership Training session held in October each year.
Rota is a non-profit organisation launched in December 2005 in Doha, Qatar, by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.  
Operating under the auspices of the QF, Rota is committed to providing high quality and relevant primary and secondary education, encouraging relationships among communities, creating safe learning environments and restoring education in crisis affected areas across Asia and around the world.