Desde el año 2004 varios clubes Rotarios y Rotaractianos venezolanos conjuntamente con la Alianza Social Venancham, patrocinados desde el inicio por la Fundación Mercantil, han celebrado ininterrumpidamente el concurso para estudiantes universitarios: «Promoviendo Líderes Socialmente Responsables», mejor conocido en las Redes Sociales como «El Reto U».

Al patrocinio de Fundación Mercantil se han sumado otras organizaciones, entre las cuales destaca el IESA, siendo premiados hasta los momentos 190 finalistas provenientes de diversas ciudades del país. En los inicios del concurso los ganadores del primero y segundo lugar llegaron a recibir como premio, viajes a Argentina, Perú, México, Colombia y Chile, encargándose de la logística de los viajes los rotarios de esos países, organizando visitas promocionales en universidades y empresas, así como hacer un poco de turismo; lo cual permitió que el concurso fuese replicado en Argentina y México, y a los ganadores se les otorgó como premio visitar Venezuela.

Te invitamos a ver este vídeo realizado en el 2014 con ocasión de celebrarse el décimo aniversario del programa (actualmente se está organizando la edición #20 del programa, correspondiente al año 2023-2024):

Since 2004 several Rotary and Rotaract Clubs together to The Social Alliance of the Chamber of Commerce between Venezuela and the US, patrocinated by Fundación Mercantil (Foundation of the Mercantil Bank) have celebrated an annual contest for university students named Promoting Leaders with Social Responsibility, best known in Social Network as El Reto U (The U Challenge).

Other organizations have joined to the sponsorship of the Mercantile Foundation, among which IESA stands out, being awarded through time 150 finalists until now, from several cities of the country. At the beginning of the contest, the winners of the first and second place received as a prize, trips to Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Colombia and Chile, the Rotarians of those countries taking care of the logistics of the trips, organizing promotional visits in universities and companies, as well as doing some tourism; which made it possible for the contest to be replicated in Argentina and Mexico, and the winners from those countries were awarded with one visit to Venezuela.

In preparation for our next year of the program, we invite you to watch this video taken in 2014 for the 10th anniversary of the program:

Here is the transcript of the video in English:

Intro: Ten years building values with the Venezuelan youth #RetoU (U Challenge).

Presenter: the university program Promoting Leaders with Social Responsibility, a tool for the transformation of Venezuela.

José Bernardo Guevara (Rotary Baruta): Since 1994, various Rotary Clubs from southeast Caracas have united to promote high impact projects. In 2004, we celebrated the Century of Rotary, and we decided to start a new type of high impact initiative focusing on the theme of Social Responsibility for university students. We presented the idea to the Social Alliance of VenAmCham (Chamber of Commerce between Venezuela and the US), which was immediately adopted, starting one of the most successful strategic alliances in the Venezuelan Rotary world.

Margarita Méndez de Montero (VenAmCham): This alliance with Rotary, which was born from the projects of leaders focused on social responsibility, was created thanks to three key themes: the trust between the institutions, clear roles so that each group can complement each other, and that the project focuses directly on real problems in our society.

José Bernardo Guevara: When we approached Social Alliance, we were warmly received by its Executive Director, Mrs. Margarita Méndez de Montero, who from the first moment believed absolutely in this idea. One of the first questions she asked that I always remember, «Do you have resources for this project already?» And we responded, «The truth is that we do not Margarita.» She replied «Don’t worry, we will find an ally that would believe in this project, with ties to education». Because of her we were connected to Banco Mercantil (Mercantil Bank).

Luis Calvo (President of Mercantil Foundation): For the Mercantil Bank this has been a experience that allows us to contribute to activities of social commitment and at the same time it is a privilege to work with VenAmCham and Rotary, in a really important project, a project of professional development that presents opportunities to students.

Germán Toro (President of Social Alliance VenAmCham): The fundamental themes addressed thought the last years have been the environment, healthcare, education, inclusion of disabled people, and care of seniors, using technology and with a general focus to build a better country based on the focus of social responsibility.

Presenter: In these first ten years, around six thousand young people have received education and training under this program, ninety of them have been rewarded as finalists and thirty five educational institutions have been involved in the activities (actually in 2020 that average is higher).

Elizabeth Martínez (Teacher in the Program): We have included students from different areas, from the sciences to humanities, and every one have showed leadership and interest in solving problems and innovating.

Presenter: The Rotarians with their sense of dedication have supported university networks though different forms, including hosting students inside or outside of Venezuela during their travels, motivating the exchange of friendship and goodwill among the participants in the program.

Pedro Ramírez (Rotary Las Mercedes): Thanks to us, the rotarians, the students have felt like they’re at home and with family.

Presenter: On the occasion of celebrating the tenth anniversary of the program, it was created five reward mentions with the support from the private sector.

Carlos Tejera (General Manager of VenAmCham): The critical support was provided by Microsoft, Grants, Grupo Últimas Noticias (Last News Group), Sanitas and KPMG, every one are socially responsible companies. This is an very important support from these companies and we thank them, for helping us with their efforts, in to convert together to the young people, in a multiplying effect of improvement for our society.

Presenter: Different allied have added to the list of organizations that to get make this initiative, providing ideas, training, rewards and benefits for the finalists.

Presenter: This program known in social networks as «El Reto U» (The U Challenge) has an objective to further the potential of the future leaders of the country, managers with conscious and responsible aptitudes, a sense of awareness for their peers needs, making decisions that allow for the transformation of Venezuela.

Luis Gonzalez (finalist 2006): The contest has allowed me to become a person interested in the communities.

Anabella Albesiano (finalist 2012): I too have had much personal growth.

Adriana Mata (finalist 2005): It taught me to change my things around me.

Diana Hernandez (finalist 2005): It gave me the tools to support others in their growth, evolution, and improvement of their quality of life.