Written by: Rtr. Hiruni Hathurusinghe

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Leadership is more than just authority; it’s about resilience, teamwork, and the ability to inspire others. With this vision in mind, the Professional Development Avenue of the Rotaract Club of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura successfully executed Vanguard 2.0, a two-phase initiative designed to empower future leaders through immersive experiences.

The first phase of the project, NextGen Leaders – leadership camp, took place on 4th of February, 2025 at the SLV Adventure Camp, where participants engaged in various interactive games and team-building activities. It was a day filled with enthusiasm, laughter, and valuable lessons in leadership and collaboration. In addition to pushing themselves to the limit, participants learned the value of cooperation, flexibility, and strategic thinking through these challenges.

The second phase, the Lead Hub – leadership forum, was held on 11th of March, 2025 at the Sri Sumangala Auditorium of University of Sri Jayewardenepura. This event featured two distinguished speakers, Mr. Dhanushka Fernando, an award-winning entrepreneur, business transformation consultant, and motivational speaker, along with Ms. Bernadine Jayasinghe, an internationally acclaimed speaker and leadership trainer. The aspiring leaders in attendance learned a great deal from their perspectives on resilience, leadership, and personal development. Participants were able to acquire useful knowledge and inspiration from real-world experiences, thanks to the encouragement of the forum towards stimulating conversations.

Vanguard 2.0 was more than just a project; it was an opportunity for individuals to embrace leadership, challenge themselves, and grow as future changemakers. We managed to cover multiple SDGs through the project. The connections and lessons gained along the way will continue to motivate those who participated, demonstrating that leadership is about rising together, rather than standing alone.

Graphic Design by : Rtr. Sachindi Poornima