Carnegie Newsletter 15th Nov 2011

Robbie Adams Ambassadorial Scholar

Robbie Adams is an Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, from Hawai'i, USA, who is studying Peace and Conflict Studies at St Andrews University.  She is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pearlridge in District 5000.

She began by telling us about her native state, which comprises 8 different islands and has a population of 1.3 million.  The economy is based on tourism, agriculture and the military.

Robbie's father volunteered to serve in Vietnam, was injured, and received the Purple Heart. When asked about anti-war protesters, he replied that he respected that they had the courage of their convictions and stood for something. This caused Robbie to think deeply about conflict and to become convinced that, if  a nation sends its people to war, then it should sure of the reasons.

Robbie studied Social Thought and Political Economy as an undergraduate and had the opportunity to travel to India and to visit a resettlement camp for Tibetan refugees. This was the beginning of an interest in displaced persons. Later, as part of a graduate course at the Asia Pacific Leadership Centre, she went to Tibet itself.

Robbie was then awarded a scholarship to study displaced populations in south east Asia, particularly Burmese people on the border with Thailand. And in Laos she witnessed the effects of unexploded cluster bombs left from the Vietnam War.

Robbie has volunteered for many charities , all with ethical or environmental goals.

After her study in St Andrews, which will include travel to Bosnia to study the effects of war on populations, she hopes to pursue a career in policy development, especially in work with refugees and displaced persons.

David gave the Vote of Thanks and paid tribute to Robbie's strong commitment to her goal of contributing to a better world.

Silent Auction Update A great start to the bidding!

We have taken over 30  BIDS so far, across 21 LOTS with a total of over