On July 7, 2023, Francis Vogel, Executive Director of the World Affairs Seminar was accompanied by Ava Gomez, a Senior at Brookfield East, and her mother, to share highlights and experiences from the 2023 World Affairs Seminar at Carroll University in Waukesha. Francis reviewed how the seminar provides a unique forum for future international leaders to address urgent global issues. Student delegates from around the world gather to hear renown speakers, take interesting and fun field trips, and interact in challenging small group learning and projects. The academic approach of critical reflection, interactive learning, and hearing others’ opinions, in a delegate-centric environment allows delegates to develop their own ideas and strategies, and present and defend their ideas and approaches.
Beginning in 1977....
as an international youth program of Rotary District 6270, the seminar has grown with the times with a focus on “Peace Through Understanding”. Today’s mission is to build strong international leaders and foster peace and understanding among participants, staff, and speakers in an environment of open dialogue where innovative, rigorous academics are offered through programs that focus on global issues.
Through this one-week global issues summer camp, the vision is to enrich high school students with better understanding of world problems through:
· Exposure to current issues from diverse perspectives
· Discussion and problem-solving
· Interactions with youth from other countries
· Opportunities to develop solutions
· Platforms from which to present and defend ideas
The 2023 seminar theme was Climate Change: Youth Action. Ava shared her experience of being part of this 300-delegate seminar with representatives from 30 countries. The students were presented with a challenging project: A Fresh Water Crisis. They worked throughout the week researching and preparing to present. The crisis was between two countries. One was building a dam that would cut off the water supply to the other's water needs, impacting the eco system, including the crane population. Ava’s team represented the avian resource group. Her group was immersed in taking on these roles in the simulation. The goal was to develop solutions for the presented project ending in a resolution of compromise.
Her Capstone presentation was researched and presented by a small group of students regarding climate change issues, the effect on endangered animals and whole ecosystems, i.e., the cranes in the freshwater project.
Ava thanked Rotary for their sponsorship and the wonderful experience of hearing excellent speakers, thought provoking discussions, and the opportunity for this “amazing experience” of meeting people and developing friends from around the world.
To be part of this incredible experience, students can apply for scholarships to attend through area services clubs like Rotary, high school guidance counselors, or may attend at their own expense.
To learn more about the initiative of Rotary International District 6270 World Affairs Seminar, please visit www.worldaffairsseminar.org or call (414) 453-4984.
