World Affairs Seminar, held in June at Carroll College in Waukesha. Kaitlyn Farr and Aminata Ndiaye were among students from 30 countries who took part in the weeklong event. The event’s theme was “Climate Change: Youth Take Action."
Two Mount Horeb High School Students were selected to attend the World Affairs Seminar, held in June at Carroll College in Waukesha.
Kaitlyn Farr and Aminata Ndiaye were among students from 30 countries who took part in the weeklong event. The event’s theme was “Climate Change: Youth Take Action.” Ironically, the event in late June coincided with smoke and poor air quality that caused some of the outdoor events to be canceled.
Farr and Ndiaye came to Mount Horeb Rotary to explain what they learned at the seminar, which was supported by Rotary scholarships.
Farr said they participated in a week-long diplomacy simulation over an issue that involved building a dam on an international boundary. The groups advocated on behalf of the two rival countries, climate change concerns and a wildlife issue that affected migrating cranes.
“You end up balancing between what your group needs and what everyone needs,’’ Farr said.
They also learned about sustainable forestry on the Menominee reservation and met a Menominee “forest keeper” who helped them to plant a tree to honor the original people of the land that is now Carroll College.
Ndiaye said her favorite speaker was Dr. Joy Ngobi, who spoke about the impact of climate change on health in Africa. They also met Rotary International President Gordon McInally, of Scotland.
They learned about the climate costs of fast fashion and how to care for their own mental health in the face of concerns about climate catastrophe.
It involved not looking at your phone updates first thing in the morning, said Farr, and “feeling your own emotions before you feel everyone else’s.”
The students were also amused to learn that their fellow delegates from Denmark were most excited about visiting a Walgreens and a supermarket, because they don’t have big box stores at home.