Jorja Woolston and WAS

Pershore Rotary sponsored Jorja Woolston, a Year 12 student at Pershore High School, to attend the Rotary Youth World Affairs Seminar at Carroll University, Wisconsin, USA from 21-27 June 2025. Jorja was invited to present a report on her visit to members and friends at the club’s Guest Night on Wednesday, 30 July 2025.

Jorja Woolston

 With 30 members, guests and friends watching and listening, Jorja began by describing the selection process she had successfully negotiated in the weeks before the Seminar and the pleasure it had been to attend the gathering in Wisconsin and to be immersed in the subject of ‘Peacebuilding and Creating Lasting Change’.

The Rotary Youth World Affairs Seminar (WAS) is an annual event held at Carroll University, Waukesha, Wisconsin where, since 1976, over 40,000 future leaders from 30 different countries have debated some of the most complex global problems in a stimulating environment. Delegates are encouraged to develop an holistic and inclusive understanding of peacebuilding that considers global, national and local issues.

Jorja described the range of lectures she had attended, in multinational teams, on subjects from leadership skills to the problems of human trafficking. As an example, Jorja described her group’s response to solving the problems of Darfur in Sudan and for bringing the war there to an end. One of her most memorable moments, in relation to worldwide peace, was the idea of erecting a Peace Pole in 4 languages as a permanent symbol. There were many great speakers, but one of the most inspiring was Ed Futa's keynote speech on the final full day of the seminar. Ed Futa is a past General Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation.

The Peace Pole project in 4 languages

In winding up the evening, District Governor Anne Bartholomew thanked Jorja for her excellent presentation and looked forward to hearing her and her two colleagues, Holly and Evelina, speak at various events in the months to come. It’s hoped that this will encourage other clubs to send students in the future. D1100 is the only Rotary District in RGB&I to send students to the Youth World Affairs Seminar.

Pershore Rotary President, Lynne Raymer, similarly congratulated Jorja on her review of the Seminar and for representing our club so well. Lynne noted that this would be a life changing experience for Jorja.

DG Anne Bartholomew and Jorja