A Successful Mission
Around 120 Rotarians and guests gathered at
the Lyndhurst Park Hotel to welcome back members of a Group Study Exchange
team who had visited Argentina
as part of an initiative to promote international goodwill, understanding
and peace.
At the celebratory homecoming event, jointly
hosted by the Rotary Clubs of New Forest and Hythe, exchange team leader
Alan Shipstone, an international loss adjuster from Dibden Purlieu, spoke
of the progress and personal development he had witnessed in his four young
team members during the trip, and paid tribute to the way each had used her
individual skills to further the aims of the exchange.
Kelly Keating (31), a Beach Safety Programme
Manager for the RNLI, who was sponsored by Poole Bay Rotary, gave an
interesting report on the similarities and differences between the
provision of emergency services in Argentina
and the UK.
Nicky Ringrose (31), a midwife who was sponsored by Amesbury Rotary, spoke
of the maternity and neonatal provision in Argentina and said there was
much that the two countries could learn from each other. Hannah Perkins
(27), a physiotherapist who was sponsored by Andover Rotary, was able to
compare the working practices of health professionals in both countries and
remarked on the wide differences between private and public healthcare in Argentina.
Clare Wood (26), a Strategy Adviser for Portsmouth City Council, who was
sponsored by Southsea Castle Rotary, gave an interesting insight into the
method of recruiting and electing councillors in Argentina, and also highlighted
the efforts being made there to improve recycling and sustainability.
During their visit, the team were hosted by
local Argentinean families and all spoke warmly of the friendliness and
hospitality of all that they met. A busy programme of visits, meetings,
media interviews and events organised by Rotary Clubs in Argentina
gave all the team members an opportunity to explore the culture,
participate in vocational experiences, improve their presentation and
language skills, and forge new friendships.
Richard Maunder, Governor of Rotary District
1110 (South Central England), said that they had been a ‘superb
team’ and great ambassadors for both Rotary and the UK.