Schools Forum on Migration

Rotary Foundation Scholar student Addy is studying for a Masters degree in Migration at St Andrews University.

Glenrothes Rotarian, Chantal migrated to Scotland in the 1990s fleeing the genocide in Rwanda.

Her brother who now lives in the Netherlands also contributed to the discussion with moving tales and praise for his older sister Chantal who now supports charities in Rwanda while holding down a career in Scotland.

The pupils from Madras and St Leonards were moved by the presentations and had some interesting discussion in their groups before asking 3 questions per group to the panel.

Gordon Wowk was MC keeping everyone in order but also pulling our important points from both pupils and panel.

Frank Quinault gave the vote of thanks explaining to the youngsters that this event is very much what Rotary is about.

St Andrews Rotary was pleased to reinstate its Schools Forum after a gap of two years on account of the pandemic. It was hosted by St Leonards School whose participating students were joined by others from Madras College. The topic for discussion was Migration and was introduced by Rotary Foundation Scholar Addison Cross, now studying for a Masters degree in Social Anthropology at St Andrews. Addy was able to draw upon her experience of working at home in the USA with migrants from El Salvador. She provided a very helpful context for the Forum by examining both the terminology used to describe migration and some common misconceptions about its nature and extent. Addy was followed by Chantal Mrimi, now a member of Glenrothes Rotary but who came to Fife as a refugee from the genocide in Rwanda. Chantal’s frank account of those atrocities and their impact on herself and her family was deeply affecting; as was a spontaneous contribution from her brother, Emmanuel, who had flown from his home in the Netherlands to attend the Forum and a Water Aid fundraiser in Glasgow later that day. In the words of Aileen Rees, the teacher who brought it to St Leonards School, the Forum was itself life-changing. She was thanked for doing so, as was Bruce Robertson, for enabling Madras pupils to take part, and Rotarians John Peacock and Gordon Wowk, for organising and chairing the event.