Nike thanks the club
Malcolm Slater introduced the speaker. In 2007 Nike Adebowale completed her Honor Bachelors degree in Political Science and business Management from the University of Toronto. She graduated on the Deans List and among the top 10% in her class. Shortly after graduation she began her Masters in International Relations from the Munk Centre of International Studies at the U of T and graduated this program at the end of 2008. She also spent time studying in Nigeria, Germany and Israel.
Her international work experience includes working for War Child Canada, interning in the United Nations headquarters through the support of the Rotary club and most recently working at a micro finance institution in South Africa. Despite her active international commitments, she remained active locally by volunteering with Amnesty International and holding a Lead Analyst position for the G8 research group through which she has contributed to three international publications.
Nike considered herself lucky to have had the opportunity to spend six months in South Africa. In the first month, she was living in an area that was not safe. In South Africa, there are two distinct worlds. Cape Town is well developed while on the highway for about 20 minutes; there is township living where over 2 million blacks live in shacks. It's very windy there and these shacks don't last long.
The Government started a program to help the natives. They would build 20 x 20 homes and give small loans (micro financing) to help the people. Nike has learned professionally and gained a lot of cultural experiences while in South Africa. She also made many friends.
DUBAI CONFERENCE
Nike thanked the Rotary for funding her to attend the conference in Dubai.
Dubai is a fast growing economy. 10 to 15% of people there are citizens. Nike saw only the glamorous side of Dubai.
85% of people can't own property; children cannot attend University because they are not citizens.
At the conference, 50 local girls and 50 international girls participated. They had global group discussions about human traffic, Shariah law governing divorce and women in leadership roles. These discussions took place in an atmosphere that was quite comfortable.
The group went on many fieldtrips such as mosque visit, arabyana debates. Nike built a lot of friendships, which was the most impressive part of the conference.
Nike's career goals include work in a consulting industry providing consulting services for non-profit organizations.
Al Heaney thanked Nike and is glad that the club could sponsor her and wished her good luck in her future endeavors.