Jacob Pritchard's speech to the Milson Rotary Club provided insights into his background, experiences, and the internship opportunity he received. Born in the Rangitikei and Manawatu regions, Jacob developed a passion for music early on, leading to his involvement with the Rotary Youth Exchange through mentors from the Feilding Rotary Club. He expressed gratitude to the Nelson Rotary Club for their generous assistance.Having chosen Brazil as his destination for the Rotary Youth Exchange, Jacob highlighted the transformative experience of living in Ribeirão Preto, where he immersed himself in the local culture, learned Portuguese, and engaged in various activities, including music.
Jacob expressed a keen interest in furthering the Rotary Youth Exchange and contributing to Rotary projects.
Jacob's journey continued with an honours degree in music at Victoria University, majoring in jazz performance on the guitar. His commitment to global community engagement was evident through his involvement in the Victoria International Buddy Programme, supporting international students settling into Wellington.
However, the challenges of 2020, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, altered Jacob's plans, leading him to work at Olive Tree Retirement Village in Palmerston North. Later, he pursued a law degree to challenge himself and enhance his analytical skills. Jacob received a prize for top performance in international law during his law studies. He explored courses on international dispute resolution for small states, addressing the effects of climate change on nations like the Pacific islands.
Jacob discussed his aspiration to intern with the New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, emphasising his interest in international law, diplomatic relations, and dispute resolution. He provided transparency about the financial aspects of the internship. He outlined the return on investment for the Rotary Club of Milson.
In the latter part of his speech, Jacob outlined how he planned to contribute to community initiatives, particularly in education, social, cultural, and humanitarian rights, upon his return to New Zealand. He expressed a keen interest in furthering the Rotary Youth Exchange and contributing to Rotary projects, underscoring his dedication to positive community impact.
Jacob concluded his speech by highlighting the importance of respect and service, emphasising his readiness to bring his personal attributes and knowledge from his music and law degrees to contribute effectively to the New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations. The speech showcased Jacob Pritchard's commitment to global understanding and diplomacy and making a positive impact on his return to New Zealand.