2. Lauren Seibert
Sponsor Club: Washington DC, District 7620
Host Club: Carindale Rotary Club, District 9630
Lauren grew up in the area of the U.S. known as the "DMV" - Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia. 
She has B.A. in Global Media and a background in journalism, communications, human rights, global health and development. Prior to commencing her studies at UQ, Lauren spent over two years working for the Africa division at Human Rights Watch. At HRW, she supported the West Africa team and led the organization’s work on forced child begging in the region, traveling periodically to Mali, Senegal, and Cote d’Ivoire to research, document, and advocate on human rights abuses against "talibé" children. Before joining HRW, Lauren spent two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, focusing on public health and child protection. She has also worked for World Vision, the U.S. State Department, and a non-profit organization in Kenya. As armed groups continue to proliferate across West Africa, the African continent and the world, vulnerable children in particular face increasing risks. By pursuing a Master's in Peace and Conflict through the generous support of the Rotary Foundation, Lauren aims to gain a deeper understanding of the intersections between the fields of human rights, conflict resolution and peace-building. Her goal is to enhance her capabilities as an effective agent for child protection and advocate for children's rights.