One of NRG ’ s selling points for her was the lack of regimented meetings and use of social media for communication .
“ I ’ m thinking about clubs and the meetings . We run The Lucy Foundation completely online . We ’ re in seven different cities across five different countries at the moment , and we don ’ t meet in person , and that ’ s okay because we run the entire thing through Facebook chat . We can run an international organisation that way .”
NRG has thrown its weight behind Robbie and her social enterprise team . As In Gear was going to press , 9980 ’ s newest club was holding its chartering party – a Mexican-themed night , which doubled as a fundraiser for The Lucy Foundation .
“ We ’ re just at that stage where we ’ re also looking at ways we can partner with Rotary , and see how we can work together .”
Robbie had her sombrero at the ready for the launch party and fundraiser . It was to be her last engagement before heading to Ecuador to conduct her pioneering PhD field research among people with disabilities affected by the Colombian conflict , and who have crossed the border into Ecuador as asylum seekers .
Robbie joins world ’ s disruptors
Not long before departure , though , she received word she would need to make a detour . To Switzerland .
An essay she had recently written on ‘ Lucy Leg ’ and the foundation as her disruptive idea , had won her an all-expenses paid trip to the St Gallen World Leaders ’ Symposium , with 600 world leaders and up-and-comers coming together to debate the dilemma of disruption .
Neither trip , she says , would be happening if she had not been awarded that ambassadorial scholarship in her early 20s .
“ I have been so blessed by Rotary . If Rotary hadn ’ t provided me with that opportunity when I was young ,
there is no way I would be where I am now , and I ’ ve always wanted to be part of Rotary , eventually .
“ So , coming down here , that was part of getting in contact – to see how I could pay it forward .
“ It ’ s just so important . As Rotary flows into young people , here is the chance for me to flow back into Rotary . Now is my opportunity .”
As well as her NRG involvement , Robbie ’ s social contribution will continue to be a defining driver as she transitions from study – she finishes her doctorate halfway through next year – to her vocation .
“ I ’ d like to become an international expert on disability and conflict , which is more an academic research advisory role .
“ I see my PhD as laying down the foundation for that … very baby steps , but they ’ re the first steps in a very long line .
“ We ’ re at a huge risk of regression , going back to pre-human rights as we know it now . We have been really good at moving forward and progressing . I am worried about where this could lead , if we don ’ t pick up the human rights baton and keep running with it .
“ That ’ s what I ’ m aiming for – to be an expert in what I do , because there aren ’ t women with disabilities sharing that perspective at a top level .
“ We look at the gender gap , and I then think , how many women would be okay identifying with , say , a mental health issue ? Many wouldn ’ t in those high positions , because that ’ s another thing that might set you back .”
Her vision is of a global community where differences are a source of pride , not shame , as they now so often are .
“ I dream of a world – and , it doesn ’ t matter whether it ’ s mental health , it ’ s disability , it ’ s theological , or whatever it is – but people are proud to put it on their CV , because it brings an element of experience , diversity and understanding .” DISTRICT 9980
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