A champion will be chosen from three finalists at the One Young World Summit 2015 in November.

Exeter alumna shortlisted to rocket into space

26-year-old Virginia Stuart-Taylor (Spanish, Italian and Portuguese 2012) is among a select few shortlisted for the privilege of rocketing into space.

“I’m absolutely stunned to stand a real chance of travelling into space and incredibly excited about all the doors this unbelievable opportunity could open,” She said.

Virginia got the opportunity by applying to the Rising Star Programme, which aims to catapult one undiscovered leader into space – and into the global spotlight. The programme announced its shortlist of 30 extraordinary individuals from across the world.

Virginia applied to the programme with hopes of raising awareness about the wrongs and injustices faced by millions of children in developing countries across the world. She writes the award-winning travel blog www.TheWell-TravelledPostcard.com and it was her travels around Central America, East Asia and Africa that first opened her eyes to the harsh realities facing the world’s poorest children. She is now a Digital Ambassador for the global children’s charity Plan UK and she hopes to project their message even further by following in the footsteps of some of history’s boldest adventurers and travelling into space. By using the journey to space as a platform to lead discussion on a global scale, she hopes to show others that every small positive action can lead to something big and change the world for the better.

Of the 30 shortlisted, a champion will be chosen from three finalists at the One Young World Summit 2015 in November. They will take to the stage in front of an audience of thousands of delegates and a panel of global business and social icons to deliver a 10-15 minute keynote on a topic of their choice. The panel includes famous figures from the world of entertainmentand business such as Sir Bob Geldof, Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne, David Jones, Fatima Bhutto and acclaimed astronaut Ron Garan, who will announce their chosen Rising Star at the Summit.

The champion of the programme will travel by XCOR Aerospace’s Lynx® Spacecraft and experience the world from a completely new perspective, on a trip that values at over $100,000.

With astronauts, global leaders and entrepreneurs from the Kruger Cowne roster offering mentorship, the chosen young leader will then be managed and positioned to develop powerful connections and given a platform to engage with a global audience and develop solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. 

To help Virginia reach the final 3, visit her shortlist page, watch the short video and share your support. Good luck Virginia! 

Visit the Kruger Cowne website for more information about the Rising Stars Programme.

Date: 11 August 2015