GLOBAL: Citizenship prize for student leaders

The MacJannet Foundation, in partnership with the Talloires Network, last Thursday announced the first MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship. The prize will recognise university-based programmes around the world that demonstrate active citizenship and student leadership at the local level on an issue of global importance.

Eight prizes will be awarded in June 2009, a first prize of $5,000, two second prizes of $2,500 each, and five third prizes of $1,000 each. Prize money will be used to further the goals and strengthen the impact of the programmes. Winning programmes should demonstrate exemplary service in addressing an issue of global significance such as threats to public health in the developing world, efforts to promote literacy, or assisting the economic development of distressed communities.

Chair of the MacJannet Foundation Tony Cook said: "We see this new initiative as a way to champion the values of our founders, Donald and Charlotte MacJannet, and extend their legacy to a new generation of students around the globe."

Lucas Lazier, a student at the Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba in Brazil, said: "The first step to achieve wellbeing and sustainable development is to realise we are part of a larger context, and that society grows or perishes together.

"We must first develop in ourselves, in the students who will be the leaders of tomorrow, this conscience and this concern for the general wellbeing of our societies and of the world. Alone we achieve nothing; we can only build bridges together..."

Winning programmes will be announced at an awards ceremony in Talloires, France, during the summer of 2009. Web-based profiles will raise awareness about the winners, and a video documentary of the first-prize winner will be created.

Only programmes originating from member institutions of the Talloires Network will be eligible for a prize. Programmes must be nominated by 15 December and may be accepted from students, faculty, staff, or administrators at member institutions. They can be submitted on the MacJannet Prize website.

For additional information, contact Elizabeth Babcock, Talloires Network Coordinator, at babcock@icicp.org or visit www.macjannetprize.org

* The Talloires Network is an international alliance of universities committed to ensuring that higher education strengthens communities the world over and prepares students to lead lives of active citizenship. Created in 2005 in Talloires, France, the network has 69 member institutions representing 29 countries across six continents.

* The MacJannet Foundation was established in 1968 to promote the Prieuré in Talloires as a catalyst to unleash individual potential and to inspire international understanding. The vision of the foundation is to build a community of global citizens.