About the MacJannet Foundation SINCE 1968, THE MACJANNET FOUNDATION has promoted international understanding and active citizenship by championing the hands-on educational philosophy of our founders, Donald and Charlotte MacJannet. As pioneers of “learning through doing,” the MacJannets created extraordinary learning environments that connected thousands of young people across national boundaries. Today the MacJannet Foundation continues this work by providing scholarships and grants to cultural exchange programs, supporting the Tufts University European Center in Talloires, France, and co-sponsoring the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship for exemplary university student service-learning programs throughout the globe.
The MacJannet Legacy
Donald and Charlotte MacJannet were dedicated educators who spent their lives promoting international peace and goodwill. They operated the MacJannet American School outside Paris (1924-1939) and an international summer camp in the French Alps (1925-1964) that promoted cross-cultural tolerance, enlightenment and understanding. As pioneers and early champions of experiential learning, the MacJannets created extraordinary learning environments that touched thousands of lives. Through these structured educational experiences, they reinforced their ideals of working together, mutual respect, international learning and cross-cultural exchange. In 1958, they purchased an 11th century monastery, Le Prieuré, in Talloires, France, which they renovated and then donated to Tufts University in 1978 for use as a site for education and cultural enrichment. The Tufts University European Center today hosts programs for both college and high school students, academic conferences and events for government officials, businesses and non-governmental organizations. It carries on the work of the MacJannets in an institutional setting recognized for its dramatic beauty and noble purpose.