The MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship, launched in 2009, recognizes exemplary university student civic engagement programs around the world. Today the Prize is a key element in the MacJannet Foundation’s work to build a community of global citizens. The prize is sponsored jointly by the MacJannet Foundation and the Talloires Network, a global association of 388 universities in 77 countries on six continents, all committed to developing student leaders who are actively engaged with society.
In addition to providing international recognition to outstanding student initiatives for civic engagement and community service, the Prize grants a financial contribution and encourages communication among the groups to share their experiences and strengthen their effectiveness.
Recognize and encourage exceptional student community engagement and community service
Financially support the ongoing work of university-based civic initiatives
Elevate innovative civic engagement program models and disseminate them throughout the Network as examples of promising practices
Strengthen public support for the global civic engagement movement in higher education
Champion the values and extend the legacy of Donald and Charlotte MacJannet, who devoted their lives to fostering international understanding
Promote action around the principles of the Talloires Declaration, which recommends steps to elevate the civic engagement of universities around the world
2020 MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship Winners
2020 First Place Winner: Service-Learning Programme, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Singapore) Service-Learning Programme, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore, is our first place winner. In 2016, Ngee Ann Polytechnic launched Service-Learning (S-L) as its signature pedagogy, becoming the first tertiary institution in Singapore to strategically integrate S-L into its core curriculum. All students participate in at least one Service-Learning project tied to an academic course. Learn More.
“Since we launched Service-Learning in Ngee Ann, we have seen our students redefining themselves, becoming advocates or volunteers for various causes, finding new contexts to frame their career choices, and developing empathy, while adding value to the communities they served with. We thank the Talloires Network for recognising our commitment to engrain Service-Learning in our campus culture and are very honoured to receive the MacJannet Prize 2020. It spurs us to aim higher in Service-Learning and to share our experiences with other institutions.” – Clarence Ti, Principal, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore
2020 Second Place Winner: paNhari Program, University of Zimbabwepa (Zimbabwe) Nhari Program, University of Zimbabwe, is our second place winner. paNhari, established in 2005 as a student-led project, empowers university students to become civically engaged through social entrepreneurship and to use innovation and business principles to improve the world. Learn More.
“It is an honor to receive the MacJannet Prize, particularly during this time of the coronavirus pandemic as we have been reminded that thinking of countries, let alone communities, as separate from one another is fundamentally flawed. We are all connected and are better off with an inclusive mindset that encourages civic engagement. We are deeply grateful for this initiative and are invested in its success!” – Phil Mlanda, Co-Founder, paNhari
2020 Third Place Winner: Al-Qalam Program, National University of Sciences and Technology (Pakistan) Al-Qalam Program, National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan, is this year’s third place winner. Al-Qalam program is a student organization that provides educational opportunities to children who are out of school due to their family’s financial limitations. Learn More.
“We at NUST are extremely delighted with this honor. The Al-Qalam program has been running for four years and we feel this prize was due recognition to the students of NUST Community Services Club who have been working day and night to make sure that education becomes the number one priority of the underprivileged communities. This prize has not only boosted student-led efforts but is also a source of encouragement for the parents of the children whose education is supported by this program. Furthermore, this prize has further inspired everyone at NUST to keep serving the community as an engaged university with more passion and vigor” – Maheen Mumtaz, Assistant Manager, Community Services, NUST
2020 Honorable Mentions
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali’s Programa Formación Javeriana para el Cambio Social y la Paz(Colombia) earned an honorable mention. Javeriana Training Program for Social Change and Peace has integrated experiential learning and community engagement into academic programs throughout the university. Learn More.
Universidad Veracruzana’s Intercultural University Student Projects (Mexico) received an honorable mention. UV Intercultural offers degree programs that generate, apply, and transmit knowledge through academic courses with an intercultural focus and ongoing community outreach projects. Learn More.
The Community Health Nature Renewal Project at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science (Tanzania) was also awarded an honorable mention. The goal of the project is to improve the health of Tanzania’s people by planting native trees and plants back into the gardens, school grounds, roadsides, and byways of the Ilala District. Learn More.
2019 MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship Winners
2019 First Place Winner: The University of Sanctuary Initiative, University College Cork, Ireland Borne out of the belief that universities provide a key space in which to challenge societal assumptions and to support and highlight work aimed at fostering a culture of welcome, its primary goal is to establish UCC as a place of sanctuary for asylum seekers and refugees in the Cork region. “We are honored to have won the MacJannet Prize; when refugees, asylum seekers, students and staff come together, connections are forged, solidarity emerges and we are all enriched” -Dr Máire Leane, chair of University of Sanctuary Initiative at University College Cork
2019 Second Place Winner: Caring Community Centre, International Medical University, Malaysia Founded in 2016 by a group of doctors and nurses, this partnership with the Kapar community aims to improve family health and education by addressing issues of drug addiction, malnutrition, and poor hygiene. Faculty and students from several schools are involved including dentistry, psychology, and chiropractic. Students play major leadership roles by managing projects and teams, organizing workshops, designing interventions, and participating in medical teams.
2019 Third Place Winner: The Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage, Charles Sturt University, Australia Launched in 2010, this partnership with the Senior Wiradjuri Elders is based upon Yindyamarra (respect) and values the self-determination of the Wiradjuri people on their country, where the university is largely based. The university employs Wiradjuri people to lead and teach within the program. Indigenous and non-indigenous students learn through a self-reflective exploration of Wiradjuri language, heritage and culture and each student is required to negotiate an impactful project that benefits the collective.
2018 First Place Winner: Mahabba Association, Ahfad University for Women, Sudan Mahabba association was established by students at Ahfad University for Women to help to release women who are incarcerated because of small debts. The students work with the women inside the prison by providing educational and entrepreneurship training to create handicrafts to sell. The students sell the crafts on campus and in the community. “It is a human mobilization inside the jail. It gives them hope and lets the community and society know that even though they were once prisoners, they should not be stigmatized. It creates peace and empowerment” – Safia (co-founder)
Are you a former MacJannet Prize recipient? Contact us, we'd love to hear from you!