U of G Wins Global Citizenship Award
November 04, 2013 - News Release
The University of Guelph has received an inaugural award honouring commitment to global citizenship and international development.
Guelph was named “Partner of the Year” by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the Centre for International Studies and Co-operation (CECI). The award was presented Friday night in Ottawa during WUSC’s annual International Forum.
The University was recognized for participation in Leave for Change – a program in which staff and faculty volunteer their vacation time working in a developing country – and for other public engagement and global efforts.
U of G’s WUSC local committee also won a “People’s Choice” award, and a retired Université de Guelph - Campus d’Alfred professor received the Alumni Award.
“It’s an honour and very fitting for U of G to be the inaugural recipient of an award that recognizes making a difference around the world,” said Martha Harley, associate vice-president (human resources).
“That’s exactly what our faculty, staff and students are doing: sharing their knowledge to help build a better planet. It’s gratifying to have their efforts acknowledged with these awards.”
U of G was the first Canadian university to take part in Leave for Change, which is run through Uniterra and was created by WUSC. Since 2007, the University has sent up to seven staff and faculty each year to support professional development in emerging economies.
Harley said Leave for Change gives employees new skills and awareness as well as a profound personal and professional experience. The program also allows employers to support a worthy humanitarian cause, she said.
Also recognized during the awards night were Guelph’s BetterPlanet Project, its international research initiatives and its community initiatives.
The People’s Choice award recognizes WUSC’s local committees across the country. Known as one of the most active and engaged groups, the U of G chapter organizes campus and community activities, especially the student refugee program.
The annual WUSC Alumni Award went to retired professor Robert St-Amant, who led the local committee at Alfred from 1997 to 2009.
Founded in the 1920s by students and academics, WUSC works with students, faculty and institutions to make Canada’s universities international, to raise awareness of global issues and to foster human development through education and training. CECI, a not-for-profit organization, addresses poverty and exclusion in developing countries.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or lhunt@uoguelph.ca; or Kevin Gonsalves, Ext. 56982, or kgonsalves@uoguelph.ca.
