In June 2021, the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) awarded 7 students and 2 educators with Global Citizenship Awards for their work addressing global issues in Manitoba classrooms.

The Outstanding Take Action Project Awards recognized 7 students for their their efforts to take action as global citizens in their schools and communities on a variety of issues. The award recognized young global citizens who were enrolled in the Grade 12 Global Issues: Citizenship and Sustainability course, who have completed exceptional Take Action projects as part of their course work. The award included a cash prize, certificate, and public recognition at MCIC’s Annual General Meeting.

The Global Citizenship Award for Educators recognized two Manitoban teachers who have been leaders in promoting global citizenship. Awards were open to middle years and high school teachers, as well as administrators (including principals, vice principals, superintendents, trustees and other divisional or Manitoba Education staff). The award included a donation made on behalf of the recipients to a charity of their choice, certificate, and public recognition at MCIC’s Annual General Meeting.


Outstanding Take Action Project Award Recipients

The seven award-winning students and their projects are:

Angelynne_photo.jpg (2.07 MB)Angelynne Custodio (St. James Collegiate) worked on a project to help others understand racism and the fetishization of Asian women in the world. By surveying women from this community, they used the results to spark powerful discussions both in and out of school about this issue. 

Zia_photo.jpg (38 KB)Zia Dacara (St. James Collegiate) created a poster to help educate others about anti-racism, and shared it on social media. This poster helped others understand that racism still exists and what it looks like today – and how the fight isn’t over.

Manpinder_photo.jpg (46 KB)Manpinder Dhillon (Maples Met School) tackled the question, “How can we reduce poverty in Canada?” by helping others better understand the causes and consequences of poverty, as well as how to take action on this issue. Through creating a website highlighting the role basic income and other supports can play in reducing poverty, ways to take action, sharing poverty data and plain language resources, as well as educating others through media interviews, this student really went the extra mile to raise awareness and take action on this issue.

Julia_photo.jpg (118 KB)Julia Lucier (St. James Collegiate) brought attention to the issue of human trafficking around the world and how Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited people are affected. This student brought attention to the issue through sharing a poster at their school, and highlighted how we can all work to stop human trafficking around the world.

Altea_photo.jpg (1.44 MB)Altea Manzano (St. James Collegiate) worked to explain misunderstandings about feminism, explaining what feminism is and how intersectionality comes into play, via artwork and writing about this issue. Altea worked hard to educate others about these issues and reminds us that the future is female.

Kalkidan_photo.jpg (36 KB)Kalkidan Mulugeta (Maples Met School) raised global issues on a faith-based music blog and social media, creating a virtual community during an isolating pandemic. Filled with positive messages, music, and touching on global issues around the world, the blog showed others how they could take action on the issues.

Hailey_photo with poster.jpg (379 KB)Hailey Roberts (St. James Collegiate) worked to educate others about the impact of cleft lip and palate health issues. In addition to educating their fellow students about this issue, they researched and shared organizations around the world who are supporting and educating others about this condition.


“We at MCIC are very proud of each award recipient! We want to acknowledge that students and educators faced a tough year due to Covid-19 and we especially want to thank them for their resilience and dedication to the ongoing work of making a more just world for all,” said Grace Van Mil, Public Engagement Specialist at the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation.


Global Citizenship Award Recipients

The two award-winning educators are:

Jenna_photo.png (54 KB)Jenna Forslund (Elmwood High School) worked with her students to teach sustainability and integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into her curriculum, using project-based learning and action projects that engage students in social justice issues and environmental impact. This past year, Jenna was a part of the national Spur Change conference planning committee and a speaker at the national conference on Human Dignity. Jenna is a true leader in integrating the SDGs into STEM programming.

Darren_photo.jpg (75 KB)Darren Cable (Frontier School Division) has for many years worked to ensure students from across Northern Manitoba receive opportunities to learn about global issues. Each year he brings leadership students to a conference and incorporates student workshops on global issues. He ensures regular training and support for educators from across the North, inviting MCIC and others to share resources and supports at several professional development sessions. Darren is a leader in his district, and many students and educators have had access to learning opportunities about global issues directly because of his work.


"We are so encouraged to have such excellent educators working to promote global citizenship and sustainability, and who have such an impact in the lives of their students. We want to acknowledge that students and educators faced a tough year due to COVID-19 and we especially want to thank them for their resilience and dedication to the ongoing work of making a more just world for all,” said Grace Van Mil, Public Engagement Specialist at the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation.