Thirteen young international leaders in Jeanne Sauvé Foundation program promote education, human rights and performing arts
The Jeanne Sauvé Foundation is pleased to announce that thirteen
young leaders - from Afghanistan, Canada, Guatemala, Israel,
Rwanda, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United
States - will spend the next 9 months in Montreal tackling
important social issues under the auspices of its Sauvé Scholars
Program.
A special reception will be held this evening at Maison Jeanne
Sauvé, in the presence of Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill
University Heather Munroe-Blum, to introduce the new Sauvé Scholars
to McGill and broader Montreal community. "I would like to
congratulate the young leaders who are part of this year's Sauvé
Scholars Program, and extend a warm welcome to them on behalf of
the McGill community, " said Principal Munroe-Blum in prepared
remarks.
"I feel a special link to the Sauvé Program as we started life
together at McGill in 2003 - I as the new Principal and
Vice-Chancellor, and the Program in its first year with the
extraordinary "Dynamic Dozen." Along with all my McGill colleagues,
I have taken pride in each remarkable group of young leaders
gathered to grow together in the ambiance of this unique Program,
guided by the vision of the Right Honourable Jeanne Sauvé. I wish
you much joy and success throughout your year at Jeanne Sauvé House
and McGill, and look forward to your achievements as agents of
change in the years to come."
Addressing Education Issues
Gabriel Bran Lopez, the founder of newly-launched Youth Fusion, will propose strategies to combat rising dropout rates through innovative partnerships between universities and high schools.
Maggie MacDonnell, a social entrepreneur, will examine the impact of sport on socio-economic development on Aboriginal communities in Quebec and in East Africa, where she is also launching a youth-led chocolate cooperative.
Amnon Shefler, an officer in the Israeli Air Force, will build an organization that will enhance solidarity in Israeli society.
James Townsend, a Teach First educator and founder of the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, will examine the changing role of government in education to make the education system in the UK as equitable as possible.
Tackling Human Rights and Global Affairs
Eloge Butera, a human rights advocate who survived the Rwandan genocide, will develop an evaluation of the role of judicial systems in post-traumatic social and political reconciliation.
Megan Carroll, a Harvard Kennedy School graduate, will research international development in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Sara Gonzalez Devant, an Oxford graduate, will analyze the changing social realities in South Africa in connection with the 2010 FIFA World Cup while also examining the 2010 Olympics Games in Vancouver.
Liam McHugh-Russell, twice-NDP candidate against Michael Ignatieff, will complete a book on the work of the International Labour Organization to eradicate forced labour in Burma.
Mirwais Nahzat, an award-winning activist from Afghanistan, will draft specific policy recommendations in support of Canada's development efforts in Afghanistan.
Yaniv Rivlin, a One Voice Ambassador, will develop tools to foster civic education and peace building in the Middle East through cultural exchanges.
Keith Stanski, an Oxford Ph.D. student, will continue his doctoral research on Anglo-American conceptions of 'warlords' in colonial and contemporary times and begin to adapt his conclusions about 'warlords' for a larger audience while also pursuing an apprenticeship with an award-winning photojournalist in Quebec.
Promoting the Empowering effects of performing arts
Shauntay Grant, a Poet Laureate and spoken word artist, will use her performance skills to educate and advocate for self-empowerment and social change among youth.
Janet Jobson, a Rhodes Scholar, will combine her directing experience and history studies of social justice to craft progressive theatre that creates space for dialogue across social divides.
The Sauvé Scholars is the flagship program of the Jeanne Sauvé Foundation, created in 1991 by the late Right Honourable Jeanne Sauvé. Each year since 2003 up to 14 remarkable young leaders from across the globe who want to change the world, and have demonstrated skills as agents of change, are offered a unique opportunity to spend nine months away from their studies, careers or other formal commitments, for a period of reflection and self-realization - both personal and professional. Since 2003, the Sauvé Scholars Program has welcomed 87 Scholars from 44 different countries.