Claudia Mitchell honoured by the World Cultural Council
This past November, Distinguished James McGill Professor in the Department of Integrated Studies,ĚýClaudia Mitchell,Ěýwas awarded the 2022 JosĂ© Vasconcelos World Award of Education. Dr. Mitchell was present for the 37th World Cultural Council (WCC) Award to receive this honour atĚý, Portugal, and to give her acceptance speech.Ěý
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(Below, is an excerpt from The McGill Reporter; published September 20, 2022, announcing Dr. Mitchell's award.)
Mitchell praised for transforming lives of thousands of marginalized young people
Claudia Mitchell is a Distinguished James McGill Professor in the Department of Integrated studies with the Faculty of Education. Much of Mitchell’s work has focused on the development of schools, colleges, universities and communities in rural settings. In addition to furthering capacity building in education in general, she has paid special attention to the prevention of HIV and gender-based violence, working particularly in South Africa, but also in Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Russia, among other countries. Mitchell is an Honorary Professor in the School of Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, where she established the Centre for Visual Methodologies for Social Change.
Mitchell was named winner of the 2022 José Vasconcelos World Award of Education by a jury comprised of the WCC’s Interdisciplinary Committee and a group of distinguished educators. The award honours educators who have had a significantly positive influence on the quality and reach of teaching and learning in our society.
“The prize is awarded for [Mitchell’s] life commitment to education as an inspiring teacher and passionate advocate for youth, especially transforming lives of thousands of young people, from marginalized backgrounds,” said the WCC’s press release. “Professor Mitchell’s work and passion mirror the dedication of José Vasconcelos whose life work was to bring education to those most disadvantaged. The Jury especially appreciated Professor Mitchell’s pledge for tackling difficult social issues which has had a profound, lasting impact on the wellbeing and self-esteem of girls in many nations and for her remarkable capability to run innovative and adaptive projects and to do academic teaching and research.
“Prof. Mitchell is known for her generosity and patience as a mentor and supervisor, including students in large-scale projects, creating communities of scholars and weaving networks of collaboration both nationally and internationally. She encourages those around her to be both caring and engaged while also staying critical and seeking to advance the conditions for social change.”
“I am so honoured to receive this prestigious award and its recognition of the significance of the participation of young people, especially girls and young women, as central to social change,” said Mitchell. “I would like to acknowledge the creativity of my amazing doctoral students in the Participatory Cultures Lab at Ď㽶ĘÓƵ, along with the support of colleagues in the Faculty of Education. I continue to be inspired by my exceptional colleagues at the Centre for Visual Methodologies at the University of the KwaZulu-Natal and their commitment to engaging rural communities.”
The Award Ceremony will be hosted by the University of Coimbra, Portugal on November 30.
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