MCC receives first University of Winnipeg Global Citizenship Award

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and MCC Canada received The University of Winnipeg’s inaugural Global Citizenship award, an initiative by its president and vice-chancellor Lloyd Axworthy, at a ceremony for the graduating class Sunday, Oct. 17.

Ron Mathies (left), executive director of MCC, stands beside Don Peters, executive director of MCC Canada, and accepts the Global Citizenship Award from Lloyd Axworthy.

President Axworthy had recommended MCC for the award. “In my work as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, I found myself in many desperate situations in remote and war-torn corners of our world,” he said. “And, more often than not, there – before other relief or government agencies – would be an MCC worker.”

The Mennonite Central Committee’s commitment to peace building can be seen globally through its many initiatives to end hunger, spanning from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, and currently in Darfur, Sudan. Nationally, MCC is known for its work in a variety of areas – from conflict resolution to speaking out against the ravages of war, from addressing ecological devastation to increasing awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Ronald J. R. Mathies, MCC International’s executive director, accepted the award on behalf of all MCC workers who serve as peace witnesses in refugee camps, and in areas of civil unrest and natural disaster. He also spoke at the convocation.

Mathies said the award is a recognition of the importance of the global humanitarian enterprise, and also the work of MCC’s sister agencies, Mennonite Disaster Service, Mennonite Economic Development Associates, and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

The University of Winnipeg Global Citizenship award will be presented annually to an individual or group embodying the spirit and drive of a passionate, committed member of society living out the responsibilities of a global citizen.

—MCC news release