Centennial College recognized for its commitment to spark and motivate social changemakers
TORONTO, July 23, 2019 /CNW/ - Washington, D.C.-based Ashoka, the world's largest community of social entrepreneurs and changemakers, has recognized Centennial College's commitment to the Changemaker Challenge, a series of social change learning experiences offered to students during their reading week.
Ashoka is an organization that collaborates to transform institutions and cultures worldwide to support creative changemaking for the good of society. As one of only eight Canadian institutions recognized for its commitment to changemaking, Centennial joins leading academic institutions, ecosystem-building organizations and individuals in 14 countries who are working together to motivate more than 200,000 changemakers as part of Ashoka's global #MillionsofChangemakers campaign.
"Activating #MillionsofChangeMakers at our college allows us to expand on our work of embedding the principles of global citizenship, social justice and community inclusion into our curricular and co-curricular initiatives," says Yasmin Razack, Centennial's Director, Global Citizenship Education and Inclusion. "It raises our commitment to shaping a better future to a global level, allowing us to be a collaborative member of the world's largest community of changemakers."
Centennial's partnership with Ashoka is just one of the many ways the college and its Centre of Global Citizenship, Equity and Inclusion is contributing to building a world where everyone is a changemaker – an ambitious goal that is rooted in the college's strategic plan. In the short term, Centennial's aim is to increase student participation in the Changemaker Challenge by 25 per cent in 2019-20. The Changemaker Challenge further introduces students to changemaking competencies, hands-on learning and networking opportunities with industry.
Recent student-led social change initiatives at Centennial include recognizing International Women's Day with spoken word and musical performances and an impactful panel discussion on gender issues; a sustainable menstruation products initiative to promote the benefits of eco-friendly products; and a blockchain for social justice event demonstrating how a blockchain can be used for positive social change. One Centennial student whose proposal to employ a blockchain to protect women against sexual harassment brought her to a global competition in Hong Kong.
"In an Everyone a Changemaker world, all people have the confidence, skills and freedom to create change for the good of all," says Jessica Lax, Ashoka U's Growth & Partnerships Director. "With this commitment Centennial College is joining Ashoka U's global community of higher education innovators who are collectively activating and equipping the changemakers the world needs. We're thrilled to celebrate Centennial's commitment and look forward to sharing it with others through this campaign."
To learn more about changemaking at Centennial College, contact Yasmin Razack, 416-289-5000, ext. 3397, [email protected].
About Centennial College
Centennial College is Ontario's first public college, established in 1966, primarily serving the eastern portion of the Greater Toronto Area with five campuses. It has a record of exemplary teaching, innovative programming and extensive partnership building. Centennial offers more than 300 diploma, certificate and degree programs in business, media, arts, community and consumer services, engineering technology, health care and transportation. The programs promote experiential learning with laboratory instruction, co-op education and industry placements. Centennial enrols more than 26,000 full-time students and 19,000 part-time learners annually.
About #MillionsofChangemakers
#MillionsofChangemakers is Ashoka U's global call for colleges, universities and higher education innovators to make commitments to activate and equip changemakers of all kinds. Commitment makers will submit progress updates in February 2020, and exceptional commitment makers will receive awards at the 2020 Ashoka U Exchange. To see all of the #MillionsofChangemakers commitments, visit https://millionsofchangemakers.org/commitments/.
About Ashoka U
Ashoka U is the higher education initiative of Ashoka – the world's largest community of changemakers. Since 2008, Ashoka U has worked with more than 500 colleges and universities to help build a world where everyone is a changemaker.
A fact sheet and photographs are available upon request.
SOURCE Centennial College
Media contacts: Mark Toljagic, Communications Officer, Centennial College, 416-289-5000 ext. 7142, mobile 416-605-6012, [email protected]; Jessica Lax, Growth & Partnerships Director, Ashoka U, [email protected]
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