Citizen of the World Awards: Sargent Shriver
We are excited to announce R. Sargent Shriver as the recipient of the 2011 Citizen of the World Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award will be presented to the Shriver family at our annual event in Colorado in November 2011. The award is an honor bestowed upon individuals whose actions and accomplishments with youth have exemplified the principles of responsible global citizenship.
The Citizen of the World Award for Lifetime Achievement has previously been given to Dr. Jane Goodall and pioneering blind climber Erik Weihenmayer. For 2011, the honor will be bestowed posthumously on Sargent Shriver who died on January 18, 2011. “Sargent Shriver’s life is an example for all who seek to build bridges of peaceful understanding between people of different backgrounds, countries and abilities,” said Global Explorers Board President Tom Lillig. “As someone who worked at the Peace Corps, I had the opportunity to witness up-close and contribute to the ongoing legacy of our founding director’s work. He was a personal inspiration to me while I worked at Peace Corps and continues to be one for all of us at Global Explorers. I cannot think of another person who embodies the term ‘Citizen of the World’ better than Sargent Shriver. We believe this award will inspire many more young people to learn Sargent Shriver’s story and motivate them on their respective journeys toward becoming global citizens.”
Among many storied accomplishments in a life of public service, Shriver led the task force commissioned by President John F. Kennedy to outline the mission and design of the government agency now known as the Peace Corps. Sargent Shriver served as the director of the organization for its first five years. To date, more than 200,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in 139 countries. In Shriver’s own words, “The Peace Corps represents some, if not all, of the best virtues in this society. It stands for everything that America has ever stood for. It stands for everything we believe in and hope to achieve in the world.” Shriver’s lifetime of service extended far beyond the Peace Corps through his involvement with organizations like the Special Olympics, Head Start, VISTA and the National Center on Poverty Law.
Event Details: This event will be hosted in Denver, Colorado in early winter of 2011. Tickets will be available beginning September 1, 2011.
Interested in Learning More? Contact David Shurna at Global Explorers at (970) 484-3633.
Press Release: Sargent Shriver Earns Citizen of the World Award for Lifetime Achievement
