My children are very happy to be here. It is very important. The children are under a lot of pressure and have not been social, but this activity has made them stronger. Our children are now talking and expressing themselves and I thank God. Psychologically they are getting better. We want our children to be able to express themsevles and we thank Relief (local partner organization) for that... I talk to my children now as if they are grown-up. They have more confidence. They are not afraid anymore... They have courage which is very important. I thank God.
Governor General Presents Vanier Medal to Dr. Gordon S. Smith, President of IICRD's Board of Directors
OTTAWA – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, presented on May 13, 2010 the 2009 Vanier Medal to Dr. Gordon S. Smith, Executive Director of the Centre for Global Studies at the University of Victoria, in British Columbia, and former distinguished Canadian public servant. The ceremony was held at Rideau Hall.
Please visit the IPAC website for this media release
Read the Governor General’s speech
View the photo gallery of the Vanier Medal presentation
The Vanier Medal, administered by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC), is one of the highest forms of recognition for Canadian public administrators. It was created in 1962 in honour of Canada’s second Canadian governor general, the Right Honourable Georges P. Vanier. The Medal is awarded annually to a person who has shown distinctive leadership and has made a significant contribution in the field of public administration and public service in Canada.
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Dr. Gordon Smith currently serves as President of IICRD's Board of Directors. It is with the sincerest of congratulations that we share this notice of recognition.
This article was adapted from the Institute of Public Administration of Canada's news release. Please visit their website for more details and accreditation about this article.