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Schulze Receives Global Thinkers Forum Award

Concordia Language Villages’ executive director was recognized at an award ceremony in London.

Christine Schulze, executive director of Concordia Language Villages, was honored with a prestigious award from the 6th Global Thinkers Forum (GTF).

The GTF Awards for Excellence go to exceptional individuals who have a proven track record of integrity, accountability and positive change across their nominated category and recognize some of the most intelligent, innovative, accomplished and socially responsible thought leaders. 

This year’s theme was “Women of Passion and Purpose” honoring eight outstanding women. Each was recognized for their contributions in one of the following categories: entrepreneurship, business, women’s empowerment, global thinking, leadership, positive change, African female leadership and lifetime achievement. Schulze’s award was in the category of global thinking.

“It is a privilege to be included with such creative, competent and world-minded women,” Schulze said in her acceptance speech. “I thank Global Thinkers Forum for this significant honor. A global thinker must choose a noble goal for the betterment of society, and then courageously act on that goal in the face of potential challenge or the pursuit of worthy opportunity. My fellow nominees embody this characteristic.” 

Schulze had the opportunity to talk about the important mission of Concordia Language Villages and its contributions to global responsibility. 

“At Concordia Language Villages, we are preparing young people to be courageous global citizens ... to follow in all of your footsteps,” Schulze added. “We believe in building bridges of global understanding through language and cultural immersion, skills that tear down walls of prejudice and intolerance.” 

The 6th GTF was hosted in London Dec. 9 with Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet opening the event with a welcome speech. The keynote speaker was Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former president, Republic of Liberia – the first elected female Head of State in Africa and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Johnson Sirleaf was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony.

In the presence of dignitaries from around the world, the following eight women who were recognized for their contributions:

  • Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan
  • Dame Helena Morrissey, Non-Executive Chairman, Legal and General Investment Management and founder 30% Club
  • Abla El Badry, Secretary General, Hope Village Society
  • Christine Schulze, Executive Director, Concordia Language Villages
  • Annabel Karmel MBE, UK’s Number 1 children’s cookery author and best-selling international author
  • Dr. Rama Mani, Founder, Theatre of Transformation Academy
  • Elsa Marie D’Silva, Founder and CEO, Red Dot Foundation
  • Teresa Njoroge, Founder Clean Start

Global Thinkers Forum’s mission focuses on three areas: fostering accountability in leadership, promoting women’s empowerment and creating opportunities for young people’s professional development. GTF is also a bridge-builder – an organization that promotes public-private sector partnerships, collaboration and stakeholder engagement. The Forum is London-based, was incubated at Oxford University’s Said Business School and runs two mentoring programs, “Telemachus” and “Athena.”