Public Debate Pilot Project

Takako Mino participated in multiple facets of debating in college – teaching the requisite skills, managing and judging debates in middle schools, and competing as a talented intercollegiate debater. For her Napier project, Takako returned to East Africa, where last year she implemented a successful public debating pilot project among hundreds of teachers and students on behalf of the Forum for African Women Educationalists.

2011 Napier Fellow, Sarah Smilkstein returned to Mali to help establish a community education center in the Niamakoro section of Bamako. Working closely with neighborhood leaders, she developed interactive educational programs that bring young women and men together in small classes where they engage the subject matter on their own terms. With significant community involvement in the center, Sarah believes the center will increasingly give marginalized Malians the power to effect the changes they want for themselves, their children, and their neighborhoods.

A Ugandan primary school student confidently presents her argument in front of a crowd of over 1000 students, teachers, and community members during a public debate held at her school. This event was part of 2011 Napier Awardee Takako Mino's endeavor to promote civic discourse among youth in East Africa through public debate. Takako expanded this program to over 180 schools in Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda for her Napier project.

DreamKeeper Garden

2011 Napier Fellow Sam Gordon is working at a New Orleans charter school, which is partnered with Edible Schoolyard New Orleans to promote healthy eating, learning, and living among students. Serving as the "Associate Garden Educator", in his words, or an "Edible Apprentice", in his students' words, Sam engages his elementary school students in the DreamKeeper Garden to experience firsthand scientific concepts and organic farming practices in a beautiful outdoor setting.

2011 Napier Fellow Amanda Lam worked with vulnerable children in Cambodia and carries a strong passion for education and child advocacy.

Napier News

2013 Napier Fellows

Read their bios.

2013 Napier Awards Banquet

Napier supporters gathered to honor graduating seniors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership on Feb. 9.

About

The Napier Initiative is a partnership between Pilgrim Place and the five Claremont Colleges to encourage leadership for social change. Students with interest and experience in working for peace, social justice, and environmental sustainability connect with residents of Pilgrim Place who have life experience and professional skills in those fields. Read more...