The American University of Beirut announced that its Center for Community Engagement has won the 2026 Mac Janet Award for Global Citizenship.
For the “Frontline Worker Model.”
The announcement came during the 17th edition of the award, organized by the Talwar Network of Community-Engaged Universities.
An international committee selected the model from among nominations submitted by universities from around the world.
It aims to integrate academic knowledge with practical skills and ethical guidance.
This helps institutions of higher education address crises and societal challenges.
The center’s executive director, Rabih Shibli, developed the model in collaboration with a team of ten staff members.
It comprises three main components: the Student Community Engagement Program, the Fundamentals of Community Engagement course,
In addition to strategic community initiatives targeting vulnerable groups.
The model has its roots in volunteer efforts launched by the university after the July 2006 war.
Its role expanded during the Syrian refugee crisis and following the Beirut port explosion, when the Center mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers.
Over the past decade, approximately 40,000 people have benefited from the model’s initiatives in the areas of education, mental health, and livelihoods.
Furthermore, 4,871 students have completed more than 144,000 volunteer hours.
Meanwhile, the students carried out 195 community projects both inside and outside Lebanon.
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