BAYVIEW -
Ian Froude, son of Stewart and Jackie Froude of Bayview, will be honoured on Nov. 19 with the Canadian Red Cross "Young Humanitarian Award 2009" for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Ian, who will graduate from Memorial University this coming spring with his civil engineering degree, was chosen mainly because of his "prolific volunteer experience," according to a recent Red Cross release.
The Young Humanitarian Award (along with the Humanitarian Award for adults that will go to Frank F. Fagan of St. John's) were established in 1997 to "document, officially recognize and draw attention to humanitarian work by members of the community and to inspire individuals to pursue humanitarian goals." These awards have been granted annually since their inception and are presented at an annual gala fund-raising dinner hosted by the Red Cross.
Ian was cited for his leadership "at home and abroad through his volunteer work to bring about change and improve the lives of others." This commendation came as a result mainly of his having spent four months in 2006 in the Upper West Region of Ghana, Africa, where he was involved with a program organized through Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Canada. Ian while in Ghana worked with a local organization specializing in water access, hygiene and sanitation and lived with a Ghanaian family during his stay. Consequently, he learned first hand about their culture and the many challenges they faced.
In addition, Ian was president of the EWB MUN Chapter for the full year of 2008. The position had him as the head of a 10-member executive who directed some 40 other members in programs of advocacy, fund raising and behavior change involving a school outreach across the whole province. During his term as EWB president, the MUN Chapter was selected as the Volunteer Club/Society of the Year at Memorial as well as their having won the Chapter of the Year Award from among the 34 EWB chapters across the country.
Ian is currently co-chair of the 10th annual national conference for EWB Canada. This conference is expected to bring some 400 delegates to St. John's and is one of the largest international development conferences in the country. Ian was also a member of the Canadian Federation of Students Sustainability Coalition on the MUN campus for 2008.
Passionate about the outdoors, he is also an avid cyclist and loves to hike, camp and travel.
As further evidence of his vision and forward looking approach, notes the Red Cross citation, Ian plans on applying to do his Masters in International Affairs at the University of Ottawa in September 2010 and spend a year working in international development in sub-Saharan Africa before applying to law school. He believes this education and experience will prepare him for a potential career in federal politics.
Ian will receive his award at the Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian Award Dinner set for Nov. 19 at the Delta in St. John's.
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