Championing Sustainable Futures: Dr. Mirian Vilela Wins 2024 Soka Global Citizen Award

Soka University of America has named Dr. Mirian Vilela recipient of the 2024 Soka Global Citizen Award for her work championing sustainable development and education for global citizenship. Vilela embodies SUA’s founding principles, including its commitment to fostering leaders for the creative coexistence of nature and humanity.

“We are excited to announce Dr. Mirian Vilela as the recipient of the 2024 Soka Global Citizen Award,” SUA President Edward M. Feasel said. “Vilela’s invaluable contributions to sustainability and environmental justice exemplify wisdom, courage, and compassion—the essential elements of global citizenship our university founder Daisaku Ikeda espoused.”

Celebrating Vilela’s lifelong dedication to sustainability and global citizenship, the award ceremony will take place on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 4:30 p.m. in the Founder’s Meeting Room in Founders Hall. The ceremony will include a welcome by President Feasel, an introduction of Vilela, the signing of a memorandum of understanding launching collaboration between SUA and Earth Charter International, the award conferral, and remarks by Vilela. We invite anyone interested in attending to please RSVP using our online form.

As the executive director of the Earth Charter International Secretariat and the Center for Education for Sustainable Development at UPEACE, Vilela coordinates the UNESCO Chair on Education for Sustainable Development with the Earth Charter. She began championing sustainable development and education for global citizenship in the 1990s when she joined the Earth Charter Initiative. Her expertise, which lies at the intersection of sustainability, education, and global diplomacy, has also shaped global policy.

Vilela holds a Ph.D. in education from LaSalle University and a Master’s degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where she distinguished herself as an Edward Mason Fellow. Combining academic rigor with engaged practice, Vilela has led and facilitated countless international workshops, courses, and seminars on the values and principles of sustainability.

Born in Brazil, Vilela’s global perspective and multicultural competencies have informed her work for a more sustainable planet. Throughout her career, she has embodied the spirit of global citizenship and inspired many others to join her in building a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future.

The Soka Global Citizen Award, established by Soka University of America to honor individuals who exemplify the ideals of global citizenship, carries a $25,000 stipend to support the recipient’s ongoing work. Vilela follows in the footsteps of previous recipients, including Ambassador Andrew Young, Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, and Wanjira Mathai, receiving this recognition for her outstanding contributions to humanity and the planet.