On October 1st, 2010, Ms. Jean was appointed UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti. She 

and her husband, philosopher, filmmaker and essayist Jean-Daniel Lafond, oversee 

the Michaëlle Jean Foundation. The Foundation empowers underserved youth, across 

Canada, to use the arts to take action for change in their communities. 

That same year, when asked by the Secretary General of the International Organisation 

of La Francophonie, Ms. Jean accepted the role of Grand Témoin de la Francophonie for 

the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

On November 7, 2011, the University of Ottawa appointed Ms. Jean as its new Chancellor, 

a role she assumed on February 1st, 2012.

Recently, the Governor General was presented the 2009 United Nations Development 

Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Canada Award for her outstanding manner in advancing 

gender equality.

In 2009, she received the Board of Governors Recognition Achievement Award from 

the National Quality Institute for her contribution to the quality of life of Canadians and 

humanity.

In 2011, the Universities Fighting World Hunger international network launched the 

Michaëlle Jean Award granted to students who have made a major contribution to 

fighting hunger in situations of emergency relief.

Black Canadian Curriculum – ETFO – 2014