Concordia International School Shanghai Wins International School Award 2025
Table of Contents
- Concordia International School Shanghai Wins International School Award 2025
- Xiaohusai: A Model of Service Learning
- School-Wide Support and Student Leadership
- Concordia’s Commitment to service
- About Concordia international School Shanghai
- Concordia International School Shanghai: A Model for Global Citizenship Through Service Learning?
- Transforming Lives Through Tea: How ConcordiaS Xiaohusai Program Redefines Global Citizenship
SHANGHAI, Feb.24, 2025 – Concordia International School Shanghai has been honored with the prestigious International School Award 2025. This recognition stems from the school’s exceptional student-led social enterprise,Xiaohusai,wich has made a significant impact on communities in Yunnan province,southwestern China. Selected from nearly 200 applications from international schools worldwide, Concordia stands out as one of 14 winners. The award celebrates the school’s deep commitment to service learning and fostering global citizenship through the Xiaohusai program, dedicated to supporting rural communities.
The International School Awards, organized by ISC Research, celebrate outstanding strategic initiatives within international schools.These initiatives showcase excellence in learning, innovation, and community engagement. The awards highlight projects that champion intercultural understanding,diversity,equity,inclusion,and justice,aligning with the United Nations Enduring Growth Goals (UN SDGs).
Xiaohusai: A Model of Service Learning
Xiaohusai, named after a small village in Yunnan, embodies Concordia’s dedication to service learning. Since 2016, Concordia students have managed this social enterprise, partnering with a Shanghai-based company to source organic tea directly from Yunnan farmers at fair market prices. This direct-trade approach ensures farmers receive equitable compensation for their products, enabling them to invest in their children’s education and improve their overall quality of life.
since its inception, Xiaohusai has positively impacted approximately 1,000 villagers and has provided direct scholarship support to six families, with a particular focus on funding education for local girls.
By directly purchasing tea from the farmers, we ensure that their suppliers are paid above-market wages and free from the exploitation of conventional middlemen. The direct-trade approach is the short-term aspect, while the long-term component is the impact of education.
the Xiaohusai team
In 2022, Xiaohusai’s dedication to community service was further recognized when it received the excellent Charity Association Nominee Prize at the Pramerica Fosun Spirit of Community Awards.
School-Wide Support and Student Leadership
Each year, new students from Concordia’s high school join the Xiaohusai team, ensuring the continuity and growth of the organization. The entire school community actively supports Xiaohusai, helping to share the story of the Yunnan village and its people. This collaborative habitat allows the student-run organization to expand Concordia’s service initiatives and create a lasting legacy.
Every summer, the Xiaohusai team travels to the village to assess the impact of their work, engage with the villagers, assist with tea harvesting and roasting, and identify new infrastructure projects and areas of need. This immersive experience provides students with invaluable opportunities to develop practical business skills in areas such as leadership, management, marketing, communication, product design, economics, financial management, accounting, sales, and business ethics.
Concordia’s Commitment to service
Since its founding in 1998, Concordia International School Shanghai has consistently sought opportunities to support and raise awareness about local and global issues. By involving students and the broader community in meaningful service projects, Concordia fosters a culture of compassion and purpose.From fundraising for gift bags for migrant children in Shanghai to assisting in the construction of computer labs in Nepalese schools, service has remained central to Concordia’s mission.
Concordia’s commitment to service reflects its dedication to developing well-rounded individuals who are prepared to lead with empathy and make a positive impact on the world.
About Concordia international School Shanghai
Concordia International School Shanghai is a leading international school known for its rigorous academic programs, holistic education, and vibrant community. The school provides a wide array of opportunities for students to excel academically, socially, and personally, preparing them to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape. Concordia focuses on nurturing shining futures and empowering students to become responsible and engaged global citizens.
Transforming Lives Through Tea: How ConcordiaS Xiaohusai Program Redefines Global Citizenship
Did you know a student-led social enterprise can not onyl empower a rural community but also win prestigious international awards? Concordia International School Shanghai’s Xiaohusai initiative proves it’s possible. To delve deeper into this inspiring success story, we spoke with Dr. Evelyn Reed, a leading expert in international growth and sustainable education.
World-Today-News.com (WTN): Dr. reed, Concordia’s International School Award win for its Xiaohusai program highlights teh transformative power of student-led social entrepreneurship. Can you expand on this achievement’s significance within the broader context of global education?
Dr. Reed: Concordia’s award signifies a crucial shift in how we view global education. It showcases the vital integration of rigorous academics with a profound commitment to global citizenship and social responsibility. Xiaohusai isn’t merely a project; it’s a living testament to the potential of service-learning initiatives. These programs equip students with a wide spectrum of valuable skills – from leadership and project management to marketing and financial literacy – while simultaneously creating positive, lasting change worldwide. Traditional education frequently enough overlooks the critical interconnectedness of academic excellence and active civic engagement. Concordia’s success beautifully demonstrates the powerful synergy between these two elements. This achievement serves as inspiration for other educational institutions to prioritize experiential learning and socially conscious projects in their curricula.
WTN: Xiaohusai, launched by Concordia students in 2016, utilizes a direct-trade approach with Yunnan tea farmers. How dose this model ensure fairness and sustainability throughout global supply chains?
Dr. Reed: Xiaohusai’s success hinges on its unwavering commitment to fair-trade principles. By bypassing exploitative middlemen, the students cultivate direct relationships with the Yunnan farmers. This direct-trade model guarantees that farmers receive fair compensation for their products, a cornerstone of economic empowerment, notably in underserved rural communities. Fair trade practices are not simply ethical considerations; they’re fundamental to creating resilient and sustainable global supply chains. By securing fair market prices, Xiaohusai directly combats income inequality and empowers farmers to reinvest in their families and communities.The program’s sustainable approach to tea sourcing and community development are intrinsically linked to its overall success.
WTN: The program’s emphasis on education,especially for girls,is commendable. Why is gender equality a crucial component of fostering long-term positive change within these communities?
Dr. Reed: Investing in girls’ education is paramount for sustainable development. Education empowers women, dramatically expanding their opportunities and breaking the cycle of poverty. Empowered women make informed life choices, strengthening their families and communities. This means they can actively participate in community development efforts, leading to improvements in various aspects of their lives. Education equips future generations with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance agricultural practices, improve healthcare outcomes, and boost overall economic productivity. Focusing on girls’ education isn’t just ethically sound; it’s strategically crucial for achieving broader development goals. Therefore, gender equality isn’t solely a social justice issue; it’s a vital driver of economic and societal progress within these communities.
WTN: What vital lessons can other schools draw from Concordia’s triumphant model? How can they replicate or adapt this approach within their own contexts?
Dr. Reed: Concordia’s triumph offers several essential takeaways for other educational institutions:
Prioritize student leadership: Empower students to take ownership of projects, fostering their skills and dedication.
Cultivate collaboration: Partner with local organizations and businesses to enhance impact and sustainability.
Integrate service learning: Weave service projects into the curriculum, aligning with academic objectives.
Promote transparency and accountability: Establish clear goals, track progress, and share results transparently with the community.
* focus on sustainable solutions: Identify long-term challenges and create enduring solutions rather than short-term initiatives.
by adapting these principles to their specific contexts, schools can create impactful service-learning projects that benefit both their students and the communities they serve. while adaptations are necessary based on local factors, the core principles of the xiaohusai program remain universally applicable.
WTN: What sets Concordia’s approach to service learning apart, and what are the implications of this model for 21st-century education?
Dr. Reed: Concordia’s approach transcends simple acts of charity. It uniquely blends rigorous academic learning with meaningful action, fostering both critical thinking and social responsibility in a sustainable manner. It demonstrates that education must be relevant and impactful, preparing students for active, engaged, and empathetic global citizenship. The Xiaohusai project showcases a new paradigm for 21st-century education—one centered on holistic development, social justice, and enduring impact. It serves as a valuable model for creating impactful, long-term community development projects supported by educational institutions around the world.
WTN: Thank you, Dr. Reed, for sharing your invaluable insights.
Closing: Concordia’s Xiaohusai program exemplifies how a student-led initiative can create notable positive change globally. We encourage you to consider how the principles described can inspire your own community involvement. Share your thoughts and experiences with service-learning programs in the comments below, and let’s continue the conversation about sustainable education and global citizenship on social media using #Xiaohusai #ServiceLearning #GlobalCitizenship.