Dame Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, was presented with the prestigious Shackleton medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in Glasgow on Friday 21^st November, in recognition of her outstanding example of compassion in global leadership.

Dame Jacinda Ardern receiving RSGS Shackleton Medal and Fellowship from RSGS President Prof Dame Anne Glover

During the presentation, RSGS Chief Executive Mike Robinson commented: “For the past 140 years our organisation has been working to better inform people about their world, inspire and influence positive action on geographical topics of all types, and to celebrate and showcase those people who have done something remarkable.

“I’m not sure any leader could easily survive being in charge during the covid pandemic – restricting people’s lives and enforcing emergency legislation. Ms Ardern showed a deep courage and moral conviction, her example not only saved lives in New Zealand, but also rippled out well beyond her own shores, and influenced people around the world. Her defence of the science, strong leadership and consideration during the pandemic were commendable.

“Her response too to the Whakaari White Island volcanic eruption showed a measured determination and sensitivity which was commendable in the extreme. In addition, following the appalling shootings in Christchurch, her address to the nation on the evening of the shootings, as well as her actions over the subsequent days as the scale of the crisis unfolded, was widely praised, particularly in holding the nation together.

“In addition, we applaud her commitment to climate action, with the Carbon Zero Bill and with her continuing efforts to resolve this global crisis issue, which remains one of the most critical issues of our generation, and one in which RSGS is heavily embedded.  

“Too many people mistake kindness for weakness. Yet I would argue it requires real strength of character, real confidence in your own judgement and beliefs, and real self-assurance to open yourself up and to care about others. So it is with great pleasure that we present the Shackleton Medal to Dame Jacinda Ardern for her leadership, citizenship and empathy in so many critical arenas.”

Dame Jacinda Ardern with RSGS President Prof Dame Anne Glover and RSGS Chief Executive Mike Robinson

Dame Jacinda Ardern was visiting Glasgow to attend the Scottish premiere of Prime Minister, which documents her time as New Zealand’s Prime Minister from 2017 to 2023, and to explore her family’s Scottish roots.

On becoming an RSGS medallist, she joins a prestigious list of individuals to be recognised by the Society, including historic names such as fellow New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Neil Armstrong and Isobel Wylie Hutchison, and more recent names, including Sir David Attenborough, Sir Michael Palin, Annie Lennox and Rory Stewart.

On receiving her medal, Ms Ardern expressed her thanks: “It’s incredibly humbling to receive the Shackleton Medal, particularly on the basis on which it is awarded and when looking at its other recipients. Shackleton has been a hero of mine since I was fourteen, and I’ve always felt a huge connection to Scotland, particularly from my Nana’s deep commitment to the place that her mother came from.”

A number of individuals sent their congratulations, including First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, who commented: “As First Minister of Scotland, it is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to Dame Jacinda Ardern to Scotland on the occasion of the presentation of the Shackleton Medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. This prestigious honour is rooted in the deep traditions of Scotland in the pursuit of inquiry and learning. It is so appropriate that it is presented to Dame Jacinda in recognition of her leadership and her vision in addressing the challenges of our times particularly on our climate. I hope this latest connection between New Zealand and Scotland will be a symbol of further strengthening of the relationship between our two countries.”

Former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon also shared: “Jacinda was a beacon of enlightened, compassionate and rational leadership and a worthy recipient of such a prestigious award. I send her my warm congratulations.”

Former Chief Scientific Adviser for New Zealand, Professor Dame Juliet A. Gerrard commented: “During her time as Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda had a passion for evidence-informed policy, and a remarkable thirst for scientific detail. Her drive to always obtain the best possible information underpinned her decisive leadership in the aftermath of a volcanic eruption, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in taking action on climate with the Carbon Zero Bill.”