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Wangari Maathai receives Nobel Peace Prize
We are thrilled that Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, and
Global Footprint Network Advisory Council Member, has been awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee said it chose Maathai "for her contribution
to sustainable development, democracy and peace."
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A native of Kenya and the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in East Africa,
Maathai has mobilized millions, encouraged women to take fate into their
own hands, and built one of the most effective environmental grassroots
effort this planet has ever seen: the
Green Belt Movement.
Poor women have planted more than 30 million trees across Africa since
the Green Belt Movement began, resulting in the slowing of deforestation
and economic empowerment. And she has not stopped there. She has become
a force for democracy and is now serving her country as assistant minister
of environment and as an active parliamentarian.
This is the first time that the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to
an environmental advocate rather than someone focused mainly on armed
conflict. But Maathai does not see any separation between the two saying
"People are fighting over water, over food and over other natural
resources... When our resources become scarce, we fight over them. In managing
our resources and in sustainable development, we plant the seeds of peace."
Her combination of wisdom, action, clarity, and perseverance give us hope
as we join her in building the dream of a peaceful, just and democratic
society that safeguards, rather than depletes our home planet. We are
deeply honoured to have Prof. Maathai as a member of our
Advisory Council.
Related links:
Green Belt Movement
2004 Nobel Laureates
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