Dr. Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and the founder of Kenya ’s Green Belt Movement, has agreed to give the keynote address at the 2008 Travelers’ Philanthropy Conference to be held in Arusha , Tanzania , December 3-5, 2008.
The conference, organized by the Center on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development (CESD), will focus on the growing global movement spearheaded by responsible tourism businesses to provide financial and other types of support to local community and conservation projects.
“This is the first conference focused on travelers’ philanthropy ever held in Africa ,” says CESD Co-Director, Dr. Martha Honey . “And we are honored that it will be keynoted by Dr. Maathai, the continent’s most eminent civic leader in the struggle for democracy, human rights, women’s empowerment, and environmental conservation.”
Since 1977, Dr. Maathai has been organizing rural Kenyan women to plant trees in an effort to help combat deforestation, soil erosion, and water shortages. The Green Belt Movement has planted over 40 million trees and become a leading force in Kenya ’s pro-democracy struggles as well as a model for similar initiatives in other developing countries.
In 2004, when Dr. Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts, she became the first environmentalist and only African woman to receive this prestigious award.
“I have always believed in the huge potential of travelers’ philanthropy,” says Dr. Maathai. “The Green Belt Movement has been sharing its work with friends and supporters through our Green Belt Safaris which combines visits to our tree planting projects with game viewing safaris. I know that this conference will enrich our experience and deepen our understanding of this very important concept.â€
The 3-day conference is entitled “Making Travelers’ Philanthropy Work for Development, Business, and Conservation.†It will bring together several hundred participants from Africa, as well as international representatives of leading tourism businesses, conservation and development NGOs, UN agencies, and other aid organizations. Plenary and workshop themes will include the role of tourism businesses in supporting HIV-AIDS education and prevention; raising funds from travelers and travel businesses for environmental initiatives and conservation of wildlife, parks and protected areas, and developing business models that incorporate Travelers’ Philanthropy as a central element.
Conference details including how to register, apply to speak at the event, and apply for scholarship assistance are available on the conference website, travelersphilanthropyconference.org
Valere Tjolle
