| |
|
|
 |
 |
| ECUADOR |
| Yolanda Kakabadse |
| Environmentalist and global champion of sustainable development |
|
"My heart is in nature conservation," says Yolanda Kakabadse, one of today's most prominent environmentalists, widely recognised as a global champion of sustainable development and biodiversity preservation.
Yolanda Kakabadse was born in Quito, Ecuador, where she studied educational psychology before turning to nature conservation in 1979 as executive director of Fundación Natura. Under her leadership, the foundation became one of the most influential environmental organisations in Latin America, contributing largely to legislation promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.
Kakabadse then coordinated the participation of non-governmental organisations at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. The following year, she established the Fundación Futuro Latinoamericano, of which she was president until 2006. She is now chair of its Advisory Board. The foundation brings together environmental, political, cultural, industrial and economic sectors to prevent and manage social-environmental conflicts in Latin America.
Between 1996 and 2004, she presided over the World Conservation Union (IUCN). She has also held several other senior positions: she was Ecuador's Minister of Environment from 1998 to 2000, and served on the board of directors of the World Resources Institute; she co-chaired the Environmental Sustainability Task Force of the United Nations Millennium Project from 2002 to 2005. Currently, Kakabadse chairs the scientific and technical advisory panel (STAP) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Her unwavering commitment to nature conservation has been recognised by many international distinctions, including the Global 500 Award of the United Nations Environment Programme, in 1991, and the prestigious Zayed Prize, in 2001.
|
|
|
|
