Biographies of Speakers and Moderators

Ms. Joan Anderson
Information Officer and Earth Charter Coordinator
Soka Gakkai International
 
Ms. Anderson is based in Tokyo, where, since 1997, she has been an Information Officer and Earth Charter Coordinator for the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist Association.  Previously she coordinated the Save the Children Fund’s post-Gulf War programmes in Iraq, and was Director of the organisation’s projects in Cambodia from 1993 to 1997.
 
Mr. Pedro Arrojo-Agudo
President of the Iberian Congress on Water Planning and Management
President of the Foundation for a New Culture of Water
 
Dr. Arrojo-Agudo is currently Full Lecturer in the Faculty of Economics and Business Studies at the Department of Economic Analysis, University of Zaraguza. He also has been Visiting Scholar in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of California-Davis. A specialist on water issues, he is the President of the Iberian Congress on Water Planning and Management, as well as of the Foundation for a New Culture of Water and is involved in many other water related associations. He also has been sought as an expert by the US and the Spanish governments and is the author of various books on this subject.
 
Mr. Ed Ayres
Editor, World Watch Magazine
 
Mr. Ayres is editorial director of the Worldwatch Institute, publisher of the annual State of the World.  He is also the editor of the bimonthly magazine World Watch.  In 1999 and 2000, Ayres participated in the Humanity 3000 Symposium of the Foundation For the Future in Seattle, Washington, which will culminate in the production of an 8-part television series on the human future, “The Next Thousand Years.” He is author of the book God’s Last Offer: Negotiating for a Sustainable Future (1999); co-author (with Lester R. Brown) of The Worldwatch Reader (1998); and a contributor to the book Imagine: What America Could Be in the 21st Century (2000).  Ayres was also a contributor to the Time magazine special issue “Beyond 2000: 100 Questions for the New Century” (November 1999).   His writing has also appeared in The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and other publications.
 
Mr. Raymond Barre
Ancien Premier Ministre – France
 
Mr. Barre était Vice-Président Français de la Commission Unique des Communautés Européennes - responsable des Affaires Economiques et Financières (1967-1972) et Ministre du Commerce Extérieur dans le Gouvernement de Monsieur Jacques CHIRAC (12 janvier 1976 au 25 août 1976). Il était Premier Ministre, Ministre de l’Economie et des Finances, (25 août 1976 au 3 avril 1978). Elu Député (app UDF) de la 4ème circonscription du Rhône, le 12 mars 1978, il est devenu ensuite lPremier Ministre (du 3 avril 1978 au 21 mai 1981). Après, réélu Député de la 4ème Circonscription du Rhône (les : 14 juin 1981, 16 mars 1986, 8 juin 1988, 21 mars 1993 et 1er juin 1997) il devient Conseiller Régional de Rhône-Alpes (1986/1992). Aussi, il était Président de l’Institut d’Etudes des Relations Internationales (ILERI) 1988/1998 et Co-président du Forum du dialogue franco-japonais (depuis 1996). Au Lyon, il était élu Maire de Lyon le 18 juin 1995 et puis élu Président de la Communauté Urbaine de Lyon le 11 sep 95. Il est Professeur Emérite de l’Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris.
 
Alexander A. Bessmertnykh
President, Foreign Policy Association
Chairman, World Council of Former Foreign Ministers
Former Foreign Minister, USSR
 
In 1957, Mr. Bessmertnykh joined the diplomatic service and from 1970 to 1983, he was Counselor and Minister Counselor at the Soviet Embassy in the United States. He subsequently led the U.S.A. Department in the Foreign Ministry. In 1986 he became Deputy Foreign Minister, and in 1988, First Deputy Foreign Minister. In 1990-91 he served as Ambassador to the United States, and in 1991 was the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In 1992 he was elected President of the Foreign Policy Association, and in May 1993 elected the Chairman of the World Council of Former Foreign Ministers. Mr. Bessmertnykh is the author of numerous articles on diplomacy, strategic and military matters. He is full member of the Academy of Political and Social Sciences of the Russian Federation; a member of the International Academy of Creative Endeavors; and corresponding Member of the Chilean Academy of Political, Social and Moral Sciences.
 
M. Gérard Bremond
Président de Groupe Pierre & Vacances
 
 Complémentairement à ses études économiques et de gestion, Gérard Bremond a effectué des stages dans des agences d’architectes parisiens. Il se passionne également pour la musique de jazz (il fut guitariste et bassiste, ainsi que journaliste à Jazz-Hot), et pour le cinéma (il publie des articles dans des revues cinématographiques). A 24 ans, Gérard Bremond entre dans la société familiale qui exerce alors ses activités dans la construction de logements, de bureaux et d’entrepôts En 1964, Gérard Bremond rencontre Jean Vuarnet, champion olympique, qui projette de développer une station à Avoriaz. Il s’enthousiasme pour ce projet et conçoit avec les architectes Labro, Roques et Orzoni, la seule station sans voiture - Avoriaz - dont l’architecture “ mimétique ” reste unique en France. En 1973, Gérard Bremond crée le Festival International du Film Fantastique d’Avoriaz, qui devient rapidement une manifestation renommée contribuant à promouvoir dans le grand public un type d’expression cinématographique auparavant méconnu. Avec Avoriaz, Gérard Bremond acquiert une expérience globale d’aménageur, de constructeur et de gestionnaire touristique. Il décide d’élargir ses activités à d’autres stations à la montagne et à la mer. Il crée ainsi le Groupe Pierre et Vacances en développant deux principaux secteurs : l’immobilier touristique, en inventant des formules de vente aux particuliers fondées sur l’exploitation touristique des appartements de résidences de tourisme (en particulier la Nouvelle Propriété, aujourd'hui dénommée Propriété Pierre et Vacances, qui a connu un grand succès dès son lancement en 1979) ; le tourisme, par la location d'appartements et de maisons de vacances, soit dans des résidences de tourisme au cœur des stations françaises les plus renommées, soit dans des villages créés ex-nihilo et dotés d'une palette complète d'équipements sportifs et de loisirs. Gérard Bremond exerce également, depuis mars 1999, les fonctions de Président de Maison De La France, Groupement d'Intérêt Economique réunissant l'Etat, les collectivités territoriales et les professionnels, avec pour objet la promotion du tourisme français dans le monde.
 
Mr. Roger Cans
Freelance Journalist and Environmental Consultant
 
The author of many essays, books and film scripts, Mr. Cans is one of the most prominent writers on international environment and development issues in France.  He held key positions at the French daily newspaper Le Monde as Education Editor and Environment Editor, from 1976 until he became a freelance journalist and consultant in 1996.
 
Ms. Kamla Chowdhry
Member of the World Bank’s Advisory Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development
Earth Charter Commissioner
 
Dr. Chowdry is a  Chairman/Board member of several institutions, national and international, dealing with development, management, environment and ecology, rural development, women’s issues, people’s participation, irrigation, agro-forestry, etc. and has played a key role in establishing many of them. She helped in institution-building of the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (1949-61), The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (1962-72), The Institute of Rural Management, Anand, Centre for Science Development, The National Wastelands Development Board, the National Foundation for India, Centre for Women’s Development Studies, and others. Her current interests are focussed on issues relating to poverty, ecological degradation with special focus on land degradation and institutional mechanisms and strategies for the participation and involvement of the rural poor. Dr. Chowdry is presently a Member of the World Commission on Forestry and Sustainable Development, The Earth Charter Commission, and the Panel of Eminent Persons  for the World Summit for Sustainable Development. She also serves asa Board Member of the World Faith Development Dialogue (WFDD).
 
Richard M. Clugston, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Center for Respect of Life and Environment
 
Mr. Clugston is Executive Director of the Center for Respect of Life and Environment, and publisher and editor of Earth Ethics.  He also directs the Secretariat of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future and the Secretariat for the Earth Charter USA Campaign.  He is the Deputy Editor of The International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education (MCB University Publications), and serves on the steering committees of the Forum on Religion and Ecology and the Higher Education Network for Sustainability and the Environment.
 
Ms. Anne-Marie Codur
Director of the Institute in Sustainable Development Strategies
 
Dr. Anne-Marie Codur is a founding member of the University of the Middle East Project (www.ume.org), an educational NGO created in 1997 whose vision is to establish an international institution of higher learning for the people of the Middle East and North Africa, promoting academic excellence, regional cooperation, peace, and the principle of equal human dignity. Dr. Codur as served on the Board of Directors of the University of the Middle East since 1997 as the Academic Director, in charge of coordinating UME summer Institutes. Since 2000, Dr. Codur has been the Director of the Institute in Sustainable Development Strategies and is currently designing a 2-year Masters program in sustainable development strategies, especially tailored for the Middle East and North Africa region.  Her main areas of interest include studying the interrelations between population, development and environment in the developing world in general and in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in particular, as well as designing innovative curricula to promote regional cooperation and peace in the MENA region, notably on key regional issues such as sustainable development, public health, governance and public policies, civil society, human rights, women’s empowerment.
 
Mr. Peter Blaze Corcoran
Senior Fellow in Education for Sustainability
The Center for the Respect of Life and Environment
 
Mr. Corcoran is a Senior Fellow in Education for Sustainability at University Leaders for a Sustainable Future, the higher education program of The Center for the Respect of Life and Environment in Washington, D.C.  He serves as a member of the Earth Charter Education Advisory Committee, as well as being active in several NGOs and professional organizations in the Central Asian Republics, the South Pacific Island Nations, and North America. In his position as Professor of Environmental Studies and Environmental Education at Florida Gulf Coast University, he teaches courses in sustainability, environmental philosophy, and environmental literature.
 
Mr. Paddy Coulter
Director, Reuters Foundation
 
John (Paddy) Coulter is currently Director of the Reuters Foundation university fellowship programme at Green College, Oxford.  He was previously Director of the International Broadcasting Trust where he commissioned and produced more than 100 television programmes on international issues.  He was Head of Communications at Oxfam from 1982-1987 and received an award  in the January 2000 British Honours List for his services to development awareness.
 
Ms. Severn Cullis-Suzuki
Member of the United Nations Secretary General’s Panel for the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Earth Charter Commissioner
 
Ms. Cullis-Suzuki has been active in environmental and social justice work since kindergarten.  When she was nine she founded the Environmental Children's Organization (ECO), which attended the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 where 12 year old Severn closed a Plenary Session with a powerful speech that received a standing ovation.  Since then, Ms. Cullis-Suzuki has been an active spokesperson for youth, the environment and indigenous peoples, received one of UNEP’s Global 500 Awards, and served as an Earth Charter Commissioner.  She is currently a senior at Yale University, studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
 
Ms. Karine Danielyan
Associate Professor
Yerevan State University, Armenia
 
Ms. Danielyan is a highly respected academician and former Minister for Nature Protection in the Republic of Armenia.  She is also the UNDP national expert on sustainable development, President of the national association “For Sustainable Human Development”, and Chairperson of the non-govermental sector of the National Council of  Sustainable  Development in Armenia.
 
Ms. Kristin Dawkins
Vice President for International Programs
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
 
Kristin Dawkins has been with the Institute since 1991. Her own research has focused on food security, environmental policy and intellectual property rights. Kristin travels widely, representing the Institute at a broad range of international negotiations and conferences. She has published numerous articles in journals from the U.S., Europe, Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa and elsewhere. She is the author of Gene Wars: The Politics of Biotechnology and producer of The Ownership of Life: When Patents and Values Clash.
 
Kristin Dawkins came to the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy from the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation, where she was senior writer for their international publication Consensus. From 1973 to 1989, Kristin worked in community development and related public policy in Philadelphia. During that period, she served nine years as executive director of the Philadelphia Jobs In Energy Project, three years with Food and Energy Systems, Inc. and two years as director of research and public policy for the Institute for the Study of Civic Values. In addition, she helped coordinate several coalitions including the Pennsylvania Energy Ratepayers Coalition and the Community Labor Alliance and taught "Spanish for Activists" for six years. In each of these positions, Kristin's work has emphasized the role of citizens in policy formulation.
 
Mr. Thomas C. Dawson II
Director of External Relations
International Monetary Fund
 
Before taking up his current position as Director of the International Monetary Fund's External Relations Department, in 1999, Mr. Dawson was a Director in the Financial Institutions Group of Merrill Lynch, where he had been responsible for the firm's relationships with the IMF, the World Bank and other multilateral institutions since 1993. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Mr. Dawson served fas the Executive Director for the United States at the IMF, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Developing Nations at the U.S. Department of Treasury.
 
Mr. Michel de Fabiani
Regional President for Europe
British Petroleum
 
Mr. de Fabiani joined the BP Group in 1969.  In 1994, he became Commercial and Industry Director of BP Oil Europe.  In 1995, he became Associate President of BP France.  In 1997, he became Chief Executive Officer of the BP/Mobil European Fuels Joint Venture and since January 1999 has been BP’s Regional President for Europe.  Mr. de Fabiani is also a Vice President of EUROPIA (European Oil Industry Association) in Brussels, and has been appointed a Board Member of the French Petroleum Institute.
 
Mr. François Démarcq
General Manager
French Agency for environment and energy management (ADEME)
 
Mr. Démarcq is the General Manager of ADEME, the French Agency for the environment and energy management, a governmental entity in charge of promoting energy efficiency and renewables, as well as protecting the environment.  Previously he worked in various positions in the French Ministry of Environment, where he was an adviser to two ministers, was Director of the Nuclear Safety Account at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and, from 1995 to 1998, Secretary General with SOCCRAM, a private firm working in the district heating industry in France and Poland.
 
Mr. Yves-Thibault de Silguy
Director-General of Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux
 
Mr. de Silguy started his career at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he mainly dealt with economic coperation and financial affairs (GATT, North/South Conference, EEC matters and especially agriculture). After a first appointement with the European Commission, as adviser to the Vice-President -Economic & Monetary Affairs for three years, he  joined  the French Embassy in Washington as Counsellor for economic affairs. Returning to France in 1986, Yves-Thibault de Silguy joined the staff of Prime Minister Jacques Chirac as an adviser on European and international economic affairs for two years (1986-88)  and then the private sector, as International Director of Usinor Sacilor, a leading steel manufacturer. In April 1993, he was appointed to the Interministerial Commitee on European Economic Cooperation as Secretary-General for two years and, at the same time, served as a counsellor to Prime Minister Edouard Balladur on European affairs, and notably for the preparation of G7 summits.  In 1995 he was appointed European Commissioner in charge of the Economic, Monetary et Financial Affairs up until 1999. In January 2000, Yves-Thibault de Silguy joined Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux  and since May 2001 he is the Senior Executive Vice President of SUEZ, in charge of International Affairs, Institutional relationships and water resources.
 
 
Mr. Hama Arba Diallo
Executive Secretary
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
Mr. Diallo is the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Prior to this, he was the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) during the preparations for the Rio Summit. He was also in charge of the preparatory process for UNCED in Africa.  Previous to his UN activities, Mr. Diallo served 24 years as a top official in the state and foreign ministries of Burkina Faso. In 1983, he became Minister of Foreign Affairs. From 1988 – 89 he served as Ambassador of Burkina Faso to China, India and Japan.
 
Mr. Mohamed T. El-Ashry
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
 
Dr. El-Ashry  was the Chief Environmental Adviser to the President and Director of the Environment Department (1991-94) at the World Bank.  He also served as Chairman of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) during its Pilot Phase (1991-94).  Dr. El-Ashry received his B.S. degree with honors in 1959 from Cairo University, and his Ph.D. degree in geology in 1966 from the University of Illinois.  Prior to joining the World Bank, he served as Senior Vice President with the World Resources Institute (WRI), and as Director of Environmental Quality with the Tennessee Valley Authority.  He has held teaching and research positions at Cairo University, Pan-American-U.A.R. Oil Company, Illinois Geological Survey, Wilkes University and the Environmental Defense Fund.  He served as Senior Environmental Adviser to UNDP, and as Special Adviser to the Secretary General of the 1992 U.N. Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
 
Mr. Bertrand Fessard de Foucault
Chairman
ETHYS, a French Ethical and Jointly Liable Asset Management Company
 
Mr. Fessard de Foucault worked from 1975 to 1992 as a French Economical and Trade Adviser specialising in countries undergoing major economical and political changes in Southern and Eastern Europe, before serving as the first French Ambassador  in Kazakhstan from 1992 to 1995.   His current position is Chairman of ETHYS which concentrates on three questions of environmental philosophy: the French evolution of the ”question sociale “; solidarity between human beings, animals and the environment; and the reliability of Government commitments.
 
Mr. Albert Fry
Program Manager for Natural Resources
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
 
Mr. Fry has managed the WBCSD’s Natural Resources program since 1996.  Previously he has been a consultant for numerous businesses and United Nations organisations, was Director of the International Environmental Bureau in Geneva, and worked for many years for the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other Executive Branch agencies of the U. S. Government.
 
Mr. Claude Fussler
Director of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
 
In this role, Mr. Fussler leads the WBCSD’s preparation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, September 2002. He works with the UN agencies, OECD, the European Commission and the major stakeholders to improve the business sectors contribution to Sustainable Development. Prior to this role he had been Vice President for Dow Europe until September 2001. He also acted as Director for Stakeholder Relations for the WBCSD since August 1999.  Mr. Fussler is the author of the business book Driving Eco-Innovation where he articulates his proposals for strengthening competitive advantage and innovation through a business vision of Sustainable Development.
 
 
Mr. Massimo Galuzzi
Mayor of Urbino (Italy)
 
Mr. Galuzzi has been the Mayor of Urbino since 1993. Committed to the development of the local territory, he was soon elected member of the City Council. Before leading the local government, he was nominated Assessor for Urban development giving him the opportunity to work directly for the protection of Urbino’s historical and artistic heritage. In 1993, Mr. Galuzzi became a board member of the University of Urbino. As a Mayor particularly dedicated to social issues, he has been honored by UNICEF and granted the title of “Defender of Children’s Rights”. On May 25th 2001, the Urbino City Council officially gave its support to the Earth Charter and on July 2nd 2001, the City of Urbino was the promoter of the presentation of the Earth Charter by Mikhail Gorbachev.
 
Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev
President, International Foundation for Socio-Economic and Political Studies (The Gorbachev Foundation)
President, Green Cross International
 
Since 1992, the Honourable Mikhail Gorbachev has been President of both the International Foundation for Socio-Economic and Political Studies (The Gorbachev Foundation) and Green Cross International. He is the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (1990), the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner of Labour, and the Badge of Honour. Mikhail Gorbachev served as President of the Soviet Union from 1990-1991 and as General Secretary of the Polit Bureau of the Central Committee, Communist Party of Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. He aslo served as Deputy of Supreme Soviet from 1970-1990 and acted as Chairman for the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Soviet of the Union from1984-85. From 1985-1990 he was a Member in the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, serving as President from 1989-1990.
 
Mr. Inder Kumar Gujral
Ex-Prime Minister, India
 
Mr. Inder Kumar Gujral served as Prime Minister of India from 1997 to 1998. He was India’s Minister of External Affairs in 1989-1990 and again in 1996-1997. Mr. Gujral participated in India’s struggle for independence from Great Britain and was jailed in 1942 during the “Quit India” Movement. He was an alternate leader of the Indian delegation to the UNESCO sessions in 1970, 1972 and 1974 and was a member of the Indian delegation to the U.N. session on environment in Stockholm in 1972. He served as a special envoy to several nations in Africa, and to Bulgaria and was the accompanying Minister to President of India during state visits to Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Egypt and Sudan. He was Union Minister of State in Indira Gandhi’s cabinet. As Prime Minister, he held 8 ministerial portfolios.
 
Mr. Jörg Haas
Coordinator for Activities on the World Summit on Sustainable Development Johannesburg 2002
Heinrich Boell Foundation
 
Mr. Haas is currently head of the Environment and Sustainable development Section of the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation, a German political foundation. He coordinates the Foundations' extensive activitities in preparation of the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development. Previously he headed the Latin America Department of the Heinrich Böll Foundation and worked for a German Technical Cooperation in a rainforest conservation project in Ecuador.
 
Mr. Vahit Melih Halefoglu
Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Turkey
 
Vahit Melih Halefoglu was born in Antakya (Turkey) in1919. In 1943, he joined the Turkish Foreign Service. From 1947 to1959, Mr Halefoglu served in Vienna, Moscow, London and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara and from 1962 to 1983 he was Ambassador in Beirut, Kuwait, Moscow, The Hague and Bonn. In 1983, Mr. Halefoglu became Minister of Foreign Affairs and occupied this position till 1987, while in1986, he was elected Member of Parliament. In these capacities he participated in many international conferences as Head of Turkish delegation, and also chaired the Council of Europe and Joint Council of the Foreign Ministers of the European Community. Mr. Halefoglu relinquished his active political life by not participating in general elections of 1987. He holds Lebanese, Finnish, British, German, Saoudi, French (Legion d’Honeur) awards and is Dr. Honoris Causa from Ege University (Izmir).
 
Mr. Roger Harrabin
Environment Correspondent
British Broadcasting Corporation
 
Mr. Harrabin is environment correspondent for the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme,  an associate Press Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge, and co-director of  the Cambridge Media and Environment Programme - an organisation founded to engage media gate-keepers in debates on sustainable development. He has been reporting environment, transport, energy and development issues for the BBC for 17 years.
 
Ms. Hazel Henderson
Author and Evolutionary Economist
 
Ms. Henderson, author and evolutionary economist has published s six books translated in major languages, the latest: Beyond Globalization and Building a Win-Win World, and her editorials are regularly syndicated to 400 newspapers worldwide.  She serves on many editorial boards, including Worldwatch Institute (1975-2001), The Cousteau Society, and The New Economics Foundation (UK),and is partner of the Calvert-Henderson Quality of Life Indicators.  She held the Horace Albright Chair at the University of California, Berkeley (1982) and served on the Advisory Council of the US Office of Technology Assessment (1974-1980) and Committees of the National Science Foundation and the National Academy of Engineering.
 
M. Pierre Héritier
Secrétaire Général, Association Lasaire
Ancien responsable du syndicat national
 
M. Héritier est Fondateur et Secrétaire Général du Laboratoire Social (LASAIRE). Il s’agit d’un lieu d’échanges pluralistes et européens et d’un laboratoire qui propose des diagnostics, des problématiques de débats et des propositions sur les enjeux socio-économiques internationaux. Il est auteur de plusieurs ouvrages dont « Nouvelle Croissance et Emploi », et « Gouverner Sans le Peuple » qui évoquent de nouveaux compromis sociaux intégrant les exigences du développement durable.
 
Mr. Gome Gnohite Hilaire
President
Green Cross Cote d’Ivoire
 
Mr. Hilaire is president of the Green Cross national organisation in Cote d’Ivoire, as well as regional representative for West Africa for the American NGO Earth Island Institute, which specialises in the protection of marine mammals.  Under Mr. Hilaire’s leadership, Green Cross Cote d’Ivoire has implemented the pioneering « Sacred Forests » project to save the remaining significant forests in the country and raise public awareness.  Mr. Hilaure is also active in many other environment associations nationally and regionally, has published several works, played an important role in motivating African youth for the Rio Earth Summit, and is particularly focused on the links between cultural heritage, security and the environment.
 
Mr. Michael Hoelz
Global Head of Public Affairs and Sustainable Development
Deutsche Bank
 
Mr. Hoelz is currently the Global Head of Public Affairs and Sustainable Development at Deutsche Bank. He is a board member of several Deutsche Bank organizations including the Alfred-Herrhausen-Society for International Dialogue, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation and Deutsche Bank Africas Foundation. His responsibilities include representing Deutsche Bank in national and international committees, such as UNEP’s Financial Initiative, Global Compact of the UN, Global Reporting Initiative, Bellagio Forum, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
 
Mr. John Hoyt
President Emeritus, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
Earth Charter Commissioner
 
Mr. Hoyt has served as Chief Executive Officer of the HSUS from 1970 to 1997 and as President from 1970 to 1992. As former President and a Member of the Board of Directors of the Centre for respect of Life and Environment, Mr. Hoyt is involved with international initiatives to establish the ethical foundations of a just and sustainable future. Mr. Hoyt is also a former President of EarthKind USA. For four years, Mr. Hoyt served as the elected President and served as a Member of the Executive Committee of the World Society for the Potection of Animals, based in London. From 1973 to 1994, he served as President and Chairmanof the Board of the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education. He is forer President and a Member of he Board of Directors of the International Center fo Earth Concerns; a Member of the Earth Charter Commission; a Member of the Board of Advisors of the Albert Schweitzer insitute for the Humanities; former President of the Center for Earth Concerns in Costa Rica; a Member of the International Advisory Board of the Center for Visionary Leadership; and a Member of the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Council for the Protection of Animals and Nature.
 
Mr. George Iacovou
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cyprus
 
Mr. Iacovou was an Independent candidate in the Cypriot Presidential Elections in February 1998. He won 49.2% of the popular vote, narrowly missing unseating the incumbent President. He served as President of the Hellenic National Foundation for Overseas and Repatriated Greeks from 1993-1997. He served two terms of office as Minister of Foreign affairs from 1983-1993. Previously he served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Ambassador of Cyprus to the Federal republic of Germany, and a senior official of the office to the UNHCR in Geneva. In 1974 he was responsible for masterminding and implementing the programme for the relief and rehabilitation of 200,000 displaced persons in Cyprus, the success of which received international acclaim. Mr. Iacovou’s earlier career was in the private sector as executive and professional management consultant.
 
Mr. Peter Johnston
European Commission DG Information Society
 
Dr Peter Johnston is responsible for research and development of information society technologies related to new methods of work. He has worked with the Information Society DG of the European Commission since 1988. He has been responsible for the strategic planning of European telecommunications research (the RACE and ACTS programmes), and helped prepare the 5th Framework Programme. He has also had responsibility for EC actions in the area of telework stimulation, electronic commerce, multi-media access to cultural heritage, and for sustainable development in a knowledge economy. Dr Johnston has wide experience in international research co-ordination: from 1976 to 1984, he worked at the OECD, and from 1984 to 1988 he was responsible for research on pollution control in the UK Department of Environment.
 
Mr. Raymond Jost
General Secretary
International Secretariat for Water
 
After more than 20 years working in education, psychology and on many questions related to youth and development, Mr. Jost’s attention turned to water when he took on the task of organizing the international forum "Water is Life", held in Montreal in June 1990.  This forum brought together a hundred delegates involved in sustainable water management around the world and gave birth to the International Secretariat for Water.  Raymond Jost, founder and current General Secretary, has been responsible for its organization, development and expansion ever since.
 
Ms. Yolanda Kakabadse Navarro
President of the World Conservation Union (IUCN)
Earth Charter Commissioner
 
Ms. Kakabadse began her nexus with the environmental conservation movement officially began in 1979, when she was appointed Executive Director of Fundación Natura in Quito, where she worked until 1990. Ms. Kakabadse helped Fundación Natura become one of Latin America’s most important environmental organizations through the development of important processes for Ecuadorian society and the international community: from environmental education to the proposal of development policies. From 1990 until 1992, Ms. Kakabadse coordinated the participation of civil society organizations in the United Nations Conference for Environment and Development (Earth Summit) in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1993, she founded Fundación Futuro Latinoamericano, an NGO where she acts as Executive President. In August 1998, she was appointed Minister of Environment for the Republic of Ecuador; a position she held until January 2000. During 2001 she was an invited professor at Yale’s School of Forestry and Environment, USA.
 
Mr. Bakary Kante
Director, Division of Policy Development and Law
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
 
After having worked for the Ministry of Housing and Environment, Mr. Kante became the Director General of the Ministry of Environment in Senegal.  He remained in this position for 15 years. From 1997 to 1999 he was the Chairman of the SBI, the subsidiary body for policy implementation of the United Nations Forum on Climate Change.  In March 1999 he joined UNEP, initially as Special Advisor to the Executive Director, and from June 1999 as Director for the Division of Policy Development and Law. As Director he is responsible for the development of UNEP's policies on emerging regional and global environmental issues.  This includes policies in the areas of water, climate, land, biodiversity, and urban environmental issues.  He is also responsible for UNEP's law programme, the cooperation with Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society organisations, the cooperation between UNEP and its sister agencies within the UN, and UNEP's cooperation with partner outside the UN system.
 
Mr. Ednan Oskonovich Karabaev
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Kyrgyz Republic
 
During his long and distinguished political career, Mr. Karabaev has served as State Secretary, Head of the Presidential Staff and Deputy of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic.  From 1992 to 1994, he held the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic. Since 1994 he has been working in the sphere of higher education, and at present Mr. Karabaev is a professor and Vice Rector for International Relations of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University in Bishkek, where he is also the Chair of International Relations.  He is a member of the World Council of Former Foreign Ministers, and in 1998 he became President of the United Nations Association of the Kyrgyz Republic. Since 1999 he has also been an adviser to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on social and political problems.
 
Mr. Marwan S. Kasim
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jordan
 
Mr. Marwan S. Kasim joined the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Amman in 1962. In 1962-1966 and 1968-1972 he was a member of Jordanian Permanent delegation to The United Nations, then he served as Acting Director of the Protocol Department at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Amman (1966-1967),
as First Secretary at Jordanian Embassy in Beirut (1967-1968) and in Washington (1968-1972), advisor to H.R.H. Crown Prince Hassan Bin Talal (1972-1974), Secretary General of the Royal Hashemite Court (1974-1976) in Amman, Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs (1976), Minister of Supply and Provisions (1976-1979), Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (1979-1980), Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court (1984-1988), Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs (1988-1991), Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee, Senate (1989-1993), Political Advisor to H.M. King Hussein Bin Talal, Chief of Royal Hashemite Court (1993-1996).
 
 
Mr. Ashok Khosla
President
Development Alternatives.
 
Mr. Khosla is currently president of the international NGO Development Alternatives.  In addition, he is President of Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA), CEO of TARAhaat, Managing Trustee of People First, and Chairman of DESI Power Pvt Ltd.  Previously, Mr. Khosla was Director of the Office of Environment, Government of India, and Director, INFOTERRA in the United Nations Environment Programme.  Has been a consultant to the World Bank, United Nations and various inter-governmental and government agencies, Special Advisor to the Brundtland Commission, and Vice President of the Club of Rome.
 
Mr. Robert Lamb
Director
Television Trust for the Environment (TVE)
 
Mr. Lamb started his career in mass media communications as a BBC News Trainee.  After a period at ATV (now Carlton) he joined International Institute for Environment and Development-Earthscan in 1977.  He has been involved in environment and development communications and policy work ever since, as Communications Director at IUCN, Policy Adviser and Science Writer at UNEP, and, since 1984, Director of TVE.
 
Mr. Bernard Léon
Director of Reed Expositions
France Environment Division
 
Mr. Léon has been working in the field of environment and technology expositions since the 1960s.  In 1976, he was involved in the launch of the Pollutec, of which he would become Director in 1986. He turned Pollutec into one of the world’s leading environment shows (2,000 exhibitors, 60,000 visitors in 2000), covering many fields (from waste to renewable sources of energy, air treatment, analysis/measurement/control and the management of industrial risks). Since 1999, as the Director of the Reed Expositions France Environment Division, Bernard Léon is also responsible for the Ecomed Pollutec (Spain), Environnement et Cadre de Vie shows, and the magazine Environnement et Technique.
 
Ms. Marie-Noelle Lienemann
State Secretary for Housing
France
 
Before becoming State Secretary for Housing in 2001, Ms. Lienemann was Mayor of Athis-Mons (1989-2001), Minister for Housing (1992-1993) and member of the National Assembly (1988-1992). At the European Parliament, as member (1984-1988) (1994-1999) and as Vice-President (1999-2001), she specialised in the issue of sustainable development related to ecology and the social questions, and made a report on the Community’s policy in the field of water.
 
Mr. Budimir Loncar
Former Foreign Minister, Yugoslavia
International Affairs Consultant
 
Mr. Loncar is author of numerous articles on foreign policy and international affairs, published in Yugoslavia and abroad. He served as Chairman of the Editorial Council of the “Review of International Affairs”, from 1980-1991. From 1984 – 1991, Mr. Loncar  headed Yugoslav delegations for the Conference of European Security and Cooperation as well as Continental and Regional Cooperation. In addition, he has been a Participant and Chair of numerous Non-Aligned Movement Conferences and Ministerial meetings. From 1987-1991, he worked in the Ministry of Foreign  Affairs in Former Yugoslavia, acting as Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the USA, West Germany and Indonesia (accredited to Malaysia and Singapore). Other roles include from 1996 to the present his work as Special advisor to the President for the Appeal of Conscience Foundation in New York and consultancy work for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in Geneva.
 
Mr. Ruud Lubbers
United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees
 
Mr. Lubbers, a former Dutch Prime Minister, began his appointment as UNHCR’s new High Commissioner on 1 January 2001.  High Commissioner Lubbers was appointed to a three-year term, nominated by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. His last post was as head of the World Wide Fund for Nature. He served as Prime Minister continuously from 1982 to 1994, the longest-serving post-war premier.  After leaving politics he taught university courses on globalization and sustainable development at Tilburg University in the Netherlands and as a visiting professor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in the United States.  He was also vice-chairman of the Independent World Commission on the Oceans and chair of Globus, the Institute for Globalization and Development based in Tilburg.
 
Mr. Marc Luyckx
Director, Vision 2020
 
Né à Louvain en Belgique le 20 avril 1942, marié et père de 6 enfants. Il vit aux environs de Bruxelles. Après une formation en mathématiques, et en philosophie, il obtint une licence (4ans) en théologie latine et ensuite un doctorat en théologie Russe et Grecque. Il a vécu et enseigné en Italie, Russie, Brésil, Etats Unis, et à Bruxelles. De 90à 99, il a été membre de la « Cellule de Prospective de la Commission Européenne ». Il y a conseillé les Président Delors et Santer, sur les questions liées aux Religions, à l’éthique, ainsi qu’au sens de la construction européenne. Il a aussi beaucoup étudié les questions liées au changement de paradigme et ses conséquences pour l’Europe. Il est maintenant Directeur de « Vision 2020 », à Bruxelles, un centre de réflexion sur les changements qui secouent nos sociétés.
 
His Holiness Vishwaguru Sri Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda
Author of the System « Yoga in Daily Life »
Founder of International Sri Deep Madhavananda Ashram Fellowship
 
His Holiness is the disciple of His Holiness Hindu Dharmsamraj Paramhans Sri Swami Madhavanandaji Maharaj. In 1970 he went to Europe and has bein residing in Vienna, Austria, since 1972. Here he compiled his scientific master-system of »Yoga In Daily Life«, which teaches how to achieve good health, inner peace and harmony by using yoga, meditation and spiritual development by promoting the following principles: Physical, Mental, Social and Spiritual Health; Respect for life of all living beings; Tolerance of all religions, cultures and nationalities; and Protection of human rights and the environment. In 1981 the International Sri Deep Madhavananda Ashram Fellowship was founded as an umbrella organization for all Centres. This organization is non-denominational and has programmes, which are conducted in government health centres, hospitals, community organizations, as well as in rehabilitation, sports and cultural institutions worldwide serving those who need various kinds of help.
 
Mr. Michel Margnes
Président du Conseil d'Administration de la Compagnie Nationale du Rhône
Conseiller Maître à la Cour des Comptes
 
De 1997 – 2001, Mr. Margnes était Président de l'Association Technique de l'Importation Charbonnière (ATIC) Services SA  et de 1989 – 2001, Directeur Général.  De 1981 – 1984, Mr. Margnes était Détaché à la Commission des Finances de l'Assemblée Nationale et de 1965 – 1984, Direction Générale des Impôts. Autres fonctions dans le domaine de l'Energie et de la Logistique incluent : Membre du Comité consultatif CECA : Commission Européenne du Charbon et de l'Acier ; Administrateur de sociétés de manutention portuaire à Amsterdam, Rotterdam et Terneuzen ; et Administrateur de la Compagnie Française de Navigation Rhénane (CFNR). Ses fonctions élective et politiques incluent Conseiller Général des Hauts-de-Seine de 1988-1994 et Député des Hauts-de-Seine de 1986-1988.
 
Mr. Leon Marshall
Summit Specialist for Independent Group (press)
 
Mr. Marshall has extensive newspaper experience, having been a political writer and editor; and managing editor and editor of papers in South Africa’s Independent Newspapers Group - with 14 titles in its stable, the group is the country’s largest. He currently has the dual position of being the group editorial co-ordinator and the group eco-tourism writer, in which capacity he is also Editor of the group’s coverage on the World Summit for Sustainable Development.
 
Mr. Dennis Meadows
Director, Institute for Policy and Social Science Research, University of New Hampshire
Professor of Policy Systems
 
Between 1969 and 1988, Mr. Meadows was on the faculty of the MIT System Dynamics Group, The Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business, and the Dartmouth College Thayer School of Engineering. As a young faculty member he took a year’s leave of absence from MIT and drove from London to Sri Lanka and back. That trip gave him the incentive and many useful insights for a life-long career focused on the interaction of economy, politics, ecology, technology, and culture as they influence long-term patterns of development in human societies. As the author or co-author, Mr. Meadows has written eight books on aspects of forecasting, systems analysis, sustainable development, social change, and the global economy. Included is the most widely sold computer simulation book in history, The Limits to Growth.  He designs sophisticated games to convey principles of systems thinking for managers in the corporate and public sectors and has been president of both the System Dynamics Society and the International Simulation and Games Association. He was a co-founder of Resource Systems Group and has been on the Board of Directors of New Hampshire Blue Cross/Blue Shield Corporation and WindSolar.
 
Mr. Gerard Mestrallet
Président-Directeur Général de Suez
 
Né à Paris le 1er avril 1949, Gérard Mestrallet était Président du Directoire de Suez jusqu’au 4 mai 2001 et en est devenu le Président-Directeur Général. Il est par ailleurs Président du Conseil d’Administration de Tractebel et de la Société Générale de Belgique, administrateur de Saint-Gobain et de l’Ecole Polytechnique, membre du Conseil de Surveillance des sociétés AXA, Casino, Crédit Agricole Indosuez et Société du Louvre. Gérard Mestrallet est conseiller auprès du Maire de Shangai, membre du « Council of International Advisers » du gouvernement de Hong Kong et Conseiller du Maire de Séoul.
 
Gérard Mestrallet a été Administrateur civil à la Direction du Trésor, puis Conseiller Technique pour les Affaires Industrielles de M. Jacques Delors, Ministre de l’Economie et des Finances. En 1984, Gérard Mestrallet est entré à la Compagnie de Suez, en tant que Chargé de Mission. En 1986, il est nommé Délégué général adjoint pour les affaires industrielles. En février 1991, Gérard Mestrallet est nommé Administrateur délégué et Président du Comité de Direction de la Société Générale de Belgique et ce jusqu’en octobre 1995. En juillet 1995, Gérard Mestrallet a été nommé Président-Directeur Général de la Compagnie de Suez.
 
Ms. Rita Levi-Montalcini
Guest Professor, Institute of Neurobiology, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
 
Ms. Levi-Montalcini has held the above position since 1996. Prior to that she served from 1993-1998 as President of the Institute of the Italian Encyclopedia. Between 1961and 1995 she held several posts at CNR including Director of the Neurobiology Research Center and the Cellular Biology Laboratory, Professor and Super-expert. From 1947 to 1977, Ms. Levi-Montalcini served in various academic positions at the Institutes of Zoology and Biology at Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA. During World War I, she worked clandestinely on her neuroembryology research at home in Turin after a racially motivated expulsion from the University of Turin, Her work during this time eventually brought her to Florence from 1943-1945, where she worked as a volunteer physician with Allied forces.
 
Mr. Taro Nakayama
Former Foreign Minister, Japan
Member of the House of Representatives, Japan
 
On July 2001, Mr. Nakayama was re-elected as Chairman of the Research Commission on the Constitution of the House of Representatives, a post he began in January 2000. He had previously served in 1999, as Chairman of the research Commission on Foreign Affairs and Chaiman of the Political Reform Headquarters. Throughout the late 1990s, Mr. Nakayama has held previous posts as a Member of the General Council, Chairman of Political Reform Headquarters and Grand Cordon of the First Order of Merit Rising Sun. In 1989, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs to Mr. Kaif’s First Cabinet and in 1990, to Mr. Kaif’s Second Cabinet. 
 
Mr. Ibrahim Ozdemir
Professor, Divinity School of Ankara University, Turkey
 
Ibrahim Ozdemir is Assistant Professor at the Divinity School of Ankara University, Turkey. He received his Ph.D. degree from the Middle East Technical University. He is the author of The Ethical Dimension of Human Attitude Towards Nature, Cevre ve Din (Environment and Religion), Yaln¦z Gezegen, (Lonely Planet: Essays on Environmental Ethics and Philosophy), and Postmodern Dusunceler (Potmodern Thoughts: Essays On philosophy, philosophy of Science, and Postmodernity). His major interests are environmental philosophy, environmental ethics and interfaith activities. He is an interfaith and environmental activist.
 
M. Yves Paccalet
Ecrivain, journaliste, cinéast
 
M. Paccalet a fait ses études de philosophie à l'Ecole Normale Supérieure. A la rencontre du commandant Jacques-Yves Cousteau, il devient son "bras droit" de 1975 à 1990. Mr. Paccalet a écrit plus de cinquante livres sur la mer, la montagne, et l'environnement. Il collabore à divers magazines et journaux : Terre Sauvage, puis le Nouvel Observateur, le Figaro Magazine, etc. Et à la radio sur Europe 1, tous les dimanches, il présente une émission sur la Terre.
 
Mr. Vladimir Petrovsky
Director General of the United Nations Office at Geneva
 
Mr. Petrovsky, a career diplomat, joined the Soviet diplomatic service in 1957 and was posted to the Permanent Mission of the Soviet Union to the United Nations from 1961. From then until 1964, he served with the Office of the Foreign Minister in Moscow. From 1964 to 1971, he was assigned to the United Nations Secretariat in New York. Upon returning to Moscow, he held senior positions at the Foreign Ministry. From 1971 to 1979, he was with the Foreign Policy Planning Staff dealing with Soviet/American relations. He participated in the preparation of the Helsinki Final Act and the Final Document of the First Special Session on Disarmament. In 1979, he was appointed as Head of the Department of International Organizations in the Foreign Ministry and received the rank of Ambassador, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. In 1986, he became Deputy Foreign Minister and in 1991, First Deputy Foreign Minister. In 1992, Mr. Petrovsky was appointed Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. In March 1993, he was appointed Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva and in October of the same year, Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament and Personal Representative of the Secretary General to the Conference. In parallel with his diplomatic career, Mr. Petrovsky has always been actively involved in academia. Professor Petrovsky holds a Doctorate in History and is a member of the Boards of various Russian and international institutions and academies.
 
Ms. Ann Pettifor
Director of Jubilee Research, The New Economics Foundation                              
 
In 1996, Ms.Pettifor co-founded the Jubilee 2000 movement for the cancellation of the debts of the poorest countries in London, which grew into "one of the most effective global campaigns". In May 1998, she led the mobilisation of more than 70,000 people in Birmingham, who formed a human chain around the annual Summit of world leaders – the G8, and demanded debt cancellation. A year later, the G8 agreed at their Cologne Summit to cancel $110bn of debt owed by  41 of the poorest countries. Ms Pettifor now leads Jubilee Research @ the New Economics Foundation, London, which provides research, analysis and intelligence to economic justice campaigners worldwide.
 
Mr. Rodney Pinder
Editor, Video News Reuters
 
Rodney Pinder is responsible for all general news production globally for television and the internet.  He moved to London from Singapore in 1998 to take up this job after nearly 20 years as a foreign correspondent and news executive, working in all three hemispheres. As News Editor for Asia 1994-1998 he was in charge of all  Reuters text, television and news pictures coverage of the region. He directly supervised coverage of the end of British rule in Hong Kong, the death of Deng Xiaopeng and the fall of Suharto.  He was Reuters Bureau Chief  for News and Television in South Africa 1990-1994 where he reported the end of apartheid and the transition to black rule. He also coordinated Reuters pictures and television coverage and in 1991 led the Reuters multimedia team covering the Gulf War.
 
Metropolitan Pitirim (Konstantin Vladimirovich Nechaev)
Metropolitan of Volokolamsk and Yiuriev
 
In 1951, Konstantin Nechaev graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy. He remained at the Academy as a titular professor and lecturer on patristics and the history of Western religions. In 1959 he took monastic vows in the Holy Trinity — St. Sergius Lavra and received the name Pitirim in honour of St. Pitirim of Tambov, the holy patron of his family for centuries. In 1959 he was appointed Inspector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary and in 1960 — editor-in-chief of the Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate. In 1963 he was consecrated bishop of Volokolamsk and the vicar of the Moscow region. In 1971 Bishop Pitirim was elevated to the rank of archbishop and in 1986 was consecrated Metropolitan of Volokolamsk and Yiuriev. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Foundation for Survival and Development of Humanity. His scientific interests lie in the field of orthodox anthropology, mystical theology and asceticism, history of Slavonic translations of the Bible and more broadly — of Russian spiritual culture. Nowadays he continues his publishing and enlightening activities, manages faculties of theology and of Russian cultural legacy in a few secular universities of Moscow.
 
Mr. Franz Josef Radermacher
Professor, Ulm University
 
Since 1987, Mr. Radermacher has been Scientific Director of FAW (Research Institute for Applied Knowledge Pro-ces-s-ing) in Ulm  and also holds a faculty position for Data Bases / Artificial In-tellig-ence at the Univ-ersity of Ulm. From 1983-1987, he was Professor of Computer Science and Operations Research at the Univ-ersity of Passau. His Doctoral degrees are in Mathematics  and in Economics; habilitation in mathe-matics at TH Aachen. He’s been a Steering Committee member in various committees on national and international level, e.g. since 1997 Information Society Forum of the European Comm-ission (ISF) and Forum 2000 of the German Government since 1996. In 2000, he was a Member of the Scientific Advisory Council of the EXPO 2000, Member of the Scientific Advisory Council of the Federal Ministry for Transport, Building and Housing, and Chairman of the „Global Society Dialogue“, initiated by the EU ISF. Since 2001, he’s been Vice-President Eco-Social Forum Europe.
 
Ms. Henriette Rasmussen
Earth Charter Commissioner
Educator and Journalist.
 
Ms. Rasmussen is Managing Director of Greenland Publishers in Nuuk, Greenland. She is a former Minister for Social Affairs and former Chief Technical Advisor in the International Labour Office on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, in Geneva.
 
Mr. Bruno Rebelle
Directeur Général Greenpeace France
 
Diplômé de l’école nationale vétérinaire de Lyon en 1981, Mr. Rebelle exerce dès 1984 son activité de vétérinaire dans le parc régional du Vercors. Dans le même temps, il fonde avec quelques amis l’association de solidarité internationale “Vétérinaires sans frontières” (VSF) qui établit son siège à Lyon. Il est aussi appelé à occuper différents mandats dans les instances nationales de représentation des organisations de solidarité internationales. Il quitte VSF en 1996 et devient Consultant indépendant pour le compte de différentes organisations internationales, telles que la Commission européenne, le Fonds international de développement agricole, ou encore le WWF International. En novembre 1997, il est invité à prendre la Direction de Greenpeace France et publie en janvier 1999 aux Editions de Brouwer “Libres associations – ambitions et limites du modèle associatif”.
 
Ms. Zulmara Salvador
Adviser for Foreign Affairs, Municipal Environmental Secretariat of Sao Paulo
 
Ms. Salvador graduated in Sociology, São Paulo University, 1986 and earned a Master in Anthropology, São Paulo University, 1992. From 1997 – 2000, Ms. Salvador served as Adviser, State of São Paulo Environmental Secretary, after being a Foreign Affairs Adviser for the Mayor of the city of Diadema, Brazil. Other activities have included her participation as São Paulo representative, in "Forum Grandes Metropoles du Tiers Monde", in France, 1991 and in "Forum Habitation au Tiers Monde", Tunisia in 1992.
 
Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp
Earth Charter Commissioner, Netherlands
 
Rabbi Soetendorp was born in Amsterdam in 1943. As an infant , he was saved by non-Jews during the Second World War. He has then re-established Jewish communities in the Netherlands and is now the co-Chair of the Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders and a founding member Green Cross International. He is also a human rights activist,  writer, ecologist and Founder and Chair of “Hope for Children Foundation” - www.hoopvoorkinderen.nl - which is aimed to raise 0,1% of the gross yearly income for education of children everywhere.
 
Mr. George Starcher
Secretary-General, European Baha’l Business Forum
 
After twenty years (1959-1979) with McKinsey & Company, a leading international management consulting firm where Mr. Starcher was a Senior Partner in the Paris and Milan offices, he founded his own management consulting practice.  At the same time he was a Professional Associate with the MAC Group (now Gemini).  He was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of France from 1970 to 1990, and its President from 1985 to 1988.  He is a member of the Board of Directors of, and consultant to,  the European Centre for Continuing Education (CEDEP) at Fontainebleau, France since 1972. He was Co-founder of the European Baha’i Business Forum, a network of nerf 300 members in 55 countries, and is presently its Secretary-General. In this capacity he manages the network and organizes projects and collaboration with other networks and associations to promote values and ethics in business. 
 
Mr. Björn Stigson
President, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
 
Mr. Stigson began his career as financial analyst with the Swedish Kockums Group.  From 1971-82 he worked for ESAB, the international supplier of equipment for welding, in different positions responsible for Finance, Operations and Marketing.  In 1983 he became President and CEO of the Fläkt Group, a company listed on the Stockholm stock exchange and the world leader in environmental control technology.  Following the acquisition of Fläkt by ABB, in 1991 he became Executive Vice President and a member of ABB Asea Brown Boveri’s Executive Management Group.  From 1993-94 he ran his own management consultancy.  On January 1, 1995 he was appointed President of the WBCSD.Since the formation of this organization in 1990, Mr Stigson has been actively involved with the business response to the sustainable development challenge. He is also presently a member of advisory councils to, among others, Unilever, OECD, The World Bank and the Governments of China and Japan.
 
Mr. Maurice Strong
Chairman, Earth Council Foundation
 
Mr. Strong was named Senior Advisor to the President of the World Bank in June 1995. From December 1992 until December 1995, Mr. Strong was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Hydro, North America's largest utility.
 
Until September 1992, Mr. Strong was Secretary General of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit) and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations. During 1985 and 1986, he served as Under-Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Office for Emergency Operations in Africa and was a member of the World Commission on Environment and Development. 
 
Mr. Strong served as the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment from November 1970 to December 1972, and subsequently became the first Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya (January 1973-December 1975). He was then appointed President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canada's national oil company, Petro-Canada. He also has been President of Power Corporation of Canada, first President of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Chairman of the Canada Development Investment Corporation and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Development Research Centre (IDCR) in Canada. Mr. Strong is an advisor to the United Nations, and serves on the board of several other public service organizations. He has been a director and/or officer of a number of Canadian, U.S. and international corporations.
 
Ms. Kaarin Taipale
Chairperson of The International Council for Local Initiatives (ICLEI)
 
Ms. Taipale has worked as a design architect, as a journalist – Editor-in-Chief of ARKKITEHTI The Finnish Architectural Review – and for the last ten years as a civil servant of the City of Helsinki. During her tenure as Editor, she established herself as a columnist and speaker on various issues of the urban environment. She has lectured and written articles extensively in Finland and abroad. As Head of the Building Department, among other things, she chaired the participatory process to rewrite the Building Ordinance of the City of Helsinki (2000), with a strong focus on contextual and environmental viewpoints. Since 1998, she has been a member of the Executive Committee of ICLEI, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and was elected Chair in the summer or 2000.
 
Ms. Houria Tazi Sadeq
Professeur de l’Enseignement Supérieur, Maroque
 
Ms. Tazi Sadeq est Professor depuis 1979. Elle est aussi, depuis 1986, Avocate au Barreau de Casablanca, et depuis 1998, Titulaire de la Chaire UNESCO Interdisciplinaire pour une Gestion Durable de l’Eau, Ecole Hassania des Travaux Publics, Casablanca. Ses autres activités de recherche, études, et formations en Droit de l’environnement et de l’eau incluent : Participation à des programmes et des groupes de recherche ; Consultations juridiques en cabinet privé ; Conférences et séminaires de formation ; Publications dans le cadre de revues spécialisées nationales et internationales ; et Ouvrage en voie de publication sur le thème de l’eau et du développement durable.
 
Mr. Klaus Töpfer
United Nations Under-Secretary-General
Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)