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Friends of the Earth Patron Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

8 October 2004

Friends of the Earth today welcomed the news that Dr Wangari Maathai, a patron of Friends of the Earth International (FOEI), had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Tony Juniper, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, said:

"Wangari Maathai is one of the most distinguished African environmentalists who has made an incredible contribution to improving the environment and society, not only in African but world-wide. We sincerely hope that the awards of this prize will boost her energy and effectiveness still further so that she can even better face the huge challenge faced by Africa in the 21^st Century."

Maathai is founder of the Kenya-based Green Belt Movement, comprised mainly of women, which says it has planted 25-30 million trees across Africa and has served as Kenyan Assistant Minister for the Environment since 2003.

FOEI Patrons support the aims of FOEI, and allow FOEI and member groups to use their names, but they have no obligations on behalf of FOEI or its member groups.

For more information, see this profile of Wangari Maathai.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust

Last modified: Jun 2008