Prof. András Szöllösi-Nagy, Rector of UNESCO-IHE, was awarded the Water Prize of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for his contribution to the Sciences and creating a better understanding of the environment. Particularly for being instrumental in reforming the teaching of multidisciplinary water resources for the benefit of developing countries. Over the past 17 years, as Governor of the World Water Council, he drew attention to the issue of water in the world and educated both the general public and policy makers on the subject. The event took place at an official awarding ceremony in Monte Carlo on 7 October, in the presence of 1500 guests from all over the world.
Other award winners include: Dr. David Suzuki (Canada), in the category 'Climate Change'. Dr. Suzuki is President of the David Suzuki Foundation. He is a scientist, a renowned environmentalist as well as a world-renowned geneticist who received numerous awards for his work. His career as a creator and facilitator of programmes and films of award-winning popular science earned him constant praise for thirty years.
Dr. Gretchen Daily (USA), received the award in the category 'Biodiversity'. She has a background in Biological Sciences from Stanford University and works with leaders from all walks of life to advance practical approaches to address environmental challenges. Her scientific research focused on the future dynamics of changes in biodiversity. Professor Daily chaired the project "Natural Capital" which purpose is to support economic incentives to help conservation. This project was implemented in various sites around the world where biodiversity is threatened (China, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Tanzania and the United States).
About the Foundation
The Prince Albert II Foundation is a Monaco-based charity which has donated millions in various environmental projects. The Foundation was initially created in 2006 by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and it concentrates on environmental protection, sustainable development, climate change and the promotion of renewable energies as well as biodiversity. The Foundation supports also projects which develop water resource management or desertification control technologies.
In just three years, the Foundation has extended its international outreach by opening chapters in Europe (France, Switzerland, the UK, Italy and Germany), in Canada and, in 2008, the United States of America. Since its inception, 95+ projects have benefited from Foundation grants totaling more than US$20 million.
2010 Award Winners
Last year’s award-winners include the world famous environmental expert and creator of the Gaia Theory, James Lovelock, who has made outstanding contributions in the area of climate change and renewable or alternative energies and was presented with the Climate Change award.
The award for biodiversity was given to botanist and member of the American Academy of Sciences, Peter Hamilton Raven, director and president of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
The prize for water and the fight against desertification went to the Senior Scientist from the Stockholm International Water Institute, Malin Falkenmark.
The final and ‘special’ award was presented to the chairman of the board of directors of the China Vanke Company, Ltd., Mr. Wang Shi. This past year, these four prize winners not only did outstanding work to protect our natural resources, but they also promoted the concepts of environmental science through their own actions.
View the news item in French on the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
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