The 2004 Nobel Peace Prize: Global Quotes
Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, Oslo, December 11, 2004. Photo: Associated Press.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee
“She has taken a holistic approach to sustainable development that embraces democracy, human rights and women’s rights in particular. . . . Maathai combines science, social commitment and active politics. More than simply protecting the existing environment, her strategy is to secure and strengthen the very basis for ecologically sustainable development. . . . We believe that Maathai is a strong voice speaking for the best forces in Africa to promote peace and good living conditions on that continent.”
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
“Renowned and admired throughout her native Kenyan and across Africa for her pioneering struggle against deforestation and for women’s rights and democracy, Ms. Maathai has also played an important role at UN conferences, such as the Earth Summit, making an imprint on the global quest for sustainable development. . . . Selfless and steadfast, Ms. Maathai has been a champion of the environment, of women, of Africa, and of anyone concerned about our future security.”
Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director, UN Environment Programme
“With understanding growing throughout the world of the close links between environment protection and global security, it is fitting that the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded this year to Africa’s staunchest defender of the environment.”
Frank Muramuzi, National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE), Uganda
“She has done great work, especially leading Kenyan women against government policies of deforestation and environmental degradation. She has promoted sustainable environmental development not only in Kenya but the whole world, amid ridicule and loneliness. She has proved that she is a development crusader”
Richard Boucher, US State Department spokesman
“We are delighted to see that she’s the first African woman to have been selected for this unique honour . . . this reflects well on that government and on Kenya itself.”
Prof. Wenceslaus Kilama, Managing Trustee, African Malaria Network Trust, Tanzania
“It is unusual for a Nobel Peace Prize to be won by those campaigning for protection of forests and planting tress. It has been generally thought that there is no or little linkage between natural resources and peace. Prof. Maathai has now demonstrated that there is such a linkage.”
Margaret Jacobsohn, Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), Namibia
“You cannot separate the environment from politics and economics. It is wonderful that [Maathai] is leading the world in this approach. She is a role model.”
Michael Clough, Human Rights Watch, Africa Division
“She’s done more than anyone else to put the environmental issue on the agenda and one of her great strengths was to insist on working from a civil society base [and] keeping close to the grassroots. From a human rights standpoint, that’s the most important contribution she’s made in terms of building civil society in Africa.”
“She has taken a holistic approach to sustainable development that embraces democracy, human rights and women’s rights in particular. . . . Maathai combines science, social commitment and active politics. More than simply protecting the existing environment, her strategy is to secure and strengthen the very basis for ecologically sustainable development. . . . We believe that Maathai is a strong voice speaking for the best forces in Africa to promote peace and good living conditions on that continent.”
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
“Renowned and admired throughout her native Kenyan and across Africa for her pioneering struggle against deforestation and for women’s rights and democracy, Ms. Maathai has also played an important role at UN conferences, such as the Earth Summit, making an imprint on the global quest for sustainable development. . . . Selfless and steadfast, Ms. Maathai has been a champion of the environment, of women, of Africa, and of anyone concerned about our future security.”
Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director, UN Environment Programme
“With understanding growing throughout the world of the close links between environment protection and global security, it is fitting that the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded this year to Africa’s staunchest defender of the environment.”
Frank Muramuzi, National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE), Uganda
“She has done great work, especially leading Kenyan women against government policies of deforestation and environmental degradation. She has promoted sustainable environmental development not only in Kenya but the whole world, amid ridicule and loneliness. She has proved that she is a development crusader”
Richard Boucher, US State Department spokesman
“We are delighted to see that she’s the first African woman to have been selected for this unique honour . . . this reflects well on that government and on Kenya itself.”
Prof. Wenceslaus Kilama, Managing Trustee, African Malaria Network Trust, Tanzania
“It is unusual for a Nobel Peace Prize to be won by those campaigning for protection of forests and planting tress. It has been generally thought that there is no or little linkage between natural resources and peace. Prof. Maathai has now demonstrated that there is such a linkage.”
Margaret Jacobsohn, Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), Namibia
“You cannot separate the environment from politics and economics. It is wonderful that [Maathai] is leading the world in this approach. She is a role model.”
Michael Clough, Human Rights Watch, Africa Division
“She’s done more than anyone else to put the environmental issue on the agenda and one of her great strengths was to insist on working from a civil society base [and] keeping close to the grassroots. From a human rights standpoint, that’s the most important contribution she’s made in terms of building civil society in Africa.”