On the Occasion of Receiving the Legion D’Honneur
Paris, France
April 3, 2006
Wangari Maathai giving a speech in Paris in February 2005. Photo by Marcus Agar.
I am extremely humbled by the honor the people of France bestow upon me though this extraordinary recognition of the historic Legion of Honor. I am particularly happy that I am receiving it here in France and from your Excellency the Minister of Ecology and Sustainable Development.
Since the Norwegian Nobel Committee named me the Peace Laureate for 2004, I have had the privilege of sharing my experience in many parts of the world. I have continued to emphasize the linkage between sustainable management of our resources, their equitable distribution, good governance and peace. I have been impressed by the commitment of governments, the business community, as well as individual citizens (both young and old) to protect our fragile planet.
We all recognize the challenges we face in the course of our daily lives as we strive to improve our livelihoods. I have emphasized that it is not the “big things” that will make the difference, but, rather, the small steps we take individually in the course of the day. There are many things we can do: We can plant trees and protect those already standing, reduce wastage of resources especially water, recycle wastage such as plastics and avoid pollutants especially in our use of fossil fuels.
Sometimes governments can address the big issues. In this connection, I wish to record my deep gratitude to the Government of France for its commitment and leadership in the efforts to protect and conserve the Congo Forest Ecosystem in partnership with Governments in the sub-region. Over the past year, it has been my great pleasure to serve as Goodwill Ambassador of this fragile and important ecosystem. In this capacity I have continued to promote and raise awareness on this ecosystem including the implementation of the Convergence Plan put forward by the Heads of States within the sub-region. I look forward to working closely with France, which coordinates these efforts.
In Kenya, I continue my work with the Government and the Green Belt Movement to protect important forested mountains, which also serve as sites of biological diversity and water catchments. It is in this connection that we also celebrate today the signing of an agreement between the Green Belt Movement and the French Agency for Development (AFD). The discussions that we started during my last visit to France have been fruitful due to the commitment and diligence of the leadership at AFD, both in France and in Nairobi. I particularly want to recognize the contribution of His Excellency Ambassador Hubert Fournier and the AFD team in Nairobi led by Mr. Pascal Pacaut. We would not have accomplished this without their unwavering support. We are all very grateful to them and indeed honored to be entering into this partnership. I know the lessons learnt from this significant project will be very important for future planning for forest ecosystems.
As I accept this honor here today, I wish to thank the People of France through His Excellency President Jacques Chirac and you, Madame Minister Olin, for this extraordinary recognition. I receive it with utmost humility and gratitude. It is a great moment for me to join those who have gone beyond self to serve for the common good. I will continue my work in Africa and elsewhere in service to humanity and the planet. This is in keeping with the spirit and the vision of the Legion of Honor, which has inspired men and women to serve France and the world in the course of its long history. It gives me extraordinary distinction and I will wear it with dignity and pride.
Thank you very much.
Since the Norwegian Nobel Committee named me the Peace Laureate for 2004, I have had the privilege of sharing my experience in many parts of the world. I have continued to emphasize the linkage between sustainable management of our resources, their equitable distribution, good governance and peace. I have been impressed by the commitment of governments, the business community, as well as individual citizens (both young and old) to protect our fragile planet.
We all recognize the challenges we face in the course of our daily lives as we strive to improve our livelihoods. I have emphasized that it is not the “big things” that will make the difference, but, rather, the small steps we take individually in the course of the day. There are many things we can do: We can plant trees and protect those already standing, reduce wastage of resources especially water, recycle wastage such as plastics and avoid pollutants especially in our use of fossil fuels.
Sometimes governments can address the big issues. In this connection, I wish to record my deep gratitude to the Government of France for its commitment and leadership in the efforts to protect and conserve the Congo Forest Ecosystem in partnership with Governments in the sub-region. Over the past year, it has been my great pleasure to serve as Goodwill Ambassador of this fragile and important ecosystem. In this capacity I have continued to promote and raise awareness on this ecosystem including the implementation of the Convergence Plan put forward by the Heads of States within the sub-region. I look forward to working closely with France, which coordinates these efforts.
In Kenya, I continue my work with the Government and the Green Belt Movement to protect important forested mountains, which also serve as sites of biological diversity and water catchments. It is in this connection that we also celebrate today the signing of an agreement between the Green Belt Movement and the French Agency for Development (AFD). The discussions that we started during my last visit to France have been fruitful due to the commitment and diligence of the leadership at AFD, both in France and in Nairobi. I particularly want to recognize the contribution of His Excellency Ambassador Hubert Fournier and the AFD team in Nairobi led by Mr. Pascal Pacaut. We would not have accomplished this without their unwavering support. We are all very grateful to them and indeed honored to be entering into this partnership. I know the lessons learnt from this significant project will be very important for future planning for forest ecosystems.
As I accept this honor here today, I wish to thank the People of France through His Excellency President Jacques Chirac and you, Madame Minister Olin, for this extraordinary recognition. I receive it with utmost humility and gratitude. It is a great moment for me to join those who have gone beyond self to serve for the common good. I will continue my work in Africa and elsewhere in service to humanity and the planet. This is in keeping with the spirit and the vision of the Legion of Honor, which has inspired men and women to serve France and the world in the course of its long history. It gives me extraordinary distinction and I will wear it with dignity and pride.
Thank you very much.