First Hillary Institute Symposium Celebrates World Environment Day
May 13th, 2008
The Hillary Institute of International Leadership will initiate its first operational year of investing in Leadership in Climate Change Solutions with the first annual HILLARY SYMPOSIUM AND DINNER on World Environment Day June 5th, at the Christchurch Art Gallery.
"Given our 2008-2012 focus on Leadership in Climate Change Solutions we have been honoured at short notice) through the United Nations Environment Programme and the Ministry for the Environment with the opportunity to celebrate World Environment Day. This is clearly very appropriate and DR. RAJENDRA PACHAURI, Chair of the Nobel prize--winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, will lead our first Hillary Symposium". said Hillary Institute spokesman Mark Prain.
The Symposium is fully-subscribed across the financial; science; education; cultural; legal; not for profit; local and central government sectors. It will also feature keynotes from the Institute’s patron, Prime Minister Helen Clark, President Anote Tong of Kiribati, and the Institute’s Hillary Senior Fellow, Matt Petersen, CEO and President of Global Green (USA).
Responses to Dr. Pachauri’s global perspective will come from across the sectors present, engaging with him on the direct relevance of necessary climate adaption and leadership for New Zealand and Canterbury.
"In the interests of full and frank discussion across sectors, these NZ/Canterbury responses to Dr Pachauri will have Chatham House rules applied", said Prain. "Outcomes will be widely disseminated".
While The Hillary Institute’s Leadership focus is international, it will hold a symposium in its New Zealand home-base Canterbury, every year, as it identifies annual Hillary Leadership Laureates and ultimately the recipient of its major international award, The Hillary Step in 2012.
Hillary Institute Appoints Senior Fellow
May 12th, 2008
CEO and President of Global Green (USA) Petersen has been honoured with a two year appointment to work with the Institute internationally as an ambassador for the Institute’s search for exceptional leadership, targeting effective entrepre-neurial climate leaders at the midpoint of.their careers who have and are making a profound difference.
Petersen has designed and led Global Green USA, the only national environmental organization headquartered in greater Los Angeles, with a social entrepreneurial approach since 1994. He has helped develop and guide its growing programs of eliminating weapons of mass destruction; fighting climate change; promoting green building and renewable energy; and ensuring access to clean water for all of humanity.
Petersen is a representative to the Council of GCI, and Chairs the GCI Energy and Resource Efficiency Program. In the aftermath of the Gulf Coast hurricanes, he put forth a vision and mobilized resources to create the Global Green "Healthy Homes and Smart Neighborhoods" initiative which includes: the New Orleans Sustainable Design Competition with Jury Chair Brad Pitt resulting in the construction of the Holy Cross Project; the NOLA Green Schools Initiative funded by the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund; and work with Habitat for Humanity throughout the Gulf Coast to create more energy efficient housing.
Petersen has created two annual environmental awards programs - often presented with Mikhail Gorbachev - entitled the Millennium Awards, held in Los Angeles, and the Designing A Sustainable World Awards, held in New York City. He is an advisor to the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and a Member of the Pacific Council on International Policy. He serves on the City of Santa Monica Environmental Task Force, the Environmental Media Association (EMA) advisory board and the Automotive X Prize Advisory Board.
"We much look forward to Matt joining us a keynote contributor to the first annual Hillary Symposium on World Environment Day, June 5th, here in Christchurch, alongside Dr Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Nobel Peace-Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change*", said Hillary Institute ED Mark Prain.
"Matt is an exceptional example of the quality of mid-career Leadership the Institute is looking to invest in - we are delighted he is joining our journey".
* The June 5th Hillary Symposium with Dr. Ranjendra Pachauri and Matt Petersen is fully subscribed.
- Hillary Symposium Press Release - 6 June 2008
- Hillary Symposium - DR. Rajendra Pachauri - 5 June 2008 - VIDEO
- Hillary Institute Inaugural Dinner Speech - Rt Hon Helen Clark- 5 June 2008
- Hillary Symposium Press Release - 4 June 2008
- Hillary Symposium Banner (PDF)
- Hillary Symposium Program (PDF)
- Hillary Symposium and Dinner Symposium