NEWS
Hillary Symposium - Climate Change - 5th June 2008
The Hillary Institute of International Leadership is delighted to invite you to our first annual Hillary Symposium to be held at the Christchurch Art Gallery on World Environment Day, June 5th. The Hillary Institute was launched from Antarctica by Sir Edmund Hillary and patron Prime Minister Helen Clark in January 2007, with our international awards programme’s potential likened to ‘a Nobel for Leadership’.
2008 sees the inception of our first four year cycle, the topic chosen by our international governors, "Leadership in Climate Change Solutions". From an international search annual Hillary Laureates will be selected in 2009-2011 culminating in the major mid-career award of the Hillary Step in 2012.
Given our focus on climate change we have been honoured 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. Rajenda Pachauri, Chair of the Nobel- winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, will lead our first Hillary Symposium.
Click here to download Hillary Symposium information(PDF)Click here to download order form for Hillary Symposium tickets(PDF)
Hillary Institute announces Climate Change Solutions as Leadership topic for 2008-12.
The Hillary Institute of International Leadership, launched in Jan 2007, in Antarctica with its name-sake Sir Edmund Hillary and patron, Prime Minister Helen Clark, was scheduled to announce its initial leadership topic exactly one year on, Jan 22nd 2008.
“Given Sir Edmund’s passing, out of respect for Lady June and the Hillary family and given the enormous sense of loss we all share, this was delayed until today” said international board convenor David Caygill.
The Institute’s international governors have decided (ratified by the Institute board here in New Zealand), that Leadership in….Climate Change Solutions will be the topic for the Institute’s first four year work-cycle, 2008-2012.
“We have no doubt this choice would sit well with Sir Edmund’s life-time commitment to the sustainability of our global environment, and his direct, pragmatic approach of getting on and doing something about it.” says Caygill.
The Institute has also further strengthened its international advisory board* with the appointment of Saatchi’s Worldwide CEO Kevin Roberts, and the new head of the UK’s private equity body (the BVCA), Simon Walker, both well-known to New Zealanders. The Dean of Christchurch Peter Beck has accepted an invitation to join the Institute board of trustees in New Zealand.
Given the Institute’s current capital assets, over the next four years it will invest up to $300,000 through its awards program culminating in its major award, to be known as the Hillary Step in 2012. The awards program will also underwrite bringing an annual Hillary Laureate to both NZ and the US to contribute key input into the annual Hillary Symposia – the first of which will be held in Christchurch in June, shortly followed by its international equivalent, to be held this year in Chicago.
“The initial Hillary Step will be valued at a minimum of $200,000, with the ultimate goal of $1Millon invested when the Institute’s capital fund reaches its 12.5Million goal. Alongside the annual Hillary Laureates we will also contribute to Sir Edmund’s Himalayan Trust, to further support his extraordinary philanthropic and leadership work there over 50 years”, says Institute spokesman Mark Prain.
Led by Christopher Doig the Hillary Institute’s capital investment search continues both within New Zealand and internationally through Charities Aid Foundation America. With major liberalisation of NZ Charities Tax law coming into effect in April successful closure of key discussions with Kiwi donors is anticipated, while interest continues to grow internationally.
Despite media requests the Institute has made no statement on the broad range of comment regarding how best Sir Edmund’s legacy should be realised.
“Sir Ed’s loss is incalculable, says Prain – he had in fact, very little ‘to be modest about’ - but for our part we are very clear about our way ahead - a determination to honour his enormous legacy of leadership through recognising and rewarding more of it, on the global stage.”
*Hillary Summit – governors from four continents including Ray Anderson (“America’s greenest CEO”), Manfred Kets de Vries (Insead Leadership Institute - France), Bridget Cullerton (Chairperson of the Caribbean Citrus Association - Belize), Joan Shapiro (former Executive Vice President of South Shore Bank – Chicago), and Ngai Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon.
Sir Edmund Hillary passes away
Embargoed: 5pm Jan 13, 2008
As many others have eloquently expressed over the past 48hrs The Hillary Institute acknowledges Sir Edmund’s passing as a profound loss for New Zealand and our thoughts are with Lady June Hillary, Sir Edmund's children Peter and Sarah, wider family, and close friends at this sad time.
As our patron Prime Minister Helen Clark has stated;
"Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility and generosity. The legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary will live on. His exploits continue to inspire new generations of New Zealanders, as they have for more than half a century already. Sir Ed was not one to bask idly in celebrity. He drew on his international prestige to highlight issues and values which he held dear. His enduring commitment to and respect for the Sherpa people reflects the best of what we as New Zealanders can contribute”.
The Institute’s international advisory board have all remarked on the extraordinary coverage of Sir Ed’s passing around the world – a potent reminder to us all of his enormous mana on the world stage. Embarking in 2008 on its initial four year work-cycle, seeking out in Sir Edmund’s memory great leadership world-wide, the Institute’s work will culminate in the first international Hillary Step Award in 2012. For more info: 021 43 44 00. mark@hillaryinstitute.org.nz
PM welcomes establishment of Hillary Institute
Monday, 22 January 2007, 12:02 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Government
Read More »
International leadership awards to honour Sir Edmund Hillary
22 January 2007
Christchurch,
New Zealand
Read More »
| Dominion Post : 22-23 Jan 2007 | NZ Herald : 22-23 Jan 2007 |
| Otago Daily Times : 23 Jan 2007 | Press : 22 Jan 2007 |
| The Press : 23 Jan 2007 |