AU renames African Environment Day in honour of Wangari Maathai

The 18th African Union (AU) summit has renamed the African Environment Day as Wangari Maathai Day, in honour of the late Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

A declaration after the January 29-30 Addis Ababa meeting stated that the "Assembly recognises her unwavering dedication to promoting peace, democracy and human rights in Africa".

The summit also created the “Wangari Maathai Award for Outstanding Achievements in Environment and Biodiversity Conservation” in her honour.

The prize, an attempt to boost conservation efforts, will recognise individuals committed to preserving the environment.
 
Source: http://www.africareview.com/News/AU+honours+environmentalist+Wangari+Maathai+/-/979180/1317862/-/trolpoz/-/index.html

Wangari Maathai named UN peace messenger

From page 6 of the Daily Nation, Wednesday 16 December 2009

Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai yesterday earned the title of United Nations Messenger of Peace. The honour will be conferred at the UN-sponsored climate talks in Copenhagen by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Messengers of peace are internationally known figures, who work to raise awareness of UN ideals and activities. Prof Maathai will be focusing in this capacity on climate change and environmental conservation.

Congrats to Prof Maathai on yet another honour!