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By Misty Herrin
October 7, 2008: Finding Inspiration in the Halls of Barcelona
Video: Mark Tercek, president and chief executive officer of The Nature Conservancy addresses the Equator Prize dinner.
The halls of Barcelona’s convention center are buzzing with thousands of conservationists from every corner of the globe.
Many, like me, are clearly overwhelmed- by the choice of events, the many cultures and geographies represented. There’s a wild-eyed look that belies excitement mixed with over-saturation.
But when I cross paths with a Conservancy colleague, I see something else – a sense of calm and focus in these familiar faces – and that helps me stop and take a breath.
As our first day unfolded, it turned out to be a microcosm of the Conservancy’s broader story. The morning began with our new President and CEO Mark Tercek joining leaders in finance, industry, humanitarian aid and community action in a panel discussion on climate change.
After, Mark led a discussion with renowned marine scientist Jane Lubchenko about the status and importance of protected areas, on land and in the water. Throughout the day Conservancy experts participated in sessions on island challenges, freshwater conservation, supporting indigenous peoples, and other issues.
The evening brought a gala event celebrating the achievements of 25 small, grassroots organizations from developing countries around the equator. Mark co-hosted the 2008 Equator Prize ceremony with Ted Turner, chairman of the United Nations Foundation. The biennial prize recognizes communities making extraordinary efforts to reduce poverty through conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Representatives of the winning groups went to the stage, one after another, to accept the plaque that comes with the $5,000 cash prize. A man from Ghana swept regally to the podium in gorgeous native dress. A winner from Brazil beamed under a rainbow of long feathers that framed his chiseled face. It was a dignified procession of small bows and handshakes.
Then Rence Zama of the Arnavon Islands Community Marine Conservation Area Management Committee, a Conservancy partner in Melanesia, bounded to the stage, held his prize aloft triumphantly, and lit up the room with a joyous grin. At that, the ceremony became a party.
Winners from Peru, Namibia and others danced around the stage. Patterson Shedd, head of the Conservation Society of Pohnpei, a very close Conservancy partner in Micronesia, proudly waived his plaque as cameras flashed.
This is who Margaret Mead was talking about when she said that small groups of committed people can change the world.
I’ve often written about the ways the Conservancy works to support partners around the world. But tonight I’m deeply struck by how much we get from them. They teach us, inspire us and urge us on. I may even do a little dance.
Misty Herrin is a senior writer with The Nature Conservancy’s marketing team. She reports on news from our international programs for nature.org and print publications.
Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Misty Herrin (Misty Herrin).
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