ENVIRO NEWS, January 2000

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Sasakawa Environment Prize

History

The UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize is one of the most prestigious environmental awards in the world.

The establishment of an international environment prize was recommended at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972. This Prize, then known as the Pahlavi Prize, was first awarded in 1976.

In 1982, the UNEP Governing Council accepted an endowment of US$ 1 million from the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation to finance the Sasakawa International Environment Prize, which would be administered by UNEP.

Now known as the UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize, it is awarded annually to leading environmentalists and recognizes the work of these individuals at the global level.

Since its inception, interest in the award has increased significantly as attested by the growing number of nominations. After serious deliberations and in the light of the kinds of nominations received over the years, the Selection Committee has recommended that all nominations be considered on an annual basis and that the Prize be awarded to "individuals who have made an outstanding global contribution to the management and protection of the environment" The Prize also aims to encourage environmental achievement in any field of the environment.

The annual award of $50,000 was increased to $200,000 in 1990 making it one of the world’s most valuable environmental prizes.

Selection Criteria

Eligibility

NO CANDIDATE MAY NOMINATE HIMSELF OR HERSELF.

PAST RECIPIENTS CANNOT BE RENOMINATED.

The Prize is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding global contributions to the management and protection of the environment consistent with the policies, aims and objectives of UNEP Candidates can be associated with any field of the environment. Those eligible to make nominations include, but are not limited to, specialists in environmental sciences, academies of science, engineering and research, members of the United Nations system, governments, inter-governmental organizations, trade unions and non-governmental organizations.

Length of candidacy

Nominees will be considered on an annual basis. A new letter of nomination and updated description of achievements is required every year.

Nomination procedures

Identify nominee by completing the attached nomination form

Include name, professional and home mailing address, present occupational title and institutional affiliation and date and place of birth. Enclose a curriculum vitae or resume.

Summary of accomplishments

Provide a brief statement of no more than two pages of the individual’s achievements in the fields for which the award is proposed. Be precise and factual.

Description of contributions

Provide a detailed explanation of the contributions and explain why each is valuable and effective. Describe how each was accomplished. Mention any significant involvement of others.

References

Additional referees who might be contacted by the Selection Committee.

Evidence of achievements

The Selection Committee reserves the right to request examples of publications or other evidence which demonstrate the candidate’s contributions to the environment. Such materials will be retained by UNEP unless otherwise requested.

Nomination forms

Additional nomination forms for the UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize may be obtained from:

The Secretary, UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize

United Nations Environment Programme, Communications and Public Information

P.O. Box 30552 Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: (254 2) 62 3401 / 62 3128 Fax: (254 2) 62 3692 / 62 3927 Email: cpiinfo@unep.org

Deadline for nominations

Nominations for the Prize, related credentials, information in support of the nomination and letters of reference must be received no later than 30 May 2000.

Nomination Form 2000

UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize

N.B. NO PERSON MAY NOMINATE HIMSELF OR HERSELF

NOMINEE (name in full) __________________________________________________________

DATE OF BIRTH _______________________________________________________________

PLACE OF BIRTH ______________________________________________________________

NATIONALITY _________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: __________________ Telefax: _________________ E-mail: ___________________

PRESENT OCCUPATION _________________________________________________________

EDUCATION __________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

CURRICULUM VITAE (please attach an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae)

HONOURS ____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

PUBLICATIONS (attach a list of publications considered most relevant for the purpose of the Prize)

______________________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY (Outline below the reasons why the nominee should receive the Prize)

______________________________________________________________________________

Nomination Form 2000

UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize

References: Provide three Persons, not related to the nominee, who are familiar with the nominee’s qualifications and work.

REFEREE

NAME (in full) __________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone:__________________Telefax: __________________E-mail:_____________________

PROFESSION __________________________________________________________________________

REFEREE

NAME (in full)___________________________________________________________________

Telephone:_________________Telefax: __________________E-mail:______________________

PROFESSION ___________________________________________________________________

REFEREE

NAME (in full) __________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS _____________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone:________________Telefax: ___________________E-mail:______________________

PROFESSION ___________________________________________________________________

NOMINATOR

NAME (in full) __________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone:__________________Telefax: _________________E-mail:______________________

PROFESSION ___________________________________________________________________

DATE: _________________________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE ___________________________________________________________________

Please send the nomination form and Curriculum Vitae typed or in block letters, to:

The Secretary
UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize
United Nations Environment Programme
Communications and Public Information
P.O. Box 30552 , Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (254 2) 62 3401 or 62 3128; Fax: (254 2) 62 3692 or 62 3927; E-mail: cpiinfo@unep.org