Nobel Laureate Maathai to Address 2005 Rotary Convention in Chicago

By Symon G. Ogeto
Published: June 16, 2005

Chicago, IL -- Nobel Laureate - Professor Wangari Maathai of Kenya will be visiting Chicago starting early next week. Maathai is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the annual Rotary International Convention in Chicago on Wednesday, June 22.

Maathai, who presently serves as a Kenyan member of parliament and an assistant minister in the Kibaki government, received the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace.

Kenyans and other Africans will be among an estimated 40,000 Rotary club members from around the world who are expected to attend this year’s convention. The convention, which will be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place, will be celebrating the founding of Rotary 100 years ago by Chicago attorney Paul P. Harris and four business associates.

According to Vukoni Lupa-Lasaga, senior writer and media relations specialist for Africa at Rotary International's World Headquarters, Evanston, IL, Maathai is expected to share her experiences in organizing communities to improve their lives.

Maathai is also the founder of the Green Belt Movement, an organization of human rights and environmental protection activists based in Nairobi. Recently, Maathai was elected to head the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council at the African Union.

Protecting the environment ranks high among Rotary’s many humanitarian concerns. In 1990, Rotary launched the Preserve Planet Earth program to increase awareness of environmental issues among its members. Rotary members also have planted millions of trees and sponsored many initiatives that promote sustainable use of the world’s resources.

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders committed to volunteerism. Rotary provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 Rotary clubs in 168 countries.

It is unlikely that Wangari will have time to meet with her growing Kenyan immigrant community in Chicago but Mashariki Leo has learned that Jacob Sitati, the newly elected president of Chicago Association of Kenyan Professionals (CAKP), has reached out to the Maathai press office to seek a brief meeting during the Laureate's visit.

On Tuesday, June 21, the North Shore Peace Initiative and Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University is scheduled to host Maathai at the Center located at 2110 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Ill. The event, which is scheduled to start at 4 p.m., is free and open to the public.