International Women's Forum
World Cornerstone Conference
Guayaquil, Ecuador
May 26-28, 2010
Can there be economic advancement without environmental destruction?
Can we make money and be good?
Can anti-poverty solutions be brought to scale?
Is Going Green the greatest economic opportunity of the 21st century?
Could the missing link to understanding personal health be the environment?
Will there be enough water for everyone?
Come to Guayaquil on May 26-28, 2010 and with world experts in the fields of environmental and health sciences, anthropology, nature conservancy, discovery, technology, enterprise and development, consider what Sylvia Earle calls the hope-spots in one of the most critical and bio-diverse hotspots on the planet. In Ecuador, set against deforestation, the politics of oil, inter-country strife, and the social, economic, and political struggle that globalization underscores, the International Women's Forum invites you to explore the possibilities for 21st century solutions.
As wilderness protection remains largely a Western practice, a mounting challenge exists to reconcile a conservation vision with consumerism around the world. Can emerging market nations be expected to accept the terms of environmental conservation and be told they cannot get what rich countries already have in terms of development? Or, can human aspirations for expanding consumer lifestyles be redirected in less destructive ways?
With over 6 billion people on the planet and an expectation of 3 billion more by mid-century, it may be that the biggest threat to the environment is not population, but the growth in human economy and the way that humanity uses wealth. Meet the people, leaders and innovators who are shaping the way forward for individuals, institutions and governments who are embracing conservation to back high environmental ethics with money and resources. Explore the ramifications for business, enterprise, development, human health, poverty reduction, global stability and new ways of living that shrink the gap between what consumers say about their willingness to pay more for greener products and the way they actually behave in the marketplace.
Amidst Ecuador's nine, varying, bio-diverse habitats - including jungles, rain forests, wildlife and ocean sanctuaries, volcanic environs and the Galapagos Islands' ecological treasures - join IWF to consider the lessons that this unique nation and region provide the global community for Ecology, Economy, and Enterprise. Register today. An Eco-World awaits you!
Joyce Ginatta Maria del Pilar de Chiriboga Patricia Isaias de Estrada Allyson Maynard Gibson
IWF Ecuador President Co-Chair Co-Chair IWF President
Galapagos Islands – Pre-Conference Cruise – May 22-26
Cruise aboard the Galapagos Explorer II – 5 days/4 nights
Tuesday, May 25
9 am – 4:00 pm Excursion Tours
11 am – 2:00 pm IWF Leadership Foundation Board Meeting
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm Presidents' Council Dinner (Forum Presidents Only)
Wednesday, May 26
9 am – 4:00 pm Excursion Tours
11 am – 2:00 pm IWF Board Meeting
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm Opening Reception – Eco-World 2010
On the west bank of the Guayas River, on the dynamic and exciting Malecón 2000 Pier Boardwalk, IWF will kick-off the 2010 World Cornerstone Conference - Ecology, Economy, Enterprise. Meet the Honorable Mr. Jaime Nebot, Mayor of Guayaquil and join IWF leaders and our hosts - IWF Ecuador - in a private welcome for members and their guests from around the globe at the historic Crystal Palace. At the outset of the 20th Century, this stunning glass and wrought iron structure served as a chief marketplace in Guayaquil. Now it stands as a crowning jewel that exemplifies the city's future. With exotic Ecuadorian food, flavor and flair, women leaders will commence a journey of discovery, like none other, into our Eco-World - 2010.
Thursday, May 27
7:30 am Continental Breakfast – Hilton Guayaquil
8:20 am Welcome – Joyce Ginatta and Patricia Isaias de Estrada
Co-Chairs, 2010 IWF Cornerstone Conference
Introductory Remarks – The Honorable Allyson Maynard Gibson,
President, International Women's Forum
8:30 am Plenary I – One Planet – One Future
We are part of something immense, mysterious and disappearing. Can we unite humanity to search for the right answers to preserve and protect our planet, her inhabitants and the future? Meet the producers, photographers, scientists and crew of one of the most stunning natural history series of all time, the BBC's Planet Earth, for a look at our world as never seen before and to lay the groundwork for considering the way forward. Co-produced by the Discovery Channel and NHK in association with CBC, Planet Earth has been described as the "definitive look at the diversity of our planet" and was proudly followed by the recent release of the Discovery Channel's and the BBC's new epic nature series - LIFE (also 4-years in the making). With Tui de Roy, internationally acclaimed wildlife photographer, author and conservationist and Susan Winslow, Executive Producer, Discovery Channel's LIFE. Joining by videocast: Huw Cordey, Producer, Planet Earth and Pen Hadow, Arctic Expeditions. Moderated by Dr. Mireya Mayor, scientist, explorer, and National Geographic wildlife correspondent.
10:00 am Coffee Break
10:20 am Plenary II – Tell Our Story – Ecuador
The Tropical Andes mountainous rainforest that runs through Ecuador is the world's most bio-diverse hotspot - a concept originated by Dr. Norman Myers to describe earth's biologically richest and most endangered terrestrial eco-regions. In Ecuador, amidst bio-diverse habitats and vast ecological treasures that include the Galapagos Islands, the stage is set for a seminal global exchange among those who can help make a difference to enlighten the way forward in balancing the competing interests of ecology, economy and enterprise. In an eco region rife with social and political challenges, natural resource extraction, poverty reduction, development initiatives and economic uncertainty, IWF presents Dr. Elizabeth Bravo, Biologist, Accion Ecologica (Ecuador) and member of the Steering Committee, World Rainforest Movement (Ecuador); Deborah Chiriboga, noted Ecuadorian Environmentalist; and Toni Darton, Chief Executive of the Galapagos Conservation Trust. Joining by videocast: Dr. Norman Myers, Oxford University, iconic environmental scientist dubbed the Paul Revere of the environmental movement. Moderated by Bessie Arellano, noted Ecuadorian television and radio show host and on-air talent.
12:00 pm Break
12:15 pm Luncheon Roundtable: Linking Environmental Protection with Economic Development –
Drill, Ecuador Drill?
Oil rich Ecuador provides a global opportunity for the world to become better at balancing our energy needs while respecting the linkages between environmental safeguards and economic development. With so much at stake amidst Ecuador's bio-diverse habitats, including the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, can these competing interests live side by side? Or, can non-carbon energy sources become economically attractive? What's in store for the planet and the future of enterprise? Featuring Esperanza Martinez, Founder, Oil Watch Ecuador and Accion Ecologica; Sandy Stash, Senior Vice President for Health, Safety, Security, Environmental Protection and Operational Integrity, Talisman Energy, Canada; The Honorable César Robalino, Member, Foro de Opinion Petrolera Ecuatorania (FOPEC) and Former Minister of Energy and Minister of Finance for Ecuador; and Dr. Richard Lindzen, Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Meteorology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), leading climatologist and critic of some global warming theories and the politics of climate science. Moderated by Susan King, Vice President, External Affairs, Carnegie Corporation of New York.
2:00 pm Eco-World – Behind the Scenes
Members and their guests may choose from one of the following:
Cerro Blanco Ecological Reserve - The Cerro Blanco Ecological Reserve encompasses one of Ecuador's remaining dry forests located just outside of Guayaquil. Part of a network of woodland reserves across Ecuador and South America, the forest's protection and care comes under the auspices of Ecuador's noted Fundación Pro-Bosque (Pro-Forest Foundation). The Foundation runs a number of programs to protect this delicate ecosystem on Ecuador's Pacific Coast through conservation and eco-tourism projects. The rich fauna of the Cerro Blanco Forest includes 54 species of mammals and one of the most diverse habitats for birds, with over 200 species. Considered one of the top bird-viewing forests in the world, the Cerro Blanco represents one of Ecuador's last remaining dry tropical forests. IWF will be guided through the reserve with top experts on the Foundation's ecological preservation team highlighting long-term habitat restoration activities, conservation projects and its world-renowned tree nursery program with remarks by Giovanni Ginatta, former Advisor to the Ministry of the Environment & Coordinator of the Sustainable Bio-Trade Initiative in Ecuador.
Guayaquil City Hall, Plaza de la Administracion & Nahím Isaías Museum – Join IWF for a visit to Guayaquil's City Hall and the Nahím Isaías Museum. Our behind the scenes tour begins with a special briefing by Guayaquil Mayor, Hon. Jaime Nebot on diverse projects the City of Guayaquil is undertaking in eco-tourism, ecological sustainability and economic vitality. Our private briefing will be followed by a tour of City Hall. From the gates of City Hall, we'll cross Guayaquil's famed Plaza de la Administration for a specially crafted docent-led tour of the Nahím Isaías Museum whose permanent collection is one of Ecuador's most-visited. This landmark museum houses more than 2,000 pieces of art, many of them among the top treasures of the Ecuadorian nation. Introduced by Joyce Ginatta, President, Federación Interamericana Empresarial.
Ecuagenera Orchid Reserve & Porto Hondo Center – Ecuador is the home of 4,000 species of orchids that abound in the country's jungles. With a view to preserving the diversity of species, Ecuagenera was founded to promote and protect the orchid habitats in Ecuador, as well as increase the supply of Ecuadorian-raised orchids into the world-market place. Since its founding, Ecuagenera has established itself as a business leader in the research, preservation and conservation of the flora orquidacea of Ecuador, and is the country's top orchid exporter. Together, with Ecuagenera's top experts, we'll explore the retention and expansion of the habitats of wild orchids that maintain the stocks for global export. Following an exploration of the Orquideario, we'll move on to a look at the recreation center "Puerto Hondo” – a model of eco-tourism that is supported through the civic works of the city of Guayaquil and a community-led conservation program. This special program also includes a guided tour of Puerto Hondo's mangrove forest - regarded as one of the best-conserved mangrove eco-systems in South America. Introduced by Ilse Meinlschmidt, Legal Representative, Nimar SA.
Aquaculture, Bio-Trade & Eco-Tourism – Join IWF for a unique tour of one of Ecuador's most successful sustainable aquaculture enterprises and learn how diverse regions of Ecuador are growing new sustainability models through ecotourism and bio-trade. Ecuador is one of the world's top exporters of tilapia fish and fresh shrimp. Industria Pesquera Santa Priscila S.A. will present an inside look at the workings of its top producing facility just outside of Guayaquil. The tour will be led by Priscilla Salem, Operations Chief, who grew up in the marine products industry and has logged many years of practical experience in South America and Spain. Industria Santa Priscila's tilapia is farm-raised in chemical- and antibiotic-free environments inlow-density ponds that occupy 800 hectares of space. Included is a look at how the region and other parts of Ecuador are building new paradigms for economic development through eco-tourism and bio-trade. Introduced by Maria del Pilar de Chiriboga, Executive President, Corporacion Ecuavigor S.A.
Las Peñas Galleries & Art Collections – Guayaquil's most vibrant neighborhood, Las Peñas, also contains its richest concentration of art galleries. This behind the scenes exploration begins at Guayaquil 's newest museum - Museo Guayaquil en la Historia - one of the focal points of the famed Malecón Simon Bolovar boardwalk featuring the work of noted Ecuadorian Artist Edgar Cevallos Rosales who chronicles much of the port's past in miniature. The tour will continue through a number of Guayaquil's top art galleries lining the 400 plus steps of Santa Ana Hill. This event will conclude at the Julio Jaramillo Museum of Popular Music where we'll hear from museum experts on diverse aspects of Ecuadorian and South American music including boleros, valses, pasillos, tangos and rancheras. Introduced by Patricia Isaias de Estrada, Development Manager, Ecuavia S.A..
Wildlife Reserve - Experience Ecuador's rich ecological diversity and beauty at Parque Historico's Wildlife Reserve. The Wildlife Reserve, located on the Guyas River, features more than 50 species of birds, mammals and reptiles, crustaceans and fish in a protected mangrove forest. This four hectare area was built to restore and preserve the vegetation and wildlife of the ecosystems representative of the region while maintaining their natural habitat. The wildlife reserve contains diverse species from the majority of the ecosystems of the Ecuadorian coast. You will traverse this reserve via a wooden path that expands contact with the ecosystem. Stop at any of the 23 informative spots along the way and enjoy an individualized observation of various species, as well as an observation tower with a bird's eye view of the park. In this natural habitat, it is not recommended to wear perfume or sweet-smelling creams, which attract insects. Introduced by Virginia Schneidewind, President, ARKITEKTURA S.A.
6:30 pm Launch for Dine Arounds
Friday, May 28
7:30 am Continental Breakfast – Hilton Guayaquil
8:30 am Plenary III – Safeguarding Our Eco World
What's at stake for wildlife, for the forests and for earth's precious habitats? With hungry people to feed, can we invest in wildlife protection and habitat preservation while safeguarding underlying eco-systems upon which our future relies? Can we build economically attractive models that compel an eco-world in balance with nature? Featuring Dr. Segundo Coello, former Vice Minister of the Environment for Ecuador and Founder & General Manager of Ecobiotec del Ecuador and Dr. Iain Kerr, Chief Executive Officer, Ocean Alliance, one of the forerunner's of the environmental movement founded in 1971. Joining by videocast: Dr. Jane Goodall, legendary scientist and world renowned animal researcher and Johan Eliasch, London-based business leader who purchased part of the Amazon Rain Forest to save it, and the United Kingdom's Special Representative on Deforestation and Clean Energy. Moderated by Kah Walla, Chief Executive Officer, STRATEGIES!, Cameroon.
10:00 am Coffee Break
10:30 am Dialogues on Ecology, Economy, Enterprise
Participants may choose from one of the following break-out dialogues representing key issues confronting our Eco-World:
Poverty Reduction / Sustainable Development Or Sustainable Retreat?
Can there be economic advancement without environmental destruction? Can anti-poverty solutions be brought to scale? Will there be enough water and food for everyone? Featuring Rosa Guamán, President, Jambi Kiwa Chimborazo, Ecuador – a cooperative business created by an association of largely indigenous women growing, processing and marketing medicinal plants; Steven Starr, US film producer whose award-winning documentary FLOW explores what is called the most important environmental issue of the 21st century – the world water crisis; Ilfn Florsheim, Director of Communication and Social Responsibility, Interagua (majority owned by Veolia, the world's largest water company), Ecuador; and Gail Klintworth, Chairperson, Unilever South Africa – whose company is the world's largest purchaser of palm oil working to mitigate deforestation issues. Moderated by Michèle Stanners, Associate, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University.
Learning Alongside Wildlife & Indigenous Peoples
Can we live and learn alongside wildlife and indigenous peoples in a way that preserves and protects the future of the modern world? Featuring Dr. Chadden Hunter, Wildlife Biologist and contributor Planet Earth – The Future; The Honorable Lourdes Tiban, Representative, National Assembly of Ecuador & Former Secretary of State for Indigenous People; and Dr. K. David Harrison, linguist and specialist in the study of endangered languages, scientific leader of the Enduring Voices Project for the BBC, co-star of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival premiere The Linguists, and Co-Founder, The Living Tongues Institute. Moderated by Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President, Scripps College.
Health & The Environment – The Missing Link
Is the missing link to understanding personal health the environment? Is the emerging field of geo-medicine igniting an understanding that our “place history” is as important as our “family history”? Do genetics + lifestyle + environment = risks? Featuring Giovanni Ginatta, former Advisor to the Ministry of the Environment, Founder of Fundación Biocon whose initiatives include organic agriculture and sustainable alternative commerce, and Coordinator of the Sustainable Bio-Trade Initiative, Ecuador; Dr. Devra Davis, Founder, Environmental Health Trust and author of the award winning books When Smoke Ran Like Water and The Secret History of the War on Cancer; Bill Davenhall, Global Marketing Manager, Health & Human Services Solutions, ESRI, the largest geographic information system (GIS) software developer in the world; and Janet Nudelman, Director of Program & Public Policy, Breast Cancer Fund - advocates for the elimination of environmental and other preventable causes of breast cancer - whose work has resulted in the passage of some of the most important environmental health legislation in the United States. Moderated by Micheline Bouchard, Corporate Director and former CEO, Motorola Canada Limited.
Can We Make Money & Be Good? Investing Green
Recognizing that human behavior shifts when danger is imminent or when there's money at stake, what's in store for investing green? Is it in fact one of the greatest economic opportunities of the 21st century? Featuring Claire Janisch, Senior Associate, Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership and Founding Director, Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW), South Africa; Diane McCurdy, President, McCurdy Financial Planning Inc, frequent contributor on CTV who advises clients on diverse investment platforms and increasingly green investment funds, Canada; and Karina Funk, CFA, Equity Researcher and portfolio manager for top-performing U.S. based Winslow Green Growth Fund. Moderated by Marilyn Johnson, Vice President, Market Development, IBM.
12:15 pm Break
12:30 pm Closing Luncheon - An Opportunity for Greatness
As a brick wall tumbles with the loss of its bricks, earth's eco-system will crumble with the loss of her hardworking, fantastically common plants or the protection of her forest canopy, ocean life, and the majestic creatures that roam the planet with their sense of power, purpose and ancestry. The world needs every species without which our environment is destabilized. As the generation that has an epic opportunity to preserve the future of our eco-world, meet some of the leading experts, game changers and inspirational voices who are moving us towards our best future. Featuring Dr. Sylvia Earle, 2009 IWF Hall of Fame honoree dubbed "Her Deepness" by the New Yorker and "Hero of the Planet" by Time magazine who holds the women's record for a solo dive in a deep submersible; Dr. Jamie Bechtel, CEO, NEW Course and biologist whose prestigious work has led to strategic advances in the fields of conservation, sustainable finance and biology; and Dr. M.A. Sanjayan, Lead Scientist, The Nature Conservancy. Moderated by Dr. Roberta Bondar, President, Roberta Bondar Associates Enterprise & first neurologist in space.
2:30 pm Experiencing Guayaquil – Free Time
6:30 pm Closing Dinner Celebration – Eco-World - Ecuador 2010
IWF Ecuador will close the 2010 World Cornerstone conference with a special reception and dinner in the heart of Guayaquil's' famed Parque Histórico where magnificent gardens surround the Chapel of the Hospicio del Corazón de Jesús. Originally constructed in 1892, the Parque Histórico is one of Guayaquil's most dynamic destinations which combines a nature park featuring the flora, fauna and exotic bird species that are special to Ecuador. In the midst of some of the most breathtaking architecture of the colonial-era, IWF welcomes you to the closing celebration of Eco-World - Ecuador 2010!
* To Be Confirmed
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