The LEAD Programme’s contribution to educating future generations Martha Richter The Natural History Museum LEAD Fellow

The LEAD Programme & LEAD International the LEAD Programme - Leadership for Environment and Development - started in 1991, as one of the Rockefeller Foundation’s most ambitious projects for that decade and beyond today, the LEAD Programme is under the auspices of LEAD INTERNATIONAL Inc. ( and the Secretariat is based in London, UKwww.lead.org

LEAD’s Mission To create, strengthen and support networks of people and institutions promoting change towards sustainable development that is economically sound, environmentally responsible and socially equitable

The LEAD Programme LEAD offers a unique, international training programme in two phases: Associates Programme: National and international 18-month training sessions focused on a variety of themes in environment and sustainable development. The national and regional training sessions are organized by the 14 Member Programmes based in different countries Fellows Programme: Includes internships and exchanges, collaborative projects, conference participation as individuals and as part of delegations, participation in topical events organized by LEAD, and placements in key positions

LEAD’s National & Regional Member Programmes There are currently more than 1600 LEAD fellows in over 80 countries

LEAD Fellows 1600 Fellows & growing reach into a multitude of organizations and sectors connected to each other connected to influential partners

Some of LEAD’s current partners Association of Commonwealth Universities IUCN UN/UNEP UN/FAO UN Habitat Smithsonian Institute Globalegacy Forum for the Future Imperial College, Harvard University UNDP IIED IISD University of Peace (UN/UPeace) Earth Charter Secretariat British Council …

LEAD: a Unique Network Real + Virtual Community Strong shared experience Mid-career, influential leaders Cross-sectoral Cross-cultural Local + global reach Neutral space High levels of trust

LEAD Fellows educating future generations - grassroot projects The ‘Dolphin Citizen’ project (Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil) to build capacity amongst the local youngsters to work as educated tourist guides to help improve the economy of the island

LEAD Fellows educating future generations - grassroot projects The ‘Ocean Guardians’ a ‘school boat’ project in the town of Ubatuba, Atlantic coast of São Paulo, Brazil environmental education targeting teenagers boat chosen to: 1. provide teenagers with an overview of the beautiful landscape - the city and mountains 2. show them problems with unplanned housing developments, pollution at the sea, low quality of life for many of the city’s migrants 3. prepare the youngsters to work in Sustainable Tourism

LEAD Fellows educating future generations children’s education at museums about 25% of the LEAD’s Fellows work at universities and museums - like the Natural History Museum in London - and other cultural centres around the world the NHM ( receives more than 3 million visitors per yearwww.nhm.ac.uk LEAD’s training provides a sound background to plan educational activities that are meaningful for the local communities

LEAD Fellows educating future generations LEAD’s Young Leaders Project started in 2005, provides students and young professionals with the opportunity to work with, and be mentored by- a LEAD Fellow in Brazil, India, Indonesia or Mexico on solution-based work-placements currently, there are more than 70 work placements available in rural and urban areas (

LEAD Programme’s role in educating the future generations. A personal view KNOWLEDGE educate young people about environmental problems and engage them in possible solutions (contribution to UN Millennium Development Goal 7 - Ensure environmental sustainability) share expertise on environmental education generously and globally (contribution to MDG 8 - Develop a global partnership for development) help safeguard traditional knowledge for future generations work with young people to help protect local cultural heritage and biodiversity

LEAD Programme’s role in educating the future generations. A personal view ETHICS communicate to young people the worth and rights of all peoples work towards protecting the rights of children, especially the right to education (contribution to Millennium Development Goal 2)

LEAD Programme’s role in educating the future generations. A personal view RESPONSIBILITY communicate the benefits of science to younger generations work towards closing the scientific gap between societies

Leadership for Environment and Development Inspiring leadership for a sustainable world