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Green Cross International (GCI) is an nongovernmental environmental
organization established in April 1993 as the result of an initiative
by Mikhail Gorbachev, the former President of the USSR. Its mission
is to help create a sustainable future by cultivating harmonious
relationships between humans and the environment.
GCI has its head office in Geneva and its Director is Bertrand
Charrier. In addition to the international association, Green Cross
has national chapters in 21 countries. The national offices in the
United States and Germany have adopted the name "Global Green."
Global Green's American offices are located in California, New York
and Ohio.
Green Cross's programs include "The Environmental Legacy of
Wars," including the Cold War, which promotes the clean up
of contaminated areas, the conversion of military bases to civilian
use, and the environmentally-responsible destruction of chemical
weapons; a water and desertification program which works to prevent
conflicts in water-stressed regions by promoting joint solutions
involving all parts of the community; and a "Greening Affordable
Housing" project led by Global Green of the United States which
promotes the development of energy efficient housing in low income-neighborhoods.
Green Cross has been particularly active in water issues in the
Middle East and Southern Africa, and Mikhail Gorbachev has personally
played an active role in seeking an agreement between Israel, Jordan,
the Palestinian Authority and Lebanon on the sharing of the Jordan
River Water.
The Green Cross worked with other environmental organizations to
draft the "Earth Charter," intended to serve as a universal
code of conduct for a sustainable future. Green Cross is also highly
involved in environmental education and communication. It organizes
conferences, an international Youth Contest, a millennium award
ceremony, and publishes local magazines and newsletters.
Internet
www.gci.ch
On-Line Info: Description of Green Cross International and its programs,
links to National Offices, forums for dialogue on environmental
issues, a list of environmental organizations in Geneva with links.
Address
Green Cross International
160a, route de Florissant
1231 Conches
Tel. 789.1662
Fax. 789.1695
E-mail: secretariat@gci.ch
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