Zeitz Foundation Planning Workshop

London, December 5^th - The Zeitz Foundation held a first planning workshop with its Ambassadors and Specialists to determine strategic priorities and to discuss potential future programmes. Derek de la Harpe, Specialist for Commerce, facilitated the meeting, which opened with a keynote address by Holly Dublin, Specialist for Conservation. Holly outlined global challenges as well as areas where the Zeitz Foundation could add value.

The Long Run Destinations including the Global Ecosphere Retreat Certification will be at the center of future activities. Specific needs of the destinations will emerge from the certification and the Zeitz Foundation will support its members by seeking funding for these project ideas through different channels.

The fascinating stories behind each destination as well as current activities and news will be featured on the Long Run website: www.thelongrun.com The meeting concluded on Sunday and everybody was in agreement that the dialogue and exchange among this diverse group needs to be continued.

Many thanks to Amadou & Mariam, Marc-Antoine, Jenny, Laurent, Stephen, Auret, Colin, Derek, Holly, Charles and Marika, Rich, Andrea and Sulman for their time commitment and invaluable input.

Usain Bolt and Colin Jackson honoured with local ceremony to become Maasai warriors

As part of the launch of the Zeitz Foundation in Kenya, Usain Bolt and Colin Jackson were made honorary Maasai moran or “warriors” during a visit to Segera Ranch in Laikipia. They received the traditional Shuka dress and stick. Both athletes proudly participated in the traditional dancing and chatted with the moran about their culture.

Usain Bolt, Colin Jackson and Jochen Zeitz receive warm welcome in Kenya during launch of Zeitz Foundation

Nairobi, 2 November 2009 - Usain Bolt, Colin Jackson and Jochen Zeitz, in Kenya as part of the official launch of the Zeitz Foundation and The Long Run initiative, were enthusiastically received in Nairobi on Friday. During their 4-day visit to Kenya and to Segera, one of the nine Long Run Destinations, they experienced Kenya’s rich heritage and environment culminating in Bolt and Jackson being made honorary Maasai warriors and adopting endangered wildlife.

During the press conference on Friday that was attended by more than 100 journalists and camera teams, Usain Bolt said, “This is my first visit to Kenya and to Africa. I am excited to be here and I am looking forward to seeing more of Kenya over the coming days, in particular to visit Segera Ranch in Laikipia.”

Segera is part of the global alliance of nine Long Run Destinations around the world that are committed to become ecologically and socially responsible Global Ecosphere Retreats and to protect the integrity of local ecosystems and the cultures and people living within them. The Long Run initiative intends to provide and build sustainable, mostly tourism driven enterprises, community development and cultural stewardship. As the inaugural initiative by the Zeitz Foundation, The Long Run is a practical approach to a sustainable way of living and is endorsed by sprint superstar Usain Bolt and Colin Jackson, former world champion and BBC sports commentator, who act as Ambassador and Specialist for the Zeitz Foundation in order to support its aims and spread its message.

At Segera, Usain and Colin enjoyed a game drive that brought them close to groups of elephants and giraffes and dozens of zebra. “Seeing these animals in their natural environment is an amazing experience. The tranquillity of the place is something very special and its an honor to be a part of The Long Run to ensure that it is protected and continues to exist in this state,” said Colin Jackson. Later on, in a ceremony with twelve local Maasai, the two athletes were made honorary Maasai moran or “warriors” and received the traditional Shuka dress and stick. Both proudly participated in the traditional dancing and chatted with the moran about their culture. A group of local school children joined them on Sunday to watch the movie HOME at Segera Ranch. Jochen Zeitz, Founder of the Zeitz Foundation, said “It means a lot to me to see these children here at Segera and to introduce them to this wonderful movie from Yann-Arthus Bertrand. Its message is so important and we will continue to communicate it beyond today’s event.”

On Monday, Bolt, Jackson and Zeitz had an audience with H.E., the Honorable President Kibaki and senior ministers, who warmly welcomed the party to Kenya and encouraged them to enjoy the wonderful sights and wildlife that Kenya has to offer. At a ceremony attended by the Rt. Honorable Prime Minister Odinga, Bolt, the world’s fastest man, fittingly adopted a cheetah, the fastest animal on land, and Jackson adopted an eland antelope. At the ceremony, Zeitz was made an Honorary Warden of Kenya and a Trustee of the Kenya Wildlife Service Endowment Fund. A game drive in Nairobi National Park concluded the day. Jackson commented, “It has been an impressive trip. I have been to other African countries but I have never seen so many elephants. My only regret is that it has been too short, and I am certain I will be back soon.”

The Zeitz Foundation Appoints Dr. Holly Dublin as Specialist for Conservation

London, September 29th – The Zeitz Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Holly Dublin as Conservation Specialist.

Dr. Holly Dublin has spent the past three decades as an active conservation practitioner - linking the inherent values of biodiversity to human livelihoods and well-being. For many years Holly served as a Senior Conservation Adviser to WWF and then IUCN. She is presently a Senior Conservationist with the Wildlife Conservation Society, an Adviser to IUCN on Sustainable Use and Human-Wildlife Interactions and the Chair of the African Elephant Specialist Group.

"The challenges for a sustainable future have never been greater and we are at growing risk of losing much of the natural and culture diversity we most value around the world. Innovative approaches, novel partnerships and inspirational ways of communicating hold new opportunities for reversing this escalating trend. As a new player on the block, the Zeitz Foundation can bring fresh energy, enthusiasm and ideas and build powerful, positive synergies."

Holly joins an esteemed group of supporters including:

• Ambassador for Commerce: François-Henri Pinault

• Ambassador for Conservation: Stephen Hopkins

• Ambassador for Culture (Sport): Usain Bolt

• Ambassador for Community: Gregory David Roberts

• Specialist for Culture (Art): Mark Coetzee

• Specialist for Culture (Sport): Colin Jackson

• Specialist for Community: Auret van Heerden

The Zeitz Foundation Appoints Derek de la Harpe as Specialist for Commerce

London, September 29th – The Zeitz Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Derek de la Harpe as Commerce Specialist.

Derek de la Harpe is a Zimbabwean Chartered Accountant and has spent the last 30 years working in finance, wildlife conservation and tourism development in sub-Saharan Africa as well as in Latin America and South-East Asia. At present, he is working as a freelance consultant in these disciplines. Derek specialises in the financing and management of protected areas, both privately- and state-owned, and the role that tourism plays in ensuring sustainability of these areas. Hence the link with the “Commerce” dimension of the 4Cs.

“Securing access to adequate funds for protection, management and development of protected areas is the greatest challenge to wildlife conservation the world over,” says Derek. “The best hope for securing these funds and ensuring sustainability of conservation is through sustainable use of the resources to be conserved. Educating stakeholders on these needs is a major challenge.”

Derek joins an esteemed group of supporters including:

• Ambassador for Commerce: François-Henri Pinault

• Ambassador for Conservation: Stephen Hopkins

• Ambassador for Culture (Sport): Usain Bolt

• Ambassador for Community: Gregory David Roberts

• Specialist for Culture (Art): Mark Coetzee

• Specialist for Culture (Sport): Colin Jackson

• Specialist for Community: Auret van Heerden

Mark Coetzee Contributes as Zeitz Foundation's Culture Specialist in Art

Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Mark Coetzee has established himself as a prominent force in the international art scene. A respected artist, prolific writer, recognized art historian, and curator, Coetzee's career has included distinguished positions as Director of the Rubell Family Collection (RFC) in Miami and Program Director of PUMAVision. He has been an adjunct curator and faculty member at a variety of institutions and we are honored by his commitment to lend his support and expertise in art as a Zeitz Foundation Specialist.

“Art has the capacity to help us understand our place in the world: our cultural past reflects how we have impacted the world that surrounds us, and the present challenges us to consider how we wish to impact the future through the traditions, cultural activities and customs we surround ourselves with now.

Art does not allow us to simply accept the status quo but demands that we be aware of our actions, aesthetic traditions and ethical practices. It also asks us to think carefully on such complex issues as what it means to be both human and responsibly human.

I am honored to be associated with the Zeitz Foundation. Their dedication to promoting a holistic approach to understanding our world through art is exemplary. Their long-term goal—of finding creative ways to nurture more positive relationships in the world—is nothing short of inspiring. I join with them in striving to achieve these goals.”

- Mark Coetzee
The Zeitz Foundation Culture Specialist in Art

Zeitz Foundation Community Specialist, Auret van Heerden

The Zeitz Foundation welcomes Auret van Heerden as its Specialist in the 4Cs dimension of Community. He is the CEO and President of the Fair Labor Association and his expertise and leadership will contribute greatly to the Foundation's community development work.

van Heerden began fighting for workers' and communities' rights as a student in apartheid South Africa over 30 years ago. He has been a major force in the anti-sweatshop movement and his work on labor issues in China and elsewhere belie a history of brave and passionate dedication to enhancing livelihoods and ensuring fair work practices.

Upon his appointment, van Heerden said, “The Zeitz Foundation’s commitment to promoting fair labor and human rights standards as an integral component to their innovative model of sustainability is unique in the conservation world. I am delighted to be working with the Foundation as the FLA’s first participating non-profit company.” 

This unique collaboration with the FLA further underscores the Zeitz Foundation's dedication to pursuing fair labor standards in sustainable tourism and non-tourism industries worldwide. 

BBC Commentator and World Champion Athlete, Colin Jackson, Appointed Zeitz Foundation Specialist

As an important part of our universal culture, the Zeitz Foundation believes in the power of sport to unite. The Foundation is excited to announce the latest addition to its roster of Specialists. A Welsh former sprinter, 110m World Champion hurdling athlete, and Olympic Medalist who is currently known as a BBC sports commentator, inspirational speaker and author, Colin Jackson brings to the Foundation his positive message as a Culture Specialist for Sport.

“I believe in the capacity of sport to inspire and galvanize, and we should never underestimate that power. The message that the Zeitz Foundation sends—by utilizing sport as a way to communicate universal goals and bring people together in ways that contribute towards conservation and social awareness—is one that could not be more relevant at this moment in time.”

The Zeitz Foundation Specialists are experts in their respective fields whose specialties correlate with working towards furthering the Foundation’s mission and goals. The specialists are closely connected to our Ambassadors, contributing their expertise across each of the 4Cs dimensions: conservation, community, culture, and commerce.