Jody was the founding coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) from 1992 to 1998. She was chief strategist and spokesperson for the ICBL during the diplomatic conference in Oslo in 1997 where the ICBL achieved its goal of an international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines. That year, Jody and the ICBL were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Since 1998, Jody has served as a Campaign Ambassador for the ICBL, speaking on its behalf all over the world.
Along with sister Laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi of Iran, Jody led the establishment of the Nobel Women’s Initiative in 2006.
Jody will be part of both the Asia and Africa legs of the delegation.
Wangari Maathai – Nobel Peace Laureate, 2004
Before she chaired the National Council of Women of Kenya (NCWK) from 1981 to 1987, Wangari’s idea of planting trees using ordinary people became the grassroots Green Belt Movement (GBM) that launched in 1977.
GBM helped women’s groups to plant trees to conserve the environment and empower themselves. Through GBM, women have planted more than 30 million trees at farms, schools, and churches across Kenya. In 1986, GBM established the Pan-African Green Belt Network. In 2004, Wangari was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace.
Elected to parliament in December 2002 with an overwhelming 98% of the vote, Wangari served as Kenya’s Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources from 2003 to 2007.
Wangari will be part of the Africa leg of the delegation.
Mia Farrow –Activist and Actor
Mia Farrow – an award-winning actress – has been a high profile advocate for children's rights, working to raise funds and awareness for children in conflict affected regions, predominantly in Africa. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Mia has worked extensively to draw attention to the fight to eradicate polio, which she survived as a child.
Mia is committed advocate for Darfur and serves on the Advisory Board of Dream for Darfur, an organization devoted to putting pressure on the 2008 Olympic host – China – to use its influence in Khartoum to work for peace. She has traveled to the Darfur region eight times.
Mia will be part of both the Asia and Africa legs of the delegation.
Erin Simpson – Manager of Policy and Advocacy
At the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC), Erin coordinated the Americas Policy Group, then developed the peace and conflict advocacy program. Later, she served as a policy advisor to the leader of Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP). Before assuming her current position, Erin consulted with the NWI for the Darfur project. She sits on the board of a local women's shelter and contributes to various activist projects.
Erin will be part of both the Asia and Africa legs of the delegation.
Rachel Vincent – Manager of Media and Communications
Rachel’s career began as a radio journalist working in Canada and Mexico. Since 1994, she has served as a senior communications advisor to governments and non-profit groups on international issues, environment, and health. An active Quaker and mother of three, Rachel volunteers at the Canadian Centre for International Justice (CCIJ).
Rachel will be part of both the Asia and Africa legs of the delegation.
Thailand-Burma, South Sudan, Chad July-August, 2008
The Thai-Burma border, South Sudan, and Chad will be visited this summer by peace prize laureates of the Nobel Women’s Initiative and prominent human rights activists. Why? So the delegation can lend support to women on the ground in promoting messages and ideas about human rights and peace-building in the regions.