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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Friday, 8 October, 2004, 11:38 GMT 12:38 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Kenyan ecologist wins Nobel prize Wangari Maathai is the first African woman to win the prize Kenyan environmentalist and human rights campaigner Wangari Maathai has won the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the first African woman to be awarded the peace prize since it was created in 1901. A surprised Mrs Maathai broke the news to reporters minutes before the official announcement. The prize committee says Mrs Maathai, Kenya's deputy environment minister, is an example for all Africans fighting for democracy and peace. The delighted 64-year-old professor said the award was completely unexpected. "This is extremely encouraging to the people of Africa and the African woman," she told the BBC. "It is a recognition of the many efforts of African women, who continue to struggle despite all the problems they face." Social science In the late 1970s Mrs Maathai led a campaign called the "Green Belt Movement" to plant tens of millions of trees across Africa to slow deforestation. The movement grew to include projects to preserve biodiversity, educate people about their environment and promote the rights of women and girls. I am working to make sure we don't only protect the environment, we also improve governance Wangari Maathai Nobel Peace Laureate Profile of Wangari Maathai Mrs Maathai said she was delighted that the vital role of the environment had been recognised. "The environment is very important in the aspects of peace because when we destroy our resources and our resources become scarce, we fight over that". "I am working to make sure we don't only protect the environment, we also improve governance," she added. The committee says she has combined science with social engagement and politics and has worked both locally and internationally. 'Honoured' The professor was the 12th woman peace laureate since the first award was first made in 1901. A spokesman for the Kenyan government said his country was honoured. Africa's peace laureates 2004 - Wangari Maathai, Kenya 2001- Kofi Annan, Ghana 1993 - Nelson Mandela, FW de Klerk, South Africa 1984 - Desmond Tutu, South Africa 1960 - Albert John Lutuli, South Africa "This is a great moment in Kenyan history. To us this shows that what Wangari Maathai has been doing here has been recognized," Alfred Mutua said. "We're very proud of her and she deserves all the credit." Mrs Maathai beat a record 194 nominations, including former Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix and head of the UN energy watchdog, Mohamed ElBaradei, to win the prize. Mrs Maathai is the second woman in a row to be awarded the peace prize which last year went to Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi, for her work for the rights of women and children in Iran. The award, which includes 10 million Swedish kronor ($1.3m) is awarded in Oslo on 10 December each year. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectKenyan ecologist wins Nobel prizeUN to investigate Darfur genocideUN launches key anti-polio pushBlair back after Africa troop vowAl-Qaeda 'behind Egypt bombings'G Bissau mutineers deny coup plotItaly seeks Libya immigrant dealNigerian clashes: '50,000 killed'Sudanese flesh out final dealNigeria's women go homeBlair urged to return treasuresIvorian exile's gardener killedProbe as 'mercenary' dies in jailDR Congo official ran death gangNigeria oil militia not disarmingKenya judge cleared of corruptionTanzania's leader snubs new jetTackling oil burns in NigeriaAiding Darfur: A nurse's storyLooking for lost ancestorsCan women save the planet?Do you have a story to tell?Send us your pictures of AfricaProgrammes and schedules  BBC NEWS: VIDEO AND AUDIO Find out more about this year's winner How Nobel Does the prestigious peace prize really matter? SEE ALSO: Profile: Wangari Maathai 08 Oct 04  |  Africa Full text: 2004 Nobel Peace award 08 Oct 04  |  Africa The Nobel: Dynamite or damp squib? 08 Oct 04  |  Middle East Timeline: Kenya 10 Aug 04  |  Country profiles Country profile: Kenya 18 Jun 04  |  Country profiles RELATED BBC LINKS: News - Nobel Peace Prize 2003 News - Century of peace prize RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Nobel Prize Green Belt Movement The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW Kenyan ecologist wins Nobel prize UN to investigate Darfur genocide UN launches key anti-polio push Blair gives Africa troop vow News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

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