Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Dr. Rajendra Pachauri in the Dominican Republic as DREFF Guest of Honor

September 8, 2016

Santo Domingo – The sixth edition of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) is proud to welcome Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, 2007 Nobel Peace Prize recipient on behalf of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), as this year’s guest of honor. Dr. Pachauri will receive the highest recognition of the Film Festival, the Colibrí Award, for his outstanding academic and professional career. Born in India, Dr. Pachauri will attend the closing ceremony of the DREFF, to be held on September 18^th at 6:00 pm in Funglode. In addition to receiving the award, he will deliver the keynote address entitled, “Sustainability and Sustainable Development: A Challenge for all Stakeholders.”

In addition, the renowned expert will discuss climate change as a “threat” to sustainable development and how it has exacerbated natural and social systems by placing additional burdens on them, especially among the poor.

During his stay in the country, Dr. Pachauri will meet with local academic authorities including representatives from the Red Ambiental de Universidades Dominicanas (Environmental Network of Dominican Universities -RAUDO) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

In addition, on Monday September 19, he will attend a special meeting at the Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Pachauri is the founder and executive director of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and founding director of the Yale Climate and Energy Institute (YCEI). He has taught in the United States, Finland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico and India, among other countries. From 2002 to 2015, he chaired the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), during which time the organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Dr. Pachauri has received 25 honorary doctorate degrees and prestigious recognition from the governments of India, Belgium Finland, Japan, Mexico and Italy, among others. He has published 30 books and over 300 scholarly articles. Dr. Pachauri’s connection with global youth and his concern for the future are the driving forces behind the Protect our Planet Movement, which he recently founded.

Pachauri will join other experts and filmmakers who in previous years have received the DREFF Colibrí Award for their effort and dedication in the area of environment and sustainable development. Filmmaker Jon Bowermaster, the Recycled Instruments Orchestra of Cateura, Louie Psihoyos, Emily and Bobby Hunter, Lucy Walker, Richard O´Barry, Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Silvia Alice Earle have all received this award at previous Film Festivals.

Under this year’s motto “Yo Soy Sostenible,” the sixth edition of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival will open on September 13, 2016 in Santo Domingo with a screening of the documentary The True Cost and a huge celebration of sustainable fashion at the Agora Mall. The Film Festival, which will last six days, is being held in 11 cities around the Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo, Santiago, Baní, Puerto Plata/Sosúa, San Juan de la Maguana, La Vega, Samaná, Hermanas Mirabal, Azua, Bonao, Punta Cana and La Romana at more than 40 screening rooms and cinemas.

About the DREFF
Since its creation in 2011, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival has been providing Dominicans with a platform of knowledge and debate on the environment and sustainable development, as well as examples of best practices to achieve them, while celebrating the unique beauty and natural heritage of the Dominican Republic. With a wide selection of documentaries and numerous panel discussions, workshops, seminars and community activities, the DREFF seeks to promote dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and experience with the goal of encouraging Dominicans to take measures that will contribute to the appreciation, conservation and sustainable use of the country’s unique natural resources.

www.dreff.org / info@dreff.org
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