The British Crown Prince Charles was recentlyawarded the "1992 Ecological Eagle" Environmental Award. Thisdistinction is bestowed annually by the International Committee"Artists for Ecology." The presentation was made by the GermanForeign Minister Dr. Klaus Kinkel in the presence of actor PeterUstinov, singer Felicia Weathers, and the Committee President B. JohnZavrel from the United States, as well as various political,diplomatic, and cultural representatives. By giving this task to theForeign Minister, the committee placed special emphasis on the factthat the issue of environmental protection today is no longer anational problem, but an international, global responsibility whichcrosses all borders.
"The International Committee "Artists for Ecology"has awarded the "Ecological Eagle" annually since 1987 to persons tohave made an exemplary contribution to environmental protection. Theprize consists of a bronze sculpture of the threatened bald eagle,with an engraved dedication. It was created by the German sculptorKurt Arentz," said B. John Zavrel, the president of thecommittee.
Previous recipients of the Ecological Eagle werethe American president Ronald Reagan (1987), U.S. Ambassador RichardBurt (1988), NATO Secretary General Manfred Woerner (1989), GermanMinister of Agriculture Ignaz Kiechle (1990), and the German ForeignMinister Hans-Dietrich Genscher (1991).
In a statement explaining the reasons forselecting the British Crown Prince as this year's recipient, theInternational Committee "Artists for Ecology" noted that he haddevoted more than a dozen years of widespread attention toenvironmental protection and the preservation of the naturalconditions of life. In so doing, he assumed the patronage of numerousorganizations devoted to this purpose. These projects are concernedwith the preservation of the rain forests in South America, as wellas the protection of plants and gardens in England. Prince Charleshas also aroused the national consciousness by expressing hisopinions on architecture and its ecological effects in the televisiondocumentary "A View of Britain." His book, based onthis program, has given the issue of environmental protectionadditional support. Also mentioned were the Prince's nature studies:watercolors and pencil drawings which bear witness to hisenvironmental alertness.
The long-standing efforts of Prince Charles forbetter environmental protection were a decisive factor in thecommittee's unanimous decision to award him the 1992 EcologicalEagle, said B. John Zavrel, the American Chairman of theInternational Committee "Artists for Ecology" (AFE) in NewYork/USA.
"You may accept this award with great pride, andyou are to be commended for your support of global ecology.....wewish you and all those gathered for this special occasion everysuccess as you strive to protect our world for this and for futuregenerations," wrote President Ronald Reagan, a former recipient ofthe Ecological Award, in a letter of congratulations to PrinceCharles.
The Prince of Wales said at the ceremony: "Iaccept this award also on the behalf of the countless people aroundthe globe, who take their own initiative to protect our world. We areall privileged to preserve the Nature, each one at his own place. Ifeel very honored and thank you all."
As a backdrop to the award presentation, a numberof well-known European painters exhibited their works of art on thetheme of "Nature and the Environment."
"We try to mobilize artists from all continents toshow through their sculpture, paintings, and music their commitmentto the preservation of our environment. They are acting as arousersof environmental consciousness and guardians of our planet. Forinstance, to our early supporters belonged the British sculptor HenryMoore, whose many sculptures are meant to be displayed in a natural,outdoor setting," said Zavrel about the goals of the committee. " Butwe are realistic, and are not overestimating our contribution to thiscause. However, we are convinced that each of us must make anindividual contribution, and we welcome any artist into our group whowants to contribute to this effort."
Artists interested in cooperating with thecommittee can obtain additional information from B. John Zavrel,President, IC Artists for Ecology, 10545 Main Street, Clarence, N.Y.14031 (U.S.A.).