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''''Maurice F. Strong''', [[Queen's Privy Council for Canada|PC]], [[Order of Canada|CC]], [[Order of Manitoba|OM]], [[Royal Society of Canada|FRSC]] (born April 29, 1929) is a [[Canada|Canadian]] businessman. He is an [[entrepreneur]], [[environmentalist]], and one of the world’s leading proponents of the [[United Nations]]'s involvement in world affairs and strong proponent of "New World Order". A one world government with an objective of redistribution of wealth from the industrious nations of working individuals, to those of non-industrious and non-educated nations of non-working individuals. Born in [[Oak Lake]], [[Manitoba]], Strong had his start as a petroleum entrepreneur and became president of [[Power Corporation]] until 1966. In the early [[1970]]s he was [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]] Conference on the Human Environment and then became the first Executive Director of the [[United Nations Environment Programme]]. He returned to Canada to become Chief Executive Officer of [[Petro-Canada]] from [[1976]] to [[1978]]. He headed [[Ontario Hydro]], one of North Americas largest power utilities, was national President and Chairman of the Extension Committee of the World Alliance of [[YMCA]]s, and headed [[American Water Development Incorporated]]. Today Strong lives in the [[People's Republic of China]],{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} and is President of the Council of the United Nations's [[University for Peace]]. UPEACE is the only university in the UN system able to grant degrees at the [[masters degree|masters]] and [[doctorate degree|doctoral]]. He is an active honorary professor at [[Peking University]] and Honorary Chairman of its Environmental Foundation. He is Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Institute for Research on Security and Sustainability for Northeast Asia.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} ==Business== Maurice Strong had his start in business as a specialist in oil and mineral resources for a leading brokerage firm, James Richardson & Sons. Moving to [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], he became assistant to one of the most colorful and dramatically successful leaders of the oil industry, [[John Gallagher (geologist)|J.P. Gallagher]]. At Gallagher's [[Dome Petroleum]], Strong occupied several key roles including Vice President of Finance. In the 1950s he took over a small natural gas company, Ajax Petroleums, and built it into what became one of the leading companies in the industry, [[Norcen Resources]]. This attracted the attention of one of Canada’s principal investment corporations with extensive interests in the energy and utility businesses, [[Power Corporation of Canada]]. It appointed him initially as its Executive Vice President and then President from 1961 until 1966. In 1976, at the request of Prime Minister [[Pierre Trudeau]], Strong returned to Canada to head the newly created national oil company, [[Petro-Canada]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Maurice F. Strong Is First Non-U.S. Citizen To Receive Public Welfare Medal, Academy's Highest Honor | url = http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=12032003 | publisher = National Academy of Sciences | accessdate = 2008-01-20 }}</ref>. He then became Chairman of the Canada Development Investment Corporation, the holding company for some of Canada’s principal government-owned corporations. ===American Water Development === As Chairman of AZL Resources Incorporated and American Water Development Incorporated, Strong instituted a program to pump underground water and send it to the suburban Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo. Townspeople of nearby [[Crestone, Colorado]] created a [[grass-roots movement]] against the business project. The project was opposed by the [[Colorado Division of Wildlife]] and [[National Park Service]], both claiming it would cause significant environmental damages to nearby wetland and sand dune ecosystems. After a lengthy trial, Colorado courts ruled against AWDI and required payment of the objectors' legal fees, $3.1 million.<ref>[http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=350 "Rural area beats back water diversion plan"] article by Barry Noreen, [[High Country News]] May 30, 1994</ref> Afterwards, Strong was quoted as saying, "My interest in the water went beyond it being a good business. I saw development of the water as an exceptional opportunity to apply my sustainable-development principles on a real-life scale."<ref name="awd">[http://www.bizspirit.com/bsj/reviews/bsjreviews/StrongM_1.html Where on Earth Are We Going?]. April 23, 2001. Texere.ISBN 158799092X: On AWDI, page 169: "My interest in the water went beyond it being a good business. I saw development of the water as an exceptional opportunity to apply my sustainable-development principles on a real-life scale." page 170: "Initially my partners had all given at least passive support to my plans for the project, which I had insisted from inception to be an example of environmental and socially responsible development." page 171: "I donated my interest to the Fetzer Foundation." </ref> When his partners opted for an alternative plan to export the water from the valley, Strong donated his interest to charity (the Fetzer foundation).<ref name="awd"/> ==United Nations work== [[Image:Flag of the United Nations.svg|thumb|right|200px|]] Strong first met with a leading UN official in 1947 who arranged for him to have a temporary low-level appointment, to serve as a junior [[security officer]] at the UN headquarters in [[Lake Success, New York]]. ===Stockholm Conference=== [[Image:UNEP logo.svg|thumb|UNEP logo.]] In 1971, Strong commissioned a report on the state of the planet, entitled “Only One Earth: The Care and Maintenance of a Small Planet” <ref>Ward Barbara Dubos Rene. Only One Earth. May 25, 1972. Andre Deutsch Ltd.ISBN 0233963081</ref> and co-authored by [[Barbara Ward]] and [[Rene Dubos]]. The report summarized the findings of 152 leading experts from 58 countries in preparation for the first UN meeting on the environment, held in Stockholm in 1972. This was the world's first "state of the environment" report. The Stockholm Conference established the environment as part of an international development agenda. It led to the establishment by the UN General Assembly in December 1972 of the [[United Nations Environment Programme]] (UNEP), with headquarters in [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya]], and the election of Strong to head it. UNEP was the first UN agency to be headquartered in the [[third world]].<ref>http://www.unep.org Website of the United Nations Environment Programme </ref> As head of UNEP, Strong convened the first international expert group meeting on climate change.<ref>{{cite web | title = A super agency? | url = http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/v5/content/subscribe?user_URL=http://www.theglobeandmail.com%2Fservlet%2Fstory%2FRTGAM.20070307.wcoclimate07%2FBNStory%2FClimateChange%2F&ord=4762007&brand=theglobeandmail&force_login=true | publisher = Globe and Mail | accessdate = 2008-01-14 }} Member account login required to access full article.</ref> Maurice Strong was one of the commissioners of the World Commission on Environment and Development, set up as an independent body by the United Nations in 1983. ===Earth Summit=== His role in leading the UN’s famine relief program in Africa was the first in a series of UN advisory assignments, including reform and his appointment as Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Environment and Development—best known as the [[Earth Summit]].<ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/agenda21/index.htm Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio, 1992]</ref><ref>Tribute Special Supplement: On the Road to Rio. (1991). World Media Institute, Ottawa, Canada</ref> After the Earth Summit, Strong continued to take a leading role in implementing the results of agreements at the Earth Summit through establishment of the [[Earth Council]], the [[Earth Charter]] movement, his Chairmanship of the [[World Resources Institute]], Membership on the Board of the [[International Institute for Sustainable Development]], the [[Stockholm Environment Institute]], [http://www.aaionline.org The Africa-America Institute], the Institute of Ecology in Indonesia, the Beijer Institute of the [[Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences]], and others. Strong was a longtime Foundation Director of the [[World Economic Forum]], a Senior Advisor to the President of the World Bank, a Member of the International Advisory of Toyota Motor Corporation, the Advisory Council for the [http://www.cid.harvard.edu Center for International Development of Harvard University], the [[World Business Council for Sustainable Development]], the [[World Conservation Union]] (IUCN), the [[World Wildlife Fund]], [http://www.rff.org Resources for the Future], and the [http://eisenhowerfellowships.org Eisenhower Fellowships]. His public service activities were carried out on a ''pro bono'' basis made possible by his business activities, which included Chairman of the International Advisory Group of [http://www.ch2m.com/corporate CH2M Hill], Strovest Holdings Inc., Technology Development Inc., Zenon Environmental Inc., and most recently, [http://www.cosmosus.com Cosmos International], and the China Carbon Corporation. Strong lobbied to change [[NGO]] perspectives on [[World Bank]].<ref>http://www.mauricestrong.net/2008072115/strong-biography.html</ref> In 1999, at the request of then UN Secretary-General, [[Javier Pérez de Cuéllar]], he took on the task of trying to restore the viability of the [[University for Peace]], headquartered in [[Costa Rica]], established under authorization of the UN General Assembly.<ref>{{cite news | title = University of Peace Makes New Appointments and Agrees on Major Expansion | url = http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/archives/L/2000/B/un001921.html | publisher = Science Blog | accessdate = 2008-01-05 }}</ref> The UN’s reputation was at risk as the organization had been subjected to severe mismanagement, misappropriation of funds and inoperative governance. As Chairman of its governing body, the Council, and initially as Rector, Strong led the process of revitalizing the University for Peace and helped to rebuild its programs and leadership. He retired from the Council in the spring of 2007. From 2003 and 2005, Strong served as the personal envoy UN Secretary-General [[Kofi Annan]] to lead support for the international response to the humanitarian and development needs of the [[Democratic People's Republic of Korea]].<ref>{{cite news | title = UN urges North Korea-US talks | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2916473.stm | publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation | accessdate = 2008-01-05 | date=April 4, 2003 | location=London}}</ref> ===2005 Oil-for-Food scandal and hiring practice criticisms=== In 2005, during investigations into the U.N.'s [[Oil-for-Food Programme]], evidence procured by federal investigators and the U.N.-authorized inquiry of [[Paul Volcker]] showed that in 1997, while working for Annan, Strong had endorsed a check [[http://www.katewerk.com/temp/strong_chq.jpg]]for $988,885, made out to "Mr. M. Strong," issued by a Jordanian bank. It was reported that the check was hand-delivered to Mr. Strong by a South Korean businessman, [[Tongsun Park]], who in 2006 was convicted in New York federal court of conspiring to bribe U.N. officials to rig Oil-for-Food in favor of [[Saddam Hussein]]. Mr. Strong was never accused of any wrongdoing.<ref name="check">{{cite web |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122368007369524679.html |title=Maurice Strong: The U.N.'s Man of Mystery - WSJ.com |publisher=online.wsj.com |accessdate=2010-03-16 }}</ref> During the inquiry, Strong stepped down from his U.N. post, stating that he would "sideline himself until the cloud was removed". Strong now lives in Beijing.<ref name="check"/> Strong was the UN's envoy to [[North Korea]] until July 2005. According to [[Associated Press]] his contract was not renewed "amid questions about his connection to a suspect in the UN oil-for-food scandal", [[Tongsun Park]], as well as due to criticism that he gave his stepdaughter a job at the UN contrary to UN staff regulations against hiring immediate family.<ref>[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050718.wstrong0718/BNStory/National/ The Globe and Mail]</ref> ===UN Secretary General's tribute=== [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]] [[Kofi Annan]], near the end of his term, paid the following tribute to Maurice Strong: {{cquote|Looking back on our time together, we have shared many trials and tribulations and I am grateful that I had the benefit of your global vision and wise counsel on many critical issues, not least the delicate question of the Korean Peninsula and China’s changing role in the world. Your unwavering commitment to the environment, multilateralism and peaceful resolution of conflicts is especially appreciated.}} ==Honors and Awards== Maurice Strong has received a number of honors, awards and medals. He has received 53 honorary doctorate degrees and honorary visiting professorships at 7 universities. Among the honors and awards: *2005: He was Awarded the [[Order of Manitoba]] the Highest Award in the [[Provinces of Canada|Province]] of [[Manitoba]]. *2003: [http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=12032003 Public Welfare Medal from the US National Academy of Sciences: First Non-US Citizen to receive the medal] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *2002: [http://www.ewire.com/display.cfm/Wire_ID/1307 Carriage House Center on Global Issues: Candlelight Award] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *1999: [http://www.gg.ca/honours/search-recherche/honours-desc.asp?lang=e&TypeID=orc&id=1624 Companion of the Order of Canada] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *1998 he was given the [[Order of the Southern Cross]] by the Government of Brazil [http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/1998/19980627/html/house-e.html] *1996: Swedish Royal [[Order of the Polar Star]] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *1995: [http://www.ikea.com IKEA Environmental Award] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *1994: [http://www.af-info.or.jp/index/index_e2.html Asahi Glass Foundation Award: Blue Planet Prize] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *1994: [http://mea.gov.in/pressbriefing/2004/07/09pb01.htm Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *1993: International St. Francis Prize for the Environment *1993: [http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/headsup/archives/mar_1999.cfm?attr=20 Alexander Onassis Delphi Prize] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *1997: [[Henri Pittier]] Order of Venezuela *1989: [http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/pearson/1989.asp Pearson Peace Medal] [[Pearson Medal of Peace]] Recipients Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *1981: [http://www.lindberghfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=42&Itemid=55 Charles A. Lindbergh Award] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *1976: he was made an Officer of the [[Order of Canada]] and was promoted to Companion in 2000. *1975: [http://www.audubon.org/local/index.html National Audubon Society Award] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *1974: [http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/tylerprize/previous.html Tyler Evironmental Prize] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 Other honors and awards include: *The Brazilian National [[Order of the Southern Cross]] *Commander of the Order of the Golden Ark (Netherlands) *International Saint Francis Prize, Fellow *[http://royalsociety.org/page.asp?id=1737 The Royal Society (UK)] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *[http://www.rsc.ca/index.php?page_id=70&lang_id=1 Royal Society of Canada] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *[http://www.raic.org/index_e.htm Royal Architectural Institute of Canada] Retrieved on December 27, 2007 *Honorary Board Member, [http://www.davidsuzuki.org/About_us/Board_of_Directors.asp David Suzuki Foundation] Retrieved on January 13, 2008 *Distinguished Fellow, [http://www.iisd.org/about/staffbio.aspx?id=381 International Institute for Sustainable Development] Retrieved on January 13, 2008 * [[John Ralston Saul]] dedicated his polemic ''[[Voltaire's Bastards: The Dictatorship of Reason In The West]]'' to Strong. ==References and notes== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== * [http://www.mauricestrong.net/ Official website of Maurice Strong] * [http://www.upeace.org United Nations University for Peace] Is a threat to US sovereignty {{DEFAULTSORT:Strong, Maurice}} [[Category:1929 births]] [[Category:Canadian businesspeople]] [[Category:Canadian environmentalists]] [[Category:Companions of the Order of Canada]] [[Category:United Nations Environment Programme]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Members of the Order of Manitoba]] [[Category:Members of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]] [[Category:Members of the United Church of Canada]] [[Category:People from Westman Region, Manitoba]] [[Category:Power Corporation of Canada]] [[Category:United Nations officials]] [[fr:Maurice Strong]] [[hi:मौरिस स्ट्रांग]]'