Nelson Mandela Addresses the Durban IGU Regional Conference
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Volume 38, Number 1 • January 2003 In This Issue Nelson Mandela Addresses the Durban IGU Regional Conference elson Mandela, former prime minister of South Africa, Nobel Peace Prize recipient N and noted statesperson, addressed the open- ing session of the Durban, South Africa IGU Regional Conference on 4 August 2002. Mandela From the Meridian ................2 visited the conference to receive the IGU’s Planet President’s Column ..............3 and Humanity Medal. His largely spontaneous Grants & Awards ..................10 remarks, transcribed below, were welcomed Grants & Competitions......12 warmly by the audience, which responded with a Quarter Century ..................13 prolonged standing ovation. Members of Note ................15 “Madame President of the International Geo- Necrology ..............................16 graphical Union, esteemed members of the Inter- Mandela Specialty Group News ......17 national Geographical Union, international visi- New Appointments............17 tors, distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen. uncertainty of not knowing where and in what con- New Members........................19 My grandchildren, including Dr. Ben Ngubane, the dition one would be when the event comes around Award Deadlines ................20 Minister of Arts, Culture, Science, and Technology, at last. Employed people and those in office can Jobs in Geography..............22 and Mike Sutcliffe there, keep reminding me that I never imagine how chaotically unscheduled the lives have now lost power and influence and that I Books Received....................38 are of those who find themselves in the idleness of should remain with my grandchildren. I hope they retirement and pension. We are very happy that out Events ......................................39 will revise their opinion after this occasion, because of that chaos, our office could contrive to have us a man who has lost power and influ- here, at this most prestigious event and occasion. ence cannot be honoured by such I am a simple country boy, and I remain an organization! astounded and overawed by the awards and honors It is with a special sense of humil- that people for some incomprehensible reason ity that we stand here to receive the decide to bestow upon us. A colleague of mine Planet and Humanity Medal. We are often asks me how it is that I remember so distinct- aware of how much correspondence ly people I have met, days on which events have and intervention it took to finally occurred, and the details of occurrences. My con- secure our presence here this after- sistent and truthful reply to him is the following: I noon. We need to indicate that the am a simple country boy, unacquainted with all of effort it entailed to finally conclude these marvellous and strange things of the world. the discussions about our participa- Every time I encounter people, things and events, tion had nothing to do with an they remain indelibly stuck on my overawed mind. unwillingness to accept this presti- I left the country in April 1941, and many people gious award, or with an attitude of may wonder why I call myself still a country boy. playing “hard to get,” as the colloqui- But although I left the country in 1941, the country Saint Louis Cathedral, Jackson al saying goes. We ourselves, as well has not left me. This visit will be such an occasion Square. Visit Jackson Square in as our office, long ago indicated to that I will never be able to forget, and it is further- the heart of the French Quarter, our Minister of Arts, Culture, Sci- more an occasion that takes me back to concrete a former military parade ence, and Technology, that we memories of, and present-day knowledge about my grounds and marketplace that is would be extremely honoured to now home to numerous artists origins as a country boy. who work and display there. receive the award. But the vagaries When I go to the place and area of my birth, so Photo courtesy of Martha A. of leaving official office and having often as I do, the changed geography of the place Works, Portland State University. to establish a home as an unem- strikes me with a force that I cannot escape. And ployed pensioner contributed to the Continued on page 6 www.aag.org AAG Newsletter 1 January 2003 From the Meridian AAG Newsletter Executive Director Emeritus: of the Association of American A Tribute to Ron Abler Geographers major chapter in the history of the organizing and managing multiple publica- AAG is drawing to a close this tions, meetings, and external relationships Douglas Richardson, Publisher A month, with the departure of Ron with those in government, other disciplines, the growing private sector of geography, Amy Jo Woodruff, Abler as one of its longest-serving execu- Director of Publications tive directors. During the past six months, and our many sister organizations. As the central office staffing and technology Heather M. Baker, Editor Ron has been gradually disengaging from many functions at the AAG, and I have requirements change so do the management Megan D. Nortrup, and technical challenges of the organiza- Editorial Assistant gradually been assuming some of these—a process of leadership mitosis tion’s leadership. While AAG Voice 202-234-1450 that will result in this case guarding traditions, Ron has AAG Fax 202-234-2744 not in a cloning, but in an been prescient in initiating [email protected] evolution of the directorship change to address these www.aag.org that in many ways will areas as well. And with con- closely resemble the past, genital good humor, he has USPS 987-380 ISSN 0275-3995 yet still permit new possibil- steadfastly navigated the ities. As this process of tran- inevitable occasional storm The AAG Newsletter ISSN 0275-3995 sition completes its course at or intemperate squall, is published monthly by the Associa- the AAG this month, I’d like always keeping the AAG tion of American Geographers, 1710 to pause to acknowledge in moving forward and on 16th Street NW, Washington, DC these pages the obvious, course throughout. 20009-3198. The cost of an annual which is the tremendous To me, one of Ron’s Richardson subscription is $25.00 The subscrip- contribution that Ron has most significant but per- tion price is included in the annual made to geography and the AAG over the haps less well understood long-term dues of the Association. Not available past thirteen years of his tenure as execu- accomplishments as executive director has to non-members. Periodicals postage tive director. been to promote and sustain the breadth, paid in Washington, DC. All news We as geographers have had the great unity, and diversity of geography in the items and letters, including job listings, good fortune for over a decade to have United States during a decade of rapid should be sent to the Editor at the had as our mate, leader, colleague, media- change. Geography remains today one of address below. tor, slave, and visionary an extraordinarily the few disciplines that can meaningfully explore, within the tradition of a single All Newsletter materials must talented, hard-working, and committed friend in Ron Abler. Though I have count- discipline, essential questions of how the arrive at the Association office by the ed Ron as a personal friend for many natural sciences, social sciences, and the 1st of the month preceding the month years, the unexpected circumstance of humanities can interact and inform one of the publication. This includes job working jointly and closely with him for another in the search for knowledge, listings. Material will be published on the past year and a half has been a rare explanation, and understanding through a space available basis and at the dis- and wonderful experience, one of those concerted intellectual activity. In part cretion of the editorial staff. pleasures in life made all the more so by because my own past work, intellectual When your address changes, please virtue of its unplanned and otherwise interests, and on-going sources of fascina- notify the Association office immediate- unanticipated occurrence. Ron has been tion with geography span so many sub- ly. Six weeks notice is necessary to everything one could hope for in a col- fields, I share with Ron a particularly insure uninterrupted delivery of AAG league: mentor, help-mate, co-strategist, strong commitment to ensuring that our publications. To assist the AAG office in intellectual sounding board, and friend. efforts at the AAG sustain vibrant per- your address change, include the address Few of our members are in a position to spectives and adherents from across the label with your change of address. fully appreciate the sheer amount of work full breadth of the discipline. As a result of Postmaster: Send address changes involved in serving as executive director. these traditions, we in geography are in a to AAG Newsletter, 1710 16th Street For years Ron has successfully juggled the unique position to contribute to the NW, Washington, DC 20009-3198, or many competing demands of 7,000 mem- increased emphasis on integrative ap- [email protected]. bers, the torrential rain of e-mail that falls proaches to science and the arts. This is a upon the AAG, and the complex tasks of Continued on page 5 2 AAG Newsletter www.aag.org President’s Column Volume 38, Number 1 Transitions . s we begin a new year and begin to a unique opportunity to continue to build Cutter, and Michael Goodchild are exam- close in on our 2004 Centennial Cel- our reputation in various aspects of the ples of geographers leading the way in this A ebration I want to reflect briefly on a infosphere, virtual worlds, and cybergeog- regard, but there are others that deserve few transitions that will affect the Associ- raphy; yet if we are not careful we will such recognition as well.