Kenya's Green Belt Movement
Chapter 7 KENYA’S GREEN BELT MOVEMENT CONTRIBUTIONS, CONFLICT, CONTRADICTIONS, AND COMPLICATIONS IN A PROMINENT ENVIRONMENTAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION (ENGO) Bron Taylor1 Introduction Kenya’s Green Belt Movement became internationally famous in 2004 when its founder, Wangari Maathai, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.2 Since 1977, in Kenya and other parts of Africa, the movement has planted millions of trees in an effort to restore ecosystems, promote sustain- able livelihoods, empower women, and promote democracy. Increasingly, Maathai has drawn a close connection between all these objectives and the quest for a peaceful society. As a result, Maathai and the movement she inspired are now well known internationally. A more complete pic- ture, however, reveals not only contributions, but also complications and challenges that seriously undermine the movement’s objectives. Given the importance of this movement, and because it shares many traits with grassroots environmental and social movements in the developing world, valuable lessons can be gleaned by bringing this important civil society actor into sharper focus. My hope is that a fresh look at the movement, that is both appreciative and willing to be critical, will give insight into the movement’s strengths and weaknesses, thereby positively contributing to the praxis of civil soci- ety, which is composed of diverse individuals and groups, outside of gov- ernments, who generally promote social justice, environmental health, Kenya’s Green Belt Movement • 181 and democracy. My belief is that by turning to the epistemological and ethical issues that are raised through this case study, we will eventually be able to see more clearly the ways in which environmental knowledge can be integrated within cultures to promote the fl ourishing of both hu- man beings and the natural communities to which they belong.
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