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6/14/2002 - What’s Worthwhile? by Peter Keller

ICWA LETTERS Since Institute Current World Affairs Crane Rogers Foundation provided fellowships enable outstanding young professionals outside United States write about international areas issues An exempt operating foundation endowed Charles R Crane Institute supported contributions minded individuals foundations TRUSTEES Joseph Battat Mary Lynne Bird Steven Butler William F Foote Kitty Hempstone Pramila Jayapal Peter Bird Martin Ann Mische Dasa Obereigner Paul A Rahe Carol Rose Chandler Rosenberger John Spencer Edmund Sutton Dirk J Vandewalle HONORARY TRUSTEES David Elliot David Hapgood Pat M Holt Edwin S Munger Richard H Nolte Albert Ravenholt Phillips Talbot Institute Current World Affairs The Crane Rogers Foundation Four West Wheelock Street Hanover New Hampshire 03755 U S A PK THE AMERICAS Peter Keller former Forest Society Fellow Instit studied wrote about tional private parks Chile Argentina His Peter_C_Keller yahoo What Worthwhile By Peter Keller Transcript speech delivered Members Trustees meeting Institute Current World Affairs Monmouth NJ June Just weeks I Quito Ecuador after years South America During those Quito other traveler joined lunch She Germany recently rived continent I trying ignore fellowship would ending So pulled South American guidebook I oppor tunity memories alive asked natural question Where going I exactly somewhere through Ecuador Peru maybe Bolivia I Bolivia really beautiful What about The jungle I Are traveling working Working I smile Doing Writing stories about public private parks Chile Argentina Stories Who A foundation United States I What foundation What They articles members foundation Ja information Whatever I I Why would foundation What My answer They invest people So I right They travel Chile Argentina write something about I still As common conversation Institute Fellow For replayed especially South Americans cause ICWA organization exist there As means trying understand strange concept I often asked about ICWA sense What their angle What ndation trying promote And What purpose fellowship Sometimes actually often I wondered myself Was I writer ranger reporter environmental activist I remind myself simply reading description letter which I Comparing operations parks forest reserves controlled Chilean Argentine governments those controlled persons governmental organizations Ah explains I thought Now Peter An ICWA fellowship everyday opportunity It allows follow wherever Therefore wisely It truly freedom freedom dangerous present I began myself about I would understand relationship between humanity nature How together modern society I luxury opportunity around curiosity wander Questions naturally began Why luxury observe question surroundings explore interests Where wrong Shouldn everybody experience least wonder feeling morning yourself What should I today What I explore beautiful biologically diverse lands southern South America In Chile I often encountered phrase Chilean slang Oye huevon tienes major Basically Dude I You Chile And I Never I across another I would rather Obviously reason leave But being fixed parameters I guess sometime Even though I I still complaints As Argentine friend jokingly Peter wouldn United States plain One observation about fellowship I questioned whether research writing changed outcome issues I wrote about decisions Not seeing tangible results hearing I positive impact I wondered whether I making difference However I myself blame because I pursue options publish articles widely driving activist What provoked thought rarity feedback received other Peter Martin family avuncles Willy Foote Stephen Maly From I under stand common sentiment among fellows I imagine former fellows asked rhetorical question Hello Is anybody there Luckily early I insightful newsletter ICWA fellow Chenoa Egawa wrote something order Newsletters anything author We write rselves This questioning purpose often prompted struggle within myself I enjoyed traveling research environmental issues desire stability settle normal possibly start family friends already I would sometimes think Why continues seems I still During moments doubt Robert Service wrote about Yukon early 1900s reminded The entitled The Men That Don Fit In Here first verse There A still So break hearts And world They range field flood And climb mountain crest Theirs curse gypsy blood And Robert Service always making I alone And I alone thanks support family friends ICWA staff Thus I continued follow I myself I following dreams I could portion dream again knowledge I I would following differently PK First I would photography classes single reflex camera would justice incredible scenery wildlife I Another would Spanish classes professional level those designed travelers Also would advisable journalism classes I could learn about being reporter developing stories At least I could aware ethical rules I breaking Writing newsletters constantly challenge I think I simply forgot about requirement I accepted fellowship because I excited about living South America I questioned myself frequently begin newsletters ideas whether ideas correct whether writing ability ICWA expectations When editor these newsletters Peter Martin would I anxiously awaited comments One wrote Peter committed dangling modifier sentence example My first reaction beeline straight Strunk White style guide talking about Peter Martin I thank patience guidance occasional improve letter content style You uncanny ability point mistakes playful makes memorable impressions hopefully mistake again Looking writing process I I company I actually writing Stress would build thoughts continually turned newsletter Whether I dinner watching TV taking shower I mentally shaping outline individual sentences Some thoughts while I showering unfortu nately stuck enough reach notepad Through little little stress levels reduced I began faith newsletter would together At minimum South American taught worry because things eventually So Realistically theme fellowship constantly evolv It seems fitting other presenters weekend Wendy Call because times I thought I taken theme healthy societies Although focus public private parks I often found myself examining relationship between residents small towns lands surrounded I wanted What common threads preserved nature intact maintained healthy community And communi insist development growth better current conditions Through fellowship U S parks wilderness areas I unate enough parts natural world where ecosystems still intact Such Northern Southern Patagonian Ice Fields Chile rugged southland Access these steep fiords green temperate rainforests enormous glaciers limited It sible reach however village Caleta Tortel small community hundred people sandwiched between national parks protecting these Patagonian Ice Fields Caleta Tortel accessible three Baker River largest Chilean rivers As approach Caleta Tortel river widens empties fiords leading expanse Pacific Ocean You roads obnoxious traffic noise Caleta Tortel Miles sturdy boardwalks along rocky shoreline connect residential homes community grocery store library various shops Since transportation along narrow walkways residents greet other One Tortellini called You avoid neighbors other survive In community where three miles I found friendliest outgoing happy people Chile They sustainable delightful lifestyle which little impact surrounding lands As Prince William spent weeks volunteer project Locals often smiling whistling Looks found healthy happy society This however change The Chilean government building along Baker River Caleta Tortel Politicians claim modernize village Institute Current World Affairs convincing community residents I asked Tortellini opinion project She We better health lower costs vegetables better educational system least Whether these goals accomplished tested On other I questioned myself Who I scowl their pursuit perceived better Even though I visitor couldn fathom living Tortel I still something would community pipeline contamination outside world Continuing theme communities nature harmony other country One village worked protect itself outside influences San Jos Uchupiamonas Bolivian Amazon Accessible Tuichi River short San Jos community within Alto Madidi National Park which established The biodiversity species sortment monkeys jaguars other animals Over decade village leaders began developing adventure tourism program sources revenue support education health programs community residents Community youth technical assistance U S based Con servation International financial support Inter American Development Bank built ecotourism known Chalalan Ecotourism Lodge Since tourism project community owned operated guides lodging employees San Jos lagers Funds raised tourism revenue split between community ecolodge operation Projects benefiting community include clean water health library salary teacher On visit Chalalan guide Sandro Valdez group through jungle known Chalalan poster child Bolivian ecotourism projects Sandro opportunity trained tropical ecology scien tists world When young monkeys ardent protectors Amazon wildlife A lifetime jungle developed senses I remember during night stopped group manner I smell snake nearby Be careful It could above The branches particular scraping I ducked quickly Sandro Use flashlights snake Sure enough Sandro found snake straddled along branch meter The eaten recently quietly resting We backed slowly returned heightened senses lodge Through Sandro pointed sights sounds smells I wouldn picked His connection Amazon rainforest unforget table experience Plus waking morning eerie baritone howler monkey which completely amazed However ending story clear In August Bolivian National Con passed authorizing gigantic It would miles downstream Chalalan Beni River If built resulting reservoir flood thousands acres cluding Chalalan ecolodge nearby indigenous Tacana communities which where guide Sandro lives The hydroelectricity project would create surplus energy beyond Bolivian power demands Thus incentive would energy Brazil So inability secure necessary financing efforts begin project hopefully never light As governments alter protection national parks Thus advantageous alternative protection wildlands through private means One example protection private means Pumal Park southern Chile Doug PK Tompkins former Esprit clothing owner millions south Chile 1990s wildland philanthropy beliefs action During inter biodiversity conservation primary interest foundation specializes And certainly In Chile alone million acres conservation another acres protected Argentina Combined square miles roughly Connecticut Tompkins Private areas generally managed political constraints badly poorly managed Private doesn assure better management although Latin America difficult better government His comments target although there exceptions being Ecuador Galapagos National Park where Darwin theory evolution selection first A increased entry foreigners person This revenue source makes percent budget which sufficient maintain payroll employees They resources while tightly controlling impacts nearly visitors these volcanic islands Possibly could become model profile parks throughout South America Now southern Chile Doug Tompkins project Pumal Park Because efforts protect swath growth forests mountains covering Rhode Island become center controversy albeit recent years Many politicians business leaders complain being locked could productively When I these comments obvious these critics haven Pumal On Pumal friend joined estate developer Puerto Montt He never Pumal doubts about whole project After hiking trails camping crossing fiords estate jargon I around I Pumal highest possible The terrain steep besides topsoil would A majority suitable housing growing crops suitable already developed Still I believe Chilean economic developers chance would Pumal maintain economic growth In response rising worldwide populations levels increase economic growth Doug Tompkins Any knows pressure carrying capacity given place Those still haven fools fools But Everyone wants businesses economic condition improve Tompkins Over years I interesting dichotomy develop Pumal Tompkins North American business world because grotesque display consumption world resources small percent world population He wanted leave gobbling growth cycle behind However businesses evolve entrepreneurs Doug Kris Tompkins larger As means reaching financial independence their project Tompkins developed products farms within Pumal They developed clothing handicrafts honey being marketed under brand Puma Verde With usual Tompkins touch labeling design classic style distinguishes their brand value product It great devel oping financial streams revenue sustain projects However knowing their track record I wonder something trying leave behind Generally economic system based growth That wealth built Often growth fundamental source threats maintaining nature intact So natural world doomed Not ecessarily I believe there balance through energy conservation other words reducing consumption rates mostly wealthier nations This element because energy projects built supply growing economy often consuming polluting natural environment whether hydroelectricity Bolivian Amazon example nuclear power Institute Current World Affairs plants natural lines native forest depletion heating southern Chile So One solution greater renewable energy sources In measures efficient stoves sustainable architectural designs insulation reduce energy consumption Simple measures taken Do really drive those blocks grocery store Couldn Or about using conditioning degrees outside Notto mention waste At oment maybe asking yourself Peter parks protection natural areas South America From I South Ameri journey standard bearers model other countries follow And recent election Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Andean countries South America President educated United States Like small children imitating parent adopting U S economic policies which toward growth expense biodiversity For example alarming statistic United States percent world population emits percent greenhouse gases worldwide This concerns reasons First quite simply nation consume Second other nations would follow We better example before before consumption patterns cultural icons choke environment depend diversity tasteless monoculture Of course everyone U S economic policies I encountered underlying resentment among animosity toward U S system because culture smothers This illustrated impressive power Hollywood U S dollar Imag another country Bolivia watched television U S films programs daily dubbed subtitled Spanish Imagine knowing exchange statistic about favorite sports money Boliviano worth compared U S dollar Given proliferation globalization resultant rates consumption protect biodiversity maintain local cultures I believe challenge promote education looks rather The average U S citizen knows little about world little interest This reminds peeves We United States Americans Everyone Point Barrow Alaska Puerto Williams Chile American The describes hemisphere country In South America students taught there continents America North South being So remember President God Bless America thank speaking behalf whole continent Perhaps I preaching choir country needs broader interest other nations economic interest Hopefully through greater empathetic awareness better understand respect other cultures Perhaps realizing share planet growing humanity As I I taken interest other cultures earlier We encourage citizens leaders interested international affairs urging learn foreign guages study cultures How Through provocation entice friends family become involved Perhaps travel abroad learn another guage begin develop positive relationships The mission Institute Current World Affairs standard worthy emulation continue expand efforts How develop curiosity beyond village beyond country I entirely developed simply enough We lived slaughterhouse packing plant Minnesota I remember watching loaded trucks continually house headed Mississippi River toward setting Curiously I wanted those trucks going PK somewhere there It beyond ridge keeps In curiosity propels necessarily But Why I Throughout llowship I trying reason I exploring One I quote attributed Sir Wilfred Grenfell He medical missionary beginning century raised funds first hospital Labrador Canada He Real comes riches praise doing something worthwhile Through these years I searching wondering I doing thing worthwhile I getting recipient broad praise However until recently answer She pursued dreams distance flights disappearance somewhere between New Guinea Hawaii It explorer Amelia Earhart answer wisdom Adventure worthwhile itself And adventure I opportunity thank ICWA staff Peter Ellen Brent amily tonight John Miller Musser family starting fellowship And course I thank ICWA board members adventure lifetime Postscript A Special thank Mountain Hardwear especially Gaston McMillan donating equipment outdoors clothing I years The lifesaver during soggy nights against pounding Patagonian windstorms To Scott Hall Lila Musser Bill Wendt thank opening address books providing essential contacts South American protected areas In country Milena Sosa Schmidt Argentina Urbano Gonzalez family Chile Karina DeStefano Argentina Carmen Alejandra Blumberg Chile helped doors situations where counts Finally sincere thanks Kishma Patnaik reviewing newsletters constant friendship insightful wisdom Institute Current World Affairs INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS Fellows Their Activities Martha Farmelo April ARGENTINA A Georgetown graduate major psychology minor Spanish Master Public Affairs Woodrow Wilson School Princeton Martha Institute Suzanne Ecke McColl Fellow studying gender issues Argentina Married Argentine economist mother small focusing genders which immensely important Italo Latino machismo Martha involved Latin America professional having worked Catholic Relief Services Inter American Development Bank Costa Rica Human Rights Watch Ecuador Inter American Foundation El Salvador Uruguay UN World Conference Women Beijing Curt Gabrielson December EAST TIMOR With Missouri background MIT degree physics Curt spending years East Timor watching nation create education system ashes Indonesian system Since finishing MIT Curt focused delivering inexpensive culturally relevant hands science education minority income students Based Teacher Institute Exploratorium San Francisco worked youth teachers Beijing Tibet Mexican agricultural Watsonville California Andrew Rice May UGANDA A former staff writer New York Observer reporter Phila delphia Inquirer Washington Bureau Newsday Andrew spending years Uganda watching waiting reporting possi bility anticipated African Renaissance might begin administration President Yoweri Musevene Andrew B A Gov ernment Georgetown minor Theology after having spent semester Charles University Prague where served intern Velvet magazine later traveled experienced wrote about Balkans Matthew Z Wheeler October SOUTHEAST ASIA A former research assistant Rand Corporation specializing South Southeast Asia Matt spend years looking proposals plans realities regional integration disintegration along Mekong River China Vietnam With B A liberal Sarah Lawrence M A Harvard East Asian studies Blakemore Fellowship Thai language studies Matt short conflicts Burma Thailand Laos Cambodia account lives writes learns about region James G Workman January Southern Africa A policy strategist national restoration initiatives Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt Jamie ICWA Donors Fellow looking southern African nations South Africa Botswana Mozambique Zambia maybe Zimbabwe through their utilization conservation fresh supplies A Yale graduate History spent junior Oxford Jamie journalism fellowship Poynter Institute Me Studies wrote New Republic Washington Business Jour before years Babbitt Since served Senior Advisor World Commission Dams Cape Town South Africa Author Keller Peter Title ICWA Letters The Americas ISSN Imprint Institute Current World Affairs Hanover NH Material Type Serial Language English Frequency Monthly Other Regions East Asia South Asia Europe Russia Mideast North Africa Sub Saharan Africa Institute Fellows chosen basis character previous experience promise They young professionals funded spend minimum years carrying designed programs study writing outside United States The Fellows required report their findings experiences field month They write subject formally informally The result unique reporting analysis periodic assess international events issues ICWA Letters ISSN lished Institute Current World Affairs Inc exempt operat foundation incorporated New York State offices located West Wheelock Street Hanover NH 03755 The letters provided charge members ICWA available libraries professional researchers subscription Phone E Mail ICWA valley Fax Web Site Executive Director Peter Bird Martin Program Assistant Brent Jacobson Publications Manager Ellen Kozak Institute Current World Affairs The Crane Rogers Foundation The information contained publi cation reproduced without writer permission