CESO: Passing of Maurice Strong

Passing of Maurice Strong

We are saddened by the passing of @CESOSACO founder Maurice Strong. Maurice Strong was a visionary and a forerunner of global sustainable development.

Maurice Strong co-founded CESO in 1967, along with Claude Hébert, Cy Peachey, Paul Martin Sr., and Mitchell Sharp. In the introduction to his book about CESO’s 30th anniversary, Strong writes:

“CESO’s work in Canadian aboriginal communities, developing nations and the newly emerging market economies is a fine expression of Canadian nationhood and the cooperative internationalism on which Canadians pride themselves… I am honoured and extremely proud to be associated with the thousands of CESO volunteers who have gone to great lengths to assist those who are hungry for practical knowledge and support.”

Strong also served as the founding executive director of the United Nations Environment Program and organized the 1972 Stockholm conference on the human environment and the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, both considered turning points in international environmental diplomacy.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Achim Steiner, the executive director of the UN Environment Program said: “Strong will forever be remembered for placing the environment on the international agenda and at the heart of development”.