Razeena Wagiet

Razeena Omar "is a South African citizen who takes a keen interest in monitoring trends, shifts and debates on environment, conservation and education, including policies and implementation issues, and has been a central player in these fields for a number of years. She holds academic and professional qualifications in the areas of botany, zoology, ecology, conservation and education. Subsequent to working in the area of formal education, she joined the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa (WWF-SA) and was thereafter appointed as environmental adviser to the previous National Minister of Education, Professor Kader Asmal for four years (1999-2003). Her work in the Ministry of Education included establishing the National Environmental Education Programme (NEEP), which resulted in the environment being recognised as a key issue in all education and training programmes in South Africa. Dr. Omar has also contributed to the professional rigour of environment work through conducting a number of evaluations, including the US-funded Windows on the Wild Programme, and a number of Community-based Conservation and Environmental Education projects. She has presented numerous papers and workshops at provincial, national and international levels, and has produced a number of publications, which have made a significant contribution to the field of the environment.

"She has visited and participated in courses in a number of international institutions in Africa, Australia, the USA, the Republic of the Maldives, Denmark, and the UK, amongst others. She has also provided advice and guidance to international organisations such as UNESCO. She has served on a number of decision-making boards and advisory structures and committees to contribute towards managing the environment sustainably. Dr. Omar was the executive director for People and Conservation at South African National Parks (SANParks) and, since June 2008, she has been chief director of integrated coastal management and development for the department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism; Marine and Coastal Management."

• Co-chair, Earth Charter International