Global Accolades

Arctic Initiative Team Receives Global Accolades

Three members of the Arctic Initiative Team received accolades this year for their work in the Arctic.

Arctic Initiative Co-Founder Halla Hrund Logadóttir was selected as a Young Global Leader by The World Economic Forum.

Arctic Initiative Senior-Fellow Joel Clement was Environmental Champion award at the State Environmental Leaders conference.

Finally, The Government of Japan awarded its prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star to John P. Holdren, Co-Director of the Belfer Center’s Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program and former Assistant to the President for Science and Technology during the Obama administration, and Co-Founder of the Arctic Initiative.

The Embassy of Japan released the following summary of John Holdren’s contributions:

“As President Obama’s Science Advisor and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. Holdren facilitated cooperation between Japan and the United States of America. He co-chaired the 11th to the 13th Joint High Level Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America.

He has also enhanced cooperation between Japan and the U.S. in science and technology by actively exchanging views and opinions with Japanese experts. Dr. Holdren worked closely with Japanese experts under the direction of President Obama to gather information on the status of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant shortly after since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident occurred in March, 2011 and strengthened the relationship between Japan and the United States of America through his consistent expression of support for Japan.”

The Order of the Rising Sun, established by Emperor Meiji in 1875, was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government.

Above: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, awarded to Dr. John P. Holdren.

The Orders of the Rising Sun, established in 1875, was Japan’s first national award. It features rays of sunlight radiating from the rising sun. The attachments are shaped into paulownia flowers and leaves.