NEW YORK KEYNOTE SPEAKER CONFIRMED!

(Photo copyright Bil Zelman)

We are pleased to announce that Alexandra Cousteau of Blue Legacy will be keynoting our concert on March 22, 2012 and our conference on March 23, 2012!

We invite you to join us for both events.

The concert on the theme of water will take place on March 22, 2012 on the occasion of World Water Day at Merkin Hall in Lincoln Center.

The conference, entitled Water: The Global Challenge For Our Future will be hosted by New York University’s Center for Global Affairs on 15 Barclay Street.

If you are interested in attending either, please contact anoush@melodydialogue.org. For more information on Melody for Dialogue Among Civilizations or our previous work, please visit http://www.melodydialogue.org

To read more about Alexandra Cousteau and her activities, please click the Read More link below.

Alexandra Cousteau is committed to helping people understand and value their everyday relationship with water. Alexandra works as a filmmaker and advocate to engage people in conversations about the interconnectivity of our water resources.

Representing the third generation of her family to explore water issues, Alexandra was named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer in 2008. She currently serves on the prestigious Young Global Leaders Council of the World Economic Forum; the Board of Directors of the Global Water Challenge, Mother Nature Network, and EarthEcho; and the Leadership Council for the Waterkeeper Alliance.

In 2009, Alexandra joined the Discovery Channel line-up, co-hosting “Blue August” with her brother Philippe, Jr. and serving as a Chief Correspondent on Water Issues for Discoveryʼs Planet Green. She has been honored as an “Earth Trustee” by the UN, named a “Principle Voice” by CNN International, and regularly delivers testimony on critical policy issues before the U.S. Congress.

In 2010, Alexandra and her brother Philippe were named to Vanity Fairʼs coveted “Next” list. Her work regularly earns global recognition including the University of California Irvineʼs Human Security Award, the Arava Instituteʼs Peace Building and Environmental Stewardship Award, and special screenings at the National Press Club, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Smithsonian Institute. She is regularly featured in publications ranging from Glamour and Elle to National Geographic and Scientific American and was named a “Fun Fearless Phenom” along with Tyra Banks by Cosmopolitan magazine.

Alexandraʼs work continues and evolves her familyʼs legacy as explorers, storytellers and environmental advocates. Her grandfather Jacques Yves-Cousteau opened the worldʼs eyes to the wonders of the ocean, while the work of her father Philippe Cousteau, Sr. and mother Jan helped us understand our relationship to the natural world. Alexandraʼs unique multi-platform storytelling approach and dedication to community champions, brings our relationship with water-in all of its forms - home to each of us, regardless of culture or geography.

Alexandra is a graduate of Georgetown University. She and her husband Fritz Neumeyer recently welcomed their first daughter (and the first member of the fourth generation of Cousteau) into their Washington, DC home.

About Blue Legacy

In 2008, Alexandra joined “dot-com” entrepreneur Jonathan Smith to launch the non-profit Blue Legacy project. Blue Legacy helps people understand and value their everyday relationship with water. The organization produces visual and interactive storytelling inspired by expeditions around the globe to engage people in critical conversations about the health, quality and quantity of our water resources.

The Mission of Blue Legacy

Blue Legacy focuses on restoring natural water systems, preserving fragile water treasures and empowering everyday people to change our water future one community at a time.

To date, Blue Legacy has produced more than 80 “conversation-starting films” covering interconnected water issues on five continents and more than 90 communities. The Blue Legacy “waterfront conversations” program helps young filmmakers and conservation scientists engage coastal communities on water issues by providing technology and mobile film screening equipment in emerging countries. Blue Legacyʼs extensive media library delivers HD footage and award-winning photography free of charge to hundreds of classrooms, educational publishers, non-profits and members of the press working on conservation issues. And when not in the field or collaborating on conservation projects, both Alexandra and Jonathan regularly serve as keynote speakers and workshop presenters on a variety of topics related to conservation, water issues, community engagement and emerging trends in sustainable business.