Kaplan Family Distinguished Lecture



Douglas McMeekin

The Kaplan Family Distinguished Lecture in Public Service was developed to bring nationally and internationally recognized leaders to the Cornell campus to share with faculty, students, staff and community leaders his/her contributions to promoting public service, citizen action, human rights, or social activism.

This year's event will be held April 22, 2009 and will feature Douglas McMeekin, Ashoka Fellow, founder of The Yachana Foundation and world renowned Geotourism facility, Yachana Lodge.

McMeekin started working as a cultural and environmental consultant to the oil industry in the Amazon Region of Ecuador from 1986 through 1992.  Frustrated with the treatment of the indigenous peoples by the companies, he left that work and formed The Yachana Foundation in 1991. In 1995, looking for a way for the Foundation to be self-sustaining, he created the Yachana Lodge Company, the world renowned Geotourism facility on the Napo River.   

In 2000, Yachana Foundation started a comprehensive project working with farmers in the cultivation of cacao. The cacao project has provided infrastructure and technical assistance in the commercialization of cacao to over 2,400 farmers in the Amazon region of the country. Also in 2000, he formed the socially responsible, fair trade company Yachana Gourmet to provide a market for Amazon cacao. 

In 2005, seeing the lack of relevant education for the youth from the Amazon, he started the Yachana Technical High School. This innovative, hands-on, practical education program is the only school offering a degree in Eco-tourism and Sustainable Development in Ecuador. It is providing students with the skills to gain work in the region without having to migrate to the cities or emigrate to other countries. 

Constantly concerned with the destruction of the rainforest, the Foundation now owns 4,300 acres of forest and has created a conservation program that is an integral part of the high school curriculum.

In June 2008, Douglas was selected as an Ashoka Fellow, a distinguished position and recognition as a leading social entrepreneur.

The features that Douglas McMeekin brings to his work are entrepreneurism, innovation, ideas and concern for the people and the environment. His knowledge of the Amazon region and its people, and the positive and successful work he has been able to achieve through the integrated development model of the Yachana Foundation, Yachana Lodge, Yachana Gourmet and Yachana High School has made the Yachana Group a world leader in sustainable development. 

www.yachana.org.ec

www.yachana.com

www.yachana.edu.ec

The lecture series intends to further advance Cornell University's commitment to the pursuit of knowledge as a tool for improving the lives of those struggling on the margins of society, while preparing a new generation of civic leaders to be equipped to solve the complex economic and social problems our nation and the global community face.












Past Lectures



Douglas McMeekin presents

Yachana: Geotourism and Sustainable Development

5 pm
April 22, 2009
David L. Call Alumni Auditorium, Kennedy Hall, Cornell University


Free and Open to the Public