Rome – October 2002. The Duchess of Calabria joined Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan at a major fundraising event in Rome to raise funds for sustaining and preserving more than 200 threatened habitats across the world. Queen Rania is one of the founding patrons of the “Global 200 Eco-regions of the World Wildlife Fund.
Queen Rania spoke of the efforts being made in Jordan to protect local and regional eco-systems, and of the Dana Reserve that has “been called the world’s most successful example of sustainable eco-development, linking environment protection with local socio-economic programmes.”
The Duchess of Calabria agreed to play an active role in raising awareness throughout Italy of the importance of nature conservation and in influencing decision makers to make this issue a priority.
Founded in 1961 by a group of scientists, naturalists, business and political leaders, the WWF — known worldwide by its panda logo — is dedicated to protecting the world’s wildlife and wild lands through securing funds for conservation programmes around the world. The WWF works closely with major international conservation organisations such the World Conservation Union and The Conservation Foundation.