BAMBOO PIONEERS

9th World Bamboo Congress Bamboo Pioneer Awards, Antwerp 2012

The World Bamboo Congress (WBC), held every three years by the World Bamboo Organization (WBO), represents a congregation of scientists, engineers, public and private sector participants sharing knowledge, experience and expertise on the ever developing bamboo field.


From its reputation as a "poor man's timber" to its current potential as a high-end wood product that provides better structural, architectural and visual qualities than traditional alternatives, bamboo's use globally has progressed at an unprecedented rate. Additionally, bamboo has been rediscovered as an alternative to fossil fuels, a substitute for plastic, use as a food supplement, and a green resource to mitigate climate change, as well a tool for rural economic development. Dedication, determination and collaboration are required to advance any scientific endeavor, and those individuals whose lifelong commitment to bamboo science deserve our attention and honored recognition. The World Bamboo Organization initiated the Bamboo Pioneer Awards at the 8th WBC held in Bangkok in September 2009 to honor the immense contribution of these people.


At the upcoming WBC (Belgium, 10-15 April, 2012) we will honor 5 of these great Bamboo Pioneers:

  • Oscar Hidalgo Lopez of Colombia
  • Wenyu Hsiung of the Peoples Republic of China
  • Jules Janssen of The Netherlands
  • Masatoshi Watanabe of Japan
  • Shuen Chao Wu of Taiwan

Acknowledging the leadership and commitment of U.S. based EcoPlanet Bamboo - financially, socially and environmentally - to the bamboo revolution, WBO and WBC have chosen the Company as the sponsor of the 9th WBC Bamboo Pioneer Awards.


Many thanks and huge appreciation goes to Troy Wiseman and the team at EcoPlanet Bamboo for their full sponsorship of the 9th World Bamboo Congress Bamboo Pioneers Award winners! EcoPlanet Bamboo CEO Troy Wiseman says "EPB feels privileged to acknowledge these individuals, without whom the bamboo market would not have reached the advanced stages of development that we see today. Their contribution has made possible the potential for bamboo to replace hardwoods sourced from tropical forests, thereby addressing critical environmental issues such as deforestation and climate change, while providing valuable employment opportunities in remote areas."


The Bamboo Pioneer Award will take place during the opening ceremonies of the 9th WBC on Tuesday, 10 April. We look forward to having the recipients present - in person - thanks to the generous support of EPB.


"These men have dedicated their lives to bamboo, and in so doing, increased the world's understanding of this incredible resource. These men laid the vital groundwork for what is happening today."

-- Susanne Lucas, Founder and Executive Director of WBO



Previous Pioneer Recipients

8th WBC Bangkok:

  • Ueda Koichiro of Japan
  • Krit Samapuddhi of Thailand
  • Floyd Alonzo McClure of the United States
  • Walter Liese of Germany

At the 2010 World Bamboo Day, Nagaland:

  • Richard Belho of Nagaland
  • Rajeev Goswami of Assam
  • Vinoo Kaley of Maharashtra
  • Cherla Sastry of Canada
  • Sampurana Singh of Meghalaya