Green Cross International is an environmentalist organisation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, founded by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1993. Today there are member organisations in 30 countries. Its primary mission is to "respond to the combined challenges of security, poverty and environmental degradation to ensure a sustainable and secure future".

Green Cross International was founded by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1993, building upon the work started by the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On 6 June 1992, the Rio Earth Summit delegates asked Gorbachev to establish Green Cross International, and around the same time Swiss National Council MP Roland Wiederkehr founded “World Green Cross”, with similar aims. The two organisations merged in 1993, becoming Green Cross International, which was formally launched in Kyoto, Japan, on 18 April 1993.

In 1994, the first Green Cross National Organisations (GCNOs) joined GCI in The Hague, including Japan, The Netherlands, the Russian Federation, Switzerland, and the United States.

Honorary Chair

Diane Meyer Simon serves as the Honorary Chair of Green Cross International. She is Founder and President Emerita at Global Green-USA, a national organization of Green Cross International. Diane Meyer Simon founded Global Green in the United States in 1993, following a GCI board meeting in Moscow and in alignment with her dear friend President Mikhail Gorbachev, who launched Green Cross International the same year. 

Chairman

William Bridge is Chairman of the Green Cross International Board of Directors, and CEO for Global Green-USA. With 25 years of Executive Leadership experience in strategic planning for environmental partnerships, his work includes United Nations Foundation, Connect4Climate, Entertainment Industry Foundation, and US Green Building Council. He is dedicated to the Green Cross mission as laid down by President Gorbachev. 

Member of the Board

Marisa Arienza is President of Green Cross Argentina, since 1996, and a Lawyer, Phd. in International Relations. She is specialized in Sustainable Human, Social and Environmental Development, and is a consultant to the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations University and the World Bank. She is the former Secretary of Social Development, Culture and Tourism of San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.

Member of the Board

Sergey Baranovsky is President and co-founder of Green Cross Russia. A Green Cross veteran for almost three decades, he established the Environmental Education Program in former Soviet Union, and now Russia. He founded the Social and Medical Care Program in the region of Chelyabinsk; and worked with Chemical Destruction Weapons Program. He is co-author of the Environmental Doctrine for the Russian Federation.

Member of the Board

Trammell S. Crow, a graduate of Yale University, is the founder of EarthX (fka Earth Day Texas), the largest environmental exposition showcasing the latest research, innovation, policies and corporate practices for sustainability. He is the President of the Crow Family Foundation and co-founder of Texas Business for Clean Air, and Texans for Clean Water. Mr. Crow serves on the Board of Directors for ConservAmerica. 

Member of the Board

Ousséni Diallo is President of Green Cross Burkina Faso, and veteran of Green Cross International. He is a Socio-Economist of Development, an expert in Environmental Sustainable Management, and member of the governing bodies of international organizations, incl. the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation. He is the author of books on Environmental Education, and an Earth Charter Affiliate Member.

Member of the Board

Eduardo Gutierrez, Dr. International Law and Social Sciences, Universities of Uruguay, Columbia and Harvard, served the United Nations UNDP Programme for over 30 years, incl. as UNDP Resident Coordinator in five South American countries, as UNDP Director of Administration & Finance, and Coordination of UN Secretary General. He has managed UN conferences on Environment and Development, Climate Change Convention.

Member of the Board

Mubarick Musawudu is President and CEO for Green Cross Ghana. He also President of AfCFTA Chamber of Producer and Suppliers. He is a trained development planner and social innovator, with roots in impact investment and sustainable finance. He is credited in the development of market solutions successfully tackling social challenges. He believes to eradicate poverty - we need to prioritize enterprise development.

Member of the Board

Tonia Moya, Executive Director of Green Cross Sweden, has served as GCS President and GCS General Secretary. She has spearheaded holistic and integrated projects within GCI pillar programs of Water, Value Change, and Environmental Security, working with Peacebuilding, Climate advocacy, Water Security, the Earth Charter, to Empowering women and youth. She has created TV series, documentaries, events and conferences. 

Member of the Board

Elio Pacilio is an environmental activist who founded Green Cross in Italy (1996) and is its President (2010). In 2013 he was elected to the Green Cross International Board of Directors. He is involved in human rights projects, linked to sustainable and equitable access to water, energy and food, collaborating with Equipe Cousteau, Gorbachev Foundation, Nobel Peace Laureates, FAO, UNHCR, Armani and Ferrero Groups. 

Member of the Board

Dr. Paul F. Walker has managed the Environmental Security and Sustainability Program for Green Cross International for over two decades. He holds a PhD in International Security Studies from MIT, and an MA from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He is also a Vietnam-era military veteran. In 2013 he received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel” for his work in disarmament. 

Social and Medical Programme

Maria Vitagliano has worked with the Green Cross Social and Medical (SOCMED) services program since 2002, working for six years as the program’s Deputy Director before becoming its overall Director in 2010. She is specialized in Sustainable Human, Social and Environmental Development and is a consultant to the United Nations Development Program, United Nations University and World Bank.

Environmental Security and Sustainability Programme

Director of Green Cross International’s Environmental Security and Sustainability programme, Paul has helped lead the programme since its inception in the mid-1990s with colleagues from Russia and Switzerland. He is also manager of the Washington DC office for GCI and its US national affiliate, Global Green USA.

Value Change Programme

Marisa Arienza, President of Green Cross Argentina since 1996, is a Lawyer, Phd. in International Relations. She is specialized in Sustainable Human, Social and Environmental Development and is a consultant to the United Nations Development Program, United Nations University and World Bank. She is former Secretary of Social Development, Culture and Tourism of San Carlos de Bariloche.

Water for Life and Peace Programme

Elio Pacilio, environmental activist and founded Green Cross in Italy (1996) and is its President (2010). In 2013 he was elected to the International Board. He is involved in human rights projects, linked to sustainable and equitable access to water, energy and food, collaborating with Equipe Cousteau, Gorbachev Foundation, Nobel Peace Laureates, FAO, UNHCR, Armani and Ferrero Groups.

Honorary Member

Princess Basma Bint Talal of Jordan plays an active advocacy role through forums such as the United Nations, contributing to global strategies on health, education, population, the environment, and the advancement of women. For over 30 years she has worked to promote global issues, most notably in the areas of human development, gender equity, and the well-being and development of children.Her Royal Highness is particularly involved in supporting the implementation of sustainable development programmes that address the social and economic needs of marginalised groups.

Honorary Member

Professor Danilov-Danilyan has extensive knowledge and expertise in the environmental sciences, serving as Director of the Institute of Water Problems and being a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as Chair of the State Committee for Environmental Protection. He has extensive knowledge and expertise in the environmental sciences, serving as Director of the Institute of Water Problems and being a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as Chair of the State Committee for Environmental Protection.

Honorary Member

Leonardo DiCaprio established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting environmental awareness. He has produced two short web documentaries, "Water Planet" and "Global Warning". He has been an active supporter of numerous environmental organizations and sat on the board of the World Wildlife Fund, Global Green USA, and International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Honorary Member

Dr. Jane Goodall formerly Baroness Jane van Lawick-Goodall, is an English primatologist and anthropologist. She is considered to be the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees.

She is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and has worked extensively on conservation and animal welfare issues. She has served on the board of the Nonhuman Rights Project since its founding in 1996. She was named a UN Messenger of Peace and is an honorary member of the World Future Council.

Honorary Member

Wakako Hironaka is a Member of the House of Councillors (Upper House of the Japanese Diet) and a Standing Officer of the Democratic Party of Japan. Ms. Hironaka is also active internationally as Vice-Chair of Global Environmental Action (GEA), Co-Chair of Micro Credit Summit Council of Parliamentarians, as a Member of the World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development, a member of the Earth Charter Commission, and as the International Senior Advisory Board of UNESCO.

Honorary Member

Professor Istvan Lang is a Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and former member of the World Commission on Environment and Development. He is a member of the Advisory Committee on the Environment of the International Council for Science. His research projects include: Impacts and Responses concerning Global Climate Change in Hungary /VAHAVA project/. He has served as Secretary General of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Chairman of the Hungarian Research Fund.

Honorary Member

Chief Oren Lyons is a Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, Onondaga Council of Chiefs, Haudenosaunee, and Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy. He is active in the United Nations for Indigenous Rights and Sovereignty issues, for over four decades. He is a State University of New York Distinguished Services Professor Emeritus of the University at Buffalo, and has co-founded the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Program. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Honoring Nation, the Harvard program for Native American economic development.

Honorary Member

Diane Meyer Simon serves as the Honorary Chair of Green Cross International. She is Founder and President Emerita at Global Green-USA, a national organization of Green Cross International. Diane Meyer Simon founded Global Green in the United States in 1993, following a GCI board meeting in Moscow and in alignment with her dear friend President Mikhail Gorbachev, who launched Green Cross International the same year. Her contributions and dedication to the mission of the Green Cross has strengthened organizations of GCI and GG-USA.

Honorary Member

Javier Pérez de Cuéllar de la Guerra is a Peruvian diplomat who served as the fifth Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1 January 1982 to 31 December 1991. Mr. Perez de Cuellar was President of the Council of Ministers, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs from November 2000 until July 2001. Mr. Perez de Cuellar was decorated by some 25 countries. He was awarded the Prince of Asturias Prize, the Olof Palme Prize and the Jawaharlal Nehru Awardthe Jawaharlal Nehru Award.

Honorary Member

Robert Redford is an American acclaimed actor, director, producer and environmental activist. He is a philanthropist, avid environmentalist, and a trustee of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Redford founded the Sundance Film Festival in 1981, bringing togther independent filmmakers. In 2014 Time Magazine included Redford as one of the “Most Influential People in the World”. He founded the Redford Center in 2005 to bring forth and media to empower environmental justice.

Honorary Member

Rabbi Soetendorp was born in Amsterdam in 1943 and is President of Green Cross Netherlands. He is Rabbi of the Liberal Jewish Community in The Hague (The Netherlands), presides over the European Region of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, is now the co-Chair of the Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders, is a founding member of Green Cross International, and an Earth Charter Commissioner. He is a member of the Steering Committee of the World Council of Religious Leaders.

Honorary Member

David Suzuki, Co-Founder of the David Suzuki Foundation, is an award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster. He is renowned for his radio and television programs that explain the complexities of the natural sciences in a compelling, easily understood way. He is the recipient of UNESCO’s Kalinga Prize for Science, the United Nations Environment Program Medal, UNEPs Global 500 and in 2009 won the Right Livelihood Award that is considered the Alternative Nobel Prize.

Honorary Member

Robert Edward “Ted” Turner III, born 19 November, 1938, is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is best known as the founder of the cable television network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition to CNN, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television.

Honorary Member

He is the President of the Russian Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, a title that he has held since 1992. He has been awarded the USSR State Prize (1977), the Lenin Prize (1984) and the RF State Prize (2003) and named an Honorary Member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences and the A.F.Ioffe PhTI.