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Regional festival gets thumbs up from UN

A MAJOR North East event which promotes sustainability through education and debate has become the only UK festival to receive the UN’s stamp of approval as Dan Riley reports.

The Green Phoenix festival is the first in the UK to be granted permission to use the United Nations University Regional Centre for Expertise badge, which bears the blue laurels of the UN.

The event is the first in the UK to be awarded the accolade which has been given to director Jim Leppingwell and his team for their work in promoting sustainability. The Regional Centre for Expertise (RCE) was conceived by the United Nations in 2004 and aims to promote the global sustainable development agenda at a regional and local level.

Mr Leppingwell said the award recognised and rewarded all the hard work put into organising the event.

“As well as an engaging and stimulating debate programme it will offer the opportunity to delight and entertain with world class acts and entertainment,” he said.

The four day festival of music, camping, theatre, cabaret and debate takes place at the Gibside National Trust Estate between 19-22 August.

Green Party founding member Clive Lord and The Wailers will be among those performing at the event which is completely powered through the use of wind and solar technology.

Capacity for the festival has been reduced this year to 4,000 so you may need to be quick to guarantee your place. To buy tickets or for more information and a look at the full line-up of guests point your browsers to http://www.greenphoenixfestival.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .