Save the Date! Pure Earth’s 25th Anniversary Benefit
On Monday, October 21, 2024, Pure Earth will host its annual celebration of milestones and achievements, and evidence that when we work together, we can protect children and make a global impact.
More information coming soon. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] with any questions.
Highlights from the Pure Earth Benefit 2023
Thank you to everyone who came out to support our life-saving work and celebrate with us.
Iris Van der Veken and Rubén Kraiem were recognized for their commitment to protecting people and planet. Special guests included Ambassadors Karl Lagatie and Filip Vanden Bulcke of Belgium, Marita Landaveri Porturas of Peru, and 12-year-old human rights activist Faatiha Aayat.
2023 Honorees Iris Van der Veken and Rubén Kraiem received intricate awards hand-crafted by women potters in Mexico trained by Pure Earth in lead-free techniques.
Rubén Kraiem, Senior Counsel at Covington & Burling, was presented with the Green Benefactor Award for his longtime support of environmental health causes and service on the Pure Earth’s Board. Ruben’s efforts to address the primary cause of lead poisoning in Mexico–lead-glazed pottery–were highlighted by Agustin Gama, director of Pure Earth Mexico.
Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director of the Watch and Jewellery Initiative 2030, was recognized with the Pure Earth Impact Award for her leadership in promoting sustainable practices in the jewelry industry and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Speaking with us before the benefit, Iris said: “This award is also recognition for anyone who is an activist to be a force for good for the global jewelry and watch industry… A responsible value chain is only possible if everyone within that connected value chain works together.”
With a simple request, 12-year old Faatiha Aayat, Pure Earth youth ambassador and recent winner of the 2023 Human Rights Hero Award, managed to get hundreds of people at the benefit to raise their heads and pledge together, “We will lead the world to a lead-safe world.”
Thanks to global jewelry company Rosy Blue for sponsoring our global marketplace learning exhibition at the benefit. The interactive display allowed attendees to browse everyday products such as spices, makeup, toys, metal cookware, and pottery that Pure Earth investigators found in markets worldwide that are contaminated with lead. Pure Earth Technical Advisory Board members Dr. Gordon Binkhorst and Dr. Jack Caravanos were on hand with an XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) analyzer, measuring lead content.
