Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement in Africa, has been selected as the winner of the 2004 Sophie Prize.
The $100,000 prize was created in 1997 by Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder and his wife, Siri Dannevig. It is named after Gaarder's book "Sophie's World," a surprise international best-selling novel based on philosophy for young people.
The prize is intended to foster work aimed at improving the environment and sustainable development.
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The Norwegian awards committee said Maathai for "30 years (has) fought fearlessly for the protection of the environment, human rights, social justice, human dignity and the promotion of democratic governance."