Ambassadors to the United States to host Washington, D.C. benefit for EARTH

On February 13, One Night One EARTH, a cocktail gala in Washington, D.C., will be held in support of EARTH University.

Co-chairing the event are Her Excellency Muni Figueres, Ambassador of Costa Rica to the United States; and His Excellency Ambassador Edgar Ugalde Alvarez, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the Organization of American States. In addition the event is being supported by a Diplomatic Host Committee that includes the Ambassadors to the United States from Nicaragua, Ecuador, Honduras, Kenya, South Africa and Mozambique.

Her Excellency Nathalie Cely Suárez, Ambassador of Ecuador, remarked: “As a proud citizen of one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, I am pleased to support EARTH University’s work preparing young professionals to contribute positively not only to their environment but also to the sustainable development of their countries.”


The gala will take place between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Organization of American States’ Main Building, with light dinner fare and refreshments. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Julie Howard, Chief Scientist at USAID Bureau for Food Security, and Senior Advisor to the Administrator on Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education. Also speaking at the event will be Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz, Ad Astra Rocket Company CEO and President, the first Latino Astronaut inducted into the NASA Hall of Fame and EARTH University Board member; as well as EARTH alumnus Pierre Paul Audate (‘10, Haiti), who has received accolades for his work with TechnoServe, helping small-scale mango farmers in Haiti access credit for the first time.

The University thanks the event’s supporters: Exxon Mobil, Standard Solar, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the World Food Program.  Funds raised during the event will go to EARTH University Foundation to support programs at EARTH.

Tickets are available online for $125 through February 11, and on the night of the event, tickets can be purchased at the door for $150.  For guests under age 30, a special price of $50 is available.  Cocktail attire is recommended, and parking will be available.