March 30, 2004

YO-YO MA AND THE SILK ROAD PROJECT TO RECEIVE WALTER CRONKITE STEWARDSHIP AWARD

WASHINGTON D.C., March 30, 2005 - Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Project have been named recipients of the Walter Cronkite Stewardship Award, to be presented personally by the legendary journalist at ceremonies in Washington DC on April 20, 2005. The Walter Cronkite Stewardship Award is being sponsored by the World Foundation for Environment and Development (WFED), an independent nongovernmental and not-for-profit organization based in Washington, DC. The Award recognizes Mr. Cronkite's contributions to the work of WFED and honors his life-long commitment to improving public understanding of the many complex challenges that face the world community. "I am honored to lend my name to this award," Mr. Cronkite said, "and delighted to be associated with WFED, which has been recognized as one of the leading creative forces behind new ways of thinking about how the environment, culture and a society's development are connected."

The Walter Cronkite Stewardship Award recognizes individuals whose vision, work and action in public life, education, and the arts have made significant contributions to environmental and cultural understanding and human welfare internationally and whose achievements have both improved the quality of life on Earth and offer genuine promise for the future.

Because of his efforts to use the arts to bridge human cultures and to promote greater international respect and understanding for the diversity of life on Earth and because the Silk Road Project represents a tangible creative expression of these ideas in action, WFED in consultation with Mr. Cronkite selected Mr. Ma and the Silk Road Project as the award recipient.

Founded in 1998 by Yo-Yo Ma, the Silk Road Project strives to bring new ideas, talent, and energy into the world of classical music, while nurturing artistic creativity that draws on the diverse and distinguished sources of cultural heritage around the world. Since its founding in 1998, the Silk Road Project has produced three CD's, published one book, commissioned twenty new chamber works, created an education kit titled "Silk Road Encounters," coproduced a major cultural festival with the Smithsonian Institution, and presented numerous concerts worldwide. The Silk Road Project promotes collaboration and a sense of community among individuals and institutions who share a commitment to transcultural creativity and understanding.