Global Green USA, Green Cross International and The George Washington University present an afternoon with President Mikhail Gorbachev and Raisa Gorbachev. Former Soviet Premier Gorbachev will deliver an address, "Finding Our Way Five Years After the Rio Earth Summit: A Vision for Environmental Sustainability." The speech is in celebration of Earth Day 1997 and the fifth anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit. Gorbachev will also be presented with The George Washington University President's Medal.

Green Cross International (GCI) is a global, non-aligned networking organization working in the area of environment and sustainable development. It creates partnerships to promote global value change. Multi-sectoral dialogue is the basic GCI principle for implementing sustainable projects. Therefore it acts as an open forum, bringing together decision-makers and grassroots movements from all sectors of society (NGOs, business and industry, government, academia, science and the arts, religious and other groups) in a unique platform. As such, this formula complements a great number of existing initiatives, facilitates implementation and encourages new approaches toward sustainable development. GCI was initiated at the Rio Summit in 1992 and officially launched in Kyoto, Japan, on April 20, 1993 under Gorbachev's leadership.

Established in 1988, The George Washington University President's Medal is the highest honor awarded by the president of the University. Cast in pewter and brass and engraved with the profile of GW's namesake, George Washington, the medal hangs from a buff and blue ribbon reminiscent of General Washington's regimental colors. The President's Medal recognizes the distinctive achievements of each recipient. Past Medal recipients include Vaclav Havel, Victor Borge, Walter Cronkite and Abba Eban.

Located four blocks from the White House, The George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the nation's capital. The University offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study as well as degree programs in medicine, law, engineering, education, business/public management and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of 19,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 120 countries.