How do you create a memorable event for The President of Colombia around science and nature?
As part of his State Visit to the UK, The President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos and The Prince of Wales were keen to celebrate biodiversity and scientific collaboration between the two countries. Working with the Royal Household, The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Colombian Embassy in the UK, we developed a series of events centred around nature and science.
This included a visit to the Natural History Museum where diverse aspects of the UK and Colombian bilateral relationship on the environment, including UK Government support for forests and climate change programmes in the country, as well as research collaborations and partnerships were discussed. Prior to touring the museum, The Prince and The President attended a private meeting discuss the UK – Colombia bilateral relationship on the environment. The meeting was hosted by The Prince's International Sustainability Unit in collaboration with the British and Colombian governments. His Royal Highness and President Santos also went to the Darwin Centre to view exhibits about Colombia from the museum, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and other organisations. Here President Santis was shown a new butterfly which has been named "Magneuptychia pax" to mark the Colombian peace process.