David Attenborough Honoured At Queen's

Sir David Attenborough is being honoured today at Queen's University, Belfast.

The veteran naturalist and broadcaster is receiving an honorary degree along with Oscar-winning director Terry George and Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland Avila Kilmurray.

Speaking about receiving his honorary degree from Queen's, Sir David Attenborough said: "My work in television has been devoted over the years to documenting the natural world, and to explaining both its importance to humanity and it's vulnerability. I am greatly honoured that Queen's University Belfast should have endorsed that message by granting me this distinguished degree."

Sir David will be joined by local film director and the only Northern Ireland winner of an Oscar, Terry George, who will is being honoured for services to film and drama. He is best known for his Co Down film The Shore, which won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2012.

Mr George said: "There's nothing more gratifying than to be recognised and honoured in your homeland. This honour from Queen's today is a highpoint of my career and an inspiration to continue to strive to create art and entertainment."

Also receiving an honorary degree is the Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, Dr Avila Kilmurray, for exceptional services to the community.

Dr Kilmurray has been working in Northern Ireland since 1975 on community education projects, a range of anti-poverty initiatives, and the establishment of the Women's Aid organisation.

Speaking ahead of her degree, Dr Kilmurray said: "I am absolutely delighted to receive an honorary degree from Queen's University. In receiving an honour for services to the community I want to take this occasion to thank those long term community activists who helped inspire me to work with communities."

(IT/JP)