06 November 2006

Three U.S. Firms Win Awards for Work in Latin America

Honor highlights achievements in advancing sustainable development, democracy

 

Secretary Rice presents Ryan Black Founder and CEO of Sambazon, with an ACE award. (Janine Sides/State Dept.)

By Kathryn McConnell
Staff Writer

Washington -- Three U.S. companies have received the U.S. Department of State’s 2006 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) for advancing ethical practices and democratic values through their operations in Latin America.

"Through their efforts, the companies we honor today are nurturing democratic institutions and strengthening the foundations of freedom, the ability to earn a living, to support a family, to educate a new generation and to build a robust economy," Rice said in presenting the awards at the State Department on November 6.

SAMBAZON

California-based Sambazon, a fruit-drink company in operation since 2000, is the small- or medium-sized enterprise winner of the award. The company was recognized for its sustainable development work in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest.

Sambazon was the first company to export açaí products from Brazil. Açaí is a berry rich in antioxidants that grows wild in the Amazon River area. In addition to providing jobs to local people who harvest the berries, Sambazon -- which stands for sustainable management of the Amazon -- is supporting environmental sustainability of the river basin, the company's founder and chief executive officer, Ryan Black, said in accepting the award.

GOLDMAN SACHS

Goldman Sachs received an ACE in the multinational category for giving more than 680,000 acres (270,000 hectares) of Patagonian wilderness on the island of Tierra del Fuego, in southern Chile, to the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) for a nature preserve.

WCS is a nongovernmental organization that works to save wildlife and wilderness areas through research, conservation and education.

Goldman Sachs, a leading global financial firm, acquired the land in 2002 from a land-development company. The donation represents one of the most significant gifts of private land in the world because of its size and the ecosystems its contains, Goldman Sachs said.

Tierra del Fuego is home to the world's southernmost stands of old-growth forests as well as grasslands, rivers and wetlands. The alliance of WCS with Goldman Sachs will ensure the long-term conservation of the region, according to a WCS statement.

GENERAL MOTORS

Michigan-based automotive company General Motors (GM), which has operations in Colombia, was presented an ACE in the multinational category for providing skills training and jobs to former paramilitary members so they can reintegrate into society. GM also provides economic support and social services for former militants' families and works with the Colombian government to help create a sustainable peace in the country.

Goldman Sachs Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Blankfein and GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz accepted their companies’ awards from Rice.

"These awards signal the influential role that American business can play in ensuring the continuing evolution of peaceful and democratic and open societies," the secretary said.

 

Under Secretary of State Josette Sheeran speaks at the 2006 Award For Corporate Excellence ceremony, Monday, November 6. (Janine Sides)

"In each of these companies, there are leaders who have the vision to look beyond the bottom line, build lasting bridges to their host countries, and improve the lives of countless men, women and children around the world," said Josette Sheeran, under secretary of state for economic, business and agricultural affairs.

OTHER FINALISTS

Other finalists for the ACE that are working in Latin America are these companies:

• Soft drink company Coca-Cola, selected for building schools and shelters and providing micro-enterprise training in Mexico; and

• Restaurant company McDonald’s, chosen for funding a "Ronald McDonald House" center, which provides support for seriously ill children and their families, and for helping to fund a biomedical laboratory in Guatemala.

The award's 2006 finalists working in other parts of the world are:

• APCO, a global consulting firm, recognized for promoting best business practices and donating services to fight against HIV/AIDS in China;

• Energy firm Chevron, for providing earthquake and tsunami relief and vocational training, and for promoting anti-bribery practices in Indonesia;

• Delta Construction, highlighted for supporting vocational training centers and maintaining zero tolerance for corruption practices in Vietnam;

• Energy industry's Kerr McGee, honored for sponsoring humanitarian and development projects and for financing construction of schools in Benin;

• Computer software maker Microsoft recognized for providing Internet learning centers in orphanages and for training unemployed youth in information-technology usage in Egypt;

• Communications firm Motorola, for contributing to security and safety, and for successful deployment under challenging conditions in Iraq; and

• Pharmaceutical developer Pfizer, for its response to earthquake victims, for teaching computer skills to high-school students and for health care clinics for women and children in Pakistan.

The secretary of state has awarded the ACE since 1999 in recognition of the role of U.S. businesses in advancing corporate citizenship, innovation and democratic principles. Winners have included both multinational and small-to-medium-sized companies.

Companies are nominated by U.S. ambassadors. Nominations are based on companies' achievements in good corporate citizenship, in providing safe and healthy workplaces, in exemplary employment practices, and in responsible environmental stewardship, Sheeran said.

A transcript of Rice's remarks and the press release announcing the award ceremony are available on State's Web site.

For more information on U.S. policy, see Global Development and Foreign Aid.