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CCA AWARD 2008 DEADLINE EXTENDED

Washington D.C, August 18, 2008. The Trust for the Americas and the Organization of American States (OAS) have extended the deadline for the 2008 Corporate Citizen of the Americas Award to September 19, 2008.

The private sector is playing an increasingly important role in developing solutions to overcome poverty in communities throughout the Latin America and the Caribbean. The Corporate Citizen of the Americas Award (CCA) encourages this trend by formally recognizing a company that has initiated an innovative program which benefits the community in which it operates and can serve as a model to facilitate socially responsible practices and actions by other corporations.

The award Selection Committee will consider initiatives throughout the Americas that include but not be limited to the following areas.

• Community Involvement: Including community partnerships, education programs, corporate philanthropy, the donation of products and services to the local community and/or volunteerism.
• Environmental Stewardship: Initiatives could include reassessment of business practices, development of sustainable products and services and/or elimination of waste and emissions.
• Health Promotion: Including measures aimed at improving the health and wellness of employees and/or the community.

Last year, the Trust Selection Committee chose the Guatemalan company Pantaleon as the Winner of the 2007 Corporate Citizen of the Americas Award for its “Creating Citizens” program, a successful public private collaboration benefiting families of the company’s employees.

During last year’s event, the Trust Selection Committee also recognized two corporations with Honorable Mentions. Cemex received a mention for their “Patrimonio Hoy” program which provides training and access to credit for disadvantaged persons in Mexico, and Telefonica received a mention for its “Pronino” program to protect the rights of children throughout Latin America.

The Trust Selection Committee composed a panel of international experts in Corporate Social Responsibility and senior representatives from the private sector will review the award applications and choose three finalists. One winner will be selected as well as two honorable mentions. Applications for the Award will be accepted by the Trust for the Americas through September 19, 2008. To obtain an application, please visit the website of Trust for the Americas or send inquiries via email to Meredith Scott, Coordinator of the Award, at [email protected].

For more information contact:
Meredith Scott
Coordinator of CCA Award
[email protected]
Telephone: +1.202.458.3261

Reference: T.OF AMER