Sao Paulo, March 4, 2010 – The United States Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, dedicated part of her visit to the city of Sao Paulo, on last Wednesday (March 3), to the meeting with Mais Unidos Group’s Board of Directors. She praised the Social Responsibility initiatives of the American companies established in Brazil qualifying them as a “great example”. Secretary Clinton showed interest in public-private partnerships of Mais Unidos Group and stated that the current model in Brazil can be replicated in other parts of the world.
Founded in 2006, The +Unidos Group is a partnership between the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Brazil through its U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and American companies established in Brazilian territory. +Unidos seeks to promote and improve the initiatives of Corporate Social Responsibility of its members. This is done through the dissemination of best practices and the establishment of partnerships.
Secretary Clinton had the opportunity to know more about the +Unidos Group and also could discuss about the initiatives in a private meeting with the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela, the U.S. Ambassador to Brazil and +Unidos Group Honorary Co-chairman Thomas A. Shannon, Michel Levy (CEO of Microsoft Brazil and +Unidos Group Honorary Co-chairman), Pedro Suarez (CEO of Dow Latin America), Enrique Ussher (CEO of Motorola), Luis Pasquotto (CEO of Cummins), Marcelo Martins (CEO of Cargill), Marcos Oliveira (CEO of Ford) and Jeffery Bell (USAID/Brazil Mission Director). In a meeting, held at, Zumbi dos Palmares College, Secretary Clinton thanked the efforts of the American companies to contribute to a better society in Brazil.
“That’s why I was very excited to meet some of the American companies here in Brazil. They are exercising what’s called corporate social responsibility. And that is an important part of the American business ethic. Most American businesses give back to their communities, they contribute to good causes, they support colleges and universities, hospitals, arts programs. And the American businesses here in Brazil, about 104 of them, have joined together to do that in Brazil. And I hope it’s contagious, because the more businesses can be in what we call public-private partnerships, the more people can be helped” said secretary Clinton.
During the meeting with the Secretary Clinton, members of the Mais Unidos Board announced the first joint project of the US Mission, USAID/Brazil and +Unidos to provide English courses to disadvantaged youth in Brazil.
At the end of the meeting, executives announced to Secretary Clinton the provision of 15 scholarships for students of Zumbi dos Palmares’ College, the first higher education entity in Latin America focused on the inclusion of African descendants.
The Secretary applauded the initiative and encouraged the managers to pursue similar programs that may improve the professional training of at-risk youth in Brazil, promoting inclusion in areas such as Information Technology, Tourism and Industry
“Government can’t do everything. Business’s primary job is to make a profit through employing people and investing. But government and business working together can support a university like this, can look for other ways to help individuals and institutions do better. I’m very proud of American businesses that are corporate social responsible citizens, and I think we have to see more of that from the private sector because the public and private sector need each other”, said Secretary Clinton in a Townterview in São Paulo.
“The Board Meeting with Secretary Clinton was very important for the consolidation of the +Unidos Group in Brazil. In addition, this can evidence the commitment that the Diplomatic Mission of United States in Brazil has with the Group and the initiatives of Social Responsibility of the American companies established in Brazil”, said Jeffery Bell, USAID/Brazil Mission Director and members of the Board of Directors of +Unidos Group.
“When we add our efforts, we see an even more significant impact of foreign companies that start to become part of the history of the country. Understanding the enthusiasm of the Secretary on the achievements we have made to the social initiatives in Brazil was inspiring. We intend to maintain this joint action, so the contribution to the country keeps growing”, said Michel Levy, CEO of Microsoft Brazil and Co-chairman of +Unidos Group.
About +Unidos
Created in October 2006 by the U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, the +Unidos Group is a partnership between the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Brazil through its U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and American companies established in Brazilian territory. +Unidos mission is to strengthen public and private alliances to optimize and enhance U.S. CSR investments in Brazil towards sustainable achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
+Unidos seeks to promote visibility for its member's investments in environment, socio and economic-related projects, as well as to promote the theme of corporate social responsibility among different sectors of Brazilian society. This happens through the dissemination of best practices, success stories, and the establishment of public-private partnerships. In 2009, + Unidos created a statute, a strategic plan for three years and an application form. These actions aim to establish the Group as a permanent organization, effective and self sustainable.