The event took place at the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in São Paulo, on March 12, and was also attended by representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Brazil, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and member companies of Mais Unidos..

Throughout her opening remarks, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Lisa Kubiske highlighted the relevance of +Unidos to the social and economic development promoted by the Mission in Brazil. "This is an example of how we take common interests and move them forward", she said. To illustrate her statement, Kubiske mentioned recent Mais Unidos initiatives such as the launching of the first private sector social investments report, as well as the financial assistance given by the U.S. Embassy to victims of floodings in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, an amount quadrupled by donations coming from the group’s member companies.

During the event, USAID/Brazil Program Officer Alexandre Mancuso talked about the Brazilian energy sector, as well as its trends and opportunities for corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Dow Chemical Public Affairs Director Paul Oakley and Cargill Foundation Law Division Director Isabela Maciel presented the social and economic development projects being executed by their respective companies.

Participating in an exchange program consisting of visits to U.S. multinationals in Latin American countries, Auburn University students present at the event expressed great interest for north-american companies’ social investments in Brazil. According to Faculty Dan Gropper, this initiative fosters discussions, enriching the learning process and the exchange of experiences proposed by Auburn’s EMBA International Residency.

Auburn student and New Line Cinema International Operations Vice-President, Julie Cleveland, declared that the CSR ideology that’s taken to Latin America countries by U.S. companies can serve as a role model and encourage local communities to build their own social and economic development strategies.