Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Present the 2012 Awards for Corporate Excellence

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RCN America NetworkBy Doug MillsOn Wednesday, November 28^th, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will present the 14^th annual Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE). The ceremony will start at 10:30 a.m. in the Ben Franklin Room at the Department of State and will be followed by a reception in the Thomas Jefferson Room.The prestigious ACE recognizes the important role of U.S. businesses in advancing good corporate governance and democratic principles worldwide. The award honors exemplary business practices, corporate social responsibility, and innovation in a company’s overseas operations.This year 82 nominations were received for American companies operating in 54 countries. The winners were chosen by the Principals’ Award Selection Committee. The Committee, chaired by the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, includes a representative from the offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, the Under Secretary for Management, and the special representative for Global Partnerships. It also includes senior officials from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the Department of Commerce.
The 2012 ACE winners were selected from the following 11 finalists: Chevron in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan; Esso Angola in Luanda, Angola; General Motors in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Intel Corporation in Vietnam; Intel Corporation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Microsoft in Bangkok, Thailand; Microsoft in Cairo, Egypt; Microsoft in New Delhi, India; Rosalie Bay in Dominica, Sorwathé in Kigali, Rwanda; and Sustainable Mahogany Industries Ltd. in Suva, Fiji. The winners will be publicly and officially announced at the ACE ceremony.After the Secretary announces the 2012 ACE winners in Washington, D.C., Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Robert D. Hormats will lead the interactive portion of the ceremony. U.S. Ambassadors and in-country company executives will participate from the U.S. Embassies that submitted the winning nominations, where simultaneous events are expected to take place.The finalists for this year are:

• Chevron in Turkmenistan: for this hydrocarbon production and distribution company's contribution to local communities through supporting youth entrepreneurship, cultural and athletic initiatives, green technologies, including through partnerships with the Turkmenistan Academy of Sciences; as well as programs to improve the lives of farmers and foster economic transparency.
   
• Esso in Angola: for this hydrocarbon production and distribution company's contribution to improving health by partnering to combat malaria, empowering women through agricultural development programs, fostering environmental protection through reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and supporting employment training and advancement, and education for youth.
   
• General Motors in Uzbekistan: for this automobile manufacturer's efforts to protect the environment by improving water quality through state-of-the art waste water treatment; provide humanitarian assistance for victims of natural and other emergencies; ensure that all workers in its supply chain benefit from adequate health and safety equipment; and empower women through vocational training.
   
• Intel in Vietnam: for this technology company's efforts to lead in environmental protection through the generation of electricity through solar power; and participate in transformative educational programs focusing on faculty and curriculum development, including through sending local educators for university training in the United States; and providing scholarships to disadvantaged children, youth, and women.
   
• Intel in Malaysia: for this technology company's efforts to promote clean alternative energy through use of solar panels; water conservation, waste recycling, and reforestation; protection of endangered species; computer literacy for adults; and educational advancement for disadvantaged youth.
   
• Microsoft in Thailand: for this technology company's partnership with local civil society organizations to improve computer literacy; alleviate poverty through computer technology skills centers for vocational training of youth; assist disadvantaged farmers to enhance the marketing of their crops and expand their consumer base; and support for student talent, creativity, and innovation.
   
• Microsoft in Egypt: for this technology company's efforts to disseminate computer technology for community development in order to empower persons with disabilities, women, and members of other vulnerable communities; expand youth employment training and computer literacy; help small and medium size business owners enhance marketing through website and digital development; and promote internet safety and security for thousands of children.
   
• Microsoft in India: for this technology company's efforts to provide community technology skills for young adults in rural and underserved communities; donate software for non-governmental organization efforts for community development; create and disseminate internet templates so that persons with disabilities can access public information; and develop accessibility guides for educators, governments and businesses to enhance learning opportunities for students with disabilities.
   
• Rosalie Bay in Dominica: for this eco-resort's efforts to support sustainable development through eco-tourism by promoting protection of endangered sea turtles and other community environmental protection initiatives; sourcing locally produced goods; using recycled and sustainably produced materials, including solar and wind power generation; and assisting local hospitals and literacy programs.
   
• Sorwathé in Rwanda: for this tea production company's efforts to support adult literacy; worker association and collective bargaining rights; lead the industry in advancing the abolition of child labor; undertake sustainable forestry and water management; and produce socially and environmentally responsibly grown high quality tea.
   
• Sustainable Mahogany Industries in Fiji: for this mahogany production company's assistance in developing the Fiji Pure Mahogany brand; supporting indigenous forest preservation and conservation through the exclusive use of sustainably produced and certified mahogany; empowering women through employment and professional advancement; and implementing exemplary occupational health and safety processes.