DAVOS, Switzerland — At the recent 2004 annual meeting of the World
Economic Forum in Davos, Alcan announced the creation of a $1 million
annual prize to recognize outstanding contributions from the not-for-profit
sector to the goal of sustainability.
The Alcan Prize for Sustainability will be managed by the U.K.-based
International Business Leaders Forum and awarded by a distinguished
panel of international judges, selected for their accomplishments
and expertise in promoting sustainability principles and practices.
José-Maria Figueres, co-CEO of the World Economic Forum and former
president of Costa Rica, has agreed to chair the 2004 adjudication
panel.
The prize is open to all not-for-profit, nongovernmental, and civil
society organizations that have made and continue to make significant
contributions that integrate economic, environmental, and social
sustainability for the benefit of present and future generations.
In addition to the $1 million to be awarded to a single organization,
the adjudication panel will have the discretion to award Alcan Bursaries,
on the basis of merit, to organizations selected as finalists by
the judges. The bursaries are to promote capacity building by allowing
a senior member of the recipient organization to attend the University
of Cambridge Program for Industry in England and earn a post graduate
certificate in cross sector partnership.
"Alcan is proud to be recognized as one of the world's leaders
in promoting sustainability as a business management concept,"
said Travis Engen, president and CEO of Alcan Inc. "We firmly
believe that our success as a global company is directly linked
to our actions both inside and outside our operations."
Adjudication panel chair, José-Maria Figueres said, "A key
reason I agreed to chair the first Alcan Prize for Sustainability
panel is my strong belief in the importance of creating linkages
between the different actors, often in different sectors, who are
working on various areas of sustainable development. This prize
links two key actors who are instrumental in creating successful
sustainable development: business and not-for-profit organizations.”
Robert Davies, CEO of the International Business Leaders Forum,
which will manage the day-to-day administration of the Alcan Prize
program, said, "The Alcan Prize for Sustainability helps strengthen
and support the vital partnership work of not-for-profit and nongovernmental
organizations, in particular those who are working to further sustainable
development."
Call for entries for the Alcan Prize for Sustainability will go
out immediately. A short list of finalists will be announced in
June, and the winner of the first annual prize is expected to be
named in January 2005.
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