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November 24, 2008
Meeting debates sustainable future for Poços de Caldas (MG)
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Alcoa launches Poços Sustainable Prize for projects by NGOs
Poços de Caldas (MG) is the scene of a pioneering initiative in the South of Minas. For the first time ever business-people, public authorities and society are meeting together to debate the town’s future. The event, the 1st Sustainable Poços Meeting – together we can transform Poços is organized by Alcoa in Poços de Caldas and has the support of the Town Administration and the Town Council, the Commercial and Industrial Association and the Association of Mining Companies, as well as being a partnership with 18 other companies from various sectors of the local economy.
The first stage of the event was held on November 11, when more than people 320 got together, including representatives from companies, the press, chartable institutions, non-governmental organizations and public authorities. Also present were the mayor, Sebastião Navarro Vieira Filho, the President of the Town Council, councilor Álvaro Cagnani, Deputy Mayor elect, councilor Gláucia Boaretto, as well as councilors elected for the next legislature. Nemércio Nogueira, director of Institutional Affairs and Maurício Born, manager of Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability for Alcoa Latin America and the Caribbean, and João Batista Menezes, Alcoa’s Operations Manager in Poços de Caldas also took part, as did management and employee representatives from the Unit.
Divided into groups the participants attended talks on sustainability and started gathering information about the topics they consider important for guaranteeing a sustainable future for Poços de Caldas. They also learned of similar work that Alcoa is doing in Juruti, in the west of Pará, where the Company is preparing to inaugurate a bauxite mine.
The second stage of this initiative takes place on Tuesday, November 25, when all participants get together once again to continue with the debates and elect a Municipal Sustainability Council – a permanent non-governmental debating forum. The main objective of the Council is to encourage and guide local development in a sustainable way, by planning growth and creating strategies that contribute to improving the quality of life of the community in all its aspects.
“Our objective in organizing this event is to facilitate debate and dialogue between public authorities, organized society and companies so that together we can plan the future we all dream about for Poços de Caldas”, explains João Batista Menezes, Operations Manager for Alcoa in Poços de Caldas. “We want our children and grand-children to enjoy the same quality of life we have in the town today, which has the best HDI (Human Development Index) in Minas Gerais”, he adds.
“The Sustainable Poços initiative is praiseworthy, is happening at a very opportune moment and is highly representative, with all segments of society being encouraged to think about the future of our town”, councilor Gláucia Boareto, Deputy Mayor elect, pointed out. “I think that the creation of the Council is essential for the future we want for Poços de Caldas. Undoubtedly it’s going to underpin our plan of government, so that we continue growing in a responsible way in all spheres”, she concluded.
Sustainable Poços Prize
During the Sustainable Poços Meeting the 1st Alcoa Sustainability Prize was launched, which is open to charitable institutions and non-governmental organizations. Its objective is to encourage and contribute to the development of the town by awarding a prize to the most sustainable project. The winner will receive funds from the Alcoa Institute to implement their project, up to a maximum amount in Reais equivalent to US$ 50,000. Enrollment must be done by November 25 during the second stage of the Sustainable Poços Meeting.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems. The Company has 97,000 employees in 34 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com
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