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April 27, 2009
Community body from Juruti, in western Pará, receives international recognition
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A partnership model between the community and Alcoa is presented by members of the Sustainable Juruti Council to institutions from 10 countries in South Africa
The installation of a major mining project in the Amazon, which is being very closely followed by civil society, is arousing the interest of the international community. Between March 30 and April 3 two members of the Sustainable Juruti Council (CONJUS) took part in the meeting “Rights, Risks and Responsibilitiesâ€, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Some 30 representatives from institutions in 10 countries, among which England, Nigeria, the United States and Brazil, met to evaluate relationship experiences between communities and mining companies.
The event was promoted by the London School of Economics and Political Science, an English economics and political science university; CommDev, an organization linked to the International Finance Corporation and the non-governmental organization, Business Community Synergies, in partnership with the Alcoa Foundation.
CONJUS was represented by José Neto Vieira, its general coordinator and president of the 100% Juruti Movement, and Gustavo Hamoy, also a member of the Council and president of the Commercial and Business Association of Juruti (ACEJ). Viviane Penna, a Community Relations analyst with Alcoa, also took part in the event in Johannesburg.
In addition to CONJUS other experiences were selected, such as the African Institute for Energy Governance from Uganda, the Foundation for Community Development from Burkina Faso and Pro-Natura from Nigeria. “This international recognition of CONJUS as an innovative initiative bringing together communities and companies in a sustainable way was very positiveâ€, was the assessment of Fábio Abdala, an Alcoa Sustainability and Social Project consultant and the Company’s representative on CONJUS.
“Leaving Juriti for another continent and having the opportunity of finding out about other mining programs was a very valuable experience. The oldest mining companies over there, which have been around for a hundred years or more, always worked in an exploitative way. Most of the companies believe they have no right to contribute to social issues due the region’s history. Here, we work in exactly the opposite wayâ€, underlines José Neto Vieira from the 100% Juruti Movement.
According to Vieira the presentation by CONJUS drew the attention of those taking part, many of whom showed an interest in using a similar model in their respective locations. “This experience of presenting CONJUS at an international forum was a thermometer for measuring our work, for finding out how our partnership stands. Because of the contact we had with other people we’re certain that we’re on the right roadâ€, comments Vieira.
Gustavo Hamoy reveals that when he found out about the experiences of other countries he observed that current conditions in Juruti are excellent and better than the average of the results presented at the event. “Legislation in Brazil gives us more freedom than that of other countries taking part. As far as the openness of major companies with communities is concerned we’re pretty far advancedâ€. ACEJ’s representative on CONJUS also highlights the pioneering aspect of the council in world terms. “CONJUS is a totally new experience at the world level because it includes public authorities, organized civil bodies and companies. We presented our working method and everybody was highly motivated to copy our success modelâ€.
“In the case of the Council’s participation a proposal was studied of how CONJUS can develop jointly with the Juruti Mine, a positive relationship that is creating conditions that favor the sustainable development of the municipality. This training served to strengthen civil societyâ€, concludes Fábio Abdala from Alcoa.
Sustainability tripod
The Sustainable Juruti Project aims at meeting the three aspects of the sustainability tripod that look to regional development: respect for the environment, social responsibility and economic success. Implementation of this model, identified as one of the aspirations of the Juruti community itself, is a voluntary initiative on the part of Alcoa and yet one more of all the other ongoing activities arising from the legal requirements for setting up the Juruti Mine (Environmental Control Plans and Collective Compensation Matrix for the Socó I Settlement) and Alcoa’s various other voluntary initiatives that go to form the so-called Positive Agenda.
The FUNBIO (Brazilian Biodiversity Fund) project was created as a result of joint work between the GVCes (the Getulio Vargas Foundation’s Center for Sustainability Studies) and Alcoa and is already working successfully. In addition to the Sustainability Indicators’ System and the Sustainable Juruti Fund, the first working proposal of which has just been presented, the project is supported by the Sustainable Juruti Council, a public forum for dialogue between the various stakeholders interested in local development.
The indicators should constitute the bases for supporting the decision-taking processes of the Council, which in turn gives guidance to the Fund on priorities, investments and financial support. Each component of the project has the active participation of representatives from civil organizations, local public authorities and companies. It is expected that once implemented this project will become a public asset in the service of all society.
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 been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for seven consecutive years. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
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