GBC Awards for Business Excellence Gala
June 13, 2007
American Museum of Natural History
New York, New York
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GBC CEO and President Richard Holbrooke, joined by Executive Director John Tedstrom, introduces the Award for Business Excellence in Leadership |
Opening the evening, GBC Chairman Sir Mark Moody-Stuart provided a brief overview of GBC’s six year history, outlining the organization’s rapid growth from its first award ceremony where only three awards were presented. Sir Mark also introduced Zambian-born Ophelia Haanyama-Orum, HIV-positive author of the book True to Myself. Greeted with generous applause, Haanyama-Orum provided an emotionally charged speech, ending with a call to action. "Open your eyes, open your minds, and open your hearts. Walk with me, and continue your work to make a positive difference for people with HIV."
Joined on stage by John Tedstrom, Ambassador Holbrooke expressed admiration for GBC member companies fighting AIDS, TB and malaria, but expressed great concern about the epidemics’ rapid growth worldwide. "We will not be able to say we have turned the corner until the numbers go down...and they are not going down," he said. Ambassador Holbrooke then introduced Advocacy & Leadership Award winner HBO, represented by Co-President Richard Plepler.
» Visit the HBO winner page, featuring a video clip and an interview with President Richard Plepler
Following Plepler's acceptance speech, John Tedstrom introduced Workplace Award winner Chevron, represented by Peter Robertson.
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Mercury Foundation Co-Founder and Chair of the GBC Awards for Business Excellence Amy Robbins discusses her professional fight against AIDS, TB and malaria |
Tedstrom then introduced Tuberculosis Award winner Eli Lilly & Company, represented by Chairman and CEO Sidney Taurel.
Following a brief intermission featuring photographs by Getty Images Photographer Brent Stirton, Tedstrom introduced Mercury Foundation Executive Director and GBC Gala Chair Amy Robbins, who discussed her professional fight against HIV. She then introduced a video highlighting President Clinton's AIDS work both domestically and abroad.
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DJ Doug E. Fresh and Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx Lead an impromptu rap, "We're here to fight H-I-V" |
HBO President Richard Plepler returned to the stage accompanied by Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx to introduce the premiere of Test America, a Public Service Announcement campaign--produced in conjunction with the National Basketball Association, GBC, and the Kaiser Family Foundation--to educate millions of at-risk Americans about the need to get tested for HIV. Following the airing of the video clip, Foxx joined legendary DJ Doug E. Fresh in an impromptu rap, encouraging the crowd to chant "We're here to fight H-I-V."
» View the video of Jamie Foxx and Doug E. Fresh
As one of the evening's featured speakers, Virgin Group Founder and Chairman Sir Richard Branson discussed Virgin United's commitment to eradicate the HIV virus. "Whilst great strides have been taken over the last few years, 16,000 people are still dying every day from HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria--all completely preventable and treatable diseases," he said. Citing a Virgin employee who contracted and later died from complications associated with AIDS, Branson reiterated his personal and professional goals to make treatment available for everyone.
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Virgin Group Founder and Chairman Sir Richard Branson discusses his personal and professional commitment to fighting AIDS, TB and malaria |
» View Highlights from Sir Richard Branson's Remarks about Developing a War Room against AIDS
Chairman of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Rajat Gupta introduced Testing and Counseling Award Winner Eskom Holdings Ltd., which was represented by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Penny Mkalipe.
» View the Eskom Holdings Ltd. winner page, featuring a video clip and an interview with ICAS Wellness Client Services Manager Radhi Vandayar
Following Dr. Mkalipe's acceptance speech, Vice-Chairman of Malaria No More, Ray Chambers introduced Malaria Award winner Marathon Oil Corporation, represented by CEO and President Clarence Cazalot.
John Tedstrom introduced Community Award winner Coca-Cola China Beverages Limited, represented by Vice President and Director of Corporate Affairs, Charles Tang.
The final award for Business Excellence in National Action was presented to Abbott and Abbott Fund, which was represented by President of Abbott Fund, Catherine Babington.
Tedstrom also thanked each of the commended companies: Absa, Alcan Inc., Anglo Coal S.A., AngloGold Ashanti, AstraZeneca PLC, BHP Billiton, British American Tobacco South Africa, Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS (CBMP), Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc., Dole Philippines Inc., Gap Inc., General Motors Corporation, IBM Corporation, the Lafarge Group, MTV Networks International, and Novartis Pharma AG.
As a special performance, South African singer, songwriter, poet and activist Vusi Mahlasela played a beautiful rendition of his anti-apartheid anthem When You Come Back.
» View a video of South African Singer, Songwriter, Poet and Activist Vusi Mahlasela singing When You Come Back
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Former US President Bill Clinton urges executives to "act as if our common humanity matters most" |
To close the night, Ambassador Holbrooke thanked the evening's sponsors, and introduced former President Bill Clinton. Clinton commended Jamie Foxx, Doug E. Fresh, and members of the National Basketball Association for taking part in the inspiring Test America PSA campaign. He then thanked GBC for bringing a committed group of leading private-sector executives and NGOs to tackle three global epidemics. Clinton focused his closing remarks on the idea of finding common ground, stating "We could be treating everybody for AIDS right now...and TB and malaria. We could save a heck of a lot of lives. The question is: Do we think that all lives have equal value and that what we have in common is more important [than our differences]?" He said, "We need more people like you honored tonight, who are happy knowing their lives mean more when they act as if our common humanity matters most." In closing, he urged executives to work together to do what is right: fight for equality for all people, and fight to end AIDS, TB and malaria.
» View Highlights from President Clinton's Inspirational Acceptance Speech
GBC Convenes Member Companies and Stakeholders for Key Events
On June 12-13, in conjunction with the GBC Awards for Business Excellence Gala, GBC implemented two major policy and technical service events, bringing together over 55 private-sector and 40 NGO partners to highlight opportunities for awareness, education and access using supply chain strengths and to fight the increasing feminzation of AIDS.
Policy Workshop Fights Feminization of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa
In partnership with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, GBC held an innovative multi-stakeholder scenario workshop on the feminization of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Facilitated by Scenario Development’s Dr. Patrick Noack and Dr. Maddalena Campioni, the first-of-its-kind workshop convened GBC member companies, Columbia University academics, NGO representatives, government leaders, policy makers, and donors. Working sessions focused on knowledge sharing, identification of key issues, current situational analysis, and potential factors impacting future epidemic scenarios.
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GBC East Africa Director Patricia Mugambi discusses her professional experiences with the Feminization of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa |
The feminization of HIV/AIDS is a global phenomenon that challenges development progress and undermines local economies. Its impact is the most severe in sub-Saharan Africa, where, in the nine most heavily affected countries, 75% of all young people infected with HIV are female; in some Southern and East African countries, young women and girls can be up to 4 to 13 times more likely to be HIV-infected than young men. The epidemic’s feminization indicates that the specific HIV-related needs of women and girls are not being addressed. In addition, the wide-spread discrimination, gender inequity and violence against women and girls make them extremely vulnerable to an epidemic with a known propensity to prey on vulnerable populations.
The two-day workshop facilitated deeper understanding of the wider context and policy issues shaping HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and fostered a greater appreciation for the underlying structural issues fueling the epidemic’s feminization. Participants from various constituencies were able to share insights and challenge assumptions and beliefs—an important part of the process in expanding dialogue on the issue and improving individual and collective strategies.
» Read an Overview of the Feminization of AIDS in sub-Saharan Afric
The focal question that developed from the workshop—"What is the specific role of business in a multi-sectoral response to the feminization of HIV/AIDS"?—was addressed through four different scenarios (partnership, gender, leadership and health systems). Scenario Development is composing a workshop report and formulating future scenarios regarding feminization in sub-Saharan Africa; recommendations will be distributed to participants and member companies.
GBC is committed to further engaging members on this issue and is working to provide increased guidance and tools for programs and policies as part of our Healthy Women Healthy Economies (HWHE) initiative. GBC recognizes that members are committed to more concrete actions, and the workshop was an important step in this direction.
As part of the HWHE initiative GBC will:
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Formulate a policy brief on business’ role, with specific recommendations from the Scenario Workshop.
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Formulate guidelines on integrating gender into the corporate response, through GBC’s Business Action Methodology™ (BAM).
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Gather and disseminate Case Studies, featuring Best Practices related to HWHE.
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Partner with Scenario Development to formulate and distribute scenarios on the future of the Feminization in SSA.
NGO and Private Sector Representatives Team Up for the 2007 GBC Technical Sessions: Opportunities to Respond Across the Supply Chain through Awareness, Education and Access
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Dotti Hatcher (left), Senior Director of Social & Community Investment at Gap Inc., discusses her experiences with global product suppliers and their effect on Gap's opportunities to improve CSR initiatives |
In conjunction with GBC member Booz & Company, GBC developed the second annual Technical Sessions, focusing on private sector responses to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in the corporate supply chain. Generously hosted by GBC member HSBC at their headquarters in New York, these sessions convened representatives from 46 private sector companies, as well as 15 NGO and international agencies, who have either begun addressing or would like to address these issues in their own supply chains.
In addition to facilitating candid conversations about program successes and challenges, the technical sessions illuminated industries that have been particularly hard hit by the three epidemics, including: oil & gas, extractives, food & beverage, apparel manufacturing, and agriculture.
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Peter Parry, Vice President at Booz & Company offers discussion topics for breakout sessions at the technical sessions |
» Learn about Member Company Best-Practices by Using the Private Sector Portfolios Tool