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Background

THE TRUST FOR THE AMERICAS TO PRESENT ITS
FIRST HUMANITARIAN AWARD TO JUANES

Washington D.C, November 5, 2008. The Trust for the Americas and the Organization of
American States (OAS) announce the OAS/Trust Annual Gala to be held on November 20,
2008. This event will take place at the historic OAS building at 17th Street and Constitution
Avenue in Washington, D.C. and will directly support the Trust’s programs and make an impact
on the lives of disadvantaged communities throughout the hemisphere.
At the Gala, the Trust will present its first Humanitarian Award to twelve-time LATIN
GRAMMY Award winner Juanes - who will be present to accept the award. Named “one of
the 100 Most Influential People in the World” by TIME Magazine, Juanes has been hailed by critics as
“the single most important figure of the past decade in Latin music.” The award will recognize Juanes’
efforts to help landmine victims in Colombia through his organization, Fundacion Mi Sangre
(http://www.fundacionmisangre.org).
The Trust will also announce the winner of the fifth annual Corporate Citizen of the
Americas Award which will recognize an outstanding corporate citizen in Latin America. Past
winners include Microsoft, Daimler Chrysler, Conoco Phillips and Pantaleon.
Nobel Prize winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez will serve as the Honorary Gala Chair and
Senators Mel Martinez and Robert Menendez will serve as Honorary Congressional Co-Chairs.
The event will bring together other distinguished guests, including U.S. government officials,
ambassadors, representatives from countries throughout the hemisphere and important business
leaders. Chevron has generously agreed to be the presenting sponsor for the event.
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WHAT: TRUST FOR THE AMERICAS/OAS GALA
WHEN: NOVEMBER 20, 2008 6:30PM
WHERE: OAS HEADQUARTERS, 17th Street and Constitution Avenue
About the Trust for the Americas:
The Trust for the Americas is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization affiliated with the Organization of
American States (OAS) and was established in 1997 to promote private and public sector participation in
projects that reflect the main goals of the OAS. The mission of the Trust is to execute capacity building
programs, both for individuals and organizations. The Trust implements its programs through local
partner organizations, with support from over 200 public and private sector partners in more than 20
countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
About the Trust Humanitarian Award:
The first annual Trust Humanitarian Award recognizes the commitment of an artist to help
disadvantaged communities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
About the CCA Award:
The private sector is plays an important role in developing solutions to overcome poverty in communities
throughout the Latin America and the Caribbean. The Corporate Citizen of the Americas Award (CCA)
recognizes a company that has initiated an innovative program which benefits the community in which it
operates and can serve as a model for socially responsible practices. Each year, a Selection Committee
selects one finalist and two honorable mentions. The 2008 Selection Committee is composed of Albert
Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General, OAS; Ricardo Domínguez, Chief of Staff to the Secretary General,
OAS; Steven Puig, Vice President for the Private Sector and Non-Sovereign Guaranteed Operations,
Inter-American Development Bank; Michael Lee-Chin, Executive Chairman, AIC Limited; and Rodolfo
Fücher, Director for Social Investment in Latin America, Microsoft.

For further information or questions contact:
Meredith Scott
Event Manager
[email protected]
Telephone: +1.202.458.3261

Reference: TRUST AME