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May 2002
Birmingham, Alabama, honours Standard Bank
Standard Bank has been honoured by Birmingham, Alabama, for its corporate social investment initiatives.
The bank was one of three South African companies given Crystal Crown Awards at the annual Birmingham International Festival, held from April 16 to April 21. Standard Bank, Pick 'n Pay and Remgro were honoured for "corporate excellence and social responsibility to the people of South Africa". The awards focus on the interdependent relationship between the arts and the corporate community.
Every year Birmingham honours a particular country. This year it was South Africa. The festival, which has been running for 52 years, is designed to build bridges of understanding between the people of Alabama and other cultures. The Birmingham International Festival is the oldest and most comprehensive festival of its kind in the United States.
The 2002 Salute to South Africa, with the theme "South Africa is coming", included a two-day international conference entitled: "Transformative Justice: From Conflict to Resolution and Healing". Former president F W De Klerk opened the conference. South Africa's ambassador to the United States, Sheila Sisulu, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu also attended.
Archbishop Tutu gave the keynote address at the annual Crystal Crown Awards luncheon, at which the three South African corporations were honoured. Two American companies, Dow Chemicals and 3M also received awards.
Ms Sisulu opened the South African trade forum on April 18. The forum allowed South Africa to showcase itself as a world leader in the provision of technologies, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Sisulu encouraged companies to invest in South Africa.
The festival also featured an exhibition of South African art depicting human rights in South Africa; and Birmingham's Linn Park was transformed into a "little South Africa", featuring South Africa arts and crafts, cuisine, music and dance.
The festival culminated with a gala dinner at which ambassador Sisulu received a citation from US Secretary of State Colin Powell.
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