THE SUMMIT OFFICE

WASHINGTON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Former Ghanaian President, John Kufuor Challenges International Corporations to Work Towards Improving Their Standards in Africa

View Kufuor’s Challenge

Washington D.C., May 16, 2012 – The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation calls upon all international companies that operate in Africa to improve their standards and investments in the development of the continent. By launching the “100 Days of Change” campaign, the Foundation is voicing the inequalities related to doing business in Africa, and the dishonorable practices conducted by foreign companies on African soil. The challenge to corporations is to create resolutions for sustainable change and present those resolutions at the Sullivan Summit IX, which will be held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea from August 20-24^th, 2012. The Foundation will also celebrate those corporations whose business practices are exceptionally supporting the development of Africa.

“It’s time for the international community to understand that Africa cannot be taken for granted. We as Africans cannot stand by as our riches, our land, and most of all, our dignity are taken from us, especially for the clear motive of profit above the preservation of basic human rights,” said the Summit IX Chairman, former Ghanaian President John Kufuor.

Kufuor went on to say, “Although there are various injustices, there are also numerous companies doing good, and we wish to highlight them as role models.”

Over the course of the “100 Days of Change” campaign, the Sullivan Foundation, through tweets (#100daysofchange, Twitter handle @SullivanFound), Facebook  (www.facebook.com/SullivanFoundation), and the Sullivan Foundation website (www.sullivansummit.org) will present the opportunity for individuals, Non-profits, and NGO’s to blog, to share photos, and to speak out with numerous Heads of States and CEO’s at Sullivan Summit IX. This Summit stands as a unique venue for communicating and drawing on the economic inequalities created by corporations on African soil; we will focus on ten distinct industries operating on the continent.

Ms. Hope Sullivan Masters, the President and CEO of the Foundation stated, “This is an opportunity for foreign firms working in Africa to demonstrate their solutions for building enabling environments in the communities of which they have taken advantage. Created by my late father, the Global Sullivan Principles, stand as a tool for human rights, the basis for corporate social responsibility, and will be a platform to command the equality Africans deserve.”

Summit Chairman H.E. Kufuor has written a statement to world leaders and CEO’s of international firms inviting them to attend the Summit and to partake in the 100 Days of Change campaign. His announcement, released today and found on the Summit website, is the call to action for those who have questioned the need for change and for those who have questioned the issue of Human Rights and good governance in Africa.

“Africa is seen today as the new investment destination of the entire world, however we must be cognizant that Africans are not taken advantage of in the process. We know the endless economic opportunities that the continent has to offer, but we cannot afford to taint the continent by remaining naïve to clear injustices,” said Summit Chairman H.E. John Kufuor.

The Leon H. Sullivan Summit, an initiative of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation was the first internationally recognized Summit of world leaders, convened on African soil, by a non-governmental private foundation. Held biennially in an African nation, the Summits have hosted high-level U.S. Government officials, including former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as former U.S. Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. Since 1991, more than 20,000 people from the United States and across Africa have attended the Summits and more than $180 billion of debt relief from developed nations has been forgiven through the work of the Summits. More information can be found at www.SullivanSummit.org.

For Media Inquiries, please contact summitix@thesullivanfoundation.org 202-736-2239

My Dear Friends and Family,

This coming August in the city of Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, the Leon H. Sullivan Summit will gather a remarkable group of world leaders, chief executive officers, pioneers, and regular, everyday people just like you and me. In fact, the Sullivan Summit is often referred to as “The People’s Summit” because, unlike every other Summit of nations and world leaders, anyone can attend the Sullivan Summit to participate in dialog with the men and women who are shaping the policies and practices that will give rise to Africa’s future.

Together we will examine how the world is becoming ever more rapidly digital, mobile, virtual, and personal; yet remote and impersonal.  Our greatest challenge as members of this globalized society – what do these changes mean for our leaders and what will they mean for people like you and me?   And perhaps most importantly, how can we protect the infirmed, the poor, the defenseless, and the isolated from a society moving faster and faster away from their grasp?

Technology and globalization have created a phenomenon that is accelerating profound shifts in the way we communicate, conduct business, govern, innovate, and become competitive.   At the Ninth Leon H. Sullivan Summit, we will learn from each other about managing change, and we will explore how the public and the private sectors can manage a changing society while not leaving our most vulnerable members behind without hope and without a way to rise.

At the Ninth Leon H. Sullivan Summit we will benefit from the collective wisdom of our leaders and our peers as we innovate in these uncertain times.  The leaders of Africa, and indeed the entire world, are all challenged to use the capabilities of this age to drive a world economy that will benefit all.

There is a Continent waiting to be developed!  Join us on the most exciting journey of this Century, the journey of Africa Rising.

See you in Malabo.

One love,

We’ve been very busy here at the Sullivan Foundation. Over the past few months, our entire staff has been diligently working on some amazing projects. In the coming days, we will be making a huge announcement! Stay tuned and always remember, Africa is Rising.