Events 2013
The Washburne Award for Innovation in Diversity
The 2012 ceremony. See caption below. Photo DOS/P.Maulavé
The U.S. Embassy in Paris, in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce in France and the French-American Foundation France, is accepting nominations for the second annual Washburne Award for Innovation in Diversity. The winners of the first Washburne Award (announced in May 2012) were Groupe Casino and the Fondation KPMG in France.
A longtime friend and supporter of Presidents Lincoln and Grant, Elihu Benjamin Washburne was a leading 19th century proponent of racial equality in the U.S. As a Congressman, he served on the Joint Committee on Reconstruction which drafted the U.S. Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment, guaranteeing voting rights, due process and equal protection under the law to U.S. citizens. He later served as U.S. Secretary of State and, from 1869-1877, U.S. Minister to France. As a diplomatic envoy, Washburne played a courageous role during the Franco-German War, the siege of Paris and the Commune.
Purpose of the Award
- To advance shared Franco-American goals that promote diversity and that reflect our longstanding commitment to developing economic opportunity for all citizens;
- To honor French and American companies which develop innovative programs that promote diversity in the workplace by publicly recognizing private sector organizations that excel in the recruitment, training, and mentoring of employees from diverse backgrounds. This includes programs that prepare/empower individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter the mainstream economy;
- To promote employment opportunities for disadvantaged youth in France by encouraging companies to identify and develop young talent from diverse backgrounds;
- To encourage entrepreneurship in disadvantaged areas by expanding the capacity of French and American companies to recruit talented individuals;
- To increase Franco-American exchanges of information and ideas regarding diversity, training, and recruitment of disadvantaged youth, as well as job creation.
Two awards will be granted for this program, the first for an American firm operating in France and the second for a French firm, for their exceptional contributions in this field. This year’s award recipients will be announced in May 2013. Nominations must be received by April 05, 2013.
Finalist selection and recognition
Upon selection, finalists will be asked to provide additional material such as logos and high quality photos. The organizers will use these materials for both print and online publicity, during the awards ceremony, and in related promotional or media materials. The Award will be presented in May 2013. Winners will be invited on-stage and be given an opportunity for brief remarks.
Photo: The 2012 Ceremony
From left to right: Lilian Thuram, President of the Foundation Education against racism - Eric Boustouller, Chairman of Microsoft France, Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in France - Mansour Zoberi et Matthieu Riché, Director of Promotion of Diversity and Director RSE Groupe Casino - Charles Rivkin, Ambassador of the United States of America in France - Fleur Pellerin, Minister delegate in charge of PME, Innovation and digital economy - Jean-Luc Allavena Director of the Foundation French-American - France - Jean-Louis Chaussende et Patrick-Hubert Petit, President and Vice-President of the Fondation d'entreprise KPMG France - . DOS Photo/P. Maulavé
