events 2008

Ambassador Graber uses the traditional wine sampler

Ambassador Graber Promotes Community Foundations in Southern Moravia
 
December 11-12, 2008

Ambassador Graber traveled to southern Moravia for a two day program primarily aimed at supporting the newly established South Moravian Community Foundation (SMCF), which issued its first call for proposals for future grants on December 11. The NGO Echo Moravia's initiative resulted in the establishment of SMCF this year. Its aim is to support regionally-beneficial cultural, educational, environmental and youth projects in the Břeclav and Hodonín area. Since the region is a traditionally strong producer of wine, the SMCF was founded using a portion of the revenues from charitable wine auctions co-organized by the VIA Foundation.

Additionally, the Ambassador visited the Otis Elevator Company's manufacturing facility in Břeclav to highlight the importance of U.S. investment in the region.  He also visited the Jaroslav Blažek gallery in Kostice and met with members of the Hodonín Chamber of Commerce at the Milotice castle.

On Friday, Ambassador Graber spoke on the issues of transparency and corporate responsibility to students of the business academy in Hodonín. Beginning in January 2009, the academy will teach classes on corporate social responsibility, in cooperation with the SMCF. The project is supported by the Mott Foundation as well as the V4 Community Foundation Maturity Program.