São Paulo, June 12, 2008 -- Don Beck, philosopher-activist, writer and Fellow at the George Gallup Institute at Princeton University, was programmed in Porto Alegre and São Paulo, May 26-30, 2008.  Dr. Beck  spoke  on the concept of corporate  social responsibility to an engaged audience of academics, students,  and representatives of the business sector, NGOs and the media. 

Maximizing his social science background in his presentations on corporate social responsibility, Beck applied his nine step spiral dynamics social theory to businesses and institutions.  According to his thinking, the company or institution performs a self evaluation and applies the theory to improve or go to the next level of efficiency and progress.  Environmental sustainability, social responsibility and responsible entrepreneurship are essential parts of his spiral dynamics premise.   A company must employ these three pillars which are essential to the development of good corporate sustainability.  In addition,  Dr. Beck identified cultural values as a universal bond present in all progressive societies, businesses and institutions.  After years of studying societies  in  Africa, Europe and the Middle East,  Dr. Beck concluded that cultural values  are key to improving social conditions and human development.  According to the theory of spiral dynamics,  the organization’s major challenge is  to recognize its shared corporate values and apply them in an effective manner for the benefit of society and stakeholders. This new ideology can bring about, according to Dr. Beck, a positive outlook in the dynamics of improved corporate social responsibility.

Don Beck speaks at conference Stop & Think and coordinating workshop on Spiral Dynamics Theory at Parceiros Voluntarios, both events took place in Porto Alegre

In Porto Alegre, Don Beck delivered lectures on “Concepts and Practices of Corporate Social Responsibility: Development and the Construction of Human Capital” and “Spiral Dynamics.”  His first presentation took place at the 4^th Stop & Think, a major international conference organized by the NGO Parceiros Voluntários (Volunteer Partners), with the support of several Brazilian foundations and corporations. Dr. Beck did his second presentation at a workshop organized by Parceiros Voluntários, which was attended by its Board Members, staff and stakeholders.

1-2) Don Beck lectures for 300 scholars, researchers and academics at the Center for the Study of the Future at Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo 3-4) Carlos Alberto Lopes and Euridinéia Marques from SENAC São Paulo, Don Beck and Lisa Helling, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in São Paulo

In São Paulo, Don Beck gave a presentation on “Spiral Dynamics” at the Center for the Study of the Future (NEF) at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC/SP). The event was attended by 300 scholars, researchers and specialists of this theory. In addition, Dr. Beck spoke on “Corporate Social Responsibility” in the Business Forum for Sustainable Development, organized by the Federation of Commerce of São Paulo and SENAC-São Paulo, to an audience of 70 representatives from companies and a variety of other commercial organizations.

In Porto Alegre, Don Beck gave an interview to Jornal do Comércio, which was published on May 27.  Interviews he granted to Época Negócios and Revista da ESPM in São Paulo will be published in their June editions.