abc* Foundation’s Continuity Forum Brings Global Luminaries to Miami

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Americas Business Council (abc*) Foundation, a nonprofit organization that brings high-impact leaders and organizations together to confront the most pressing social and environmental issues in the Americas, will host the 2012 abc* Continuity Forum in Miami Nov. 12-14, at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove. The forum, now in its second year, provides a platform for the most innovative social entrepreneurs in the Americas to share their organizations’ work with others who are motivated to make a positive change in the region.

Speakers confirmed for the 2012 abc* Continuity Forum include Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the United Nations; Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva.org; Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida and founder and chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education; and Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.

The 2012 abc* Continuity Forum is partnering with Ashoka, the world’s largest association of social entrepreneurs, and Innovadores de America, an organization that awards individuals for superior social, scientific, business and cultural achievements in Latin America. Out of 117 rigorously pre-screened initiatives by these two organizations, the abc* Foundation selected 35 to present at the 2012 Continuity Forum.

The Ashoka Fellows and Innovadores de America organizations will present programs already underway in the Americas which have the potential to create positive transformation in the region. At the conclusion of the Forum, the abc* Foundation will select three projects to receive funding and hands-on advisory, as well as media and marketing support for two years, to help them achieve their fullest capabilities.

The 2012 abc* Continuity Forum is an initiative of the abc* Foundation, a nonprofit organization co-chaired by Emilio Azcárraga, chairman of Grupo Televisa; Angélica Fuentes, CEO of Grupo Omnilife; Jorge Vergara, president and founder of Grupo Omnilife and owner of the Las Chivas football team; Guillermo Romo, president of Grupo Mega; and Mario Scarpetta, director of Inversiones Argos.

Past abc* Forum distinguished speakers include Al Gore, Alan Greenspan, David Axelrod, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Mikhail Gorbachev and Sir Richard Branson.

Complete event details can be found at: http://www.abccontinuityforum.org. Follow us on Twitter (@abc_foundation) for developing news and 2012 abc* Continuity Forum updates; join the conversation online using the Twitter hashtag #abcforum. The 2012 abc* Continuity Forum app, available from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, is coming soon.

About The Americas Business Council Foundation

The Americas Business Council (abc*) Foundation is a think-do tank that seeks to further peace, sustainability, and prosperity by fostering discussion with leaders from the Americas about the most pressing social and environmental challenges facing our world, and by presenting them with opportunities to engage in impact-driven initiatives that provide tangible solutions. Founded in 2008, the abc* Foundation provides a platform for the region’s emerging leaders to use their influence, networks, and resources to bring about lasting positive change. The organization was founded by four prestigious Latin American Co-Chairmen - - Emilio Azcárraga, President and CEO of Grupo Televisa; Guillermo Romo, President and founder of Grupo Mega; Angélica Fuentes, CEO of Omnilife; and Jorge Vergara, President and founder of Omnilife and owner of the ‘Las Chivas’ football team. Mario Scarpetta, Director of Inversiones Argos, also recently joined the organization as a co-chair. For more information, visit www.abcfound.org.