Key issues

Human dignity
 I was interested in creating wealth for society, especially for the neediest, and also to safeguard the options for future generations as best I could. I do not see these objectives as incompatible or mutually exclusive. All of these activities represent my personal values. Yet there is one core issue that supports all others: human dignity. Human dignity implies respect for the individual and a commitment toward satisfying material and spiritual needs, something only attainable by means of creating opportunities for everyone. Thus, I believe that sustainable development is a viable option to revalue human dignity. In order to start this process of change, we need leaders with vision, and projects based on strong moral and ethical values. Therefore, I am committed to facilitating access to opportunities for those who have the drive, the initiative, and the capacity to motivate others to join in and coordinate efforts. I am conscious that in the long term this will benefit society as a whole, as well as myself, and that this objective is a worthwhile investment and worth working for on a daily basis.
Sustainable development Sustainable development does not imply living beyond our means. It doesn’t mean burning our house down to keep warm, nor cutting the branch on which we are seated. Living out of interest, not capital. Personally, I am seriously worried, not only about nature, which we carelessly destroy, but also about the human potential that we waste due to lack of opportunities, and the suffering resulting thereof.

Sustainable development

Many think that sustainable development is a strictly “green” concept, something like “save trees and animals”. These topics are important, but I invite you to consider that today 2.8 billion people –almost half of the world population - live on less than two dollars a day. It is these people whom we should include in a real and radical development process.

Sustainable development in a viable option to revalue human dignity, satisfying present needs without forgetting those of future generations. It requires education, more efficient use of resources, more open forms of democracy, as well as society’s participation in decision making. It also requires economic growth, focused on generating more equal opportunities. In order to start walking in this direction, we need, in short, new ways of cooperation between governments, enterprises, and society, and all of us need to work toward finding solutions, under the slogan “the path is our goal”.

Liberty

Liberty in the Western world, it seems habitual to enjoy the guarantees of ample personal liberty. We quickly tend to forget that liberal order is not a natural state, but rather a significant achievement of human society. We often concentrate on demanding our rights, while ignoring to a great extend the responsibility they entail. In the first place, the entrepreneurial sector should develop and improve the market economy system, using the same open approach and the same creativity that it employs when optimizing the competitive capacity of the company.

Secondly, we must openly and consequently fight against the abuse of power. The exercise of liberty that can not be responsibly justified corrupts and brings about resentment. For this reason, being responsible is not only a moral obligation, but also a requisite for the survival of democracies.

Democracy

I would like to share some of my thoughts and ideas with you. Neither the individual nor society work exclusively in accordance with a vertical and rational order, but they rather intertwine its effects through a matrix of reason, instincts, and emotions. In my view, common sense is one eventual bridge among these aspects that determine human behavior. I like to define it as “the search for balance between reason, emotion, and instinct” -- a balance in which no one factor can reach a dominant influence, because each one of them generally works relatively independently of the others. This is why both my thoughts and actions are set on finding and keeping this balance through common association.

As a man committed to my time, I offer my thoughts about the values that govern my actions. These thoughts, just like the activities I carry out, are but a small contribution to the search for new ways and solutions to old problems afflicting our societies.

Equity

The commandment that urges us to love thy fellow man as we love ourselves, just like solidarity, implores us to help the less privileged. From the perspective of true help, sustainable and long term, this should focus on offering true opportunities to develop the abilities to those who really need it.

In a globalized world, equal access to opportunities is equivalent to acquiring the ability of participating in the market with competitive products or services. This implies propelling the development of a democratic, just, and transparent society in which these values will be paramount in both public and private sector, as well as in social organizations, so as to be able to guarantee equity.

Only when the thousands of millions of people that live in poverty are not considered as just one more of the world’s problems, but rather as a decisive part of its solutions, will the global perspective for humanity be illuminated. To this respect, I consider that enterprises, governments, and civil society organizations should work together to persuade the majority that eco-efficient conduct, corporate social responsibility, and capital investment with a long term vision, could provide equal opportunities, access to human dignity, and prosperity.

Education

 In order for a nation to be competitive in the global market and for its people to be able to effectively participate in democratic life, they need high-quality universal education.

The degradation of people due to lack of education, or discriminatory laws and customs based on sex, religion, or ethnic groups still exists, overlooking the fact that in today’s global market no country can be successful without using its people’s intelligence and energy. This is one of the untenable practices of today’s world.

I am convinced that education is one of the fundamental pillars of both individual and global development, because only by means of education can one have people that are aware of their potential, free and understanding, while in charge of their own development. Only through education can one secure people capable of improving our quality of life, and collaborating in the construction of a just, fraternal, democratic, and participatory society.

Leadership

 Civil society is a vital force in the search for sustainable development because they foment democracy and promote civil participation, fostering the active participation of society’s protagonists, trying to include the poor and deprived in their endeavors. They are enterprising people who create important values such as quality of life, education, and cooperation among different sectors.

The leaders are men and women that act within the society to which they belong; they look toward the future and deeply understand the reality in which they operate. They assume their role as promotional agents of change within society through their initiatives, and make it easier for others to grow and develop. Moreover, they make up and strengthen work teams, developing alliances, promoting dialogue, and constantly trying to overcome any obstacles that may appear.

There are many of these potential leaders that are rapidly growing in capacity and number, and the tasks they carry out are tremendous. Quite often, having to do without the adequate tools or strategies, they must face well equipped and organized sectors that defend their space and privileges.

Social responsibility

 Corporate social responsibility is one of the key elements behind the sustainable development concept, reflecting the responsible interaction between each one of the sectors involved in a company. Likewise, it is the effort made by a company to contribute to the creation of a more secure, stable, and prosperous society, which in turn will allow said business to benefit in the long term. This means that business leaders need to understand that the destruction of the natural patrimony of a nation or continent is neither worthwhile nor will it make them competitive.

In this sense, it is important they understand that it is not possible to make good business deals in countries where the population is getting poorer and poorer. Poverty not only implies a limited market for the sales of their products, but it is also true that people with little education, inadequate health plans, precarious housing and no transport have great difficulties collaborating in the construction of a growing economy. This is why the business sector needs to establish a global market that assures equal opportunities for all.

The criteria behind sustainability and corporate social responsibility must be among the fundamental principles that lead companies, so as to be able to contribute to the constant development of the societies that have provided them with opportunities of growth. I believe that the business leader who defends his right to his own success, while at the same time accepting his commitment to the society to which he belongs is the entrepreneur of the future.

Eco-efficiency

Basically, eco-efficiency means adding value to goods or services, using fewer natural resources, and producing less waste and contamination. The prefix “eco” refers to both “economy” and “ecology”.

Within the framework of deregulations and privatizations, the ethical dimension of business activity acquires an even more relevant value due to the fact that economic freedom entails greater levels of responsibility. Personally, I think the concept “eco-efficiency” takes in that ethical dimension, has inspired and led leaders from different spheres and sectors, and has promoted harmony between economic activities and natural ecosystems.

During the last decade, many companies have made money while reducing waste and environmental contamination. This proves that raising environmental standards does not necessarily mean reducing earnings. Nevertheless, and despite the fact that progress in this aspect has been important, I believe that our efforts must double in a world in which population and consumption are in constant growth.