Américo Amorim, Chairman of the Amorim Group, was invited to receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Commercial Science from St. John's University, in recognition of his work undertaken in the interest of the economy and his commitment to environmental issues and social and humanitarian development.
Américo Amorim was delighted with the invitation: "I am very pleased with this international recognition of the work of my 57-year career. It is a great pleasure for me to remain active, generating wealth and sharing my experiences. I believe that this recognition can serve as an incentive to younger generations, which brings me great joy as we are in such need of the value and ability of Men who, with vision, creativity and daring, can overcome the current difficulties faced by the world."
Américo Amorim started working at the age of 19. By means of a process of vertical integration of the industry, and the acquisition or creation of its own distribution channels, the Amorim Group has become truly global, and is the world leader in the cork business, with a presence in over 100 countries.
The cork industry, to this day the Amorim Group's core business, has been the starting point for diversification into fields as varied as telecoms, energy, banking, real estate, tourism, forestry, textiles, Port wine and high quality table wines, and more recently international high fashion.
The concerted effort towards conservation and preservation of millions of cork oaks across the entire Mediterranean Basin is one of the environmental and generational sustainability practices of the Amorim Group.
"We are proud of our contribution to the proper use and management of this important forest, which plays a fundamental role in CO2 fixing, preservation of biodiversity and the fight against desertification. The preparation and processing of cork are a perfect expression of the close connection between Man and Nature, and of the way in which responsible use of natural resources is the basis of Sustainable Development", states Américo Amorim.
Founded in 1870 - the same year in which the Amorim Group was created - St. John's University has earned a reputation as an institution which promotes academic excellence within the context of a multicultural and humanitarian community.
The environment is a top priority: "Our environmental challenge must become the challenge of every person on the planet. As a University we have the advantage of being able to influence a generation of people before they head out into the world as the next decision-makers and world leaders", states a spokesperson for the Institution.
Currently, St. John's University comprises seven campuses and has over 20 thousand students, mostly from the USA, Italy and France. The mission of St. John's University is to create a fresh awareness of the world with a view to greater global development and harmony.
A number of personalities have been awarded this title, now given to Américo Amorim, in particular President Ciampi of Italy, President Mubarak of Egypt, David Rockefeller, former President Ronald Reagan, the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in 2006, the King of Thailand His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej and in 2008 Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, of Saudi Arabia.
Over the years, St John's University has earned the recognition of other institutions. Of particular note, for example, is its nomination for the sixth year running by The Princeton Review placing it in its ranking of top Universities.
Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, drafter of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the Republic, was an enthusiastic ambassador for cork. Familiar with the features of this raw material and aware of its potential, he sought his whole life long to introduce the cork oak in his country. The cork oak is mentioned in some of his letters as one of the species which he found most pleasing and fascinating.
