September 22, 2009 – The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an interfaith organization, and its president and founder Rabbi Arthur Schneier today honored Bernard J. Arnault, Chairman & CEO, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, with the Appeal of Conscience Award for his leadership to advance international cooperation, the environment, and the arts.  Muhtar Kent, Chairman & CEO, The Coca-Cola Company received the Appeal of Conscience Award for his contribution in the fields of education and the environment and The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister of Great Britain was presented the Foundation’s World Statesman Award.

Former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger addressed the International gathering 

that brings together leaders of business, public and religious life, members of the diplomatic corps, and prominent religious leaders of the Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Armenian, Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox communities.

“Each of these deserving honorees have dedicated themselves to removing barriers that have plagued our society, by finding avenues for people of different cultures, nationalities and religions to embrace their common values,” said Rabbi Arthur Schneier, the President and Founder of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. “They have all made a difference for the benefit of humanity.”

Upon receiving the Appeal of Conscience Award, Bernard J. Arnault stated that, “The world can only thrive if it is sustained by the spirit of progress and the thirst for peace. A universe will not be able to survive without the spread of liberty, the willingness to talk and the spirit of tolerance. What should bring men together is far stronger than the perception they may have, which is an illusion that separates them.”

“We are proud to receive this recognition from Appeal of Conscience Foundation because of their noble and crucial mission of promoting peace, tolerance and ethnic conflict resolution,” said Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive officer, The Coca-Cola Company.
“We believe in creating a better world through cross-cultural understanding. ACF’s support and passion for peace and tolerance inspires us and sends a powerful message in this time of such
great need.”

The invocation was delivered by Archbishop Demetrios, Primate The Greek Orthodox Church of America a trustee of the ACF and the benediction was offered by Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, Vice President of the ACF.

They were joined on the dais by world, religious, civic, entertainment and business leaders including;

Queen Rania of Jordan. Stjepan Mesic, President of Croatia. Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of Albania.

Gordon Bajnai, Prime Minister of Hungary. Rev. Joseph A. O'Hare, SJ President Emeritus Fordham University. Bishop Robert A. Rimbo, Bishop, Metropolitan New York Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Monsignor Robert Sheeran, President, Seton Hall University. The Rt. Rev. Mark

Sisk Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of New York. Fashion Designer, Donna Karan. John C. Whitehead, former co-chairman of Goldman Sachs and Company and former Deputy Secretary of State.James D. Wolfensohn, former President of the World Bank. New York City Police Commissioner, Raymond Kelly. Former Astronauts James A. Lovell and Buzz Aldrin. Actress Uma Thurman and Bono, the lead singer for the rock band “U2".

The Honorary Chairman of the Dinner was United States President, Barack H. Obama. The Awards Dinner chairmen included Steven T. Mnuchin and Wilbur L. Ross Jr.  The general chairmen included K. Rupert Murdoch, Hon. Peter G. Peterson and Hon. John C. Whitehead.

Co-Chairs included Daniel Abraham, Peter Barack, Len Blavatnik, John A. Catsimatidis, Henri de Castries, Christopher de Margerie, Paul J. Fribourg, Dr. Klaus C. Kleinfeld, Hon. Earle I. Mack, Howard J. Rubenstein, Christopher Ruddy,Stephen A. Schwarzman, Daniel L. Vasella, Hon. James D. Wolfenson and Tran Sri Francis Yeoh.

Honorary Co-Chairs included former President William Jefferson Clinton and former Secretaries of State Hon. Madeleine Albright, Hon. James A. Baker III, Hon. Lawrence S. Eagleburger,Gen. Alexander M. Haig Jr., Hon. Henry A. Kissinger, Gen. Colin L. Powell, Hon. Condoleezza Rice and Hon. George P. Shultz. Other co-chairs include   U.S Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg and Sen. Charles E. Schumer.  Congressman, Howard Berman, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Among the New York area officials in attendance, New York City Mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg.

New York State Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli and former New York City Mayor, Edward I. Koch.

Past recipients of the World Statesman Award include President Nicolas Sarkozy (2008), Chancellor Angela Merkel (2007) and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2006). Other recipients include former Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher, Romano Prodi, John Howard and King Juan Carlos I. The ACF has also recognized leading international business leaders including Bill Marriot, Jorma Ollila, Dr. Josef Ackermann, Dr. Daniel Vasella, Michael Bloomberg, Jeff Immelt and Hon. Peter Peterson.

About the Appeal of Conscience Foundation:

Founded in 1965, the ACF has worked on behalf of religious freedom, human rights and tolerance throughout the world. The inter-faith coalition of business and religious leaders promotes mutual understanding, peace and interfaith dialogue. The Foundation believes that freedom, democracy and human rights are the fundamental values that give nations of the world their best hope for peace, security and shared prosperity.