Sat, 01/11/2008 - 01:00 | by admin
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Courage is defined as the quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear or vicissitudes with self-possession and resolution,. It is bravery - a quality as rare as it is fine.
This is the legacy of Ricardo Claro Valdés - a business leader, entrepreneur, avid reader and philanthropist with a strong faith, profound love for his country, passion for the arts and love of family - who died last month at the age of 74.
Visionaries are only dreamers in the absence of courage - courage to make tough decisions, courage to choose paths which are not traditionally accepted, and courage to face the many challenges along the road.
Ricardo Claro was a visionary for Chile at a time when the country needed this vision most. He built what is today the most globalized of all Chilean businesses, Compañía Sudamericana de Vapores (CSAV). He showed a nation how to take advantage of its greatest economic opportunity and certainly one of its greatest challenges over the last century - having the courage to open its borders to trade and competition.
He did not choose an easy path. Shipping is one of the most competitive industries on earth. He did not achieve success on the foundation of great riches but rather on the basis of hard work, discipline, vision and the ability to take well-calculated and well-informed risks. He built a flagship for his group, a highly respected global leader in shipping, and a flagship for his country.
Along the road, Ricardo Claro also built a network of connections unsurpassed by previous business leaders in Chile’s history. More importantly, he used this network to enhance and deepen Chile’s connection to the world for relationships between countries, as well as between businesses, are built by people and Ricardo Claro represented the best of Chile. He worked diligently in support of the Free Trade Agreement with the United States as well as to strengthen relationships with China, India and many other countries.
But his contributions went even deeper. He constructed friendships and understanding around the world as he worked to transmit the rich culture of Chile to the world and, at the same time, to bring the best of global culture to Chile. He brought Chile the opportunity to know the greatest works of opera, dance and music at the Teatro Municipal. We will always be thankful for the many and beautiful books involving Chile’s visual and written arts which he patronized. Most importantly, we are thankful for the magnificent tribute to Chile’s history embodied in the Museo Andino which will forever beautifully represent the country’s identity.
All of these achievements were for the benefit of all of the people of Chile. He showed deep concern for his workers by training them and making them the most competitive in the industry. Last month we also saw the large number of charitable organizations he silently supported over the years as they made public their appreciation for the life of a great Chilean. This is true social responsibility - effectively, responsibly, and humbly completed.
AmCham recognized Ricardo Claro with its highest honor - its Free Trade Award - in 2005. We appreciate and respect his contribution to Chile and to Chile’s insertion in the world. We wish to honor him again for the courage which is the hallmark of his legacy. Chile honors a beloved citizen and the world honors a beloved Chilean.
The Courage of his Convictions
PrintSend to friend
Courage is defined as the quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear or vicissitudes with self-possession and resolution,. It is bravery - a quality as rare as it is fine.
This is the legacy of Ricardo Claro Valdés - a business leader, entrepreneur, avid reader and philanthropist with a strong faith, profound love for his country, passion for the arts and love of family - who died last month at the age of 74.
Visionaries are only dreamers in the absence of courage - courage to make tough decisions, courage to choose paths which are not traditionally accepted, and courage to face the many challenges along the road.
Ricardo Claro was a visionary for Chile at a time when the country needed this vision most. He built what is today the most globalized of all Chilean businesses, Compañía Sudamericana de Vapores (CSAV). He showed a nation how to take advantage of its greatest economic opportunity and certainly one of its greatest challenges over the last century - having the courage to open its borders to trade and competition.
He did not choose an easy path. Shipping is one of the most competitive industries on earth. He did not achieve success on the foundation of great riches but rather on the basis of hard work, discipline, vision and the ability to take well-calculated and well-informed risks. He built a flagship for his group, a highly respected global leader in shipping, and a flagship for his country.
Along the road, Ricardo Claro also built a network of connections unsurpassed by previous business leaders in Chile’s history. More importantly, he used this network to enhance and deepen Chile’s connection to the world for relationships between countries, as well as between businesses, are built by people and Ricardo Claro represented the best of Chile. He worked diligently in support of the Free Trade Agreement with the United States as well as to strengthen relationships with China, India and many other countries.
But his contributions went even deeper. He constructed friendships and understanding around the world as he worked to transmit the rich culture of Chile to the world and, at the same time, to bring the best of global culture to Chile. He brought Chile the opportunity to know the greatest works of opera, dance and music at the Teatro Municipal. We will always be thankful for the many and beautiful books involving Chile’s visual and written arts which he patronized. Most importantly, we are thankful for the magnificent tribute to Chile’s history embodied in the Museo Andino which will forever beautifully represent the country’s identity.
All of these achievements were for the benefit of all of the people of Chile. He showed deep concern for his workers by training them and making them the most competitive in the industry. Last month we also saw the large number of charitable organizations he silently supported over the years as they made public their appreciation for the life of a great Chilean. This is true social responsibility - effectively, responsibly, and humbly completed.
AmCham recognized Ricardo Claro with its highest honor - its Free Trade Award - in 2005. We appreciate and respect his contribution to Chile and to Chile’s insertion in the world. We wish to honor him again for the courage which is the hallmark of his legacy. Chile honors a beloved citizen and the world honors a beloved Chilean. 
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