The seminar was attended by NGO representatives from Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Spain, Belgium and The Netherlands. Not surprisingly, there was consensus amongst the NGOs present that civil society organizations should not ignore the debate on CSR, but participate actively in it. The mainstream model of CSR used by most companies is hardly satisfying for the majority of stakeholders and is generally focused on charity for marketing purposes.

All participants agreed that civil society should make use of international regulations and guidelines - such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Corporations and the ILO Conventions - to monitor companies and, when necessary, confront them with violations.

During the seminar, several NGOs presented concrete case studies on multinational corporations and explained how sets of indicators and research methods can be used to monitor these companies.

In 2005, Red Puentes plans to increase its network in Latin America. The seminar at the Americas Social Forum was a very significant step towards a larger and broader network, with participation of organizations in most Latin American countries. The NGOs present agreed to work together closely and to exchange know-how on several themes linked to CSR.

Over 10.000 people attended the First Social Forum of the Americas. The event offered civil society the chance to come together, share experiences, debate important issues, in the belief that “a different world is possible”. The Americas Social Forum forms part of the World Social Forum, but its regional focus gave participants the opportunity to focus on issues that directly affect the lives of people in the Americas, including indigenous rights, gender, the environment, conflict and international trade.