MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald Evans and Ron James, president and chief executive officer of the Center for Ethical Business Cultures (CEBC), will host a town hall meeting here to discuss the importance of corporate responsibility, governance, citizenship and the current investment climate.

The town hall will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 1, in Thornton Auditorium on the downtown Minneapolis campus of the University of St. Thomas. The auditorium is located on the second floor of Terrence Murphy Hall, 1000 LaSalle Ave.

The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. To reserve a space, R.S.V.P. to obl@doc.gov with “Minneapolis” in the subject line or call (202) 482-1360.

This town hall is one in a series being held by Evans around the United States to underscore the importance of corporate responsibility. Previous events have been held in Philadelphia and Boston.

CEBC’s mission is assisting business leaders in creating ethical and profitable business cultures. 

Founded in 1978, the center has focused on corporate responsibility to all of a company’s stakeholders -- customers, employees, suppliers, the community, competitors and owners/investors -- as a fundamental element in building sustainable and profitable businesses.

To recognize excellence in business ethics, CEBC annually sponsors the Minnesota Business Ethics Award and Educational Forum in collaboration with the Minnesota chapters of the Society of Financial Service Professionals. It published The Minnesota Principles in 1992 to foster the fairness and integrity of business relationships in the emerging global marketplace. In 2000, it published Culture of Corporate Citizenship: Minnesota’s Business Legacy for the Global Future.