International: ‘globalisation is good’ say the poor

More than six in ten of citizens worldwide (62%) see globalisation as positive for themselves and their families, including clear majorities in 19 of the 25 countries included in the third CSR Monitor survey by Environics. Conducted with the World Economic Forum, 26,000 people were questioned towards the end of 2001. Contrary to some perceptions, support for globalisation actually increased over the previous year. Belief that poor countries benefit as much as the rich is strongest among those with the lowest GDPs.

At the same time, the proportion claiming to have punished companies for poor social performance grew to 29%, up from 20% last year, while three out of four say they want to find out more about CSR initiatives. The findings also reveal near consensus (more than 80%) that companies should go beyond philanthropy and apply their expertise and technology, not just their financial resources, to tackle social problems. Contact Chris Coutter, Environics, on 00 1 416 920 9010 (http://www.environicsinternational.com)

A new study from the International Finance Corporation (the World Bank’s commercial arm) presents evidence based on 240 case study examples that sustainable business practices can benefit companies operating in emerging markets. Conducted jointly with the Ethos Institute in Brazil and SustainAbility, Developing value: the business case for sustainability in emerging markets, identifies lower costs, higher revenues, reduced risk, better reputation and staff morale among the gains, along with greater access to capital. The study rejects a one-size-fits-all approach to sustainability, saying each company must pragmatically change its practices in order to gain the economic, social and environmental benefits. Contact Emily Foskett, Sustainability, on 020 7245 1116 (http://www.sustainability.com)

The global chocolate and cocoa industry has launched a new partnership with labour unions and NGOs to eliminate abusive child labour practices in cocoa cultivation and processing. Announced on July 1, the International Cocoa Initiative will support best practice, conduct research, improve enforcement of labour standards, and develop monitoring and public reporting mechanisms. The initiative’s governing board is composed equally of industry and non-industry representatives and includes the ILO as an advisor. Contact Susan Snyder Smith, CMA, on 00 1 703 790 5011 (http://www.chocolateandcocoa.org)

GlaxoSmithKline has set out its commitment to improving healthcare in the developing world, with the publication of Facing the challenge on July 8. The company reports progress in three principal priority areas:

• preferential pricing of antiretrovirals and antimalarials for eligible customers in LDCs and sub- Saharan Africa, now standing at 31 countries in total;
• investment in research and development targeting diseases that particularly affect the developing world, to which end its R&D facility at Tres Cantos in Spain is now dedicated;
• community investment activities and partnerships that foster effective health care, such as the new African Malaria Partnership.

Among the achievements highlighted in the report is a ten-fold increase in shipments of the preferentially priced drug, Combivir, to the developing world. Contact Martin Sutton, GlaxoSmithKline, on 020 8047 5502 (http://www.gsk.com)

The Global Compact issued its first progress report in July, two years on from its 2000 launch, detailing its growing activities around ‘multistakeholder dialogue’ between business, the UN family of agencies, labour groups and civil society organisations. Based on nine principles covering human rights, labour and the environment, the Global Compact asks participating companies to present examples annually of efforts to uphold the principles and to take part in a Learning Forum. At the end of 2001, some 80 companies had confirmed participation, with 20 business associations such as the ICC and WBCSD representing many more. Contact Georg Kell, Global Compact, on 00 1 212 963 1234 (http://www.unglobalcompact.org)

Twelve companies in the oil and motor sectors published a progress report on July 22 marking the half-way point in their three year Sustainable Mobility project. Co-ordinated through WBCSD and jointly chaired by Shell’s Phil Watts and Toyota’s Shoichiro Toyoda, the initiative has already published an analysis of the world’s current system of transportation. Ten ‘work streams’ are now underway, covering vehicle design, fuels, the urban context and public policy barriers among others. A final report is expected during 2003. Contact Kristian Pladsen, WBCSD, on 00 41 79 779 3505 (http://www.sustainablemobility.org)

Corporate responsibility will have limited benefit unless it becomes integrated into national economic strategies and practices, according to the Copenhagen Centre, the Danish government initiative for social cohesion. Corporate Responsibility and the competitive advantage of nations, published July 22, says CSR must move beyond micro-economic benefits for individual companies. Authored by AccountAbility, it suggests that the changing role of business in society might underpin new forms of international economic competitive advantage. Contact Tracey Swift, Accountability, on 020 7549 0400 (http://www.accountability.org.uk)

A guide to effective stakeholder engagement, with practical tools to ensure indigenous populations gain from business investment, has been issued by the Centre for Development Studies, Swansea, based on three company case studies from the Indian state of Orissa. Contact I Barney, Centre for Development Studies, on 01792 295332 (http://www.swansea.ac.uk)

George Soros is calling for resource extraction companies to publish details of tax payments and royalties to governments on a country-by-country basis, as a stock market listing condition. His campaign, Publish what you Pay, was launched on June 13 with the aim of empowering citizens in developing countries to call their governments to account. See http://www.publishwhatyoupay.org