media advisory G8 countries failing to
halt corporate bad practices, ‘Corporate G8’
briefing shows
PARIS, FRANCE, MAY 29, 2003 - As the
leaders of the world’s richest nations gather
in Evian, France, for the G8 Summit [1] of
June 1-3, Friends of the Earth International
today published a new briefing* highlighting
the gap between the rhetoric of ‘corporate
social responsibility’ and the reality
experienced by the victims of corporate bad
practice.
The briefing published today, ‘Corporate
G8’, focuses on case studies showing the
damage some well-known multinational
companies from G8 countries are causing to
local communities. The ‘Corporate G8’
briefing highlights cases of US, UK, German,
Italian, Canadian, French and Russian
companies that have been at the heart of
recent controversies.
The G8's promise to prioritise ‘corporate
social responsibility’ is in disarray after a
French plan for concrete action was dropped
from the agenda [2].
Many communities have learned the hard
away about the failures of corporate
voluntarism.
Helene Ballande, from Friends of the Earth
France, said:
“The G8 countries are the most powerful
economies and are home to the most powerful
multinationals. Yet despite being the most
responsible, they are not prepared to take
the least action to halt corporate bad
practice. As a result communities around the
world are suffering and their environment is
being degraded."
“Instead of spending their time pushing
for new rights for big business under the
World Trade Organisation, Bush, Chirac, Blair
and the other G8 leaders should be pushing
for international rights for affected
communities so they can secure justice in the
face of corporate crimes,” Ballande
added.
From today until June 1st, civil society
representatives assemble at a G8‘counter
summit’ close to Evian, in Annemasse, to
debate alternatives to corporate
globalisation.
see
briefing
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] : The Group of Eight, or G8, is the
powerful group of eight countries (Canada,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the
United Kingdom and the United States) that
meet each year to discuss broad economic and
foreign policies.
[2] : ‘G8 drops plan for business
standards, fails developing nations‘ May 16
release available at :
www.foei.org/media/2003/0516.htm
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT IN
EVIAN, FRANCE :
Friends of the Earth (IN FRENCH): Helene
Ballande: + 33-6-77107125
Friends of the Earth (IN ENGLISH) : Matt
Phillips: +44 7817314 706
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