Business & Human Rights: Globalisation 1996-2001

ICFTU/ICATU Joint Statement on Globalisation and the WTO (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions & International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions, 13 Nov. 2001)

{···français} CISL/CISA Déclaration conjointe sur la mondialisation et l’OMC

Antitrade activists face tough sell: As world trade meeting wraps up in Qatar, activists find little appetite for US-bashing in shadow of 9/11. (Peter Ford, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Nov. 2001)

The gospel of globalisation - Business leaders must promote the social and economic benefits of liberalisation, says Henry Paulson (Henry Paulson, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Goldman Sachs group, in Financial Times, 12 Nov. 2001)

Observer Comment - Anti-globalisation can not help the developing world. But the rich countries must ditch the hypocrisy and keep their promises to the south...Multinational corporations, finance capitalists and Northern Governments justify themselves in terms of free trade, but what they actually promote are their own interests, which is not the same thing at all. In trade the industrialised world imposes liberalisation on developing countries while protecting its own markets in agriculture and textiles through tariff barriers. (Michael Jacobs, Observer [UK], 11 Nov. 2001)

Globalising opposition: The newly-founded Arab Forum for Resisting Globalisation held its first conference in Beirut last weekend. The coming WTO meeting in Doha was a constant theme. Zeina Abu Rizk reports from Beirut (Al-Ahram Weekly [Cairo], 8-14 Nov. 2001)

Is globalisation good for the world? Peter Sutherland and Shirley Williams in discussion (openDemocracy website, 8 Nov. 2001)

Globalisation's Chernobyl: September 11 exposed neoliberalism's shortcomings as a solution to the world's conflicts, argues Ulrich Beck (Ulrich Beck, Financial Times, 6 Nov. 2001)

EMPLOYMENT: Annan Stresses Plight Of Poor Following Terrorist Attacks - Addressing the opening of the International Labor Organization's Global Employment Forum in Geneva, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said today that the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States will have "severe and multiple" effects on the job market and the poor. Citing the ILO estimate that 24 million could lose their jobs by the end of next year, Annan called for global economic integration that takes into account social and employment difficulties. (UN Wire, 1 Nov. 2001)

ICFTU calls for leading role for the ILO in globalisation and at the WTO: Bill Jordan, General Secretary of the ICFTU, will outline how the ILO has a central role to play in establishing “new global rules that will permit and encourage sustainable development, decent employment and respect for workers’ rights in all part of the world”, at the ILO’s Global Employment Forum opening in Geneva tomorrow. (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 31 Oct. 2001)

{···español} La CIOSL reclama para la OIT un papel de liderazgo en la mundialización y en la OMC

{···français} L'OIT doit jouer un rôle de premier plan dans la mondialisation et à l'OMC, selon la CISL

Globalisation has survived the terrorist attacks: Al-Qaeda's attacks were intended to halt the economic and political integration of the world. They have not succeeded, says Gerard Baker (Gerard Baker, Financial Times, 31 Oct. 2001)

Humanising Globalisation: a Role for Human Rights (Mary Robinson, UN HIgh Commissioner for Human Rights, speech to International Conference on Globalisation, 30 Oct. 2001)

Globalisation and Interdependence (former U.S. President William J. Clinton, speech to International Conference on Globalisation, 30 Oct. 2001)

Clusters of Crisis - A Planetary Contract (Susan George, Associate Director of the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam, speech to International Conference on Globalisation, 30 Oct. 2001)

Most People Cannot Participate (Herando De Soto, President of ILD - Institute for Liberty and Democracy, Peru, speech to International Conference on Globalisation, 30 Oct. 2001)

Present Problems and Future Shape of the WTO and the Multilateral Trading System (Chee Yoke Ling, Legal Advisor to the Third World Network, speech to International Conference on Globalisation, 30 Oct. 2001)

The Paradox of Poverty and Corporate Globalisation [refers to Shell's environmental and human rights impact on Ogoni community in Nigeria] (Owens Wiwa, Executive Director of AFRIDA - African Environmental and Human Development Agency and brother of the late Ken Saro-Wiwa, speech to International Conference on Globalisation, 30 Oct. 2001)

It's Not the Trade; It's the Trade-Offs (Naomi Klein, speech to International Conference on Globalisation, 30 Oct. 2001)

The Way Forward (Noreena Hertz, speech to International Conference on Globalisation, 30 Oct. 2001)

Making, and respecting, the rules - An interview with Maria Livanos Cattaui [as the head of the International Chamber of Commerce, she is one of the foremost advocates of globalisation] (openDemocracy website, 25 Oct. 2001)

Globalisation – the view from Bhutan (Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley, Foreign Minister of Bhutan, openDemocracy website, 25 Oct. 2001)

Greenspan [US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan] sees terror threat to globalisation:...Through its effect on economic growth, free trade had, he argued, been a powerful force for prosperity. The vast increases in wealth in democratic capitalist countries had, moreover, been used "in large measure... to improve the quality of life."..."To cite a short list", Mr Greenspan continued, that had meant "Greater longevity... a universal system of education that enabled greatly increased social mobility... vastly improved conditions of work, and... the ability to enhance our environment by setting aside natural resources rather than employing them to sustain a minimum level of subsistence." (Financial Times, 25 Oct. 2001)

Let the huddled masses go free: The best way to show globalisation works is to allow unrestricted migration of labour -...The trouble is that there is too little globalisation rather than too much. There was far more economic free movement a century ago than there is today. The big difference is, of course, in migration policies. (Samuel Brittan, Financial Times, 24 Oct. 2001)

Resolution on Decent Work and Globalisation: FURTHER CALLS ON the ITGLWF and all affiliates to promote a common set of demands, ie to insist on a globalisation that advances worker´s rights and job security; supports quality universal education and health care; helps the poor, not just the rich; is open and democratic; benefits all people everywhere, and delivers true global justice and equality. (Executive Committee of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation [ITGLWF], 23 Oct. 2001)

The message gets muddied: "It’s very difficult to disentangle yourself from these radical groups," says Justin Forsyth, policy director at Oxfam. "And the violence is counter-productive and takes attention away from the issues." Mr Forsyth's comments reflect a general frustration among many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) about the havoc being wreaked by extremist groups when it comes to globalisation protests and the fact that they are increasingly eager to distance themselves from the radical groups behind much of the violence. (Sarah Murray, in Responsible business in the global economy: A Financial Times Guide, 23 Oct. 2001)

Reply to Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt's Open Letter 'The Paradox of Anti-Globalisation' (Corporate Europe Observatory, 22 Oct. 2001)

the original open letter by Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt: The paradox of anti-globalisation: In an open letter, Guy Verhofstadt, prime minister of Belgium and current president of the European Union, argues that more, not less globalisation is the answer to the problems of the developing world - as long as it is advanced according to his ethical vision (Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister of Belgium, in Guardian [UK], 28 Sep. 2001)

Confronting mistrust: Introduction by Alan Pike - Some observers hope that, in the sobering wake of September 11, the violent street protest that has accompanied meetings of international organisations for the past two years might be frozen out, replaced by a greater determination on all sides to address human rights, third world debt and other legitimate concerns of globalisation's critics. (Alan Pike, in Responsible business in the global economy: A Financial Times Guide, 22 Oct. 2001)

Asia leader criticizes globalization: With Pacific Rim leaders pushing more economic globalization, Malaysia's leader delivered an alternative broadside Saturday against ways of the West he says are leaving too many people behind. (Dirk Beveridge, Associated Press, 20 Oct. 2001)

Unilever funds anti-capitalists: Groups gain millions through Ben & Jerry's takeover - Unilever, one of the world's biggest multinationals, has given millions of dollars through its Ben & Jerry's subsidiary to anti-globalisation protest groups and critics of corporate greed...The company has made Dollars 5m (Pounds 3.4m) available to various initiatives through Ben & Jerry's, the ice-cream company famous for its social conscience. Unilever gave the money to Ben & Jerry's Foundation when it bought the company last year...Unilever has been a leading advocate of trade liberalisation, arguing that open markets and multinational businesses improve choices, knowledge and living standards around the world. Executives at the company were aware when they agreed to set aside the funds for the Ben & Jerry's foundation that the money was likely to help fund anti-globalisation causes. But executives at Unilever said it was felt the money could not be donated with caveats barring support for anti-globalisation groups. (James Harding, Financial Times, 16 Oct. 2001)

Letters to the Editor: Globalisation with a heart - Sir, I write regarding your article on Unilever's role in the "anti-globalisation" movement through its Ben & Jerry's subsidiary ("Unilever funds anti-capitalists", October 16). Hurray for them!...Many of those activist organisations are not against globalisation; rather, they support responsible globalisation and development, with more accountability...First I read about Unilever's vision in The Economist this week; now I read about their hands-off approach with Ben and Jerry's grants. A lesser company would have steamrollered the opposition. Unilever shows that there is room for dialogue and other opinions. I am encouraged to see in this case that globalisation does have a heart. I'm off to buy some of their stocks! (letter to editor from Anthony Westenberg, in Financial Times, 19 Oct. 2001)

International environmentalist delegation tours El Salvador to assess human triggered disasters, promote solutions - ..."Preventing earthquakes is obviously beyond our control," said Dr. Navarro, "But if not for deforestation and ill-conceived development of the type we campaigned against for eight years at La Cordillera El Bálsamo, I'm convinced the human toll would have been significantly lower."..."Natural disasters, in many cases, are simply manifestations of deeper, structural problems, namely climate change, unsustainable development, and unchecked economic globalization," said Dr. Otto Sieber, biologist and Director of Switzerland's well-known environmental organization Pro Natura, part of the Friends of the Earth network. (Friends of the Earth, 16 Oct. 2001)

Nobel Laureate Encourages Global Justice Movement: Joseph Stiglitz, whose critiques of free market fundamentalism cost him a senior job at the World Bank in 1999 but won him the Nobel Prize for economics last week, has succinct advice for the global justice movement: Keep it up. ''The recognition that the trade agreements of the past have been unfair is one of the important lessons of the anti-globalisation movement,'' he says. ''I think it's something that will stick with us. And if we go forward with another round of trade talks, it will shape our discussions.'' (Tim Shorrock, Inter Press Service, 15 Oct. 2001)

Firms 'need forcing' to do the right thing: An Observer survey shows people don't believe companies will be socially responsible on their own. -...The research reveals high levels of scepticism among leaders from the voluntary sector, education, local government and media about companies' claims to be improving their environmental performance and benefiting communities. The panel of activists and leaders in key social sectors come across as firm believers in CSR [corporate social responsibility] but do not think the corporate world can be trusted with a voluntary approach, especially in the face of a recession. Their clear call for legislation comes as the [UK] Government is considering how to preserve its business-friendly stance and head off the anti-corporate sentiment fuelled by globalisation protests. (Roger Cowe, Observer [UK], 14 Oct. 2001)

Where Do We Go From Here? Pondering the Future of our Movement [CorpWatch Director Joshua Karliner looks at the challenges facing the anti-corporate globalization movement since the World Trade Center attack] (Joshua Karliner, CorpWatch, 11 Oct. 2001)

ACTRAV Symposium shows union convergence on globalization issues...The Symposium gave a unique opportunity for dialogue between the world of labour and representatives of the International Financial Institutions and the World Trade Organization (WTO). (Human.Rights@Work: A monthly newsletter produced by the ILO Bureau for Workers' Activities, International Labour Organization, 9 Oct. 2001)

Globalisation as a force for good (Edward M Graham, Senior Fellow at the Institute for International Economics, in Guardian [UK], 8 Oct. 2001)

'Halt terror against the earth' [India]: The Maharashtra Government has reportedly given the rights to a lake - which hitherto was the community resource and a source of livelihood for the local population - to the soft drinks giant, Coca Cola, for running one of its several bottling plants in the country. This is not an isolated case. Globalisation is allowing a handful of corporations such as Cargill and Vivendi to own and control public land and water through contract farming, privatisation and commodification of resources. Corporations such as Monsanto, Syngenta and Novartis are pirating and trying to own and control our biodiversity, food, medicinal plants and knowledge through patents and IPR claims such as the neem patents, basmati and other rice patents. (Soma Basu, The Hindu [India], 5 Oct. 2001)

company websites:

Attacks 'offspring of globalization': The Sept 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, as well as the US response, have raised questions about the future of globalization and of the anti-globalization movement. (Gustavo Gonzalez, Inter Press Service / Dawn [Pakistan], 4 Oct. 2001)

Speech by Tony Blair, Prime Minister [UK], Labour Party conference, Brighton 2001 [comments on issues including globalisation and poverty] (U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, 3 Oct. 2001)

How trade can help the world: The tragic events in America should not be allowed to halt the development of a more integrated global economy (Martin Wolf, Financial Times, 2 Oct. 2001)

LATIN AMERICA: Region Remains World's Most Unequal, U.N. Says - The Latin American and Caribbean region remains the "most unequal" area in the world and has not improved income distribution during the last decade, according to a new U.N. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean report. (UN Wire, 2 Oct. 2001)

Halfway to the Future: Reflections on the Global Condition - On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, Tellus Institute has released a new book — Halfway to the Future: Reflections on the Global Condition. The book provides fresh insight into the evolution of global sustainability issues such as climate change, water, waste, and globalization — and how these issues have helped create the current climate in social and environmental affairs. (Tellus Institute, Oct. 2001)

The paradox of anti-globalisation: In an open letter, Guy Verhofstadt, prime minister of Belgium and current president of the European Union, argues that more, not less globalisation is the answer to the problems of the developing world - as long as it is advanced according to his ethical vision (Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister of Belgium, in Guardian [UK], 28 Sep. 2001)

Globalisation and its critics: Globalisation is a great force for good. But neither governments nor businesses, Clive Crook argues, can be trusted to make the case - ...globalisation, far from being the greatest cause of poverty, is its only feasible cure...Multinational businesses, for their part, with their enlightened mission statements, progressive stakeholder strategies, flower-motif logos and 57-point pledges of “corporate social responsibility”, implicitly say that they have a case to answer: capitalism without responsibility is bad. That sounds all right; the trouble is, when they start talking about how they will no longer put profits first, people (rightly) think they are lying. (Clive Crook, The Economist, 27 Sep. 2001)

Is globalisation doomed? According to its critics, globalisation has a lot to answer for (opinion, The Economist, 27 Sep. 2001)

Economic man, cleaner planet: Shocking as it may seem to most anti-globalists, market forces can help the environment. In fits and starts, they are already starting to (The Economist, 27 Sep. 2001)

Call for a new, 'ethical' G8: The existing Group of Eight industrial nations must be replaced by a new G8 bringing together all regions of the world, to ensure that the process of globalisation takes on a more ethical character, Guy Verhofstadt, Belgian prime minister, said yesterday. (Michael Mann, Financial Times, 27 Sep. 2001)

Belgian PM calls for ethical globalisation, new G8:...He said the challenge was to give globalisation a conscience, and not to rein it in. (Katie Nguyen, Reuters, 27 Sep. 2001)

Open Letter to EU Trade Commissioner Lamy Concerning the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD): With this letter, signed by 20 groups from 11 European countries, we appeal to you and the rest of the European Commission delegation not to attend the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD)'s CEO Conference in Stockholm, 11-12 October 2001. We are deeply concerned about the inappropriate, undemocratic powers over trade policies and regulatory decision-making granted to large corporations through the TABD process. (Corporate Europe Observatory, 26 Sep. 2001)

Corporations struggle to answer global protests: Branded villains by anti-globalization protesters, many of the world's largest companies are casting around for a fitting response. But they are finding it tough...Executives tackled the topic at a recent meeting of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in Malaysia..."We think that the violence is totally crazy, however, we think that the protests are not all irrational," said Al Fry, a World Business Council program manager. "Although there's a wide spectrum of protests, and sometimes internal conflicts within these movements, there are some serious and genuine concerns." Shaun Stewart, international and government affairs advisor at mining giant Rio Tinto, said no company appeared to have built a workable strategy response. [article refers to Shell, BP, ExxonMobil] (Patrick Chalmers, Reuters, 25 Sep. 2001)

{···español} Globalización: la enfermedad del nuevo milenio (entrevista -Hugo Chávez) (Hugo Chávez, presidente de la República de Venezuela, Foreign Affairs en Español, Otoño-Invierno 2001)

{···español} El déficit democrático de la globalización (Joseph S. Nye, Jr., decano de la Kennedy School of Government de Harvard University, Foreign Affairs en Español, Otoño-Invierno 2001)

ILO symposium to promote social concerns at World Bank and International Monetary Fund:...While the international financial institutions gradually have become more receptive to dialogue with global trade unions, a discussion paper prepared for the symposium argues that their policies still fail to address the negative consequences of globalization for workers around the world. The document, entitled "Trade unions and the global economy: An unfinished story," points to a number of instances where the policies of the financial institutions run contrary to ILO core Conventions, namely on the right to bargain collectively, and to universally-accepted provisions for social protection. (International Labour Organization, 21 Sep. 2001)

symposium document: Trade unions and the global economy: An unfinished story (a working paper) (ILO Bureau for Workers' Activities [ACTRAV], Sep. 2001)

Importance of humanizing globalization stressed, as General Assembly high-level dialogue on economic cooperation concludes: While globalization could be a formidable multiplier of growth and prosperity, it also risked widening inequalities and disparities within and among countries, said the President of the General Assembly this morning at the conclusion of its high-level dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership. (United Nations, 21 Sep. 2001)

Straw defends globalisation and rejects tax on capital flows: Jack Straw, the [UK] foreign secretary, yesterday launched a robust defence of globalisation and rejected French proposals to tax capital flows to raise funds for the developing world. He said the "Tobin tax" espoused by Lionel Jospin, the French prime minister, was unlikely to work in practice. (Brian Groom, Financial Times, 11 Sep. 2001)

An Unwise Tax:...The new focus on the Tobin tax is certain to be fruitless. (editorial, Washington Post, in International Herald Tribune, 11 Sep. 2001)

RURAL WOMEN: Globalization Presents Opportunities, Challenges -- Annan: A report released yesterday by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, based on expert findings, concludes that globalization has brought opportunities and challenges to rural women. (UN Wire, 11 Sep. 2001)

Globalisation is good for us: The best way to combat world poverty is to increase trade (Jack Straw, UK Foreign Secretary, in Guardian [UK], 10 Sep. 2001)

An idea that gained currency but lost clarity: James Tobin, originator of the proposal to levy destabilising speculation, says its adoption by anti-globalists is based on misunderstanding (James Tobin, Professor Emeritus of economics at Yale University, in Financial Times, 10 Sep. 2001)

Köhler says IMF may look again at 'Tobin tax': Horst Köhler, the International Monetary Fund's managing director, on Monday acknowledged recent calls by political leaders in Germany and France for more detailed discussions on how better to control international capital markets. He added, however, that he remained "very sceptical" about the introduction of a so-called Tobin tax, a proposed levy on international capital flows that has become a central demand of the burgeoning anti-globalisation movement. (Hugh Williamson, Financial Times, 10 Sep. 2001)

Germany reacts to globalisation fears: The leaders of France and Germany were last night discussing in Berlin how to present a united and more sympathetic front to the anti-globalisation movement. (John Hooper, Guardian [UK], 6 Sep. 2001)

The Great Divide: India Confronts Globalization: ...Some analysts, such as Jean Dréze, professor at the Delhi School of Economics and frequent collaborator with Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen, add that the '90s saw a deceleration in the improvement of a number of social indicators, such as infant mortality and life expectancy. According to a recent article in The Hindu newspaper by Professor Gita Singh of the Indian Institute of Management, this deceleration has come about due to policies carried out as part of the neoliberal agenda--such as stagnant public health expenditures, removal of price controls on essential drugs, and subsidizing private hospitals at the expense of public ones. The very fact that the current debate is about whether the restructuring has helped the poor--and not by how much--highlights the meager benefits the free market path has brought to the destitute. (Amitabh Pal, In These Times, 3 Sep. 2001)

We must put people before profits:...the exploitation and atrocities that visited this nation a century are now getting a new life a continent away, fueled by unregulated globalization. (John J. Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO, in The San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2001)

'Blacks Suffer Worst Under Globalisation'- Mbeki: The negative effects of globalisation were felt most sharply by black people, President Thabo Mbeki told a forum of non-governmental organisations gathered in Durban yesterday before the World Conference against Racism (WCAR) due to start on Friday..."Even as it marches triumphantly throughout the globe like an invincible army, the process of globalisation contains within it the makings of an insoluble crisis that will affect even its greatest beneficiaries, unless its inherent tendency to marginalise many is halted and reversed." (Ido Lekota, The Sowetan [Johannesburg], 29 Aug. 2001)

Editorial comment: Jospin takes a risk: The French prime minister's support for the Tobin tax, the surcharge on cross-border capital movements, is the most eye-catching concession to date to the anti-globalisation movement. (Financial Times, 29 Aug. 2001)

Body Shop has lost its soul - founder Roddick: Body Shop founder Anita Roddick said last week the ethical cosmetics chain has lost its way since being floated on the stock market and has no place as a mere cog in the international financial system she despises....A tireless environmental campaigner...Roddick, now in her 50s, has said she is getting ever more radical as she gets older and wants to take the fight for her causes straight to the boardroom. "The protests are going nowhere. We should be directly pointing the finger at businesses, not even bothering with the governments," she said. "You've got to direct it at the companies," she added. "The only thing they really fear is consumer revolt." (Ed Cropley, Reuters, 27 Aug. 2001)

Debating with critics: New roles for the IMF and World Bank debate (leader/editorial, Guardian [UK], 22 Aug. 2001)

City rejects trade pact: The Boulder [Colorado, USA] City Council...voted Tuesday to oppose the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement and to boycott World Bank bonds — two gestures of opposition to the rising tide of globalization. (Greg Avery, Daily Camera [Boulder], 22 Aug. 2001)

World Tax Mooted: Malaysian prime minister, Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad has suggested that multinational firms based in mostly developed countries pay a world tax..."if they want the poor to come on board with the World Trade Organisation and globalisation, they should make wealth sharing quite certain by agreeing to this world tax," bin Mohamad said. (Steven Odeu, New Vision [Kampala, Uganda], 22 Aug. 2001)

Plan for globalisation debate finds antagonists poles apart: It will be hard for NGOs and the IMF and World Bank to hold any kind of meaningful discussion, writes Alan Beattie. It could be the media event of the year: the high priests of globalisation live on television against the heretics. But the proposed debate next month, between four anti-globalisation, non governmental organisations on one side and the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on the other, may struggle even to find a common basis for discussion. (Alan Beattie, Financial Times, 21 Aug. 2001)

Globalization must be more inclusive, UNDP chief tells developing countries: Globalization must be made more inclusive if the world's poor are to be brought from the margins to the mainstream, UNDP Administrator Mark Malloch Brown told the Group of 77 developing nations Sunday in a statement at the opening session of their meeting in Tehran this week. Speaking on behalf of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Mr. Malloch Brown told the meeting that the UN is ready to work as a "multilateral partner to help integrate developing countries into a globalizing economy on terms that further our shared goals of gender equality, poverty eradication and growth with equity." (U.N. Development Programme, 21 Aug. 2001)

full text: Address by UNDP Administrator Mark Malloch Brown [to the Group of 77] (19 Aug. 2001)

Globalization Foes Consider Joining Forces Against WTO: In a step that could signal a more unified opposition in the battle over globalization, non-governmental organizations are considering creating an "all-star" team to replace the babel of protest groups that have produced noisy and often violent backdrops to recent global economic meetings. The idea is one of a flurry of countermeasures to make their voices heard. It was born of necessity after the World Trade Organization severely cut the number of unofficial observers and protesters who will be allowed at the next big WTO meeting in the Persian Gulf state of Qatar in November. (R.C. Longworth, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2001)

RIGHTS: NGOs Back UN Call for Globalisation Impact Study: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) applaud the decision of a United Nations body to urge a detailed study of the effects of globalisation and certain trade agreements on human rights. (Gustavo Capdevila, Inter Press Service, 20 Aug. 2001)

Activists debate new ways to protest: The Civicus World Assembly is bringing together people and organisations from more than 90 countries to discuss the role of citizens in an increasingly globalised world. (Ian Gunn, BBC News, 20 Aug. 2001)

A poor case for globalisation: The world's leaders are failing to address legitimate questions raised by protesters about the effects of global capitalism (Philip Stephens, Financial Times, 16 Aug. 2001)

Investors Avoiding Country, Says Employers Federation [Kenya]: Mr Owuor [Tom Owuor, Federation of Kenya Employers chief executive] said globalisation was not favouring developing countries as it was killing most of their industries. He said that despite the pressure being put on the developing countries to open their markets, the industrialised countries had continued to refuse to remove subsidies, especially on agricultural products. He said countries like Kenya were in a dilemma as the Bretton Woods institutions were dictating policies to them. (The Nation [Nairobi], 16 Aug. 2001)

World Bank report to defend globalisation: The publication - a draft copy of whose conclusions has been seen by the Financial Times - argues that while globalisation produces losers as well as winners, it is a "powerful force for poverty reduction". (Alan Beattie, Financial Times, 14 Aug. 2001)

Subcommission discusses plans for Social Forum: The [United Nations] Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights this afternoon discussed preparations for its Social Forum with a group of high-level experts debating what should be the main topics of the meeting which is tentatively scheduled for next year. Jose Bengoa, a Subcommission Expert and the Special Rapporteur for the Social Forum, explained that the Commission on Human Rights this year had authorized the Subcommission to hold a Social Forum next year, which, among other objectives, would focus on globalization, free trade, and threats to poor countries in the labour markets. (United Nations, 13 Aug. 2001)

{···français: La Sous-Commission des droits de l'homme tient une réunion préparatoire de son «Forum social»}

Unequal 'freetrade' threatens food security: Food security in the SADC [Southern African Development Community] is the biggest casualty of a flawed world trading system - The forces of globalization pose a real danger to food security in the southern African region where the bulk of the countries are under constant pressure to open up markets in line with what are now obligatory western-led economic policies. (Munetsi Madakufamba, Daily Mail & Guardian [Johannesburg], 13 Aug. 2001)

World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund respond to [United Nations] Subcommission report on globalization [which contended that the rules of international trade and economic regimes did not show sufficient respect for human rights standards] (United Nations, 8 Aug. 2001)

[United Nations] Subcommission continues debate on role of international financial institutions in promoting human rights (United Nations, 8 Aug. 2001)

Globalisation boosts economic growth. Or not. (letter to editor by Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, Director and lead author of United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report, Guardian [UK], 7 Aug. 2001)

[United Nations] Subcommission on Promotion and Protection of Human Rights discusses impact of globalization on human rights (United Nations, 7 Aug. 2001)

G8 owes us an answer: New research shows that economic growth worldwide has actually slowed during the era of globalisation (Jonathan Steele, Guardian [UK], 3 Aug. 2001)

WTO Conference Ends, As Stakeholders Are Pessimistic: The World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial conference which was taking place in Zanzibar ended yesterday as ministers from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are still pessimistic on the effectiveness and workability of globalization initiatives to address marginalisation. (TOMRIC News Agency [Dar es Salaam, Tanzania], 25 July 2001)

A World of Extremes: Ten Theses on Globalization (Amartya Sen, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2001)

Minister pins hopes on fair trade: Patricia Hewitt, the [UK] industry secretary, yesterday bluntly told globalisation protesters that their demands would block the world's poor from pathways out of poverty. (Patrick Wintour, Guardian [UK], 10 July 2001)

The Scorecard on Globalization 1980-2000: Twenty Years of Diminished Progress (Mark Weisbrot, Dean Baker, Egor Kraev and Judy Chen; Center for Economic and Policy Research, 9 July 2001)

press release: New study casts doubt on benefits of globalization: Cites Data on Economic Growth, Health, and Education – Calls Track Record one of Sharply Diminished Progress (Center for Economic and Policy Research, 9 July 2001)

Why it's time for business to give something back: The vogue for corporate social responsibility may be fuelled by external factors, but business has to make a genuine leap forward - Riots in Gothenburg at last month's European Union summit took business and political leaders aback. There is palpable alarm in establishment circles at the rising tide of antagonism towards the growth of corporate power. (Roger Cowe, The Observer [UK], 8 July 2001)

Open Societies, Freedom, Development and Trade (speech by World Trade Organization Director-General Mike Moore, WTO Symposium on Issues Confronting the World Trading System, 6 July 2001)

The Global Alternative [What are the elements of a transnational New Deal, and how do we bring one about? The emerging global social-democratic alternative involves a "grand bargain" between the two wings of the opposition: The developed world would get protection for its social standards, and the developing world would receive the flexibility and capital investment it needs for growth.] (Jeff Faux, American Prospect, 2-16 July 2001)

Government without Democracy [Don't believe that the global economy is "anarchic." It is governed all too effectively in the interests of its sponsors.] (Richard C. Longworth, American Prospect, 2-16 July 2001)

From Protest to Program [Critics of the inequities of globalisation have won a seat at the table. Can they change global policy?] (Michael Massing, American Prospect, 2-16 July 2001)

Localizing Globalization [NAFTA undercut state regulation. But as NAFTA targets the entire hemisphere (with the proposed FTAA), states are fighting back.] (Chris Mooney, American Prospect, 2-16 July 2001)

Measuring Globalization: Everyone talks about globalization, but no one has tried to measure its extent. . . at least not until now. The A.T. Kearney/FOREIGN POLICY Magazine Globalization Index TM dissects the complex forces driving the integration of ideas, people, and economies worldwide. Which countries have become the most global? Are they more unequal? Or more corrupt? (Foreign Policy, July-Aug. 2001)

G8 and Global Governance:...Unfortunately, the G8/G7 has shown little leadership in addressing the deepening crisis of global governance. Indeed it has contributed to this crisis by supporting policy solutions that bypass the UN and that favor transnational corporations over public welfare. (Tom Barry, Foreign Policy in Focus, July 2001)

Has Globalization Helped the Poor? (Mark Weisbrot, Co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, July 2001)

Free Trade and Sweatshops: Is global trade doing more harm than good? - Perhaps the fundamental question about globalization is whether it helps or hurts workers, particularly in developing countries. Insight asked Kevin Danaher of Global Exchange and David Henderson of the Hoover Institution to engage in an e-mail debate. (San Francisco Chronicle, 24 June 2001)

TRADE: ILO Proposes Commission To Air Social Fears: International Labor Organization Director-General Juan Somavia yesterday proposed establishment of a commission on the social dimensions of globalization. Diplomats say establishment of the body could remove a significant obstacle for the launch of new World Trade Organization talks. (UN Wire, 12 June 2001)

Gender and globalisation (briefing paper for World Summit on Sustainable Development, published by IIED [International Institute for Environment and Development] and RING [Regional and International Networking Group], June 2001)

Globalization is no excuse for states to shirk their human rights responsibilities (Amnesty International, 30 May 2001)

U.S. Manufacturers Bring High Labor, Environmental Standards to Overseas Operations, New Study Finds: Joint Survey by NAM [National Association of Manufacturers] and Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Finds ‘Race to Top,’ Not Bottom (National Association of Manufacturers, 24 May 2001)

What Is Anti-Capitalism Protest All About? The Debate Shifts to Qatar (Iqbal Latif, Business Recorder, 18 May 2001)

Facing Global Power: Strategies for Global Unionism [including Part 1: Corporate Power and the World Social Economy] (Vic Thorpe and Professor Jeffrey Harrod, ICEM [ International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine & General Workers' Unions] SECOND WORLD CONGRESS, 18 May 2001)

Africa Can Only Use Own Culture to Influence Globalization (Jabulani Sithole, afrol News, 15 May 2001)

'The challenge of eradicating poverty; international community response' special event at Brussels conference on Least Developed Countries (Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Brussels, 14-20 May 2001, 14 May 2001)

Negative impact of globalisation bugs rich nations too [comments by Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid] (Jacqueline Ann Surin, TheStar.com [Malaysia], 9 May 2001)

RIGHTS: Defending Indigenous Cultures against Globalisation (Kintto Lucas, Inter Press Service, 8 May 2001)

Sen [Nobel Economics Laureate Amartya Sen], Patten [European Union External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten] On Globalization, Bretton Woods Reform (Press Review: Development News, World Bank, 4 May 2001)

Global's good side: A new index of globalisation produces some results which would surprise many of yesterday's anti-capitalist protesters (David Walker, Guardian [UK], 2 May 2001)

{···español} Rechaza el Papa la Globalización, Entendida Como Colonialismo (Excelsior [México], 28 abril 2001)

Pope Says Ethics Needed to Rein in Globalization (Jane Barrett, Reuters, 27 Apr. 2001)

It's about world governance: Globalization is inevitable. The choice is whether to direct it for the corporate good, ,or humanity's, argues Canada's former ambassador to the OECD, Kimon Valaskakis (Kimon Valaskakis, Globe and Mail [Toronto], 19 Apr. 2001)

Corporate rule: Democracy is in hock to an idea of economic and technical progress that ignores people's true concerns (Zac Goldsmith, Editor, The Ecologist Magazine [UK], in Guardian [UK], 18 Apr. 2001)

Supachai [Supachai Panitchpakdi, next Director-General of WTO] set to champion globalization at WTO (Kevin Rafferty, Japan Times, 16 Apr. 2001)

{···español} Edgar Morin, filosofo de la globalización: “Ahora viene la segunda mundialización” (Eduardo Febbro, Página 12 [Argentina], 9 abril 2001)

Why we must stay silent no longer: Noreena Hertz...argues that governments' surrender to big business is the deadliest threat facing democracy today (Noreena Hertz, Associate Director, Centre for International Business and Management at the Judge Institute of Management Studies, University of Cambridge, in The Observer [UK], 8 Apr. 2001)

NGOs addressing Commission on Human Rights decry effects of globalization, transnational corporations (United Nations press release, 4 Apr. 2001)

Trade Dilemma: Should Trade Agreements Champion Workers' Rights? (panel discussion, Peter Morici [Professor of International Business at the University of Maryland and Senior Fellow at the Economic Strategy Institute], Sam W. Brown Jr. [Executive Director of the Fair Labor Association], Michael Moore [writer and film director], P.J. O'Rourke [Foreign Affairs Editor for Rolling Stone], Reuters Forum, at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, 21 Mar. 2001)

The Knowledge Gap (Avinash Persaud, Foreign Affairs, Mar./Apr. 2001)

Anti-Globalization Forces Gain Steam: Movement Brings Together Strange Bedfellows From Right and Left (Reginald Dale, International Herald Tribune, 16 Mar. 2001)

Global markets demand global responsibility (Consumers International, 15 Mar. 2001)

Trading in Illusions: Advocates of global economic integration hold out utopian visions of the prosperity that developing countries will reap if they open their borders to commerce and capital. This hollow promise diverts poor nations' attention and resources from the key domestic innovations needed to spur economic growth. (Dani Rodrik, Professor of International Political Economy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, in Foreign Policy, Mar.-Apr. 2001)

Trading in Illusions (Dani Rodrik, Foreign Policy, Mar. 2001)

Cheap labour, ruined lives (Charlotte Denny, Guardian Unlimited, 16 Feb. 2001)

New Economy, Old Politics: Do We Need New Rules to Ensure Fair Growth? (panel discussion, Pete Engardio [acting Asian Edition for Business Week], Thomas M. T. Niles [President, United States Council for International Business], John G. Ruggie [U.N. Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Adviser for strategic planning to Secretary-General Kofi Annan], Joseph E. Stiglitz [Senior Fellow in the Economic Studies Program at the Brookings Institution and Professor of Economics at Stanford University], Lori Wallach [Director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch], Reuters Forum, at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, 14 Feb. 2001)

Globalisation: friend and foe (Catherine Matheson, Executive Director, War on Want, in Guardian [UK], 8 Feb. 2001)

Interview: George Soros - Levelling the Field: As opposition to globalization continues to grab headlines, the global financier makes the case for multilateral reform (Far Eastern Economic Review, 8 Feb. 2001)

Globalization Threat To World's Cultural, Linguistic And Biological Diversity (United Nations Environment Programme, 8 Feb. 2001)

Taming Globalization for People and the Planet (Dr. Robert Cox, President of Sierra Club, and Daniel Seligman, Senior Trade Fellow of Sierra Club, Georgetown International Affairs Journal, forthcoming)

Thinking at Cross-Purposes About Globalization (Philip Bowring, International Herald Tribune, 1 Feb. 2001)

The Foundations of Economic Development? (Robert J. Samuelson, Foreign Affairs, Feb. 2001)

Sustaining the Single Global Economic Space (John G. Ruggie, UN Chronicle, Feb. 2001)

Gender and Globalization (Christine Chinkin, UN Chronicle, Feb. 2001)

Lilliputians Rising - 2000: The Year of Global Protest Against Corporate Globalization (Walden Bello, Multinational Monitor, Jan./Feb. 2001)

The Great Divide in the Global Village: Incomes are Diverging (Bruce Scott, Foreign Affairs, Jan./Feb. 2001)

Opening gambit without strategy (Larry Elliott, Guardian Unlimited, 29 Jan. 2001)

Internet insults traded globally [internet debate between participants of the World Economic Forum in Davos and the World Social Forum in Brazil] (Tom Gibb, BBC News, 29 Jan. 2001)

Deloitte executive concerned about globalization backlash (Jack Freeman, Forum Daily News [World Economic Forum, Davos], 28 Jan. 2001)

Not a Backlash, but Birth Pangs of a New Internationalism (John J. Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO, International Herald Tribune, 27 Jan. 2001)

Debating globalisation (Richard McCormick, President of International Chamber of Commerce; Barry Coates, Director, World Development Movement, BBC News, 26 Jan. 2001)

Anti-globalization protesters are modern-day Luddites - ICC President (International Chamber of Commerce, 26 Jan. 2001)

Measuring Globalisation (A.T. Kearney, Inc. and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Foreign Policy, Jan.-Feb. 2001)

2000: The Year of Global Protest against Globalization (Walden Bello, Focus on the Global South, 2001)

2000:

Porto Alegre to play host for anti-Davos conference (Robert E. Sullivan, Earth Times News Service, 27 Dec. 2000)

Yes to Globalization, But Protect the Poor (Bill Jordan, General Secretary of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, in International Herald Tribune, 21 Dec. 2000)

Globalization and the Role of the United Nations (Victoria Clarke, World Federalist Movement News, winter 2000)

Wider Gaps Between Haves and Have-Nots by Year 2015, Says US Intelligence (Jim Lobe, Associated Press, 18 Dec. 2000)

WDM responds to UK Government's Globalisation White Paper (World Development Movement, 11 Dec. 2000)

"Eliminating World Poverty: Making Globalisation Work for the Poor" [website for the UK Government's second White Paper on International Development] (U.K. Department for International Development, 11 Dec. 2000)

Clare Short [U.K. Secretary of State for International Development] speaks on globalisation (Guardian Unlimited, 13 Dec. 2000)

Short outlines measure to reduce world poverty (Mark Atkinson and Larry Elliott, Guardian Unlimited, 12 Dec. 2000)

Poorest Countries Left Behind by Trade Boom (Jim Lobe, Inter Press Service, 6 Dec. 2000)

Towards Sustainable Economies: Challenging Neoliberal Economic Globalisation (Friends of the Earth, 1 Dec. 2000)

NGOs continue to press on in fight against globalization (Vir Singh, Earth Times News Service, 12 Nov. 2000)

Global Capitalism: Can it be made to work better? (Pete Engardio, Business Week, 6 Nov. 2000)

Penang's Secret (Frederik Balfour, Business Week, 6 Nov. 2000)

Globalization's Mixed Results (Business Week, 6 Nov. 2000)

Globalisation heightening gender inequalities (Mithre Sandrasagra, Inter Press Service, 10 Oct. 2000)

The Global Labour Standards Controversy: Critical Issues for Developing Countries (Ajit Singh and Ann Zammit, South Centre, Oct. 2000)

Corporate Farming Comes to Pakistan: The Harvest of Globalization & Business Influence (Muddassir Rizvi, Multinational Monitor, Oct. 2000)

Speech by Ralph Nader about the power of multinational corporations (Ralph Nader, founder of Public Citizen, presentation to United Nations DPI/NGO conference on "Global Solidarity: The way to peace and International Cooperation", 28-30 Aug. 2000)

African trade unions faced with globalisation (François Misser, Trade Union World, 15 July 2000)

Resolution on Worker Rights and Democracy in the Global Economy (American Federation of Teachers, July 2000)

Making markets more humane (Lord Holme of Cheltenham, International Chamber of Commerce, speech at UN Social Summit, Geneva, 27 June 2000)

The Governance of Corporate Groups - Starting from a discussion of the theoretical underpinning of the place companies occupy in society, this book explores the consequences of adherence to free market contractualist theory, including the lack of regulatory control of a sufficiently robust nature. Professor Dine...highlights the tragic consequences of globalisation by transnationals including polarisation of income and environmental damage, and suggests a possible legal framework to prevent future damages. (Cambridge University Press abstract of The Governance of Corporate Groups, Janet Dine, June 2000)

Levi's Children: Coming to Terms with Human Rights in the Global Marketplace - Levi's Children is a book about corporate social responsibility and the rising demands that U.S. companies be held accountable for labor practices and political conditions in the international markets where they do business. It tells the story of Levi Strauss & Co. (Karl Schoenberger, June 2000)

Prevailing economic policies lead to poverty - A Plea for Socially Responsible Economic Policy (joint declaration by Swiss NGOs, June 2000)

{···français: La politique économique dominante engendre la pauvreté - Plaidoyer pour une politique économique respectueuse des conditions sociales}

{···deutsch: Die vorherrschende Wirtschaftspolitik schafft Armut - Plädoyer für eine sozialverträgliche Wirtschaftspolitik}

Responsible business conduct in a global economy (Maria Livanos Cattaui, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce, June 2000)

Needed: a good dose of democracy to cure the ills of globalisation (Samuel Grumiau, Trade Union World, 23 May 2000)

Responsible business conduct: an ICC approach (International Chamber of Commerce, 6 May 2000) {···english···français}

The Budapest Business Declaration - The global economy: an opportunity, not a threat (Adnan Kassar, President, International Chamber of Commerce, 5 May 2000) {···english···français}

Globalization is the Best Welfare (Linda Lim, Far Eastern Economic Review, 20 Apr. 2000)

Globalization, Regionalism and Democracy: An Interview with Samir Amin (Multinational Monitor, Apr. 2000)

Globalization straining planet's health: Alliances needed to safeguard environment (Worldwatch Institute, 25 Mar. 2000)

Globalising social justice (Bill Jordan, General Secretary, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 9 Mar. 2000)

Women and Globalisation - Some Key Issues (Shalmali Guttal, Focus on the Global South, Mar. 2000)

{···español: Hacer que las multinacionales rindan cuentas la protección de los derechos humanos en una <<economía mundializada>> (Amnesty International, 26 Feb. 2000)}

Globalization and Human Rights (Pierre Sané, Secretary General, Amnesty International, speech at Energy Conference 2000, Sanderstolen, Norway, 2 Feb. 2000)

Humanity at Mercy of Corporate Spirit (Jim Wright, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, in Contra Costa News, 2 Jan. 2000)

"It's Democracy, Stupid": Trouble with the global economy (New Economics Foundation, 2000)

1999:

Making a Go of Globalization (Henry Kissinger, Washington Post, 20 Dec. 1999)

Globalisation and the Struggle for Labour Rights: An Indonesian View (Vedi Hadiz, Research Fellow, Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University, Australia, Oct. 1999)

Globalization and Health (Dr. Nils Daulaire, Global Health Council, 12 July 1999)

Globalisation: an opportunity and a risk (Luc Demaret, Trade Union World, 1 Mar. 1999)

The New Corporate Challenge: Globalization requires companies to do more than seek higher profits (Sir Geoffrey Chandler, Chair of Amnesty International UK Business Group, Time, 1 Feb. 1999)

1998:

The Evolution of Corporate Responsibility: From Unbridled Markets to Mature Capitalism (Roy Culpeper, President, North-South Institute, address to The Canadian Centre for Ethics and Corporate Policy, Toronto, 2 Dec. 1998)

Global Markets and Corporate Responsibility (Joe Clark, Member of Canadian Parliament, address at the Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto, 30 June 1998)

Rural and Indigenous Women Speak Out Against Globalization (Corporate Watch, 25 May 1998)

Globalization and the Rule of Law (Andrew Clapham, 1998)

1996:

Anthony Giddens on Globalization: Excerpts from a Keynote Address at the UNRISD Conference on Globalization and Citizenship (Anthony Giddens, Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science, UNRISD News, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, autumn 1996/winter 1997)