| With the ever expanding
global dominance of corporations, it is critical to ensure that
their choices do not result in a detrimental impact in the areas
of human rights and environment. The international community must
make it clear to the corporate world that they will be held accountable
for their policies and procedures, when they impinge on the wellbeing
of people or the planet. The best way to accomplish this goal
is to first understand how corporate economic decision making
affects the world ecologically, politically and socially.
It is no secret that global corporations have gained
increasing political power on a global scale. According to the
Corporate Accountability International, an organization that wages
campaigns challenging irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions
all over the world, some have “grown richer and more powerful
than many countries.” Corporate Accountability International
states on their website that global corporations are utilizing
“campaign contributions, aggressive lobbying, deceptive
public relations and influence over global trade talks”
to weaken government policies that are intended to safeguard the
rights of its citizens.
The South Portland High School Chapter of the Student
World Assembly has proposed “Corporate Power: Impact, Influence
and Accountability” as the next most pressing global issue
to be addressed by the Student World Assembly members. The issues
to be discussed are:
What are the effects of corporate exploitation
of natural resources on the environment?
Foreign corporations have the tendency
to impose the cultural views of their country of origin. How
do these corporations impact the communities in which they establish
themselves?
How can the SWA help communities in
developing countries preserve their cultural identity in the
face of globalization?
To what extent are governments responsible for monitoring working
conditions?
What action can the SWA members undertake to aid in prevention
of human rights abuses in the workplace?
Please
read the articles provided below and utilize the Educational links
on the SWA website to exchange your views freely on the above
questions in the
Discussion
Forum.
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