Plenary Session 3: Changing Economic Values - Green Economy, CSR and Human Rights

Hosted by Deutsche Welle

Growth at any cost as the main driver of economic policy is increasingly coming under fire. A shift in priorities is becoming evident within the fabric of the world economy. More importance is given to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), especially in times of economic crisis. Along with corporate citizenship and sustainability measurement, CSR is a core element of a changing mindset. However, this rethinking is defined differently by international, European and national institutions, while models such as economic localization, circular economy and collaborative consumption are pointing the way toward sustainable development across the planet.

“Development is about transforming the lives of people, not just transforming economies”,says Nobel laureate in economics, Joseph Stiglitz, summing up the debate about growth as a defining factor of success.The spectrum of differing positions is wide. Michael Heise, Chief Economist of Allianz SE, says, "Clearly we cannot strive for growth at any cost, but it's equally dangerous to renounce it. Without growth we would certainly not be able to resolve the problems that lie ahead." United Nations Global Compact calls on businesses to take action. Stating ten principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption, it provides global orientation for putting corporate responsibility into practice and implementing governmental duties to protect citizens.

What political structures for CSR are in place and how to do they impact commercial activities? What responsibilities do global players have to uphold human rights? And where do the media stand in the context of a world economy in transition? The third plenary session at the 2013 Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum will focus on such fundamental issues with first-hand case studies and best-practice examples.

Keynote:

Schattschneider, Dirk
Director General, Planning and Communication of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

Moderation:

Cheema, Dr. Amrita
Anchor and Journalist, DW, Berlin, Germany

Panelists:

Abouleish, Prof. Ibrahim A.
Founder and Chairman, SEKEM Group, Cairo, Egypt

Hengstmann, Dr. Reiner
Global Director, PUMA Safe Supply Chain and Member of the Board, World Cat Ltd., Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

Morrison, John
Executive Director, Institute for Human Rights and Business, London, United Kingdom

von Uexkull, Jakob
Founder of the World Future Council and the Right Livelihood Award, London, United Kingdom

Complete session on soundcloud:

Plenary Session - Changing Economic Values - Green Economy, CSR and Human Rights