Goodenough Annual Conference Series
Over the past nine years Goodenough College has established an internationally renowned conference series with a reputation for addressing serious issues of multi-disciplinary and global importance. This series of conferences is devised and organised by members of Goodenough College and attracts the highest calibre of specialists from political, financial, academic and diplomatic communities around the world.
In collaboration with the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Commercial Education Trust
Ethical Trading: Whose business?
Friday 12th & Saturday 13th November 2010
This conference will address the opportunities and challenges of ethical trading in the current global conjuncture, with special reference to the meaning and implications of trading ethically for six different business sectors: food, finance, pharmaceuticals, energy, fashion and arms.
I. Defining Ethical Trading
In this introductory session we will launch the conference by giving a meaning to the phrase “ethical trading”. The relationship between ethical trading and the concepts of fair trade, social responsibility and sustainability and the innovation of this approach will be discussed. This forum will form the foundation for the conference and the discussion on ethical trading in the context of the different business sectors chosen.
II. Hungry for Change?
The Food Industry has a central position in international development and the Fair Trade Movement is originates from the idea of trading foods from developing countries for fair prices. The emergence of globally acting food companies and large supermarket chains has been the central issue in the Fair Trade Movement for more than a decade. This session will discuss the food industry in the light of global food supply chains and how consumers and producers can contribute at different stages of the supply chain to change business practices towards a more ethical global food industry.
III. Finance for the Future
Financial institutions, still recovering from a global crisis, face the challenge of reestablishing stability of the financial system, regulation of services and providing new products for financing a low carbon economy and dealing with the risks associated with climate change. This session will seek to address these and other topics such as Bank Duties, Codes of Conduct, Ethical Investments, Corporate & Social Responsibility & Sustainability, Small and Medium Enterprise Finance, Micro Finance and inclusive financial services.
IV. Ethics in the Pharmaceutical Industry
The pharmaceutical industry has been particularly criticised for its unethical behaviour in price-setting. The major financial expenses for research and the level of risk involved in the development of products are the main justification for the introduction of patents, which are an important limitation for universal access to medicines. This forum will discuss the extent of these limitations, the use of generics, the data disclosure of clinical trials and the reporting of all side effects as ethical issues.
V. Are Ethical Energy Markets Utopian?
Modern energy markets aim to achieve a global low-carbon economy with affordable, secure and sustainable resources. In this section we will talk about the history and structure of energy markets categorically and geographically. We will focus on how fair trade is associated and applies on energy markets, and how fair trade in energy markets can really bring development and how much is the influence.
VI. Ethical Trading and Fashion: Reality or Faux Pas?
From the development of textiles to the production of final garments, the fashion industry has increasingly been under scrutiny by consumers, civil society organizations and trade unions. There is also a growing inside movement striving to improve production and trade conditions in the fashion industry. The protection of workers rights; sourcing with respect for bio-diversity and the use of traditional knowledge are some of the issues this session will address to explore and expose what really lies behind fitting room doors.
VII. The International Arms Trade
It is often argued that the trade of small arms supports conflict and human rights abuses while misusing valuable resources. Despite the support of a great number of countries, the global community has yet to agree on a legally binding instrument to set common international standards for arms trade. This sessions aims to discuss the importance of regulating the international arms trade to stop human rights abuses and the exploitation of peoples and resources and how it could lead to the improvement of the living conditions of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups.
For further information or if you would like to attend this conference please email Michelle Senyah, Goodenough College Events Manager at michelles@goodenough.ac.uk