The same is to say for other emerging regions we depend on, like India? So let’s try and understand what China’s position is in this. I mean engage not exclude. And not just the sporters. Did any client or shareholder of Coca-Cola ask what their position is in this, how they engage? Is the argument, ‘we are not political’ sufficient? Do keep in mind this is a clash or stirring of cultures from west (humanism) and east (Confucianism) from ancient olympics to modern globalization. The Universal human Rights celebrate their 60 years of existence… brilliant moment to challenge the cultural diversity of the universal rights-system.
Interesting debate going on here on whether sports organizations should ban the Olympics. We have put a Chinese dragon on every consumption item there is from Cola to School agenda’s to whatever. China was hot and cool to identify with its mystic image and its spurt for growth. Tourism is boooming to China and trade-organizations are doing their utmost in getting Chinese traders and tourists over here. And now, all of a sudden, we are in the midsts in judging China for human rights issues. I am totally for continuously raising Human Rights issues on the international agenda, but mentioning it is something different than discussing it. Does China agree on Universal Human Rights? How does that related to their confusion heritage?
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Several pension funds have installed a Board of Ethics. It is part of Corporate Social Responsibility or in their case part of the Responsible Investment phenomena. Maybe large enterprises like Coca-Cola need a Board of Ethics as well… such a board could help them to make decisions like these. Especially since most companies have detached from their local roots and elevated themselves into the global competitive market. So Social corporate responsibility has become very broad. If the locals are not your benchmark than who is… the company itself… the global society… mankind? Companies have to do with real world problems in every aspect of their company… so who is the conscious of the enterprise these days? the stakeholder, the shareholder or………….?