Summary: Working Group on Private Sector

Wrap-up Session

This is a session summary. The executive summary for this working group is available here.

In this closing session on the Working Group on the Private Sector, Mr. Antoine Mach from Covalence talked about the ways in which the private sector has contributed to the work of civil society organizations and responding to consumers and employees who have increasing expectations that companies be actively involved in the communities in which they operate. He also summarized numerous points that were brought up during sessions earlier in the week.

Mr. Mach said that the aim of this working group was to discuss links with civil society organizations (CSOs), consultants and multinationals involved in various sectors such as food, health and information technology to discuss good practices and establish standards.

Although many have reservations about CSOs working with the private sector because they fear that CSOs will become absorbed into the private sector and there will be no one left to monitor corporate behaviour, said Mr. Mach, these partnerships can be positive. He acknowledged that some companies may choose to partner with CSOs for the purposes of good publicity, rather than with the intention of making significant changes. However, he said that the working with the private sector can result in concrete processes to implement ethical standards. He mentioned that in evaluating partnerships with transnational corporations, organizations should bear in mind cultural and social differences as well as the national or regional political context.

Mr. Mach also said that CSOs should continue to influence decision-makers while partnering with companies. He said that constructing networks and lobbying in different arenas is more effective. He also talked about organizing pressure campaigns against the non-ethical practices of companies. He said that mobilizing civil society to support a strong campaign is a key factor for effective political pressure. He reminded participants that without the participation of civil society, corporate social responsibility and ethical standards for business are non-issues.

Conclusions
While Mr. Mach could not make an official statement of the Working Group's recommendations at this session, he did mention a number of the proposals: 

1. Links among NGOs and trade unions should be strengthened.
2. Civil society must be careful not to be silenced by the private sector.
3. Partnerships should be transparent.
4. CSOs should make greater use of the media to mobilize people and should influence course content in business schools focused on corporate social responsibility.
5. The public must play a fundamental role in deciding what is ethical.

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