Media Advisory: Corporate Social Responsibility and China

September 18, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC – It is time for policymakers and other interested parties to think differently about how America and Americans interact with China. The Working Group on Corporate Social Responsibility and China, convened by the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Washington Center, will host a briefing on September 30th from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. in Rayburn Room 2255 to suggest ways in which the US government can help US companies act responsibly in China. The briefing will be hosted by Congressmen Jim Leach (R-IA) and David Price (D-NC). Members of the Working Group will speak at the event, which will be moderated by Bruce Stokes of the National Journal.

While China has experienced substantial economic success, social and environmental progress remains slow. Working Group participants believe that if China is serious about being a responsible global actor, it must do more to adhere to internationally recognized standards and principles. Moreover, the participants stressed that multinational firms operating in China must take the lead in creating and advocating a culture of compliance within the country. The Working Group agreed that the U.S. Government should do more to prod multinational businesses to create a greater demand for responsible practices. In particular, the Working Group suggests that the US Government work with the Chinese government, businesses operating in China, international economic fora, and segments of Chinese civil society to:

Improve the rule of law and build governance capacity;

Promote worker rights and improve workplace conditions; and

Encourage more governments and companies to adopt CSR initiatives.

Who:

Hosted by Congressmen Jim Leach (R-Iowa) and David Price (D-NC).

John Foarde, Co-Chair of the Working Group and Staff Director, Congressional Executive Commission on China, U.S. Congress

Ken Larson, Co-Chair of the Working Group and Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Hewlett Packard

Michael Loch, Director, EHS Strategic Initiatives, Motorola Inc.

Rutledge Tufts, Executive Director, Fair Labor Association

When: Thursday, September 30th

The event is open to the press. Press set up begins at 9:30 a.m. and the briefing will take place from 10:00 – 11:30 p.m.

Where: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2255

Independence and South Capitol Streets, Washington, D.C.

RSVP: Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 28th to Jamie Zimmerman at 202-408-8105 or [email protected].

About The Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise

The Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise is a unit of the Kenan-Flagler Business School of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Kenan Institute Washington Center works at the intersection of international business and international development, partnering with corporations to build the development rationale for trade, improve community involvement programming, and promote market-led growth in developing countries. The Global CSR Public Policies Project at the Kenan Institute Washington Center is directed by Dr. Susan Aaronson and Jamie Zimmerman, and funded by grants from the Ford, UN, Levi Strauss Foundations as well as several major corporations. For more information visit our web site at www.kenaninstitute.unc.edu or contact Jamie Zimmerman, Associate Project Director at 202-408-8105.