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ConocoPhillips Improves Corporate Human Rights Position August 12th, 2011
ConocoPhillips has amended its corporate Human Rights policy to include recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples as articulated in UN declarations and conventions. This action, approved by ConocoPhillips Chair/CEO Jim Mulva as well as the Board of Directors, is one result of ICCR member shareholder dialogs with the company led by Steven Heim at Boston Common Asset Management. The Oblates have been engaged in this dialog for several years and remain deeply concerned about the impacts of corporate activity – particularly oil and gas exploration – on indigenous peoples.
The company’s position on the rights of indigenous peoples now reads:
“The Company’s approach to engagement with indigenous communities, in locations where they are an important stakeholder group for our operations, is consistent with the principles of the International Labour Organization Convention 169, concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”
In May of this year, the company announced it was pulling out of a controversial project slated for northern Peru. The project threatened two uncontacted tribes in the area.
Read the company’s Human Rights Position statement…
ICCR Members call for Corporate Governance Reform at News Corp August 9th, 2011
In the wake of the Newscorp scandal, faith-based investors – led by Christian Brothers Investment Services – are calling for corporate governance reform at the media giant. In a letter sent on Friday to Sir Roderick I. Eddington, News Corp.’s lead independent director, expressing concern about Mr. Murdoch remaining chairman and CEO as well as other governance issues. The signers “will support the ‘floor’ resolution” to split the roles, said Father Seamus Finn, a board member of the association of faith-based institutional investors.
Read the ICCR statement on News Corp
Indigenous Peoples Celebrate but not in Bangladesh August 8th, 2011
More than 70 countries are expected to observe the International Day for Indigenous People on August 9 with a focus on “Indigenous designs: celebrating stories and cultures, crafting our own future”.
Yet in Bangladesh, the government refuses to recognize the existence of indigenous peoples, arguing instead that they are simply ethnic minorities. This designation removes the groups from protections and rights afforded by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ILO Convention 169, both of which Bangladesh has signed.
Sanjeev Drong, a close collaborator of the Oblates in Bangladesh,
Click here to read more »
Note to Gekko: Governance is Good August 3rd, 2011
Read Fr. Seamus’ latest blog on Huffington Post on the Murdoch news scandal and why corporate good governance is important.
See Fr. Finn’s current and past blog entries on faith-consistent and socially responsible investing.
Oblate Work in Brazil August 2nd, 2011
On August 2, the Oblate JPIC staff hosted Fr. Bill Reinhard, OMI who has been working in Brazil for the last 42 years. Fr. Bill briefed the staff about social justice issues and initiatives for the Oblates in Brazil. He also recorded a video interview about his experience of working in Brazil.
