NEW ON ETHICSWORLD

Business for Democracy and ASBC Lead Effort to Overturn Citizens United v. FEC

The Business for Democracy Campaign, which the American Sustainable Business Council is spearheading in partnership with Free Speech for People is tackling the compelling issue of corporate contributions to political campaigns.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision on January 21, 2010 allows corporations to spend unlimited funds to support or oppose candidates for political office, overturning campaign finance laws in place for decades. The Business for Democracy campaign is an initiative of business leaders and their companies who believe this ruling is in direct conflict with American democratic principles and a serious threat to good government. The campaign supports the four members of the Supreme Court and the 80 percent of Americans who disagree with the decision (Washington Post poll, Feb. 17, 2010).

If you'd like your business to join this effort, you can sign the statement of support here or here.

NEW ON ETHICSWORLD

NEW ON ETHICSWORLD
February 16, 2010.

In recent days we have received an exceptional number of new subscribers – notably from a range of African countries – WELCOME! Provide your feedback and contributions toEditorEthicsworld@gmail.com
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Every day we are posting new reports on our website…visit us, tell your colleagues and provide us with your views.

upcoming fraud and corruption conference – marcus evans — see full details at our NGO News – LINKS page.

We have added “Views” on current news issues to our Home page News column and on our News page – latest includes:

Turmoil in Kenya – Again its Corruption in the Cabinet.
The Corner House and the Campaign Against Arms Trade protest the approach of the Serious Fraud Office in the UK to the way in which it has resolved corruption cases against BAE Systems.
BAE Systems – Europe’s largest defense company – fined $56 million in UK , but $400 million in the US for global bribe-paying — but US settlement, where BAE does not have to admit guilt, enables BAE to continue bidding on US government contracts.
…and much more, including links to some films, books and key reports at ourNEWS page.

Explaining Corruption – Peter Eigen, Chair of the EITI (see new stories below) and of the International Advisory Council of Transparency International…see the Video

Workplace Ethics
Worker abuse in El Salvador in export free zones – the International Trade Union Confederation sends a disturbing report to the World Trade Organization.

Ethics Resource Center has honored Carol Marshall,who died at the age of 56 in late 2009, with the prestigious Pace Award for Ethics Leadership. Former Chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin, Norman Augustine, praised Marshall ‘s many achievements at an ERC dinner in Washington DC , noting how she played key roles in ensuring the highest standards of business ethics as two very different companies – Lockheed and Martin Marietta – merged. He and other speakers underscored Marshall ‘s leadership roles as well in setting the bar high when it came to ethical standards for the U.S. defense industry – an initiative that she pioneered and that is now being taken global. See our HOME page.

Corporate Social Responsibility
“Murky Waters” – a report by CERES, with inputs from UBS and Bloomberg, finds fault with major global corporations in managing/disclosing water scarcity risks — the best and the worst performers among 100 major corporations are listed.
EITI releases 2009 progress report – also announces that Afghanistan and Iran join.

Public Sector Governance
For years there have been pressures, especially from non-governmental organizations and from developing countries on Western Governments to ban the use by multinational corporations of “facilitation payments” and to tighten enforcement and monitoring of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.NOW, the OECD Council has issued a report with key initiatives – we publish an extensive summary.

Corporate Governance
This is going to be a year that sees major developments in many countries – following the financial crisis – in Boardroom reform. CalPERS – America ‘s largest pension fund with some $200 billion under its management – announced new important additions to its Boards ethics code. Increased priority associated with conflicts of interest.
NGO News & Views
MUST READING AND VIEWING: Links at HOME PAGE & NEWS

We have added the logo of the International Anti-Corruption Conference to our website — the meeting, organized by Transparency International, will take place in Bangkok , Thailand , from November 10-13, 2010. the IACC is looking for Workshop Proposals.

Revenue Watch launches its Resource Center
SEE the 50 best business ethics blogs and news sources – yes, it includes ethicsworld – new listing from Online MBA Guide
The HUB – a great new website from Australia ‘s St. James Centre on Ethics – find the link on our Home page
General NEWS from NGOs
Meetings – Awards -Appointments

If you are an NGO and want us to post information on your meetings, awards and key open positions, then please do contact us at editor@ethicsworld.org

Support the Partnership for Transparency Fund – PTF is making remarkable progress supporting a rising number of civil society organizations across the developing world as they promote specific, effective, anti-corruption projects.

www.EthicsWorld.org provides a service to all organizations and individuals interested inbeing informed on news, developments and research in the related fields of business ethics, governance and anti-corruption. This forum is strengthened by your response in the form of comment, viewpoints, links to organizations and sources of new content. We welcome your feedback and we encourage you to tell your friends and associates about EthicsWorld.