Hello to everyone,

For your information, the UN & UNICEF are participating in a new
"Business-Humanitarian Forum". One of the "businesses" participating in
the forum - alongside UNICEF - is Nestle. The forum is jointly chaired by
the UN  High Commissioner on Refugees, Sadako Ogata, and UNOCAL (the
company notorius for using forced labour in Burma to build a gas-line and
for perpetrating devstating environmental damage).

Were this a forum "with teeth" - one which could hold Nestle and other
corporations accountable, and bring them into compliance with their
commitments under WHO Code & other human rights/ environmental/ food
security protective mandates - this might not be such a bad thing.
However, the following statement from the UN indicates a very different
picture:

"The United Nations has developed a profound appreciation for the role of
the private sector: its expertise, its innovative spirit, its unparalleled
ability to create jobs and wealth. At the same time, business and industry
are recognizing the many virtues of the Organization’s work for political
and social stability and for a predictable, rule-based environment for
trade and investment. In a world of common challenges and common
vulnerabilities, the United Nations and business are finding common
ground. I am particularly pleased to see the business community looking to
forge even closer links with our humanitarian work in countries torn by
conflict, poverty, famine or natural disaster..."

(Kofi Anan 27 Jan 1999)

As highlighted by some campaigners, the forum provides the companies with
the opportunity to align themselves alongside the humanitarian community,
without requiring them to actually alter their practices in any way, shape
or form. I understand that IBFAN and a number of other networks have
prepared a letter requesting the withdrawal of UNICEF & UN from this
forum. You can access it & add your endorcement at
http://www.corpwatch.org/globalization/un/unhcr/

Alice Campbell (in Aus.)
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