Church shareholder activism and human rights protection efforts

Shareholder Activism in the Churches and Human Rights Protection

Stakeholder activism

The purpose of this work is to critically examine the involvement of churches in shareholder activism and its contribution to the protection of human rights. The historical path of the churches their involvement of shareholder activism and human rights campaign efforts as well as the motivational factor that compels their involvement will be examined. And as well the teachings and beliefs of the church Examined as well will be concept of shareholder activism, what it specifically is and the goal that shareholder activities is focused towards. Finally the concept of human rights and the links that exist between shareholder activism and human rights will be examined.

Introduction

Shareholder resolutions in corporation board meeting have been influenced by the Church throughout history although this is only spoken of in hushed voices among those involved. The movement is termed 'shareholder activism which has grown and established itself as a factor in the mainstream business world. Instead of using this leverage hoped-for company changes this has been used towards the gain of publicity for the cause at hand "with hopes that the general public and other shareholders would become outraged" (Welsh, 1998) and thereby change the end result through leaning on legislators, management, governance and other such matters. Other stated goals were the creation of a business community with a larger conscience-base. During the decade of the 1970s the Churches anchored their shareholder philosophy in commitment on a religious scale to 'social justice'. (Welsh, 1998)

In an approach that has been labeled both tenacious and conciliatory." (Welsh, 1998) the churches avoided "sin." (Welsh, 1998) companies through "selective investment screens" The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines that were adopted in the early part of the 1980s decade in relation to U.S. pharmaceutical companies and infant formula sales was clearly a religious victory. (Welsh, 1998) It's not just U.S. companies but those in Canada as well that have been involved in shareholder activism. In fact Canada is stated to be a" ... leaders in the area of shareholder activism for "almost 30 years ... " (KAIROS Online)( The Canadian effort first tackled the issue of apartheid through the Taskforce on the Churches and Corporate Responsibility (TCCR)

I. Historical Overview of Shareholder Activism

And the Human Rights Contribution

Twenty-one churches "of different confessions and 12 countries in central and eastern Europe came together in Sibuiu/Hermannstadt in Transylvania" for the purpose of training in the area of human rights. The hosts were the Luther World Federation (LWF) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) with local hosts the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania and the Ecumenical Association of Churches in Romania were local hosts. The theme was "Justice for National, Ethnic and Religious Minorities" and the reflections were stated to be "based on the fundamental biblical understanding that all human beings are created in the image of God and that in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ they are promised a life in dignity and under God's protection. (Sibiu/Hermannstadt, 1999)

Due to the war in Yugoslavia and Kosovo being so close in proximity the need of implementation of human rights throughout Europe clearly became on of the priorities set. The violation of human rights is a critical issue in this region of the world. Stated as the 'most sensitive human rights issues in central and eastern Europe today are:

(1) A lack of education and awareness related to human rights

(2) Unresolved issues and a lack of effective dialogue in the relationships between the majority and ethnic, religious and cultural minorities, which lead to manifestations of nationalism, conflict and violation of human rights (i.e. discrimination and obstacles to the freedom of expression

(3) Racist behavior, coming both from the state authorities and from the wider community against those regarded as 'outsiders' (Roma/Sinti people are victimized by these behaviors in most countries)

(4) Violations of human rights in prisons

(5) Inadequate attention to the social and economic rights of all members of our communities including the rights to education health and social security. (Illustrated in the abuse of the poor and children as well as sexual abuse of children)

(6) Increasing violence against women in all forms inclusive of poverty, domestic violence, forced prostitution, trafficking and sexual abuse. (Sibiu/Hermannstadt, 1999)

Over the course of the past ten years the churches have been active, through the international ecumenical movement in promoting reconciliation between different Christian-based faiths but these issues have not reached resolution. "Churches have also played an important social role in offering humanitarian assistance to people in need in our societies. ((Sibiu/Hermannstadt, 1999) This is affirmed by Konrad Raiser in the work entitled "Humanitarian Intervention or Human Protection" published in the Ploughshares Monitor in the Spring of 2004 as he states "The responsibility to protect endangered populations has figured prominently on the agenda of the World Council of Churches (WCC) for the last 10 years." (Raiser, 1999) Although there has been much involvement of all faiths of the Christian-based church there has also been much division internally over the past decade. Issues concerning doctrine have caused splits among the churches and many times, different "ethical or political commitments have led to division." (Raiser, 1999)

II. Motivational Factor Compelling Involvement

Developments in the churches that are reformed are called both "exciting and disquieting..." (World Alliance of Reformed Churches Geneva, 2000) [and] in many countries the churches have more than doubled or tripled their membership roster. (World Alliance of Reformed Churches Geneva, 2000)

IV. The Goal, Focus and Concept of Shareholder Activism

Viewed as elemental to human rights struggles were the structures lacking justice that were known to exploit the poor and perpetuated poverty in society, colonial rule, racist systems and military regimes." (Clement, 1998) At this time St. Polten admonished the Church that the responsibility of Christians in relation to human rights was something that "began at home." (Clement, 1998) Finally in 1979 the WCC Central Committee after having made a review of the responsibilities and roles of the Council in relation to human rights and the struggle that takes place under military dictatorships. The admonition is one that "churches in many countries" took as a serious matter and thereby were "engaging directly and often courageously in the costly struggle for human rights." (Clement, 1998) The theological basis that supports that stated by the Nairobi Assembly is widely accepted. Stated by the Nairobi Assembly is that:

'All human beings are created in God's image, equal, infinitely precious in God's sight and ours ... "

Clement (1998) relates that "globalization" has become the "catch-all term for a host of ills of present-day society." In the post-Cold War period the reemergence of religion as a primary important factor in the politics, policies and actions on a national level that has been manipulated greatly. (Clement, 1998)

V. The Links that Exists Between Shareholder Activitism and Human Rights

Shareholder activism is explained very clearly in the work entitled, "Quietly Influential: The Public Role of Mainline Protestantism" written by (Wuthnow & Evans 2005) which relates the fact that mainline Protestantism played a major role in the civil rights movement, in the protests against the Vietnam war, and in the feminist movement." (Wuthnow & Evans 2005) Stated in the work of Wuthnow & Evans 2005 is the fact that "public officials are now looking to the churches to play a greater social role than ever before. Government welfare is increasing being channeled through faith-based service organizations [and] churches are being asked to work more closely with agencies trying to combat youth violence and urban decay. The conclusion that is reached in these reported studies state that "mainline Protestantism is far from defunct."

Further stated is that "although its members eschew the controversial tactics of the Religious Right, they are more actively engaged than member of other traditions in individual political and volunteer activities, their congregations sponsor more social service activities and are more closely connected with other organizations in their communities, and their clergy and denominational officials work effectively behind the scenes to bring Christian values" into the mainstream of society in other organizations, their communities, their clergy and others that impact the community and the brevity assigned to the issue of human rights.

Summary

The work entitled "The Christian in the Public Square" written by Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, the Archbishop of Dublin states that, "It is of supreme importance, especially in pluralistic society to work out a proper vision of the relationship between the political community and the Church, and to distinguish clearly between the political community and the church ... " This role is one that is intertwined with each aspect of the life of the individual who is involved in the role of shareholder activitist and as well the important human needs that are in the unique setting of today's globalized society present challenges that have as of yet been yet un-faced by mankind. Biblical basis for the beliefs held by the churches in relation to human rights are that when the world was created by God and all that is in it that those goods were created for all to benefit from and not only a few. The respect for private property has always been taught in principle by the Church however, it has never been ranked to the status of an "absolute principle." (Martin, 2005)

Conclusion

This study finds that the church has indeed been very instrumental in the promotion of human rights on a global basis and throughout recorded history. The church is in a unique position to work in this area due to the links that exist between the church and stakeholder activism. Social investment is one that will benefit the society at large for many generations and it can be clearly understood that there is no better way to leave a legacy that never is forgotten than to invest oneself, or ones organization or institution on a social level for the future good of all mankind.