Happy Blog Action Day everyone! Today over 9,000 blogs are talking about poverty. Take a moment to learn more about poverty. Poverty is not natural, it is a man made, human rights disaster! As humans we have a moral responsibility to end it. It doesn't matter if you work for the Government, an NGO or a company, there is something all humans can do to Make Poverty History. The good news is that some progress is being made. There is a plan to half poverty by 2015 it's called the Millenium Development Goals (learn about them!).
A week or so ago I went to World Vision Australia to interview my former boss, Tim Costello for Blog Action Day. Below are three short videos, in the first Tim answers the question... what is poverty?
Yours truly chats with Tim about the difference between charity and justice. We also talk about some tips and tricks for companies to use their leverage for a more ethical world and how they can be more socially responsible. My mobile phone goes off too... really embarrassing.
Yours truly again, talking about what makes Tim Costello an optimistic activist. The short answer is; we're saving thousands of lives!
Last night a bunch of The Body Shop staff attended a Brotherhood of St Laurence, Lost Boys of Sudan, film night. It was a great documentary which I highly recommend if you are interested in helping the people of Sudan or knowing more about what refugees go through when they resettle in a rich country like Australia. We were also lucky enough to meet and hear from Akoc Manheim, a lost boy from Sudan and leader of the Sudanese Lost Boys Association of Australia. If you're doing something for Anti-Poverty Week, like Stand Up For Poverty let us know!
Interesting that The Body Shop should contribute to Blog Action Day considering its ties with Nestle / L'oreal and their history in poverty stricken third world countries.
ReplyDeleteHey Ads,
ReplyDeleteNice post, nice videos too ;)
Thanks for your comment Christian.
ReplyDeleteOf course we would contribute to Blog Action Day! The Body Shop has always campaigned for Human Rights - it's one of our core values. Everyone, everywhere has the right to live with dignity, free from poverty.
http://www.thebodyshop.com.au/Content.aspx?Id=132
I personally don't feel The Body Shop is compromised by the actions of our parents. I wouldn't want to be judged by the actions of my parents.
The Body Shop believes in doing the right thing and providing leadership in the business world for social and environmental justice.
Our values have not been touched since being bought by L'Oreal in 06, nor will they be. In fact all signs indicate we're having a positive influence on them, a much much bigger company.
Read their sustainability report. Highlights for include their lab's Episkin invention - removing the need for animal testing in the cosmetics industry and their purchase this year of their first community (fair) trade ingredient. http://tinyurl.com/4trpq6
The thing is Christian, no one is perfect. What I think counts is our actions, no matter who we are or what organisation we work for, to try and improve ourselves, our community and our planet.
Cheers and I'm really happy to read on your blog about your new found passion for helping the homeless in Sydney. The Big Issue and numerous other charities and 'soup kitchens' are always looking for good volunteers.
Good Luck!
Stay Outraged!
Adam.
Hi Adam,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the response. A lot of people would simply pretend the comment was not there.
I agree that we shouldn't be judged by our parents, but our parents do not govern our actions or represent us the way that an employer does.
Personally, I couldn't work for a corporation that had a history like that of L'Oreal and / or Nestle, regardless of how good my intentions were.
I simply do not understand how The Body Shop can provide leadership for social and environmental justice when it is now tainted by the cloud of unethical corporations.
C
Hey Christian,
ReplyDeleteMaybe we'll always disagree on this principle and that's OK. We believe we're doing good things in the community and for the environment. We'll continue to do what we feel is right - guided by our Values and in partnership with our Values partners (Amnesty International, WSPA, ANTaR & ACF, White Ribbon etc).
I believe that everyone can reform. If you can't help organisations to improve their ethics - what hope is there?
Even World Vision worked with Nike to help them improve their Labour Standards in Asia. (Read: help them reform sweatshops). Isn't that a more practical result than simply refusing to have anything to do with them?
I'm glad you're passionate about the ethics of the organisations you support. I wish everyone was as aware as you!
If you'd like to talk to L'Oreal about what they do you can email sustainabledevelopment@loreal.com
and Nestle has a contact form here: http://www.nestle.com/Common/Header/ContactUs.htm
cheers,
Adam
The Body Shop Australia
I agree with Adam. Since L'Oreal has taken The Body Shop under their historically tainted wing, everyone has thrown in their 2 cents about the matter.
ReplyDeleteThe fact is that L'Oreal have signed so many contracts to agree not to touch the Values of The Body Shop so The Body Shop remains in a little "quarantine".
I cannot imagine Anita letting her baby go without a fight to guarantee its safety.
And yes, although L'Oreal has had a less than perfect reputation in terms of animal testing, i think its very important to forgive, but not forget. The new Episkin being used by L'Oreal may set an important benchmark for other ignorant companies.
The Body Shop is a company about Social and Environmental CHANGE! not a company that alienates itself from all other corporations that don't see with their eyes.
I believe this is why it is important that the Body Shop not only continues its outstanding work, but strives to sway other brand names to do the same.
Hey Ads,
ReplyDeleteGreat post mate, but even better comments. :) Christian, I can see where you;re coming from but I tend to agree with Adam - it's just not enough to sit by and watch now days. The government cannot regulate everyone, and even when it does try, it's mandates are always watwred down.
Peer pressure still works at all levels of society, whether it be in school or in huge organisations like L'oreal. The very fact they have to think about their response, given their ownership of TBS, means they are changing.
Sentiment changes long before behaviour does, and the strong values of TBS are helping to change the sentiment of some of these huge, commercial, entities.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHey!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for such nice blogs and videos. Keep posting.