Corporate Citizenship and the Rule of Law are now on the top of the agenda. During the past ten years corporations have been increasingly criticized for violations of Human Rights, but many will never have to account for their sometimes inexcusable behavior. Human suffering and environmental disasters have been substantial and repressive governments do what they want, while sitting in Geneva talking about Human Rights. Many corporations have been alleged complicit of these governments abuses against their own citizens.

The corporate sector needs to more quickly embrace Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on a voluntary basis. Furthermore, a globalizing world marginalizes nation states; while the international NGO’s such as Amnesty and Human Rights Watch become increasingly powerful. This now forces society to ask lawmakers to do their job.

Many nations have included corporate crime in their domestic legislations to stop corporate abuses. Among others: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, India, Japan, Holland, Norway, South Africa, USA and United Kingdom. Many other nations demonstrate readiness to follow suit. The corporate structures’ size and complexity make it more and more difficult to identify the individual responsible for the crime. This problem disappears if the corporation itself can be prosecuted. Hence, the number of corporate prosecutions will increase and their parent companies can be jointly included! Civil litigations already create headaches for corporate leaders. Many unwittingly operate in a legal quagmire, not knowing where it is safe to walk.

By and large, grassroots’ opinion, rather than governments, creates law with the young generation, being most engaged.

Get the Point contributes to a dialogue between the corporate leaders and the young leaders to form a future sustainable society. Corporate Citizenship and the Rule of Law no longer appear a toothless, underdog phenomenon. As the risks increase, and the contours of potential liability are better understood by companies they in turn become more prepared to practice due diligence in management procedures, thereby avoiding a threshold of conduct beyond which the law or public opinion could hold them accountable.

We will gladly advise and assist our GPI corporate partners in conflict prevention and building Corporate Citizenship. In our GPI team we have young leaders, experienced international lawyers and other professionals at your service.

Claes Cronstedt
Chairman of Get the Point Initiative