The Future of Capitalism (session 4); "Relationships between companies and society"
日本語は、英語の後に続きます； It was such an inspirational lecture - listening directry to Kalpona Akter, Founding member and Executive Director of Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity. Sharing her own life story, she educated us on her journey of learning about the rights of workers (which she, starting to work at 12 years of age, 16 hours a day, earning 6 dollars/ month had no idea of). The challenges she had faced in creating the movement which initially was in Bangladesh where she has influenced both the government and the business and now, internationally as a potential common framework of fair labor practice, government regulations and human rights (CSDDD ※1).
It made us think of what the society (consumers) can do - a global consumer awareness, i.e.: what if we could say "we will never ask below this price" leading to an ethical movement. We also discussed the importance of law / regulations - both International and in the home country which will empower negotiations with the "buyer". As well as industry wide practice (lead by the business), which will also hopefully connects to the global ethical movement. We live in a connected world.
とても感動的な授業でした。バングラデシュ労働者連帯センターの創設メンバーであるカルポナさんのお話を教えていただくところから始まりました。彼女自身の人生の物語；12歳で1日16時間、月に6ドルを稼ぐために働き始めた彼女が、労働者の権利について学んだ旅路。彼女がおこしたムーブメントは、はじめバングラデシュで政府や企業に影響を与え、今では国際的に公正な労働慣行、政府規制、人権に関する共通フレームワーク（CSDDD※1）をを創り上げるにまでに発展しました。
この授業を通じて、私たちも、社会（消費者）が何をできるかについて考えさせられました。「これ以下の価格は、絶対に要求しない」と言えるようなグローバルな消費者意識が、倫理的な運動につながるのではないかということ。また、国際、および各国内の法規制の重要性。これにより、買い手との交渉も強化がされるのではないかということ。さらに、業界全体の慣行（企業主導）も、グローバルな倫理運動につながるのではないか、と話し合いました。 世界は、繋がっているのです。
Reference;
- Human Rights Watch article; Kalpona Akter, Bangladesh | Human Rights Watch
- Kalpona Akter's Remarks at WEP at United Nations; "When global corporations take meaningful action in their global supply chains, in line with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Women’s Empowerment Principles, truly listening to grassroots women workers’ voices, much can be done to improve livelihoods and lives."
- ※1 The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), also known as the EU supply chain act. Adopted by the EU Council on March 15, 2024, the directive aims to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behavior by ensuring companies identify and address adverse human rights and environmental impacts within their operations and global value chains.