The dumping of toxic waste upon unsuspecting people calls into question the commitments of companies such as Trafigura to important ethical principles. Concern for the environment and for communities especially of developing nations must be an ethical priority for multinational corporations operating throughout the world. While law, backed by strong governments and prosperous societies, mostly works well to ensure good practice is followed, companies which change their practice in the case of more vulnerable governments and societies are making strong statements about their ethics.

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Despite a significant contribution to the Australian workforce, women have still largely been excluded from the top positions. One award-winning health organisation is challenging this with its innovative strategies for female promotion.

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Many consumers are annoyed by Telecommunication Service Providers. There are and have been so many complaints that the industry has its own specialised ombudsman. One source of complaint is variations on the “read the fine print” phenomenon where contracts are signed that entail responsibilities and payments that come as a complete surprise to the consumer.

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The failure of the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen to reach any sort of binding agreement on emissions highlights the central ethical challenge we all face to answer the question, does ethical behaviour count for anything? And if so, to what extent? The “Copenhagen Accord” represents an agreement seemingly thrashed out at the last minute by the heads of USA, China, Brazil, India and South Africa to which other countries were then invited to sign. According to Danish media sources, 188 are likely to do so, 5 are serious doubtfuls: Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Sudan and Venezuela.
John Sweeney

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