Social Justice Teachings,
Documents, and more
(Part 6/6)
Business-related
Within the business community, principles (codes of conduct) have been formulated to call corporations to just and sustainable business decisions, policies, and goals. At times, the desire to walk gently and justly on the earth comes from business leaders themselves. Usually, average citizens and stakeholders, via groups like ICCR (Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, a leader in the global responsibility movement), press companies to be socially and environmentally responsible.
Unlike labor law, corporate codes of conduct do not have any authorized definition. The concept "corporate code of conduct" refers to companies' policy statements that define ethical standards for their conduct. There is a great variance in the ways these statements are drafted.
Corporate codes of conduct are completely voluntary, have different formats, and address any issue. Also, implementation depends totally on the company concerned as shaped by their business ethics and shareholder priorities.
Following are business-related principles:
C182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 Convention concerning prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.
Ceres Principles (formerly the Valdez Principles) Criteria for assessing environmental performance of companies.
Caux Round Table (CRT) Principles for Business Seeks to express a worldwide standard for ethical and responsible corporate behavior.
Equator Principles
A framework for financial institutions to manage environmental and social issues in project financing.
Global Sullivan Principles of Social Responsibility For businesses, large and small, "to improve quality of life for communities, workers and children with dignity and equality."
ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
Principles of International Labor Organization.
MacBride Principles Corporate code of conduct for U.S. companies doing business in Northern Ireland.
Principles for Global Corporate Responsibility: Bench Marks for Measuring Business Performance One of the most comprehensive sets of social and environmental criteria and business performance indicators available.
Introduction Roman Catholic (Part 1/6) Other Christian Traditions (Part 2/6)
Other Religions (Part 3/6) Interfaith Groups (Part 4/6) United Nations (Part 5/6) Business-related (Part 6/6)
Gratitude to St. Joseph Foundation for Charitable Purposes for financial support for this addition and to the
Institute for Peace and Justice for use of their Pope Paul VIth graphic.
Modified November 23, 2007.