Representatives have been invited/are expected from:
IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Cisco Systems, American Electronics
Association, Working Partnerships USA (Amy Dean), Silicon Valley Toxics
Coalition, Silicon Valley Environmental Partnerships, Santa Clara =
Center for
Occupational Safety and Health, International Forum on Globalization. =20
We will be engaging in dialogue to foster more cooperative =
relationships to
improve environmental and working conditions in the global economy,
including the impacts of corporation practices on:
Environmental Pollution and Electronics Waste (groundwater pollution,
recycling/takeback/EPR)
Workplace Health and Safety
Labor Conditions
International Standards
Background
It is often said that we live in an age of "shareholder capitalism," in
which global markets are increasingly ruled by the short-term logic of
investors. Investment managers and corporate executives are measured =
on the
basis of quarterly, even daily, movements in stock prices and =
portfolios.
All operate at greater distances from the cities and towns where the
consequences of corporate policy are felt. Dizzyingly rapid product =
cycles,
and the volatility of technology stock prices leave little time to =
consider
companies' performance as employers, stewards of natural resources, and
community members.=20
How, then, do we engage technology companies in a dialogue with those =
who
have a longer-term interest in their impact on communities than =
internet day
traders?
An alternative to shareholder capitalism is stakeholder capitalism, =
which
considers shareholders as only one of many stakeholders in corporate
practice. Other stakeholders include customers, employees, and =
community
members. As a group, they are more attuned to corporations' social,
environmental, and economic impacts than most shareholders are. Yet =
their
traditional, place-based institutions * unions, churches, consumer and
environmental groups, etc. * are only beginning to discover the means =
of
addressing global corporate practices from a local context. =
Universities
could do much to help bring such groups together with technology =
companies
on neutral ground to assess the industry's impact here and abroad.
Purpose of the Meeting
This event will bring together representatives of high tech companies =
with
stakeholder representatives from environmental, workplace health and =
safety,
labor, and faith-based organizations. Together, we will begin to =
explore
these questions:
=B7 How might stakeholders and high technology companies
foster more cooperative relationships to improve environmental and =
working
conditions in the global economy?
=B7 How can we work together to mitigate the pressures
on companies that may discourage them from considering their long-term
impact on environment and working conditions (e.g., keeping pace with =
rapid
product cycles, cutting labor costs through outsourcing, and meeting
short-term shareholder expectations)?
=B7 Finally, what can the university do to help further
this dialogue, so that participants can arrive at just and effective
solutions?
Dialogue vs. Debate
Our goal is to engage in a dialogue rather than a debate. In a =
dialogue,
participants commit not only to educating others about their =
perspective,
but to listening to others to understand their point of view better. =
The
emphasis is not on proving that others are wrong, but on trying to =
develop a
shared understanding of problems. The goal is to discover potential =
common
ground and solutions that improve conditions for all. We do not need =
to be
idealists nor angels to engage in dialogue. We do not need to forget =
our
own interests. We need only realize that our interests are =
inextricably
linked to others', and try to find ways to advance them both.
Format
In the first hour, stakeholders will be asked to offer five-minute
introductory responses to the questions posed above. The second hour =
will
be reserved for a moderated dialogue among the participants, and =
questions
and proposals from the audience. This format is intended to keep all
stakeholders participating.
Directions to the campus follow. =20
Directions to Santa Clara University
If you are coming from U.S. Highway 101:
Take the De La Cruz Boulevard/Santa Clara exit.=20
Follow De La Cruz Boulevard towards El Camino Real (stay in the =
right
lane).=20
When De La Cruz Boulevard splits, follow the right split over the
overpass.=20
Turn right onto Lafayette Street staying in the right turn lane.=20
Turn right at El Camino Real.=20
The main entrance to Santa Clara University will be on the =
right-hand
side of the road.
Ask where to park at the Guard Shack. Entrance to TV studio is to =
right
of Guard Shack.
If you are coming from Interstate 880:
Take The Alameda exit.=20
Travel north on The Alameda.=20
The Alameda will become El Camino Real.=20
The main entrance to Santa Clara University will be on the =
left-hand
side of the road.=20
Ask where to park at the Guard Shack. Entrance to TV studio is to =
right
of Guard Shack.
If you are coming from Interstate 280:
Take Interstate 880 north toward Oakland.=20
Take The Alameda exit.=20
Travel north on The Alameda.=20
The Alameda will become El Camino Real.=20
The main entrance to Santa Clara University will be on the =
left-hand
side of the road.
Ask where to park at the Guard Shack. Entrance to TV studio is to =
right
of Guard Shack.
Sincerely,
Chad Raphael
Assistant Professor, Communication Department
Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053-0277
Phone: 408-554-4516 / Fax: 408-554-4913 / Email: =
craphael@mailer.scu.edu