Business for Social Responsibility | November 26, 2001
Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) turned to behind-the-scenes tactics to influence the World Trade Organizations talks in Doha, Qatar, the Financial Times reported on November 12, 2001. The public displays and protests that shook the Seattle WTO meeting in 1999 were difficult this year because of scarce accommodations for NGO representatives, the absence of corporate lobbyists who canceled because of security concerns, and a diminished interest by the press. Many NGOs are instead acting as unofficial advisors to governments of developing countries, offering research, public relations resources, and assistance in drafting negotiation proposals. Activists quoted in the article say the turning point came when NGOs pushed for WTO intellectual property rules to allow access to life-saving drugs in poor countries. An unidentified former trade negotiator told the paper, "NGOs are offering to work very closely with developing countries to achieve their objectives. It's how they intend to get into the negotiating room." Some critics say that a few NGOs are prodding developing countries to take hard-line positions against companies.
This article is a rewrite of an entry from the BSR News Monitor weekly, a service of BSR membership.Business for Social Responsibility:
