Robinson Stresses Corporate World’s Humanitarian Role at Awards Ceremony
By JESSICA KEATLEY
VANCOUVER - Former Irish President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson was awarded the Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue on April 8 in Vancouver. The international humanitarian award from Simon Fraser University is awarded every two years to individuals who succeed in building solutions through dialogue. Robinson was selected out of 27 nominations of world figures.
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MARY ROBINSON
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Speaking at the Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Robinson focused on the complex issue of corporate social responsibility in dealing with global health issues. Robinson paid particular attention to the role of businesswomen worldwide in the fight against the AIDS epidemic, which she referred to as the “the disease with a female face,” due to its predominance among young women. “Of the 29 million who are infected in sub_Saharan Africa, 60 percent are women or girls” she told the discussion panel, which included members of the Canadian corporate, academic and health communities.
The need for global pharmaceutical companies to examine their corporate policies and evaluate their responsibility in adhering to basic human rights were among the UN’s “Millennium Development Goals” she outlined. Reiterating Secretary General Kofi Annan’s recent comment about “making business work for the poor,” she insisted that the supply of drugs to those in need should no longer be viewed as a “philanthropic” act on the behalf of corporations but a basic responsibility.
Highlighting the work of the Ethical Globalization Initiative, the human rights organization of which she is the director and founder, Robinson said that more equitable international trade and development, more humane migration policies and strengthening responses to HIV/AIDS in Africa are all high on the agenda.
Kevin Evans, Chair of the award committee, said that Robinson was selected because “despite adversity, setbacks and personal attacks, she has continued to stay true to the spirit of dialogue and advanced human rights.” Robinson currently holds 31 positions in various organizations worldwide and has been the recipient of over 100 honorary degrees and prizes to date.
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