Whether Crisis or CSR: It's Still "Exploitation as Usual"

At first glance our world is looking better. The banks are reporting quarterly profits again. We hear that the economic crisis will soon be over. More and more WEF members are publishing colorful reports about their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Even the oil and auto industries talk about protecting the environment in their advertisements. But behind the glittering facades and cloaks of green, the scorched earth left behind by corporate misconduct continues to spread.

This brave new world doesn't withstand a second, more critical look. The corporate machinations that victims and non-government organizations have uncovered and documented in 2009 are as devastating as ever in their consequences for mankind and nature.

That's why the awards presented by the Berne Declaration (BD) and Greenpeace from the sidelines of the 2010 World Economic Forum are more important than ever:

The Global Award goes to the creepiest global corporation. The Swiss Award is presented to the most irresponsible Swiss company. The recipient of the People's Award will be determined on January 26, based on total votes cast on www.publiceye.ch.

New: The Greenwash Award

We're fighting for a world where business operates with respect for people and the environment. Many corporations claim they want the same thing. But their motive is rather image-building and not some vague, newly-discovered sense of responsibility. That's why a Greenwash Award will be presented in 2010 for the first time. The award aims to show the fanciful distinctions that environmental transgressors and social exploiters adorn themselves with.

Candidates for this additional prize are label organizations, rating agencies and trade associations with notably weak or dishonest criteria for the assessment of so-called "corporate responsibility."

Public Eye 2010: The Event

The awards ceremony takes place on January 27, 2010 -- Opening Day of the WEF -- once again in Davos Dorf, and is open to the public. Political keynote addresses and prominent participants promise an established blend of critictainment.