Corporate Accountability - Network for corporate responsibility
Corporate Accountability - Network for Corporate Responsibility ( CorA ) is a network of non-governmental organizations (NGO) and other civil society organizations in Germany, which as a common basis demand corporate responsibility oriented towards the common good . The goals see binding regulations for companies as absolutely necessary, which go beyond the already existing principles of so-called voluntary corporate social responsibility . In its work, the network builds on the experience and support of its members from a wide variety of areas such as human rights organizations, trade unions, church and development organizations as well as consumer and environmental organizations.
Origin, goals and approach
In September 2006, 37 NGOs joined forces to form the network for corporate responsibility - Corporate Accountability. Together they want to intensify the social debate about the economic and political actions of transnational companies and advocate corporate accountability. By this they understand binding instruments with which companies are obliged to respect human rights as well as internationally recognized social and ecological norms and standards and to create transparency . These ideas and demands, which CorA formulated in the founding declaration, tie in with the already existing, long-standing trade union and civil society initiatives for more corporate responsibility. CorA makes the following demands on politics:
- Accountability and disclosure requirements for companies on the environment, social issues and human rights,
- Linking the award of public contracts to social requirements,
- Anchoring corporate obligations in international business agreements and in business promotion,
- fair corporate taxation,
- effective sanctions and liability rules for companies,
- Strengthening product responsibility and promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns.
CorA builds on the wide range of activities of the networked members and their expert knowledge. Within the network, work takes place in various working groups that carry out campaigns on various topics.
Campaigns
In the context of existing discussions regarding social and ecological procurement by the public sector , CorA wants to define a common political thrust and carry out cross-product public relations and lobbying work. CorA aims to expand the (legal) framework for sustainable procurement . In addition, it should be prevented that low standards in the application of social and ecological criteria prevail in the current political discussion. The medium to long-term goal is to establish and control the most extensive social and ecological criteria that cover the entire international supply chain as legally binding.
There are other campaigns on accountability and corporate taxation.
supporter
40 organizations are currently supporting the network.
At the international level, CorA is actively involved as a member of the European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ).