wfn.org | Baha'i news: Ethics at heart of economic crisis, says EBBF

[Sally Weeks <sweeks@bwc.org>]

>Baha'i World News Service
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>Ethics at heart of economic crisis, says EBBF

GENEVA, 6 July (BWNS) - Any response to the world economic crisis must addr ess ethics, given that the crisis is "fundamentally one of trust and integr ity," the European Baha'i Business Forum said in a statement published last  week.

Furthermore, the situation requires an ethical response "at all levels" - f rom individuals, from corporations, and from governments and regulatory ent ities, said the statement, released as some 400 representatives from dozens  of countries and organizations gathered in Geneva for a two-day Global Eth ics Forum.

As people reshape their thinking, certain principles must be considered, sa id the EBBF.

"We need to replace the concept of self-centered materialism with that of s ervice to humanity," the EBBF said. Cooperation must replace competition, t he statement continued; ethical behavior must replace corruption, gender ba lance must replace sexism, world unity must replace protectionism, justice  must replace injustice.

"EBBF promotes and welcomes engagement with the widest possible community t o develop together the new framework," the statement said.

"We call on peoples from all businesses, countries, and walks of life to wo rk together to build a new economic system based upon equity and justice,"  it concluded.

More than 20 members of the European Baha'i Business Forum participated in  the Global Ethics Forum, held 2-3 July at United Nations headquarters in Ge neva.

EBBF issued the statement in an effort to contribute to new ways of thinkin g that will help companies and countries develop new models as they navigat e the current crisis.

"There is a growing need for alternatives," said Daniel Truran, secretary g eneral of the EBBF. "People are thirsty for a different way of working and  of conducting their organizations.

"In times of crisis, the search for the 'right' way forward - a direction t hat was not the one that got us into this crisis - is stronger than ever,"  he said.

The European Baha'i Business Forum was founded in 1990 and now has nearly 4 00 members in some 60 countries.

To read the full article and access a link to the EBBF statement, go to:
http://news.bahai.org/story/722