natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
We will be working to ensure that freedom of expression is given the focus it deserves.
We will be working to ensure that freedom of expression is given the focus it deserves.
We should gather a group of states from across the continents in New York this autumn when the UN General Assembly comes together in September.
We should gather a group of states from across the continents in New York this autumn when the UN General Assembly comes together in September.
We need a coalition of countries with diverse backgrounds that can join forces in advancing the freedom of expression agenda – expressing a cross-cultural, cross-political, cross-geographical engagement to get international efforts back on track.
We need a coalition of countries with diverse backgrounds that can join forces in advancing the freedom of expression agenda – expressing a cross-cultural, cross-political, cross-geographical engagement to get international efforts back on track.
Norway has announced our candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council.
Norway has announced our candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council.
As a member of the main UN body on human rights, we would support every effort to strengthen freedom of expression.
As a member of the main UN body on human rights, we would support every effort to strengthen freedom of expression.
Today new anti-terrorist legislation and state secrecy laws are being passed, and we are seeing increasing use of defamation laws and media censorship.
Today new anti-terrorist legislation and state secrecy laws are being passed, and we are seeing increasing use of defamation laws and media censorship.
Journalists are threatened, imprisoned or killed for criticising their governments.
Journalists are threatened, imprisoned or killed for criticising their governments.
Radio transmissions are jammed, newspapers and books are confiscated, media laws make it difficult for journalists to protect their sources, and licences are withdrawn.
Radio transmissions are jammed, newspapers and books are confiscated, media laws make it difficult for journalists to protect their sources, and licences are withdrawn.
And again – we need to refocus the debate in the relevant international settings.
And again – we need to refocus the debate in the relevant international settings.
In his 2007 report, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Ambeyi Ligabo, pointed out that threats to the safety and protection of journalists remain one of the key obstacles to realising the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
In his 2007 report, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Ambeyi Ligabo, pointed out that threats to the safety and protection of journalists remain one of the key obstacles to realising the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
The figures testify to the horrors experienced by journalists across the globe.
The figures testify to the horrors experienced by journalists across the globe.
Last year, 86 journalists and 20 other media workers were killed.
Last year, 86 journalists and 20 other media workers were killed.
This is a dramatic increase over the past five years and the highest figure since 1994.
This is a dramatic increase over the past five years and the highest figure since 1994.
A total of 1511 media professionals were physically attacked, and 67 were kidnapped.
A total of 1511 media professionals were physically attacked, and 67 were kidnapped.
The figures also show that armed conflict is by far the greatest threat to the security of media professionals.
The figures also show that armed conflict is by far the greatest threat to the security of media professionals.
Over half of the journalists killed last year died in Iraq, and the vast majority of them worked for local media.
Over half of the journalists killed last year died in Iraq, and the vast majority of them worked for local media.
Eight journalists were killed in Somalia, and many others had to flee the country.
Eight journalists were killed in Somalia, and many others had to flee the country.
Journalists also lost their lives in others areas of ongoing conflict, like Sri Lanka, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan.
Journalists also lost their lives in others areas of ongoing conflict, like Sri Lanka, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan.
Our initiative to put a particular focus on the role of media in conflict situations is a response to this dire situation.
Our initiative to put a particular focus on the role of media in conflict situations is a response to this dire situation.
It is based on the recognition that freedom of speech and of the media has a decisive role to play in protecting human rights and strengthening democracy.
It is based on the recognition that freedom of speech and of the media has a decisive role to play in protecting human rights and strengthening democracy.
Because firstly, when independent media function well, politicians are held accountable.
Because firstly, when independent media function well, politicians are held accountable.
The media can set a spotlight on intolerance and expose injustice and discrimination.
The media can set a spotlight on intolerance and expose injustice and discrimination.
Secondly, by telling the stories of struggle, pain and courage of real people, the media can empower vulnerable and voiceless groups in society.
Secondly, by telling the stories of struggle, pain and courage of real people, the media can empower vulnerable and voiceless groups in society.
Thirdly, the confrontation of ideas, even controversial ones, and a critical public debate are always a sign of a strong democracy.
Thirdly, the confrontation of ideas, even controversial ones, and a critical public debate are always a sign of a strong democracy.
The democratic role of the free media is to deepen our understanding, broaden our perspectives and provide us with the information we need to develop our own opinions.
The democratic role of the free media is to deepen our understanding, broaden our perspectives and provide us with the information we need to develop our own opinions.
At the same time, we also know that media can spread hatred and incite persecution and violence.
At the same time, we also know that media can spread hatred and incite persecution and violence.
We have only to recall the terrible example of Radio Mille Collines in Rwanda in 1994, which systematically transmitted messages of hate that directly fuelled the genocide.
We have only to recall the terrible example of Radio Mille Collines in Rwanda in 1994, which systematically transmitted messages of hate that directly fuelled the genocide.
It created a false but extremely effective notion of legitimacy that allowed the perpetrators to condone their atrocities.
It created a false but extremely effective notion of legitimacy that allowed the perpetrators to condone their atrocities.
So this too has to be part of our debate: We must learn to distinguish between expressions that seek only to degrade, humiliate and dehumanise, and those that seek to provide information and viewpoints – even though these may be painful, troubling or controversial.
So this too has to be part of our debate: We must learn to distinguish between expressions that seek only to degrade, humiliate and dehumanise, and those that seek to provide information and viewpoints – even though these may be painful, troubling or controversial.
Finding the right balance is a daily responsibility of the press and the editor.
Finding the right balance is a daily responsibility of the press and the editor.
Power, of course, is an important factor.
Power, of course, is an important factor.
Expressions of hatred are targeted at vulnerable groups in society – the minorities, the powerless.
Expressions of hatred are targeted at vulnerable groups in society – the minorities, the powerless.
While legitimate dissent is aimed at the wielders of power.
While legitimate dissent is aimed at the wielders of power.
This, in my view, is one of the reasons why the recent increase in the number and severity of defamation laws is a worrying trend.
This, in my view, is one of the reasons why the recent increase in the number and severity of defamation laws is a worrying trend.
Defamation laws tend to protect those already in power.
Defamation laws tend to protect those already in power.
Moreover, much of what is viewed as defamation through the lens of these laws is in fact legitimate dissent.
Moreover, much of what is viewed as defamation through the lens of these laws is in fact legitimate dissent.
During armed conflicts, power structures change fundamentally; power shifts from those who represent the will of the people to those who have the most powerful weapons.
During armed conflicts, power structures change fundamentally; power shifts from those who represent the will of the people to those who have the most powerful weapons.
And where power is based on weapons, freedom of information and of expression is usually one of the first casualties.
And where power is based on weapons, freedom of information and of expression is usually one of the first casualties.
Control of information soon becomes a weapon in itself.
Control of information soon becomes a weapon in itself.
Self-censorship is triggered by threats and a climate of impunity.
Self-censorship is triggered by threats and a climate of impunity.
We want to do our share to end the climate of impunity and to lessen the vulnerability of all those who live by the pen.
We want to do our share to end the climate of impunity and to lessen the vulnerability of all those who live by the pen.
After all, as so eloquently put by Albert Camus: A free press can be good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom a press will never be anything but bad.
After all, as so eloquently put by Albert Camus:
And sadly, the bad lessons are many.
And sadly, the bad lessons are many.
We all remember Heinrich Heine’s words: Wherever they burn books, they will also, in the end, burn human beings.
We all remember Heinrich Heine’s words:
The well-known Heine quote is from his play Almansor (from 1821).
The well-known Heine quote is from his play Almansor (from 1821).
What is less well known is that the book in question is the Qur’an, and that the play was set in the time of the Spanish Inquisition.
What is less well known is that the book in question is the Qur’an, and that the play was set in the time of the Spanish Inquisition.
A century after Heine wrote the play, during the early days of the Nazi regime; his own books were cast into the flames.
A century after Heine wrote the play, during the early days of the Nazi regime, his own books were cast into the flames.
It was an early warning of what was to come.
It was an early warning of what was to come.
And it should serve as an inspiration for us to sharpen our attention today.
And it should serve as an inspiration for us to sharpen our attention today.
Freedom of Expression – Missing in Action?
Freedom of Expression – Missing in Action?
Ethics based on national commitment
Ethics based on national commitment
I believe we are now seeing the beginnings of responsible investment becoming mainstream in the investor community.
I believe we are now seeing the beginnings of responsible investment becoming mainstream in the investor community.
I hope that this conference may strengthen this trend and contribute to our joint efforts to take on corporate social responsibility.
I hope that this conference may strengthen this trend and contribute to our joint efforts to take on corporate social responsibility.
Your Royal Highnesses, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your Royal Highnesses, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour and a pleasure for me to welcome you all to this conference.
It is an honour and a pleasure for me to welcome you all to this conference.
The weather may be cold and damp outside, but we wish you a very warm welcome.
The weather may be cold and damp outside, but we wish you a very warm welcome.
Many of us in this room help manage large pools of wealth.
Many of us in this room help manage large pools of wealth.
Based on a rough calculation, we estimate a total of 750 billion USD among the audience here today.
Based on a rough calculation, we estimate a total of 750 billion USD among the audience here today.
This is in itself a great responsibility.
This is in itself a great responsibility.
As Minister of Finance I am responsible for the management of the Norwegian Government Pension Fund – Global.
As Minister of Finance I am responsible for the management of the Norwegian Government Pension Fund – Global.
As you can tell, this name was not devised by marketing people, so I will shorten it to just “The Pension Fund” in the rest of my speech.
As you can tell, this name was not devised by marketing people, so I will shorten it to just “The Pension Fund” in the rest of my speech.
Norway has large incomes from the petroleum sector.
Norway has large incomes from the petroleum sector.
It has taken nature hundreds of millions of years to produce oil and gas.
It has taken nature hundreds of millions of years to produce oil and gas.
It is only recently that we have developed technology to exploit these resources and profit from them.
It is only recently that we have developed technology to exploit these resources and profit from them.
We cannot allow ourselves to spend this fortune during one or two generations.
We cannot allow ourselves to spend this fortune during one or two generations.
That is why we have set up a fund to manage this wealth in the first place.
That is why we have set up a fund to manage this wealth in the first place.
The Fund is currently valued at approximately 350 billion US dollars, which is about the same as Norwegian GDP.
The Fund is currently valued at approximately 350 billion US dollars, which is about the same as Norwegian GDP.
But it is just as important to ensure that we are not contributing to grossly unethical practices through our investments.
But it is just as important to ensure that we are not contributing to grossly unethical practices through our investments.
Although there are many differences between those investors gathered here, I believe that we have some common denominators and some common challenges.
Although there are many differences between those investors gathered here, I believe that we have some common denominators and some common challenges.
And – hopefully – also some common goals!
And – hopefully – also some common goals!
This is after all what we have come together to discuss.
This is after all what we have come together to discuss.
Responsible investment is not really a new concept.
Responsible investment is not really a new concept.
The roots of ethical investments can be found among religious movements.
The roots of ethical investments can be found among religious movements.
At the beginning of the 1900s, the Methodist Church began investing in the stock market, avoiding companies involved in alcohol and gambling.
At the beginning of the 1900s, the Methodist Church began investing in the stock market, avoiding companies involved in alcohol and gambling.
In 1971, the first "modern mutual" fund, the Pax World Fund, was set up to avoid investments associated with the Vietnam War.
In 1971, the first "modern mutual" fund, the Pax World Fund, was set up to avoid investments associated with the Vietnam War.
Opposition to the apartheid regime in South Africa led to the promotion of ethical investment in the 1980s.
Opposition to the apartheid regime in South Africa led to the promotion of ethical investment in the 1980s.
Thanks to persistent efforts from NGOs, journalists, politicians and civil society in Norway there was an increasing interest in the investments of our pension fund during the 1990s.
Thanks to persistent efforts from NGOs, journalists, politicians and civil society in Norway there was an increasing interest in the investments of our pension fund during the 1990s.
I am happy to notice that we also have many representatives from the civil society present today.
I am happy to notice that we also have many representatives from the civil society present today.
Money talks!
Money talks!
When the two worlds of idealism and business communities meet, we may develop ideas that can change the world.
When the two worlds of idealism and business communities meet, we may develop ideas that can change the world.
My party, the Socialist Left Party, was at the forefront in the Parliament in proposing that ethical guidelines be made part of the management of the Pension Fund.
My party, the Socialist Left Party, was at the forefront in the Parliament in proposing that ethical guidelines be made part of the management of the Pension Fund.
We met some tough critique then.
We met some tough critique then.
I am therefore all the more happy that this became a reality in November 2004.
I am therefore all the more happy that this became a reality in November 2004.
I am also very happy that the guidelines were endorsed by a unanimous Parliament.
I am also very happy that the guidelines were endorsed by a unanimous Parliament.
We have invited you all to discuss how to best exercise responsible investments.
We have invited you all to discuss how to best exercise responsible investments.
There are dilemmas connected to this work and we will never be able to act 100 % consistent in all areas.
There are dilemmas connected to this work and we will never be able to act 100 % consistent in all areas.
But that should not lead us to the conclusion of doing nothing.
But that should not lead us to the conclusion of doing nothing.
Some of us are institutional investors.
Some of us are institutional investors.
We manage funds on behalf of the ultimate owners, and we have to put their interests first.
We manage funds on behalf of the ultimate owners, and we have to put their interests first.
Should this be combined with corporate social responsibility?
Should this be combined with corporate social responsibility?
Some have argued against it.
Some have argued against it.
The American economist Milton Friedman was one of them.
The American economist Milton Friedman was one of them.
I’m sure many of you have heard the famous Friedman quote: “The business of business is business”.
I’m sure many of you have heard the famous Friedman quote: “The business of business is business”.
But business is not an isolated island.
But business is not an isolated island.
It is an integrated part of our communities.
It is an integrated part of our communities.
Not only are human rights violations or severe environmental damage inherently unethical, but in the long run it may also be bad for business.
Not only are human rights violations or severe environmental damage inherently unethical, but in the long run it may also be bad for business.
When one business uses child labour and prevents children from going to school, another business may face a lack of skilled labour in the future.
When one business uses child labour and prevents children from going to school, another business may face a lack of skilled labour in the future.
When one business tries to fix a pollution problem by hiding toxic waste in their back yard, that may postpone the cost of dealing with the problem.
When one business tries to fix a pollution problem by hiding toxic waste in their back yard, that may postpone the cost of dealing with the problem.
But the problem must be dealt with sooner or later.
But the problem must be dealt with sooner or later.
If you are in the market only for the short term, you may not care about this.
If you are in the market only for the short term, you may not care about this.
But we will be owners in the company 10, 20, 30, even 100 years from now.
But we will be owners in the company 10, 20, 30, even 100 years from now.
Sooner or later, we will be faced with these costs.
Sooner or later, we will be faced with these costs.
And in many cases, the cost of preventing pollution is a lot smaller than the cost of cleaning it up.
And in many cases, the cost of preventing pollution is a lot smaller than the cost of cleaning it up.
We are global investors.
We are global investors.
We are long term investors.
We are long term investors.
We own a small part of the whole stock market.
We own a small part of the whole stock market.
We are in almost every business.
We are in almost every business.
We believe social and environmental responsibility creates the best conditions for high, sustainable long-term returns.
We believe social and environmental responsibility creates the best conditions for high, sustainable long-term returns.
The business of business is responsible business.
The business of business is responsible business.
What sort of ethics should an investor focus on?
What sort of ethics should an investor focus on?
There is no single answer to that question.
There is no single answer to that question.
For the Pension Fund, we have taken as a starting point what can be seen as agreed ethical principles for the owners of the fund: namely the Norwegian people and future generations of Norwegians.
For the Pension Fund, we have taken as a starting point what can be seen as agreed ethical principles for the owners of the fund: namely the Norwegian people and future generations of Norwegians.
The Ethical Guidelines thus represent values that we believe are shared by the majority of the Norwegian people.
The Ethical Guidelines thus represent values that we believe are shared by the majority of the Norwegian people.
We believe that these values also enjoy broad support in the global community, as they relate to internationally recognised norms on corporate governance, human rights and the environment.
We believe that these values also enjoy broad support in the global community, as they relate to internationally recognised norms on corporate governance, human rights and the environment.
Our ethical guidelines build on a proposal from an independent committee appointed by the Government.
Our ethical guidelines build on a proposal from an independent committee appointed by the Government.
It was headed by professor Hans Petter Graver, who is also with us here today.
It was headed by professor Hans Petter Graver, who is also with us here today.
The committee identified two main ethical obligations for the Fund;
The committee identified two main ethical obligations for the Fund;
- firstly, the obligation to ensure financial returns so that future generations will benefit from the oil wealth, and
- firstly, the obligation to ensure financial returns so that future generations will benefit from the oil wealth, and
- secondly, the obligation to respect the fundamental rights of those who are affected by the companies in which the Fund invests.
- secondly, the obligation to respect the fundamental rights of those who are affected by the companies in which the Fund invests.
The guidelines establish two policy measures to meet the ethical obligations: Active ownership and the exclusion of companies.
The guidelines establish two policy measures to meet the ethical obligations: Active ownership and the exclusion of companies.
I would like to give a few examples of how they have been implemented under the guidelines for the Pension Fund so far:
I would like to give a few examples of how they have been implemented under the guidelines for the Pension Fund so far:
There are more than 7000 companies in the Fund’s portfolio.
There are more than 7000 companies in the Fund’s portfolio.
Norges Bank – Norway’s central bank – is operational manager for the Fund and thus responsible for exercising ownership rights.
Norges Bank – Norway’s central bank – is operational manager for the Fund and thus responsible for exercising ownership rights.
We want to ensure that active ownership is effective.
We want to ensure that active ownership is effective.
In my view we can best achieve this by concentrating on a few priority areas.
In my view we can best achieve this by concentrating on a few priority areas.