natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Transparency about a company’s operations and their impacts on people and the environment is in itself a kind of “soft power”.
Transparency about a company’s operations and their impacts on people and the environment is in itself a kind of “soft power”.
Then there is the other side of the coin.
Then there is the other side of the coin.
The requirements for social responsibility are, of course, highly relevant in public affairs and public administration as well.
The requirements for social responsibility are, of course, highly relevant in public affairs and public administration as well.
The Government not only expresses what it expects of companies and regulates them.
The Government not only expresses what it expects of companies and regulates them.
If we expect companies to act responsibly, we must consider our own responsibilities and promote coherent policies.
If we expect companies to act responsibly, we must consider our own responsibilities and promote coherent policies.
For example, the government and its agencies must be at the forefront when it comes to socially responsible procurement, ownership and investment.
For example, the government and its agencies must be at the forefront when it comes to socially responsible procurement, ownership and investment.
I mentioned decent work.
I mentioned decent work.
I believe this is of particular importance.
I believe this is of particular importance.
A company’s success is dependent on the quality of its workforce.
A company’s success is dependent on the quality of its workforce.
As agreed by the members of the International Labour Organisation, Decent Work must be an integral part of our policy on CSR.
As agreed by the members of the International Labour Organisation, Decent Work must be an integral part of our policy on CSR.
Decent work can be summed up in four strategic objectives: first, respect for fundamental principles and rights at work and international labour standards; second, employment and income opportunities; third, social protection and social security, and fourth, social dialogue and what I called “tripartism”, which includes the right of workers to organise.
Decent work can be summed up in four strategic objectives: first, respect for fundamental principles and rights at work and international labour standards; second, employment and income opportunities; third, social protection and social security, and fourth, social dialogue and what I called “tripartism”, which includes the right of workers to organise.
The financial crisis has made the decent work agenda even more important.
The financial crisis has made the decent work agenda even more important.
A global ”race to the bottom” with deteriorating working conditions, weakened social protection and an undermining of rights, in addition to increased unemployment, must be avoided.
A global ”race to the bottom” with deteriorating working conditions, weakened social protection and an undermining of rights, in addition to increased unemployment, must be avoided.
Gender equality is also at the heart of decent work.
Gender equality is also at the heart of decent work.
This includes taking action against forced labour and human trafficking.
This includes taking action against forced labour and human trafficking.
To sum up, we learn that modern and successful companies integrate CSR into their strategic thinking, planning and operations.
To sum up, we learn that modern and successful companies integrate CSR into their strategic thinking, planning and operations.
The leading Norwegian companies present in Angola are on this path.
The leading Norwegian companies present in Angola are on this path.
They are leaving a footprint well beyond their purely business interests, engaging in a variety of projects that benefit the local and national community.
They are leaving a footprint well beyond their purely business interests, engaging in a variety of projects that benefit the local and national community.
Then there is the legal and political setting in which a company operates.
Then there is the legal and political setting in which a company operates.
The Norwegian Government expects Norwegian companies to refuse to accept that corruption should be part of day-to-day business anywhere in the world.
The Norwegian Government expects Norwegian companies to refuse to accept that corruption should be part of day-to-day business anywhere in the world.
Companies headquartered in Norway must abide by Norwegian anti-corruption laws as well as international anti-corruption conventions.
Companies headquartered in Norway must abide by Norwegian anti-corruption laws as well as international anti-corruption conventions.
We expect all Norwegian-owned commercial interests to stick to this approach.
We expect all Norwegian-owned commercial interests to stick to this approach.
Corruption is a cancer in the market place.
Corruption is a cancer in the market place.
Besides being a direct violation of most national laws and international conventions, it is a real obstacle to growth and serves to distort market signals that should guide economic operators to make the right decisions.
Besides being a direct violation of most national laws and international conventions, it is a real obstacle to growth and serves to distort market signals that should guide economic operators to make the right decisions.
Angola has been, and is still struggling with these challenges, as highlighted by the President in his recent statements.
Angola has been, and is still struggling with these challenges, as highlighted by the President in his recent statements.
I believe that a key to sustainable growth and progress lies in a determined effort to combat these phenomena.
I believe that a key to sustainable growth and progress lies in a determined effort to combat these phenomena.
Norway stands ready to support any measure by the Government of Angola to turn this tide.
Norway stands ready to support any measure by the Government of Angola to turn this tide.
There are some positive signs.
There are some positive signs.
Angola has been commended for making its upstream oil activities more transparent.
Angola has been commended for making its upstream oil activities more transparent.
Norway too has gone through this process, making transparency of the energy sector a key priority.
Norway too has gone through this process, making transparency of the energy sector a key priority.
From the outset, our policy was to have full transparency regarding the activities of the petroleum industry and its management.
From the outset, our policy was to have full transparency regarding the activities of the petroleum industry and its management.
When the idea of an Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) was launched, establishing standards for transparency, this was very much in line with established Norwegian policy.
When the idea of an Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) was launched, establishing standards for transparency, this was very much in line with established Norwegian policy.
Norway is now implementing the EITI criteria.
Norway is now implementing the EITI criteria.
We would encourage other countries to take part, both as a means of making the energy sector more effective, and as a means of contributing to development and poverty alleviation.
We would encourage other countries to take part, both as a means of making the energy sector more effective, and as a means of contributing to development and poverty alleviation.
I would encourage Angola to consider applying to become an EITI candidate at its earliest convenience.
I would encourage Angola to consider applying to become an EITI candidate at its earliest convenience.
In doing so, Angola would join more than 20 other African states in this initiative for combating corruption and bringing full openness into the extractive industry.
In doing so, Angola would join more than 20 other African states in this initiative for combating corruption and bringing full openness into the extractive industry.
We are more than willing to share the experience we have gained from Norway’s EITI implementation with you.
We are more than willing to share the experience we have gained from Norway’s EITI implementation with you.
Our companies are learning valuable lessons in Angola.
Our companies are learning valuable lessons in Angola.
And we stand ready to share them with the government, the private sector and the people of Angola.
And we stand ready to share them with the government, the private sector and the people of Angola.
Let me mention a few:
Let me mention a few:
We can share our experience of cooperative relations between companies and trade unions.
We can share our experience of cooperative relations between companies and trade unions.
We can share our experience of Norwegian industry effectively cleaning up its waste and addressing its environmental impact in other ways.
We can share our experience of Norwegian industry effectively cleaning up its waste and addressing its environmental impact in other ways.
We can share our experience of having a business environment with low levels of corruption.
We can share our experience of having a business environment with low levels of corruption.
And we can share our experience of cooperation on how and why CSR matters, including valuable input from civil society.
And we can share our experience of cooperation on how and why CSR matters, including valuable input from civil society.
Cooperative relations, an industry cleaning up its waste and respecting the environment, a non-corrupting business environment – none of these valuable development agents come out of the blue.
Cooperative relations, an industry cleaning up its waste and respecting the environment, a non-corrupting business environment – none of these valuable development agents come out of the blue.
They are the result of debate, hard work and dialogue.
They are the result of debate, hard work and dialogue.
Norway has several environmental NGOs.
Norway has several environmental NGOs.
They claim that the fact that our oil companies can declare that they apply the most environmentally friendly practices is also thanks to their relentless criticism of lax practices.
They claim that the fact that our oil companies can declare that they apply the most environmentally friendly practices is also thanks to their relentless criticism of lax practices.
Such criticism from a wide range of civil society actors has in turn created an environment in which the Government has enacted more stringent laws, which have led to companies developing better practices.
Such criticism from a wide range of civil society actors has in turn created an environment in which the Government has enacted more stringent laws, which have led to companies developing better practices.
We have different roles and this is why the social dialogue, admittedly sometimes rather painful for government, is so important.
We have different roles and this is why the social dialogue, admittedly sometimes rather painful for government, is so important.
Governments have a responsibility to enact necessary laws, but businesses should not take advantage of situations where such laws are absent.
Governments have a responsibility to enact necessary laws, but businesses should not take advantage of situations where such laws are absent.
Indeed, the concept of CSR is at least twofold: existing laws should be respected, but in addition there are ethical dilemmas that force companies to take a stand without the clear guidance of local laws.
Indeed, the concept of CSR is at least twofold: existing laws should be respected, but in addition there are ethical dilemmas that force companies to take a stand without the clear guidance of local laws.
I mentioned by way of introduction that Norway was already a mature, democratic state when oil resources were discovered.
I mentioned by way of introduction that Norway was already a mature, democratic state when oil resources were discovered.
This made it much easier, I believe, to translate the newly discovered resources into development.
This made it much easier, I believe, to translate the newly discovered resources into development.
Rich and sudden inflows of revenues from natural resources may be a blessing, but they are also potentially a curse.
Rich and sudden inflows of revenues from natural resources may be a blessing, but they are also potentially a curse.
We know that in order to translate revenues into real riches, i.e. into improvements in the lives of the many, a country must have high ambitions for social investment and income distribution.
We know that in order to translate revenues into real riches, i.e. into improvements in the lives of the many, a country must have high ambitions for social investment and income distribution.
This crucial development issue only highlights the potential for further political dialogue between Norway and Angola.
This crucial development issue only highlights the potential for further political dialogue between Norway and Angola.
I find it interesting that Angola recently sent an expert group to Norway to learn about the Norwegian Government’s Pension Fund – one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds – and that you are now implementing a similar approach.
I find it interesting that Angola recently sent an expert group to Norway to learn about the Norwegian Government’s Pension Fund – one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds – and that you are now implementing a similar approach.
We are prepared to continue this dialogue.
We are prepared to continue this dialogue.
Let me sum up:
Let me sum up:
The Norwegian Government has clear expectations of Norwegian enterprises: to do their core business well, to respect basic human rights, to provide decent working conditions and to protect the environment.
The Norwegian Government has clear expectations of Norwegian enterprises: to do their core business well, to respect basic human rights, to provide decent working conditions and to protect the environment.
These expectations are as valid in times of crisis as otherwise, and they are valid no matter where in the world Norwegian companies are operating.
These expectations are as valid in times of crisis as otherwise, and they are valid no matter where in the world Norwegian companies are operating.
We must continue to raise awareness of how companies can contribute to economic and social development in countries around the globe.
We must continue to raise awareness of how companies can contribute to economic and social development in countries around the globe.
I believe that active cooperation with the business sector is essential in solving the challenges of our time: the effects of the financial crisis, environmental meltdown and widespread poverty.
I believe that active cooperation with the business sector is essential in solving the challenges of our time: the effects of the financial crisis, environmental meltdown and widespread poverty.
Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan put it this way: “it is a utopian notion that poverty can be overcome without the active engagement of business.”
Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan put it this way: “it is a utopian notion that poverty can be overcome without the active engagement of business.”
So let us look ahead to a situation where businesses, civil society and governments alike are playing their respective roles, but also seeking to explore the potential for cooperation.
So let us look ahead to a situation where businesses, civil society and governments alike are playing their respective roles, but also seeking to explore the potential for cooperation.
We all need to think bold thoughts and to explore business opportunities in countries or sectors that have yet to benefit fully from economic globalisation.
We all need to think bold thoughts and to explore business opportunities in countries or sectors that have yet to benefit fully from economic globalisation.
We have high hopes for the future of cooperation between Norway and Angola.
We have high hopes for the future of cooperation between Norway and Angola.
Our companies are now the driving forces of an exciting relationship.
Our companies are now the driving forces of an exciting relationship.
In this context, corporate social responsibility is a resource.
In this context, corporate social responsibility is a resource.
The Norwegian Embassy is creating a forum for CSR in Angola, inviting companies to share their experience and compare notes.
The Norwegian Embassy is creating a forum for CSR in Angola, inviting companies to share their experience and compare notes.
I look forward to ever closer dialogue with the Government of Angola on these issues, and I appreciate the most useful discussions we have had on these issues today.
I look forward to ever closer dialogue with the Government of Angola on these issues, and I appreciate the most useful discussions we have had on these issues today.
Remarks on Norwegian industry in Angola, CSR expectations and best practices
Remarks on Norwegian industry in Angola, CSR expectations and best practices
Norway strengthens National Contact Point for CSR
Norge styrker klageinstansen for næringslivets samfunnsansvar
It is not a legal body, but seeks to resolve issues through dialogue with the parties.
Det er ingen juridisk instans, men skal forsøke å løse saker gjennom dialog med partene.
Norway is obliged to establish an NCP under the OECD Guidelines.
Norge er forpliktet til å ha en slik klageinstans i henhold til OECDs retningslinjer.
Professor Hans Petter Graver, Dean of the University of Oslo, has been appointed to head Norway’s new NCP.
Professor Hans Petter Graver, dekan ved Universitetet i Oslo, er utnevnt som leder for OECDs nasjonale kontaktpunkt.
Corporate social responsibility – the OECD Guidelines and Norway’s position
Bedrifters samfunnsansvar: OECDs retningslinjer og Norges holdning
This is not true.
Det er ikke riktig.
State Secretary Torgeir Larsen has explained Norway’s position in his reply to a letter from the Norwegian Forum for Environment and Development (ForUM).
I vedlagte svarbrev til Forum for utvikling og miljø forklarer statssekretær Torgeir Larsen Norges syn.
The main points, which also form the basis for Norway’s statement to the OECD Investment Committee and its working groups, are as follows:
Hovedpunktene, som også ligger til grunn for Norges innlegg i Investeringskomiteen og tilhørende arbeidsgrupper, er som følger:
Norway is at the forefront of efforts in the international arena to ensure that human rights are safeguarded in the best possible way.
Norge er pådriver internasjonalt for at menneskerettighetene ivaretas på best mulig måte.
This also applies to the efforts to promote corporate social responsibility in the UN and the OECD.
Det gjelder også arbeidet for næringslivets samfunnsansvar i FN og OECD.
Norway complies with its international obligations, including in the area of human rights.
Norge etterlever våre internasjonale forpliktelser når det gjelder menneskerettighetene.
We have therefore established an independent National Contact Point to ensure compliance with the OECD Guidelines in the best possible way, and are one of very few OECD countries to have done so.
Som et, av svært få, OECD-land har vi derfor etablert et uavhengig kontaktpunkt for å ivareta OECDs retningslinjer på best mulig måte.
The complaint against NBIM and the fact that the Norwegian authorities’ have contacted the OECD Investment Committee in connection with this case do not alter the picture.
Klagesaken mot NBIM og norske myndigheters henvendelser til OECDs Investeringskomité i kjølvannet av denne saken, endrer ikke dette bildet.
We fully and completely endorse the OECD Guidelines.
Vi stiller oss fullt og helt bak OECDs retningslinjer.
We have therefore asked the OECD Investment Committee to look more closely at these.
Vi har derfor bedt OECDs investeringskomité om å se nærmere på dette.
We have therefore asked the OECD to clarify these questions, in line with the procedures set out in the Guidelines.
Derfor har vi bedt OECD klargjøre dette, i tråd med prosedyrene i retningslinjene.
At the meetings of the OECD Investment Committee on 14 and 15 October, Norway will continue its efforts to promote human rights and corporate social responsibility.
Norge vil på møtene til OECDs investeringskomité 14. og 15. oktober videreføre sitt arbeid for menneskerettigheter og et ansvarlig næringsliv.
CSW: Gender equality and the empowerment of women
CSW: Gender equality and the empowerment of women
Chair, Ministers, fellow delegates,
Chair, Ministers, fellow delegates,
After three days and dozens of speeches, statements and side-events – one message is crystal clear:
After three days and dozens of speeches, statements and side-events – one message is crystal clear:
Gender equality and the empowerment of women are preconditions for sustainable development and should be at the heart of policy making.
Gender equality and the empowerment of women are preconditions for sustainable development and should be at the heart of policy making.
As we prepare to go to Rio in June, we shall remember that women all over the world will scrutinize every move we make – and how we perform there!
As we prepare to go to Rio in June, we shall remember that women all over the world will scrutinize every move we make – and how we perform there!
Rural women, not least the poor in developing countries, are the first to suffer from economic stagnation, social injustice and environmental degradation!
Rural women, not least the poor in developing countries, are the first to suffer from economic stagnation, social injustice and environmental degradation!
This is not only a disgrace and a violation of these women’s human rights, depriving them of freedom, time and opportunity to fully participate in economic and political life.
This is not only a disgrace and a violation of these women’s human rights, depriving them of freedom, time and opportunity to fully participate in economic and political life.
Rural women’s lack of access to natural resources, basic services and productive assets is also a destructive barrier to economic growth and sustainable development – at the local, national and global level.
Rural women’s lack of access to natural resources, basic services and productive assets is also a destructive barrier to economic growth and sustainable development – at the local, national and global level.
20 years after the Earth Summit in Rio and 17 years after the Women’s Conference in Beijing, we know very well what needs to be done.
20 years after the Earth Summit in Rio and 17 years after the Women’s Conference in Beijing, we know very well what needs to be done.
I will highlight three points:
I will highlight three points:
First of all, we need to promote and protect all human rights of women, including their right to the highest attainable standard of health.
First of all, we need to promote and protect all human rights of women, including their right to the highest attainable standard of health.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights are particularly important.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights are particularly important.
We know as a fact that millions of women, especially poor women in rural areas of many countries, don’t have the freedom to control their own reproduction, nor do they have access to basic reproductive health services.
We know as a fact that millions of women, especially poor women in rural areas of many countries, don’t have the freedom to control their own reproduction, nor do they have access to basic reproductive health services.
As a consequence 13 percent of all mothers who die, die because of unsafe abortions.
As a consequence 13 percent of all mothers who die, die because of unsafe abortions.
We also know that practically all unsafe abortions take place in countries where abortion is illegal.
We also know that practically all unsafe abortions take place in countries where abortion is illegal.