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ePaper created 2015-12-01, 11:32:17 | version 1.43.00
IN FOCUS akzente 2/15 17 and critics are calling for transparency. But FIFA refuses to submit to full public scrutiny. Bangladesh: The collapse of a garment factory on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka in April 2013 led to more than 1,100 deaths – only months after a fire in another local garment factory claimed more than 100 lives. Both disasters could have been prevented. The two factories pro- duced clothing for the European garment trade, which was criticised for using cheap labour. Consumer organisations promptly demanded transparency in the supply chain. Since then, around 180 clothing companies from more than 20 countries have joined the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, a transparency initiative launched by the Geneva-based trade union federation In- dustriALL. More than 50 German manufacturers, retailers and importers have signed up to the initiative, including major brands Aldi Nord, Aldi Süd, Lidl, Adidas, Puma, Otto, Rewe, s.Oliver, Esprit, Orsay, Takko and KiK. Transparency is in demand nowadays. Some people even regard it as a cure-all. And that’s correct, surely? It is easier to trust people who have nothing to hide. Transpar- ency promotes trust, and trust promotes social cohesion. Compliance monitoring, reports and full disclosure B russels: The free trade agreement currently being negotiated between the European Union and the United States of America is worrying many mem- bers of the public. Known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), this ambitious project not only aims to harmonise tariffs on both sides of the At- lantic. The negotiators also want to include provisions on mutual recognition of standards, conformity assessment procedures and licensing. TTIP’s opponents are demand- ing transparency – a difficult issue for negotiators, who claim that the talks are too complex to be conducted in public. Qatar: In 2022, the emirate will host the FIFA World Cup. FIFA, football’s international governing body, an- nounced the decision in late 2010 – and triggered a wave of protest worldwide, which has still not receded. There are allegations of vote-buying during the crucial ballot, Out of the shadows Transparency builds trust and mitigates social, economic and political risks. But too much transparency – or the wrong kind – can do more harm than good. Sound judgement is the key. Text Christian Hiller von Gaertringen Opening the door to the bigger picture: social relations thrive on openness. It’s easier to trust people who have nothing to hide. » photoS:GettyImages/MelissaRoss(page14/15),GettyImages/BlendImages(page16) akzente 2/1517