Global governance

6 ways that ICC has been championing for peace

  • 21 September 2018
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It’s International Day of Peace, a globally shared date to commit to peace and set all differences aside with the ultimate goal of creating a better world for all.

The International Chamber of Commerce has been championing to nurture peace, prosperity and inclusive growth for close to 100 years. To celebrate Peace Day here are 6 areas where ICC has been making a difference and contributing to United Nations Global Goal number 16, Peace and Justice.

1) Working as merchants of peace

ICC was founded in 1919 in the aftermath of the First World War when no world system of rules governed trade, investment, finance or commercial relations. Without waiting for governments to fill this vacuum, ICC’s founders acted on their conviction that the private sector is best qualified to set global standards for business. They called themselves “The merchants of peace.”

2) Promoting Global Goals for peace

ICC works to ensure that businesses actions and investments drive the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Global Goal #16 for ‘Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’. It is estimated that achieving the SDGs opens up US$12 trillion of market opportunities which is why we believe they should also be known as the Business Development Goals!

3) Taking a stand against protectionism

The multilateral trading system has helped improve the standard of living of billions of people worldwide. But trade tensions today are contributing to increasing pressures on the global economy. In the belief that reform not retaliation, is needed to avoid damaging trade wars, ICC is working to promote the benefits of trade and help governments chart a new course for trade policymaking.

4) Recognising businessworthy leaders

Each year ICC joins forces with the Oslo Business for Peace Foundation and partners to nominate candidates for the Oslo Business for Peace Award. The prestigious award recognises exemplary leaders who promote socially responsible and ethical business practices, benefitting both business and society. Previous winners include Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever and ICC Chair; Sarah Beydoun, Founder and Creative Director of Sarah’s Bag; Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Co-CEO of Carlson Companies Elon Musk, Founder and CEO of Tesla and SolarCity; Martin Naughton, Founder of Glen Dimplex Group; and Durreen Shahnaz, Founder and CEO of Impact Investment Exchange. The search is now on for 2019 Business for Peace nominees

5) Resolving commercial disputes

The ability to resolve commercial disputes peacefully has been a core activity of ICC since it created the International Court of Arbitration over 95 years ago. To date, the truly neutral and independent ICC Court has helped to resolve over 23,000 commercial disputes  in over 140 countries and. In 1950, ICC submitted a first draft of the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. Described as the most successful treaty in private international law, the New York Convention is adhered to today by more than 140 nations.

6) Employing a global workforce

ICC employees hail from over 30 countries, and work in tandem to create solutions that promote international security and prosperity. Our tolerant and inclusive work environment  attracts and develops talent from all over the globe and encourages all voices and perspectives to be heard.

Working in this diverse environment means that even the most skeptical among us can have hope that a day will come when conflict between countries is a thing of the past, as we enter a peaceful and more prosperous new world.

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