Plenary session 2: Global Enterprises and human rights

Though we live on a big planet, we can do business, follow the stock market, get the news, spot the latest trends anywhere, anytime and faster than ever. Soon there will be nothing beyond external influence. Global-scale human activity defines our time.

But with opportunities come risks. Some stress that globalization has aggravated problems of unemployment, inequality and poverty, while others are convinced that globalization helps to reduce them. It is clear that for globalization to be politically and economically sustainable, it must contribute to their reduction of the above-mentioned problems. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure that the process of globalization takes account of the needs of all people. The goal must be creating a better globalization as a key to a better and secure life for people everywhere in the 21st century.

This panel will examine the junctions between globalization and human rights - or where they fail to meet - and explore the media’s role in addressing the challenges and solutions.

Moderation:
Peter Craven
News anchor, political correspondent, presenter of "talking Germany" DW-TV

Keynote:
Wolfgang Schüssel
Former Chancellor of Austria, Member of the Austrian Parlament, President of the Foreign Policy and United Nations Association of Austria

Panelists:
Markus Löning
Federal Government Commissionor for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid at The Federal Foreign Office In Berlin

Mohan Munasinghe
Chairman, Munasinghe Institute for Development (MIND), Colombo; Professor of Sustainable Development, University of Manchester, UK

Alasdair Ross
Global Product Director Economist Intelligence Unit

Rainer Wend
Executive Vice President Public Policy and Responsibility, Deutsche Post DHL