ICC forms links to business
and law schools
A Message on Legal and Business Ethics from Maria Livanos Cattaui, Secretary
General of ICC, to Business and Law School Administrators
Paris, 21 March
1998 - In recent years, scandals involving
extortion and bribery have been a significant factor in toppling governments
in many parts of the world. In response, a number of international organizations
– UN, OECD, The Council of Europe, WTO, and others – have developed
codes and conventions to combat practices which are not only morally indefensible,
but which also distort trade and commerce to the detriment of all nations.
The business community, too, has taken steps to
fight extortion and bribery. At the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC),
the world business organization, we have updated and are actively promoting
our Rules of Conduct entitled "Extortion and Bribery in International
Business Tr
ansactions". Corporations worldwide have received copies
of the Rules and have been asked to implement them as part of their own codes
of conduct.
At ICC, we recognize that law schools and business
schools can play an important role in the fight against corruption. Courses
on legal and business ethics are a vital first step in bringing a knowledge
of dubious legal practices to tomorrow’s attorneys, judges and businessmen.
This link is meant to provide an interaction between
the business and academic communities in the approach to this issue. Specifically,
ICC suggests the following steps:
- A school may wish to use the ICC Rules of Conduct
in a course on legal or business ethics in its curriculum. ICC will be pleased
to send free copies of the Rules on request;
- Also on request, ICC would endeavor to provide
a speaker from the business community to address classes on legal ethics.
On this vital issue, I believe a partnership between
the business and academic communities can be a powerful force in attacking a
problem that affects us all. We invite your inquiries and your participation.
Click here for a copy of
the ICC Rules on Extortion and Bribery
Standing
Committee on Extortion and Bribery