Rana Plaza , Purpose and Procurement

In April 2013, it was the collapse of this building in Bangladesh that drew world attention to the shocking labour conditions in supply chains of many retail giants.

Three months later, in Brussels, MEP Gay Mitchell of the European People’s Party hosted a high level conference which led to collaboration between Coops Europe and Fair Trade International to promote people-centered business in supply chains.

“Both Cooperatives Europe and Fair Trade have been actively engaged in promoting enterprises that place people and not profit at the heart of business.

“Harriet Lamb, CEO of Fair Trade International, explained: “Businesses alone are not enough to tackle poverty; the EU should foster people-centred businesses. Cooperatives and Fair Trade have shown that they put high standards and strict rules on businesses, that they put people first, and still they are successful.”

It was the same month, July 2013, that people-centered business and its evolution was described in the Long Term Capitalism initiative. I described how it began with an argument about making people and not profit the primary focus of doing business. I quoted from our ‘Marshall Plan’ for Ukraine.

‘This is a long-term permanently sustainable program, the basis for “people-centered” economic development. Core focus is always on people and their needs, with neediest people having first priority — as contrasted with the eternal chase for financial profit and numbers where people, social benefit, and human well-being are often and routinely overlooked or ignored altogether. This is in keeping with the fundamental objectives of Marshall Plan: policy aimed at hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. This is a bottom-up approach, starting with Ukraine’s poorest and most desperate citizens, rather than a “top-down” approach that might not ever benefit them. They cannot wait, particularly children. Impedance by anyone or any group of people constitutes precisely what the original Marshall Plan was dedicated to opposing. Those who suffer most, and those in greatest need, must be helped first — not secondarily, along the way or by the way. ‘

A year earlier, with the help of MEP Sir Graham Watson the ‘Marshall Plan’ for Ukraine found its way to the desk of Commissioner Michel Barnier, VP of the European People’s Party. He responsed by letter to Sir Graham, denying plagiarism and suggesting future collaboration.

Soon however, The European People’s Party were calling for a ‘Marshall Plan’ for Ukraine. We understand that it was put forward by two MEPs from Lithuiania, one being a member of the European People’’s Party and is now being put into action.

With the help of Maidan leaders, Terry Hallman had shared his proposal with Ukraine’s government and published it in the ForUA web journal in August 2007.

It was a follow up of his expose on ‘Death Camps for Children’ based on the orphanage at Torez.

Tensions were rising in February 2014 and Maidan leaders called for support from the EU for a range of measures including a ‘Marshall Plan’.

“Support political reforms and economic development: When thenew government is in place, support Ukraine financially to get on a path of sustainable economic revival. A kind of „Marshall Plan“, can bring long-term economic benefits to Ukraine and save it from otherwise imminent long-term default.”

I shared their appeal with MEPs from the South West, None offered any response.

It’s said that truth is the first casualty of any war, but in this case the passengers of MH17 came a close second. Some of the bodies had landed in the garden of Torez where many dead children had already been cast into rough trenches.

“I want to know why that boy died” said one of the orphans.

I think I know why Terry Hallman died. Although he was ill, it had a lot to do with being hung our to dry. Before he died, what he wrote to PWC asking them to respect our IPR still resonates.

“I understand PwC is working with East Europe Foundation and British Council on BC’s SE Project in Ukraine.

I’m pleased to see this effort, and commend you on volunteering.

However, there are some unaddressed legal issues involved. Namely, copyright. The entire project derives from http://www.p-ced.com/1/projects/ukraine/national/

I’m not sure it would be appropriate to call the project to a halt on grounds of Intellectual Property Rights violations because the project is so badly needed for Ukraine. I am sure that the Ukrainian side will not think twice about IPR violations. Ukraine remains among the worst locations in the world for such violations. Without IPR protections, it is extremely unlikely that social enterprise can take root in Ukraine. Reason: any social enterprise project, anywhere in the world, which is capable of turning a profit can have the ‘social’ part stripped out in favor of increased financial profit. If you understand Ukraine, you surely understand that is instinctive. There is no cognitive loop involved. Ukrainians see no point and assign no importance for IPR. IPR theft is an Ukrainian sport.

By contrast, UK and the US do understand IPR protections. There is no way forward without establishing IPR protections from the start of this project in Ukraine. It is incumbent upon UK and US partners to set the course and hold fast to it.

Therefore, on principle, by law as understood in UK and the US, and to foster the viability of the entire SE project, it is appropriate and necessary to square IPR issues before the project proceeds further. It can be shut down entirely, but that does no good for anyone except to reinforce the importance of IPR.

I shall look forward to your response, and will contact EEF and BC separately.

In the meantime, I wish all of you the best of holidays. And this note for the Christmas season: I’m not Scrooge, but maybe more the ghost of Christmas present. Remember Ignorance and Want at the end of that chapter.

With best wishes,

Terry Hallman

Founder

People-Centered Economic Development”

Reflecting more recently on Ignoramce and Want I understand what Dickens meant by “factious purposes”

I also understand what George Marshall meant when he spoke at Harvard and why Terry Hallman quoted him in his proposal.

“Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist. Such assistance, I am convinced, must not be on a piecemeal basis as various crises develop. Any assistance that this Government may render in the future should provide a cure rather than a mere palliative. Any government that is willing to assist in the task of recovery will find full co-operation I am sure, on the part of the United States Government. Any government which maneuvers to block the recovery of other countries cannot expect help from us. Furthermore, governments, political parties, or groups which seek to perpetuate human misery in order to profit therefrom politically or otherwise will encounter the opposition of the United States.”

I’ve taken up this issue with MEPs Clare Moody and Molly Scott-Cato who so far have offered little in the way of response.

I want to know, at the very least why EU funding is being used to co-opt our work while at the same time excluding us from participation.