Difference between revisions of "Business Partners for Development"

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As part of their research on [http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=3513 'dodgy development'] Corporate watch have looked at a BPD project in West Bengal which used NGO's to help move people from an area to be developed for a coal mine. The people were poorly rehabilitated and evidence on the ground shows that they suffered more after the project, with health effects and bad working conditions. <ref>Richard Whittel, Corporate watch [http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=3513 Dodgy development: DfID in India January 28, 2010] Accessed 30/04/10</ref>
 
As part of their research on [http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=3513 'dodgy development'] Corporate watch have looked at a BPD project in West Bengal which used NGO's to help move people from an area to be developed for a coal mine. The people were poorly rehabilitated and evidence on the ground shows that they suffered more after the project, with health effects and bad working conditions. <ref>Richard Whittel, Corporate watch [http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=3513 Dodgy development: DfID in India January 28, 2010] Accessed 30/04/10</ref>
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==Utkal Alumina project, Kashipur, India==
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Around 1997 BPD became involved in the [[Utkal]] Alumina bauxite mining and refining project in a remote and tribal area of Orissa, India and used it as a model venture on their website, until it was removed without explanation in 2000 after a police firing on protests there<ref>Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' Orient Blackswan </ref>.
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The project was opposed by local adivasis (tribal Indians) from its inception in 1991, and there are reports that funding for a UN [[International Fund for Agricultural Development]] (IFAD) 'tribal development' project, which employed local tribal people to survey the forest, was in fact used by Utkal, in collaboration with IFAD, to survey the area for mining and industry. IFAD and DfID had also funded road building and railways in the area, which are accused of being infrastructure for mining of the rich bauxite resources. Samarendra Das and Dr Felix Padel's study on 'East India Adivasis and the Aluminium Cartel' comments;
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 +
:That people carrying out surveys supposedly for the OTDP [Orissa Tribal Development Project]/IFAD were actually surveying for Utkal Alumina implies a far reaching collusion between IFAD and the aluminium companies, and a joint purpose<ref>Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' Orient Blackswan </ref>.
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A strong local movement against the project, and its planned displacement of many tribal villages began after this. At first against Utkal (who's controlling shareholder was [[Norsk Hydro]], followed by [[Alcan]]), and subsequently various governmental/NGO bodies who were set up to give the project credibility and a 'development' agenda. In a tactic mirroring the film [[Avatar]], [[Norsk Hydro]] sent corporate anthropologist [[Rolf Lunheim]] to advice on the situation<ref>Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' Orient Blackswan </ref>.
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When local 'development' body set up by Utkal called [[Utkal Rural Development Society]] failed to reconcile the locals in 1997 due to what a DfID ([[Department for International Development]] report called 'a legitimacy problem..perceived as an agent of the project', BPD stepped in with DfID as a partner<ref>Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' Orient Blackswan </ref>.
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Mass protests and local resistance prevented the project from progressing for many years. Hundreds of local people blockaded roads and protested to prevent the company from entering without their permission. In 1998 police lathicharged (beat with sticks) and teargassed a demonstration, badly injuring about 50 protesters. On 15th December 2000 police opened fire on a meeting of tribals in Maikanch village, killing three and wounding seven. Three cows were also killed<ref>Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' Orient Blackswan </ref>.
 +
 +
[[Norsk Hydro]] withdrew from the project after this, succumbing to long term pressure from campaigns in Norway over the human rights situation in Kashipur. Das and Padel report that;
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:just days before the Maikanch firing, there had been talks in Rayagada between a BPD team, [[Utkal Alumina]] and government officials...Pressure from the [[World Bank]] to get the project started may even have been a factor leading to the firing<ref>Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' p.125. Orient Blackswan </ref>.
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The project was removed from the BPD site shortly afterwards without explanation.
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A Freedom of Information request to the DfID reveals much communication on the Utkal project in the year 2000. In contrast to the evidence on the ground, the BPD project description acknowledges the displacement of 150 familes and the 'partial expropriation' of 1300. It promotes the Utkal project as 'contributing to sustainable development in the area', as it 'intends to respect, support and help preserve local cultures'. It claims a number of development benefits such as healthcare, adult literacy and agro-based industries<ref>'Business Partners for Development, Natural Resources Cluster Project Proposal'. Disclosure 1c. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010</ref>. The proposal acknowledges that the mine project is 'strongly opposed by parts of the civil society' and suggests that 'the resolution of disputes is a key challenge, since both access to site and cooperation in the social field with certain local NGOs are currently difficult'<ref>'Business Partners for Development, Natural Resources Cluster Project Proposal'. Disclosure 1c. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010</ref>. Partnerships with NGOs and government agencies through BPD are described as 'fundamental' in order to primarily;
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:'reduce disputes as obstacles to social investment, and doing so in such a way that they do not re-emerge.'<ref>'Business Partners for Development, Natural Resources Cluster Project Proposal'. Disclosure 1c. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010</ref>
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It is suggested that a 'respected donor or international NGO' might be useful in a 'mediation role', and also that a 'sustainable mode of local development' is needed for 'tribals', something which unwanted short term mining and displacement is assumed to fulfill<ref>'Business Partners for Development, Natural Resources Cluster Project Proposal'. Disclosure 1c. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010</ref>. In contrast, local adivasis claim that they have protected and maintained the area sustainably for hundreds of generations, and are happy with their isolated way of life, asking 'what is development, and who is it for?'<ref>Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' p.125. Orient Blackswan </ref>. At no point in the proposal is it suggested that the anti-mine viewpoint of the vast majority of locals should be respected, but instead the focus is entirely on reconciling them with the reality that it will happen. The proposal confidently suggests the likelihood of project success is 8/10<ref>'Business Partners for Development, Natural Resources Cluster Project Proposal'. Disclosure 1c. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010</ref>.
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The BPD proposal suggests 'strong similarities with the Sarshatali project (West Bengal)', another BPD coal mining project criticised as detrimental by a corporate watch investigation<ref>Richard Whittel, Corporate watch [http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=3513 Dodgy development: DfID in India January 28, 2010] Accessed 30/04/10</ref>.
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The FoI also revealed that BPD funded a Norsk Hydro consultant $18,000 for a 2 week visit to India in September 2000 (2 months before the shootings)<ref>Email to Natural Resources Cluster, BPD, 19th Sept 2000, Disclosure 2. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010.</ref>
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On 22nd January 2001 a letter to DfID from the BPD Natural Resources Cluster (housed at [[CARE International]] offices), announces that as a result of the Maikanch shootings the BPD's involvement in the project will be suspended until at least the end of January, after the Utkal board have met<ref>Letter to DfID from BPD Natural Resources Cluster. 22nd Jan 2001.Disclosure 3. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010.</ref>. The letter argues that conflict resolution is needed immediately, and offers its guidance on the issue, including its attendance at the next Utkal board meeting. It identifies the failure of its efforts to create effective local partnerships due to resistance to the project, and its perception in the local community as a 'mediator', which it claims it is not<ref>Letter to DfID from BPD Natural Resources Cluster. 22nd Jan 2001.Disclosure 3. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010.</ref>.
  
 
==Clusters and Partners==
 
==Clusters and Partners==

Revision as of 15:00, 10 July 2010

Global warming.jpg This article is part of the Climate project of Spinwatch.

Business Partners for Development (BPD) was a tri-sector initiative aiming to promote partnerships between business government and civil society in delivering 'development', with the World Bank Group as an equal partner. The BPD initiative began in 1998 and formally ended in 2002 after attracting considerable criticism, though two of the BPD Clusters are still operational (BPD Water & Sanitation and the Global Road Safety Partnership).[1]

Critique

As part of their research on 'dodgy development' Corporate watch have looked at a BPD project in West Bengal which used NGO's to help move people from an area to be developed for a coal mine. The people were poorly rehabilitated and evidence on the ground shows that they suffered more after the project, with health effects and bad working conditions. [2]

Utkal Alumina project, Kashipur, India

Around 1997 BPD became involved in the Utkal Alumina bauxite mining and refining project in a remote and tribal area of Orissa, India and used it as a model venture on their website, until it was removed without explanation in 2000 after a police firing on protests there[3].

The project was opposed by local adivasis (tribal Indians) from its inception in 1991, and there are reports that funding for a UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) 'tribal development' project, which employed local tribal people to survey the forest, was in fact used by Utkal, in collaboration with IFAD, to survey the area for mining and industry. IFAD and DfID had also funded road building and railways in the area, which are accused of being infrastructure for mining of the rich bauxite resources. Samarendra Das and Dr Felix Padel's study on 'East India Adivasis and the Aluminium Cartel' comments;

That people carrying out surveys supposedly for the OTDP [Orissa Tribal Development Project]/IFAD were actually surveying for Utkal Alumina implies a far reaching collusion between IFAD and the aluminium companies, and a joint purpose[4].

A strong local movement against the project, and its planned displacement of many tribal villages began after this. At first against Utkal (who's controlling shareholder was Norsk Hydro, followed by Alcan), and subsequently various governmental/NGO bodies who were set up to give the project credibility and a 'development' agenda. In a tactic mirroring the film Avatar, Norsk Hydro sent corporate anthropologist Rolf Lunheim to advice on the situation[5].

When local 'development' body set up by Utkal called Utkal Rural Development Society failed to reconcile the locals in 1997 due to what a DfID (Department for International Development report called 'a legitimacy problem..perceived as an agent of the project', BPD stepped in with DfID as a partner[6].

Mass protests and local resistance prevented the project from progressing for many years. Hundreds of local people blockaded roads and protested to prevent the company from entering without their permission. In 1998 police lathicharged (beat with sticks) and teargassed a demonstration, badly injuring about 50 protesters. On 15th December 2000 police opened fire on a meeting of tribals in Maikanch village, killing three and wounding seven. Three cows were also killed[7].

Norsk Hydro withdrew from the project after this, succumbing to long term pressure from campaigns in Norway over the human rights situation in Kashipur. Das and Padel report that;

just days before the Maikanch firing, there had been talks in Rayagada between a BPD team, Utkal Alumina and government officials...Pressure from the World Bank to get the project started may even have been a factor leading to the firing[8].

The project was removed from the BPD site shortly afterwards without explanation.

A Freedom of Information request to the DfID reveals much communication on the Utkal project in the year 2000. In contrast to the evidence on the ground, the BPD project description acknowledges the displacement of 150 familes and the 'partial expropriation' of 1300. It promotes the Utkal project as 'contributing to sustainable development in the area', as it 'intends to respect, support and help preserve local cultures'. It claims a number of development benefits such as healthcare, adult literacy and agro-based industries[9]. The proposal acknowledges that the mine project is 'strongly opposed by parts of the civil society' and suggests that 'the resolution of disputes is a key challenge, since both access to site and cooperation in the social field with certain local NGOs are currently difficult'[10]. Partnerships with NGOs and government agencies through BPD are described as 'fundamental' in order to primarily;

'reduce disputes as obstacles to social investment, and doing so in such a way that they do not re-emerge.'[11]

It is suggested that a 'respected donor or international NGO' might be useful in a 'mediation role', and also that a 'sustainable mode of local development' is needed for 'tribals', something which unwanted short term mining and displacement is assumed to fulfill[12]. In contrast, local adivasis claim that they have protected and maintained the area sustainably for hundreds of generations, and are happy with their isolated way of life, asking 'what is development, and who is it for?'[13]. At no point in the proposal is it suggested that the anti-mine viewpoint of the vast majority of locals should be respected, but instead the focus is entirely on reconciling them with the reality that it will happen. The proposal confidently suggests the likelihood of project success is 8/10[14].

The BPD proposal suggests 'strong similarities with the Sarshatali project (West Bengal)', another BPD coal mining project criticised as detrimental by a corporate watch investigation[15].

The FoI also revealed that BPD funded a Norsk Hydro consultant $18,000 for a 2 week visit to India in September 2000 (2 months before the shootings)[16]

On 22nd January 2001 a letter to DfID from the BPD Natural Resources Cluster (housed at CARE International offices), announces that as a result of the Maikanch shootings the BPD's involvement in the project will be suspended until at least the end of January, after the Utkal board have met[17]. The letter argues that conflict resolution is needed immediately, and offers its guidance on the issue, including its attendance at the next Utkal board meeting. It identifies the failure of its efforts to create effective local partnerships due to resistance to the project, and its perception in the local community as a 'mediator', which it claims it is not[18].

Clusters and Partners

BPD had 4 clusters of operation, each with varying members from all sectors. According to their website these were;

  • Natural Resources Cluster: (oil, gas and mining companies) to develop guidelines/ systems / structures for dealing with community issues and mitigating risk by optimizing development impact on host communities through tri-sector partnerships. Co-convenors: BP Amoco, WMC Resources Ltd, CARE International and the World Bank Group.[19]

Partners: Anglo American Corporation plc | BP | CARE International | Integrated Coal Mining Private Ltd (ICML/CESC) | International Council on Metals and the Environment | Norsk Hydro | Phelps Dodge | Placer Dome | Rio Tinto | Shell International | UK Department for International Development | WMC Resources Ltd. | The World Bank Group.[20]

  • Water & Sanitation Cluster: to identify specific lessons learned about partnerships from existing projects which are providing responsive and affordable water services to urban poor and to demonstrate that these can be replicated and scaled-up to national and regional levels. Co-convenors: Générale des Eaux (Vivendi), WaterAid and the World Bank Group.[21]

Partners: Aguas de Barcelona | Anglian Water | CARE International | Durban Metro Water Services | Vivendi | Hydro-Conseil | International Secretariat for Water | International Water Ltd. | The Mvula Trust | Northumbrian Water | Programme Solidarité Eau | Ondeo | Thames Water | UK Department for International Development | Unicef | WaterAid | The World Bank Group.[22]

  • Global Partnership for Youth Development: to identify and share what works in building successful partnerships for youth, the next generation of labourers and consumers. Then to create/work through existing national and global infrastructures to mobilize significant new resources in order to strengthen and scale up best practices in youth development. Co-convenors: Kellogg's, the International Youth Foundation and the World Bank Group.[23]

Partners: American Express | Ayala Corporation | Children & Youth Foundation of the Philippines | Cisco Systems | Financial Times/Pearson plc | Inter-American Development Bank | International Youth Foundation | Kellogg Company | Lions Clubs International | Microsoft | Nike Corporation | Shell International | UNESCO | USAID | Visteon Automotive Group | The World Bank Group | World Vision | Youth Service America.[24]

Partners: 3M | African Development Bank | Alliance Internationale de Tourisme | Asian Development Bank | BP | DaimlerChrysler | Dutch Government | European Commission | Ford Motor Company | Infrastructure Development Institute (Japan)| Inter-American Development Bank | International Center for Alcohol Policies | International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies | International Road Transport Union | Japan GRSP Committee | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (USA) | Shell International Petroleum Co Ltd | Swedish Government | Transport Research Laboratory (UK) | UK Department for International Development | UN-Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific | UN-Economic Commission for Africa | UN-Economic Commission for Europe | Volvo Car Corporation | The World Bank Group.[26]


Knowledge Resource Group: A facilitating and tool providing group which could be used by the other clusters. Partners: Civicus | The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders' Forum | The World Bank Group | the Ford Foundation | U.K. Department for International Development.[27]

Affiliations

People

Natural Resources Cluster:

BPD Water and Sanitation:

Global Road Safety Partnership:

Global Partnership for Youth Development:

BPD contacts at the World Bank Group:

Funding

Clients

Publications

Resources

Notes

  1. ↑ Business Partners for Development website Frequently Asked Questions Accessed 22/04/10
  2. ↑ Richard Whittel, Corporate watch Dodgy development: DfID in India January 28, 2010 Accessed 30/04/10
  3. ↑ Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' Orient Blackswan
  4. ↑ Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' Orient Blackswan
  5. ↑ Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' Orient Blackswan
  6. ↑ Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' Orient Blackswan
  7. ↑ Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' Orient Blackswan
  8. ↑ Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' p.125. Orient Blackswan
  9. ↑ 'Business Partners for Development, Natural Resources Cluster Project Proposal'. Disclosure 1c. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010
  10. ↑ 'Business Partners for Development, Natural Resources Cluster Project Proposal'. Disclosure 1c. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010
  11. ↑ 'Business Partners for Development, Natural Resources Cluster Project Proposal'. Disclosure 1c. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010
  12. ↑ 'Business Partners for Development, Natural Resources Cluster Project Proposal'. Disclosure 1c. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010
  13. ↑ Das, S. and Padel, F. 2010,'Out of this earth: East India Adivasis and the aluminium cartel' p.125. Orient Blackswan
  14. ↑ 'Business Partners for Development, Natural Resources Cluster Project Proposal'. Disclosure 1c. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010
  15. ↑ Richard Whittel, Corporate watch Dodgy development: DfID in India January 28, 2010 Accessed 30/04/10
  16. ↑ Email to Natural Resources Cluster, BPD, 19th Sept 2000, Disclosure 2. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010.
  17. ↑ Letter to DfID from BPD Natural Resources Cluster. 22nd Jan 2001.Disclosure 3. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010.
  18. ↑ Letter to DfID from BPD Natural Resources Cluster. 22nd Jan 2001.Disclosure 3. FoI response from DfID, April 27, 2010.
  19. ↑ Business Partners for Development website KRG Home Accessed 22/04/10
  20. ↑ Business Partners for Development website Partners Accessed 22/04/10
  21. ↑ Business Partners for Development website KRG Home Accessed 22/04/10
  22. ↑ Business Partners for Development website Partners Accessed 22/04/10
  23. ↑ Business Partners for Development website KRG Home Accessed 22/04/10
  24. ↑ Business Partners for Development website Partners Accessed 22/04/10
  25. ↑ Business Partners for Development website KRG Home Accessed 22/04/10
  26. ↑ Business Partners for Development website Partners Accessed 22/04/10
  27. ↑ Business Partners for Development website Partners Accessed 22/04/10
  28. ↑ Business Partners for Development website Contacts Accessed 22/04/10
  29. ↑ Zadek net Full CV Accessed 22/04/10
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