Logos Research, Business Diplomacy, Karolien Bais, corporate responsibility, failing states, conflict regions, business diplomats, dilemma, ethical entrepreneurs, cultural intelligence, peace promotion, multinational corporation, NGO, dialogue

<p> With a well-designed strategy, multinational corporations, NGOs and governments in conflict regions can contribute to peace and stability. Logos Research has expertise in this field. <br /><br /> We analyze the different interests in a cultural context, study experiences, advise, and support transparency through our publications and reports. </p> <p> Karolien Bais is an investigative reporter. She grew up in Indonesia, the Caribbean region, and Nigeria. She studied journalism in the Netherlands and has been a travelling journalist working for Dutch media since 1972. Her fields are international relations, development cooperation, and defense. Karolien Bais has published articles, surveys, and books on conflict-ridden countries such as Nigeria, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Cambodia, Bosnia-Herzegowina, Israel/Palestinian Territories, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Philippines, and China (Xinjiang region). </p> <p> She was the editor of an NGO’s newsletter and interim chief editor of the monthly magazine, “International Cooperation” of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. </p> <p> Mijnd Huijser is the managing director of CMC-Culture & Management Consulting since 1992 and senior consultant in cross-cultural management. Working and living in Southeast Asia, the Middle-East, and France for 15 years, he gained considerable experience in international business and intercultural cooperation. When he settled down in the Netherlands in 1991, he joint efforts with the ‘culture gurus’ Geert Hofstede and Fons Trompenaars as a cultural awareness trainer for Fortune 500 companies. </p> He specializes in cross-cultural communication, confidence building, and conflict management in a national or corporate cultural context. www.cmc-net.org </p> <p> Alone, business could not change the world. But together with public partners, business could make decisive contributions in the struggle against violence, against anarchy and against terrorism -- and for civilization, freedom and for prosperity." Heinrich von Pierer, CEO of Siemens AG <br /><br /> “The economic dimensions of armed conflict are often overlooked, but they should never be underestimated. The role of business, in particular, can be crucial, for good and for ill." Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General <br /><br /> "Sound governance includes the usual list of property rights, rule of law, transparency and so on, but it also includes business and the equitable sharing of economic development in the interests of society." Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, non-executive chairman of Anglo American. <br /><br /> How can ethical entrepreneurs, operating in conflict regions or failing states, contribute to stability and peace? This has been our leading question for the past few years. Having studied recent experiences in countries such as Colombia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Burma and Burundi, we have come up with four challenges that will have to be met. <br /><br /> The first challenge is to adopt the appropriate attitude. Peace promotion is not a matter of 'charity' nor of incidental or solitary actions. Understanding of the local situation and of all parties involved is a prerequisite, so that the peace process is a collaborative effort rather than being solely guided by the multinational corporation. <br /><br /> The second challenge is to design a strategy for peace promoting activities. This strategy should be implemented at both the level of the company's operations and the regional, national and international level. This implies a thorough knowledge of local networks, values and power mechanisms as well as an understanding of what is culturally effective for all parties. <br /><br /> The third challenge is to form alliances with governments and respected non-governmental organizations, local and international. <br /><br /> The fourth challenge is to develop skills to communicate with a large variety of stakeholder, in order to acquire a 'license to operate'. </p>