The global refugee crisis unfolding across Europe, Africa and the Middle East proves that people’s destinies across the planet are inextricably intertwined. Violent conflict in one part of the world can no longer be ignored by those living elsewhere.
As the world’s leaders descend on Davos, Switzerland, for the annual World Economic Forum, they should remember that addressing this humanitarian crisis is in the interest of all – including the private sector, which knows that business cannot thrive in societies that fail.
The case for collaborative problem-solving has never been stronger. A crisis of this magnitude requires solutions in which public policies are met by responsible business operations, new business models, investment, innovation and technology. Governments, the United Nations (UN), civil society and aid organizations are making this connection – turning to the private sector to complement existing efforts and find ways to meet the needs of refugees on the move.
Many companies are already taking action by providing much needed financial support to UN agencies, funds and programs, as well as to other partners responding to the crisis.
Yet business leadership can extend far beyond financial donations. In September, the UN Global Compact, in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), launched the Business Action Pledge in Response to the Refugee Crisis to encourage the private sector to help with widespread societal disruption. It calls on companies with operations or supply chains in countries that are producing or receiving refugees – or helping them on their journeys – to take action.
Deutsche Telekom has built Wi-Fi hotspots for refugee shelters
Companies can foster social cohesion, intergroup dialogue and relationship-building. They can also offer core business expertise and research and development (R&D) assets to develop products and services catering to displaced people. For example, Deutsche Telekom has built Wi-Fi hotspots for refugee shelters, offered unused real estate for reception facilities, and introduced internship and scholarship programs for refugees.
Leading companies are also leveraging innovation and changing their business models to serve societal needs. Pearson, for instance, has committed to helping develop products and services that help improve youths’ access to quality education in emergencies.
In spite of these promising examples of business leadership, more needs to be done to better enable the private sector to contribute. There is not yet wide-scale understanding of how the humanitarian community can leverage the knowledge, resources and skills of business in complex humanitarian emergencies, or what the most effective ways for businesses to support these efforts are. But the response so far should make the world optimistic that these partnerships are starting to hit their stride.
Ultimately, the most valuable responses to humanitarian emergencies are long term. And no approach is more cost-effective than conflict prevention. Through the Business for Peace platform, the UN is enabling companies operating in conflict-affected areas to identify and manage risks and opportunities, and to conduct business in a responsible way that helps address the root causes of conflict.
As the number of displaced persons continues to increase, 2016 needs to be when public and private sectors truly embrace the importance of business contributions to peace and make collaboration imperative. The private sector has a critical role to play and businesses are ready to show that they can be a force for good.
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