“Those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience,” wrote CS Lewis.
This quote came to mind when Terex was singled out, among a list of other crane manufacturers, by an NGO called UANI (United Against Nuclear Iran).
In its Crane Campaign, the NGO is attempting to place pressure on the crane industry to prevent their machines being used in Iran’s nuclear plant building programme and, more horrifically, as apparatus
for public hangings in the rogue state.
The severity of the accusations – which implied Terex was breaking US sanctions and turning a blind eye to the executions – drew a quick response by the manufacturer.
In a statement it stated that it shared many of the NGO’s concerns regarding the Iranian regime, and re-iterated its SEC statements that it prohibits all new business transactions in Iran for itself and all of its subsidiaries as required by US law.
Considering the nature of UANI’s accusations, Terex showed remarkable and commendable restraint, especially as UANI seemed to be basing its claims on an old SEC filing.
For a while UANI’s shock tactics got what it wanted, earning publicity in the Wall Street Journal, among other media outlets. However these campaigns rely on forward momentum and, with Terex rebuking the claims, it soon fell down the Google ratings.
When UANI finally accepted that Terex had not been involved in the market for some time, did it apologise?
“We applaud Terex for ending its business in Iran, Any socially responsible company should be appalled at the possibility of having its products used for gruesome public executions.”
In other words, no, and another ill-judged campaign comes to rest on its own parapet. You have to question UANI’s approach, surely engaging the industry would’ve been a much better way to instigate change?
Not all NGO campaigns are so poorly thought out. As a journalist, I’ve witnessed how the WHO forced the tobacco industry to become more responsible.
I’ve seen how a number of other NGOs brought change in the way palm plantations are managed. I was in dialogue with ForestEthics when it made the paper industry accountable for its effect on sensitive wood and forest areas like Indonesia’s rain forests or North America’s ancient boreal regions.
The net result of these opposing forces has so frequently been positive change that I would argue that NGOs are necessary to make industries sustainable and allow them to re-invent and re-new.
Conversely when NGOs go hell-bent and on a warpath, they’ll unshackle themselves from industry engagement and continue publicity and fundraising campaigns that are unbound by restraint, playing on industries anchored by shareholders and regulation.
It’s bullets versus press releases and an unfair firefight.
It may generate publicity but it also leaves the very thing they are fighting for in jeopardy. Get the facts wrong and a NGO is an unaccountable bully, unelected, self-serving and money-making.
Indeed such an NGO is the worst kind of tormentor CS Lewis described. Fortunately there are many others that demonstrate the good that these organisations can and should do.
The WWF celebrates its 50th year in April and there are few that do not admire its mission of reversing and halting man’s “destruction of our environment”.
Thanks to the WWF, future generations have a better chance of enjoying our planet’s magically diverse spread of life. It’s a shining example of how an NGO should behave: striking a balance between spreading the word and pro-activism.
It also keeps its profile by engaging with industry and enterprise. There’s a good reason why its logo is – easily – one of the most recognised around. In fact, in terms of brand goodwill, I’ll happily argue it’s the biggest.
Thanks to NGOs and lobby groups like the WWF, the world is undoubtedly a better place. Their tireless and dogged work of informing and educating, remind us of our obligations and responsibilities as human beings. It’s just a shame that like any classroom, a few rogue pupils can ruin even the best lesson.
NGOs put up or shut up
It's time for NGOs to take responsibility for their actions too
“Those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience,” wrote CS Lewis.
This quote came to mind when Terex was singled out, among a list of other crane manufacturers, by an NGO called UANI (United Against Nuclear Iran).
In its Crane Campaign, the NGO is attempting to place pressure on the crane industry to prevent their machines being used in Iran’s nuclear plant building programme and, more horrifically, as apparatus
for public hangings in the rogue state.
The severity of the accusations – which implied Terex was breaking US sanctions and turning a blind eye to the executions – drew a quick response by the manufacturer.
In a statement it stated that it shared many of the NGO’s concerns regarding the Iranian regime, and re-iterated its SEC statements that it prohibits all new business transactions in Iran for itself and all of its subsidiaries as required by US law.
Considering the nature of UANI’s accusations, Terex showed remarkable and commendable restraint, especially as UANI seemed to be basing its claims on an old SEC filing.
For a while UANI’s shock tactics got what it wanted, earning publicity in the Wall Street Journal, among other media outlets. However these campaigns rely on forward momentum and, with Terex rebuking the claims, it soon fell down the Google ratings.
When UANI finally accepted that Terex had not been involved in the market for some time, did it apologise?
“We applaud Terex for ending its business in Iran, Any socially responsible company should be appalled at the possibility of having its products used for gruesome public executions.”
In other words, no, and another ill-judged campaign comes to rest on its own parapet. You have to question UANI’s approach, surely engaging the industry would’ve been a much better way to instigate change?
Not all NGO campaigns are so poorly thought out. As a journalist, I’ve witnessed how the WHO forced the tobacco industry to become more responsible.
I’ve seen how a number of other NGOs brought change in the way palm plantations are managed. I was in dialogue with ForestEthics when it made the paper industry accountable for its effect on sensitive wood and forest areas like Indonesia’s rain forests or North America’s ancient boreal regions.
The net result of these opposing forces has so frequently been positive change that I would argue that NGOs are necessary to make industries sustainable and allow them to re-invent and re-new.
Conversely when NGOs go hell-bent and on a warpath, they’ll unshackle themselves from industry engagement and continue publicity and fundraising campaigns that are unbound by restraint, playing on industries anchored by shareholders and regulation.
It’s bullets versus press releases and an unfair firefight.
It may generate publicity but it also leaves the very thing they are fighting for in jeopardy. Get the facts wrong and a NGO is an unaccountable bully, unelected, self-serving and money-making.
Indeed such an NGO is the worst kind of tormentor CS Lewis described. Fortunately there are many others that demonstrate the good that these organisations can and should do.
The WWF celebrates its 50th year in April and there are few that do not admire its mission of reversing and halting man’s “destruction of our environment”.
Thanks to the WWF, future generations have a better chance of enjoying our planet’s magically diverse spread of life. It’s a shining example of how an NGO should behave: striking a balance between spreading the word and pro-activism.
It also keeps its profile by engaging with industry and enterprise. There’s a good reason why its logo is – easily – one of the most recognised around. In fact, in terms of brand goodwill, I’ll happily argue it’s the biggest.
Thanks to NGOs and lobby groups like the WWF, the world is undoubtedly a better place. Their tireless and dogged work of informing and educating, remind us of our obligations and responsibilities as human beings. It’s just a shame that like any classroom, a few rogue pupils can ruin even the best lesson.
There’s a riot going on
It pays to train