Max Havelaar Lecture

Poverty alleviation constitutes a multi-faceted problem. It is on the one hand extremely local and leads to enormous deprivation of at least half of the world’s population. But on the other hand, it is an extremely international problem as well through the operation of global markets – in particular of resources – and the functioning of value chains. It has increasingly become acknowledged that the role of corporations and the private sector is vital for sustainable solutions to poverty.

The Max Havelaar lecture stimulates the thinking on poverty issues in a balanced manner, without making use of the usual simplifications either in support or against the involvement of firms in development. The Max Havelaar Foundation is proof of this approach: it is aiming at a continuous improvement in its strategy towards labelling products – increasingly in a variety of partnerships with NGOs, corporations and governments.

Read more about the background, the aims and organization of the Max Havelaar Lecture

The Max Havelaar Lectures are organised by:

Lecture 2010

Power and Responsibility

Date: Wednesday 27 october 2010
Time: 14.00 — 16.30
Location: Erasmus University Rotterdam

‘With great power, comes great responsibility’. This is the motto of the struggling hero Spiderman. The continuous struggle of Spiderman with grasping his powers as well as linking this to his responsibilities not only provides an exiting sequel, but also a strong metaphor for the struggle of big corporations around the world when confronted with the challenges of fair trade. Society contains immense power asymmetries, but does that also imply power abuse and unfairness?

The fourth Max Havelaar lecture will concentrate on the question whether corporate power can be a force for good (defined as the interlinked aims of human rights and sustainable development) and under what conditions?

The Max Havelaar lecture always tries to look at these questions from four different angles: science, corporate, government and civil society. Keep an eye on this website, speakers will be announced soon!

Register now!