Financial Sector
The financial sector plays an important role in the functioning of
economies and societies worldwide. SOMO investigates the ways in which
banks, insurers and other financial conglomerates influence the lives
of people and poverty and sustainable development, especially in
developing countries.
SOMO studies not only private financial enterprises, but also the ways in which the financial sector is being regulated / liberalised internationally.
With these studies, SOMO tries to show how international government policy and CSR initiatives in this sector do or do not lead to sustainable development.
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Financial Sector News
Sustainable voting advice for investors
21-05-2012
This year the Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development (Vereniging van Beleggers voor Duurzame Ontwikkeling - VBDO) has issued sustainable voting advices which can be used when voting at the annual general meeting (AGM) of shareholders of Dutch stock exchange listed companies. Similar to previous years, the voting advice is partly based on research by SOMO.
New SOMO report on ING highlights corporate social responsibility issues
10-05-2012
SOMO has looked into ING’s holdings of controversial companies and its lobby on financial reform. SOMO concludes amongst others that ING can and should do more to stop its shareholdings in companies involved in the production of cluster ammunition and landmines.
Sticking up for UNCTAD
19-04-2012
“The financial sector should serve the public interest again. Regulation of financial services has to be done in conjunction with the reform of trade agreements. UNCTAD, the UN body for trade and development, is the preferred organisation to monitor this process in the interest of developing countries.” In support of UNCTAD, senior researcher Myriam Vander Stichele of SOMO will address the thirteenth UNCTAD conference with similar words in Doha, Qatar on Thursday.
New issue of EU Financial Reforms newsletter
30-03-2012
WEED and SOMO just issued another edition of the Newsletter on EU financial reforms. It covers many financial reform processes and events, including the draft report by the European Parliament (just released!), which affect people all over Europe and in the world as the editorial explains.
Protest rally against free trade agreement in India
10-02-2012
On the eve of the EU-India Summit in New Delhi on February 10th, SOMO has contributed to an analysis of the ongoing negotiations between the EU and India on a free trade agreement (FTA). Together with civil society organisations in India and Europe and its partner Madhyam, SOMO has expressed its concern about the negative impact of this FTA on vulnerable communities in India. Negotiators and politicians within the EU and in India have refused to listen to these objections. A protest rally by civil organisations, farmers and trade unions has therefore been held during the summit on February 10th.
