The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation Offically Revokes Endorser Status of the Government of Sudan to the Global Sullivan Principles

Press Release

The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation formally revokes the Government of Sudan’s status as “Endorser” to the Global Sullivan Principles (GSP).

The Global Sullivan Principles of Corporate Social Responsibility proudly announced the endorsement by ten African Heads of State in July 2006, at the Sullivan Summit VII in Abuja, Nigeria. The endorsement proved to be a noteworthy moment for the Global Sullivan Principles – marking the first code of corporate social responsibility to be endorsed by so many African leaders in one gathering. The Global Sullivan Principles, which arose from the original Sullivan Principles on South Africa establishing corporate responsibility guidelines for U.S. corporations doing business in their country, have a strong and lengthy history in Africa – one which the GSP proudly champions and is proudly championed by our signatories in Africa.

Becoming a signatory to the Global Sullivan Principles entails a deep commitment to moral, ethical, political, social and environmental principles that are consistent with international norms, such as those established by the United Nations. Signatories to the GSP not only adhere to the Principles, themselves, but also promote and advocate on behalf of the Principles in the societies, business places and countries in which they operate.

“The GSP reserves the right to remove any organization or government from claiming endorser status if they fail to honor its tenets,” said GSP Core Committee Chairman and Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and Diversity for General Motors, Rod Gillum.  “Clearly Sudan does not honor these principles in its actions toward its own citizens.”

The Sudanese government’s lack of commitment to the civil, political and social liberties of its citizens runs counter to the GSP Declaration from the Summit, which states that its endorsers are “dedicated to the cause of Africa and mindful of the importance of democracy, accountability and human rights.”

The Sullivan Foundation’s constituents and stakeholders have expressed grave concerns over Sudan’s involvement in the genocide in Darfur and the massive transgressions on its population’s political, civil and social liberties. To this end, the Global Sullivan Principles will remove the Government of Sudan from holding “Endorser” status with the GSP until the issues of concern have been urgently and fully addressed.

In our efforts to bring greater attention to the need for a peaceful resolution to the genocide in Darfur and the security of its citizens, the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, parent organization to the Global Sullivan Principles, will hold a Town Hall meeting on June 8, 2007, in Philadelphia, PA, to address the international community’s role in ending the genocide in Darfur. The Town Hall will join forces with other international NGOs advocating for the international community to significantly step up its efforts at ending the conflict. Please visit www.thesullivanfoundation.org for more information on this upcoming Town Hall Meeting.