In 2000, we held a summit with representatives from a broad range of stakeholder groups. The dialogue identified human rights as a key sustainability issue for multinational companies, such as Ford, with complex supply chains.
True to Our Heritage
We were surprised by the results of the summit. Human rights have never been a primary issue for the auto industry. However, an emphasis on basic standards of human rights for all people resonated with our heritage. We also recognized that, as the world globalizes, all companies will need to effectively manage the relationships between their operations, their employees and the broader communities on which they depend.
By developing human rights policies and processes for our company and our suppliers, and by encouraging dialogue within our industry, we can stay ahead of this rapidly evolving issue and preserve our license to operate.