Speeches and Articles by U.S. Consul General James B. Cunningham

Ethical Interdependence

Remarks by James B. Cunningham
Consul General of the United States of America in Hong Kong and Macau
To Participants in the Dragon Foundation's Global Citizenship Program
June 5, 2007

U.S. Consul General James Cunningham with students and other invited guests of honor at the commissioning ceremony for the Dragon Foundation's Global Citizenship Program 2007.

Thank you, Dr. Wong, for that kind introduction.

Thanks, also, to the Dragon Foundation for asking me back to join you today. It is always a pleasure to meet with the fine young people chosen to participate in your programs. I want to congratulate all you students. You are about to go abroad, some of you for the first time, and this is often a life-changing experience. It was for me when I went overseas the first time, when I was in college.

The theme of this year's Global Citizenship Program, Ethical Interdependence, is important. Trusting and relying on each other, and "doing the right thing" in order to build that trust and reliance, is a key element in realizing the global community-building and social harmony that are the Dragon Foundation's goals.

We live in an increasingly interconnected world of nation-states, international organizations, multi-national business, and international non-governmental organizations. All of us, wherever we live, face great transnational challenges such as war, terrorism, infectious disease, creating prosperity, climate change, and pollution. Throughout human history, there has never been a time of greater dependence on others for our own well-being. This interdependence is a defining fact of the 21st century.

As a former U.S. representative to the United Nations, I have personally seen the positive impact successful cooperation between nations can exert, and, conversely, the difficulties when nations' behavior falls short of what it should be. When two countries sign a treaty or agreement, this can provide the framework to do great good. But those who make such commitments must put forward every effort to respect and keep them. Otherwise, treaties have little practical effect. A member of the community of nations enjoys certain rights and privileges.

But it also has duties: legal ones and ethical ones. We must both follow the letter of agreements which we sign, but also try to live up to the spirit of those agreements as well. A responsible member of the community of nations participates in mutually agreed-upon means of resolving differences when disputes arise.

The more powerful the nation, the more important keeping commitments and behaving in a moral manner becomes. I am guessing that many of you young people have seen the recent "Spiderman" movies; if so, I am sure you remember the warning given to Peter Parker by his uncle: "With great power comes great responsibility."

This is precisely what America means when we use the term "responsible stakeholder." A country that benefits from the international system holds a stake in that system, has interests in that system. And because of this, it has the obligation to act responsibly to maintain and develop that system.

This is an ideal to which we Americans try to hold ourselves accountable, even though we don't always succeed. It is the ideal that we encourage our fellow nations, in particular a rising China, to aspire to as well.

It is by such mutual and reciprocal obligations and commitments that relationships and communities are constituted. And so such ethical obligations exist in many kinds of communities, in various fields.

Some people make fun of the term "Business ethics" by saying it is an oxymoron, that is, a term that contradicts itself. They point to news items about the misdoings of some corporations and businesspeople, and say "how can business possibly have ethics?"

In fact, individual business relationships, and the very fabric of the global financial system itself, could not exist long without ethics. Businesses, domestic and international financial institutions, and government regulators all should follow ethical rules. Otherwise, trade and commerce are harmed.

Businesspeople have an obligation to discharge contracts, to follow government regulations, and to respect their shareholders. Government officials have an obligation to businesses to be honest, fair, and transparent in enforcing regulations. For example, they should ensure fair bidding practices and protect Intellectual Property Rights.

These traditional precepts of business ethics have been expanded recently to include new concepts. One of these is the idea of "corporate social responsibility." Proponents argue that investors should make financial choices based in part on a company's track record of being a responsible member of the community. Similarly, human rights and environmental groups have also successfully focused attention on businesses' practices toward labor and environmental protection. Others seek to ensure that the burdens and benefits of globalization are shared fairly.

Let me cite one more example of the importance of ethics in maintaining a two-way relationship: the relationship between press and government. Virtually all governments recognize in some degree the importance of the press in keeping citizens informed.
A free press can act as a watchdog to make sure that ethical standards are maintained across all sectors of society. The press thus has great power.

Once again, this comes with responsibility: to report fairly, truthfully, and, to the extent possible, without bias. Governments, for their part, should ensure that the press is neither overtly silenced nor covertly intimidated.

The benefits of "ethical interdependence" are easy to see. When all parties act as they should, we live in a safer, more stable, and more prosperous world.

In its absence, we risk instability, unsafe food and medicines, proliferation of crime, weapons, and other dangers, corruption, and injustices of many varieties.
It is thus incumbent upon all of us to behave ethically, amend our behavior when wrong, and also to seek to help correct the abuses of others.

As you all move into positions of influence in the future, as I am sure you will, please remember the lessons you will learn during your participation in this program.

Be the kind of leader who takes responsibility for his or her actions, who keeps commitments, who maintains a personal code of morality when temptation or convenience suggest a different path.

Someday a new generation of youth will look to you when they seek a model for an ethical leader and a good global citizen.

Thank You.