Today was an all business kind of day and to ensure I include specific parts for my travel journal assignment I will be going in depth in some political and ethical issues we discussed with two international political organizations today. Translation for family and friends: basically this isn’t going to be the most fun blog post to read so you may want to skip on!
We woke up, checked out of our hotel and went to our first visit for the day. We went to the ICRC, International Committee for the Red Cross. The ICRC is different from the national organizations of the Red Cross in many ways. Their main focus is working with the rights of individuals involved in armed conflict, especially prisoners of war. It was very interesting to learn that they are realistic in the sense that although the UN “prohibits” war, the ICRC understands that war will still take place and focus their attention on helping both side to maintain basic human rights. They are strict in their neutrality and are against aggressive methods of getting information like torture and try to meet with different countries and organizations to discuss these human rights.
The ICRC can be viewed from a very controversial standpoint in the sense that they give aid to all who need it. From our American standpoint I think most of us would fight to the death on this matter in agreeing with the ICRC, but take one step back. This means that if someone from Al-Kida, or another terrorist organization, is in need of assistance they would openly provide it. Their position is maintaining strict neutrality and by so doing allows them opportunities to help in trying to discuss human rights with both sides.
The major disconnect with this organization is the inability to enforce anything. For example the treatment of prisoners has been less than humane by the US government in many instances in both wars we are currently in, and the treatment of the prisoners of war in Guantanamo Bay. Although the ICRC has addressed these issues with the US government they really can’t do anything more than that. My feeling on this matter is that at least they are doing something. They are not fully successful in the ability to fix the various world conflicts or even ensuring human rights, but at least they trying to do SOMETHING! I found this visit very informative and really helped me to understand that there are not simple answers to the problems facing our world.
We had had a break for lunch and walked to this great little kabab place and of course I ordered my kabab sandwich and with a great tasting bottle of Coca Cola. It was delicious as usual, and we then walked around a bit. We had to meet back up with our group after lunch for our afternoon visit.
This afternoon we visited the WTO, the World Trade Organization. The WTO is an international organization made up of 153 countries who determine trade policies and procedures among the various nations. Our host was quite entertaining and very honest about the benefits and challenges of the WTO.
He works in a marketing type role sending out press releases and accompanying the WTO Chairman to international visits and other events. He had some really interesting stories about how in one negotiation round several countries finally came to an agreement and when our host was asking different countries later about conclusion they reached, none of them were particularly happy with the results of the negotiation. Our host talked about how a general consensus is met between the countries of the WTO. He said there is hardly a time where countries are 100 percent happy with how things work out, but that realistically compromises have to be met to move anything forward. We discussed that although multi-national corporations like Wal-mart do not have any specific say, but that the US or other host countries will protect the rights of these companies and help to expand trade. He attributed much of this to the fact that lobbying at home takes place and that this can really stalemate things when negotiations are trying to be met on a global scale.
It was a very fascinating visit. Switzerland has been known throughout history as always maintaining international neutrality and although they are located in the middle of the European Union they are not an EU member and still maintain this neutrality. This fact alone is one major benefit for international organizations like the WTO to be headquartered here, and many other international organizations utilize this neutral stance as well. (Olympic Committee Headquarters are in Lausanne)
Overall it was a very informative day. I really learned a lot and realized there are so many factors that go into play when you really start thinking on a global scale. There are so many different factors, cultures, motives, etc. that I am amazed we can communicate and work as well as we do with our international neighbors. It truly is amazing.
This day was less play and more business, but having these experiences has really open my mind in realizing that international business is everywhere and that most likely no matter what I do there will be some aspect of an international experience. I have also learned so much today about how politics and business are intertwined and the effects these two spheres have on one another.
After our visit we will headed back for our last night in Leysin at the Au Bel Air Hotel.
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