An Interfaith Declaration: A Code of Ethics on International Business for Christians, Muslims and Jews

Origin .   The Declaration emerged from a series of consultations between distinguished Christians, Muslims, and Jews, which took place under the patronage of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Crown Prince Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan, and Sir Evelyn de Rothschild.   Discussion of the Declaration’s terms began in 1988 and concluded in 1993.

Purpose.   The Declaration aims to establish an ethical basis for international businesses, formulated in terms of the shared moral and spiritual values of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism – the Abrahamic ethical tradition common to these religions.   It provides principles and guidelines to help practitioners identify the role they and their organizations should play in the community, and to support problem-solving.

Critical Content .   The Declaration identifies four ethical principles common to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism:

·        Justice :   Fairness, and the exercise of authority in the maintenance of right

·        Mutual Respect :   Reciprocal regard between individuals

·        Stewardship :   Trusteeship of God’s creation

·        Honesty :   Truthfulness and reliability in thought, word, and action.

The Declaration also articulates guidelines intended to help business practitioners activate these broad principles on three different levels:

·        The economic system within which business activity takes place

·        The strategy and policies of individual organizations

·        The behavior of individual employees

Implementation .   The Declaration is offered as a touchstone for ethical reflection by business managers, organizations, and those who advise companies.   Recommended implementation steps include (1) endorsement by the “highest level of business management”; (2) communication to all employees; and (3) “a method for seeing its precepts are carried out”.

To view this code in its entirety, please visit: http://astro.ocis.temple.edu/~dialogue/Codes/cmj_codes.htm

29 January 2002