FAQ

What is the aim of SwedWatch?
SwedWatch’s objective is to bring about concrete improvements in developing countries when business activities are environmentally or socially unsatisfactory. We do this by informing the public through the Swedish media. Our work is carried out with as much transparency as possible, with respect to all parties involved.

Why is SwedWatch needed?
SwedWatch believes that increased understanding and external pressure are needed in order to make all companies take full environmental and social responsibility for their actions, in accordance with international conventions.

Many companies have begun a process of acting more responsibly. They are appointing special representatives and they are adopting environmental and social policies. However, without independent assessment, their work sometimes tend to be more related to public relations activities in their home countries, than to concrete changes that benefit employees and local communities in the developing world.

What are the methods of SwedWatch?
SwedWatch’s researchers do field studies and pay personal visits to companies where there is reason to believe that conditions are environmentally or socially unsatisfactory. Indications of problems may come from local groups, employees, environmental groups, unions, aid workers and organisations, the media, etcetera.

The information gathered during the research and the case studies are summarized in reports that are spread through our newsletters, website and press releases. The companies in question get to read the report before the information is made public.

SwedWatch also makes desk studies. These are usually smaller studies, based on different available sources and interviews on a specific issue.

In order to make sure that the unsatisfactory conditions are removed, SwedWatch conducts follow-up articles or reports on all the cases, in order to messure the actions taken by the companies and also to ensure that local groups or employees haven't been subjected to reprisals afterwards.

We cooperate with NorWatch in Norway, FinnWatch in Finland and other organizations across Europe that are working on CSR.

What is the relation between SwedWatch and its memberorganisations?
All our investigations are connected to one or several of our member organisations. The member organisations formulate recommendations and demands directed towards the companies concerned. They are also active during the media release of the report. They may organize seminares, information campaigns and engage in dialogue with the companies.

When did SwedWatch start and what have been achieved so far?
SwedWatch started its activities in May 2002. Since then we have published articles and reports on pulp and paper issues in Indonesia and Brazil, mining activities in Ghana, Swedish trade with Burma, imports of fruit from Chile and South Africa and toy manufacturing in China.