Page 12 - Luce 2021

International Perspectives

Reflections on the value of connection –
local and global

It is said that the most important things Globally, the pandemic has had
in life are the connections we make profound impacts on communities and
with others. With friends and family, disproportionately impacted certain
in business and politics, relationships groups, including the poorest and most
inspire our aspirations and grow our vulnerable among us. Small businesses
capacity to achieve. As we emerge in globally were among the hardest hit and
parts of the world from the depths of earliest to succumb to the economic
the COVID-19 pandemic and reconnect
in ways that had for too long seemed impacts of the virus as lockdowns forced
impossible, we should take a moment to closures intended as temporary became
reflect on the importance of connecting permanent.
for the future we hope to construct
collectively. Perniciously, the pandemic struck our We did this in keeping with ICC’s
connectivity – prized as a pillar of purpose as an institution borne of
For the International Chamber of opportunity in a globalised world – like necessity at a time of great uncertainty.
Commerce (ICC), the institutional an Achilles’ heel. Global supply chains
representative of more than 45 million that had grown over time into complex ICC is independent, a not-for-profit and
businesses in more than 130 countries, webs quickly unravelled. politically unaligned – these important
building connections globally is a features enable us to bridge divides in
fundamental part of our work to promote As many countries without domestic challenging markets and to advance our
peace, prosperity and opportunity for all. producers of life-saving medical and mission even when geopolitical tensions
personal protective equipment found appear at their peak.
I have the great honour of being the themselves at risk of losing access to
first Australian to lead ICC since its their international suppliers, the impact Since those early days of the 20th
founding in 1919 in the aftermath of the of trade policy on human lives suddenly century when European and American
First World War. During my years as a came into stark relief. industrialists, aptly named ‘Merchants
young diplomat stationed in Russia and of Peace’, gathered to constitute ICC
Iraq, I learned the importance of forging From the pandemic’s onset, my priority in Paris, the organisation is anchored
bonds in challenging countries where the was to ensure ICC helped save lives in the belief that forging cross-border
strength of the relationships built made and livelihoods in the best ways we commercial exchanges and compliance
all the difference. could as an institution. In a first-ever with the international rule of law reduce
collaboration, ICC joined up with the the risk of war and contribute greatly to
After pivoting from the Foreign Service World Health Organisation to help preserving peace and rebuilding post-
to the private sector, I made ‘connected’ disseminate globally real time and conflict societies.
a core part of my approach to leading accurate health information at grass
the great Australian law firm, Corrs roots level. We informed businesses on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late
Chambers Westgarth and, more recently, recommended COVID-19 policies and February 2022, an unlawful act of
ICC. developed business continuity plans for aggression by the most populous country
small and medium-sized enterprises in in Europe has raised questions about
In my first two years as Secretary emerging and fragile economies. whether this tenet still applies. And
General, I devoted considerable time to while it is still too early to presage the
connecting with the people who form We also partnered with the World Trade longer-term fallout from Russia’s actions,
the global network of ICC, travelling to Organisation and the World Customs my confidence in the central premise
meet them and learn firsthand how their Organisation to advocate for maintaining embodied by ICC remains unshaken.
business communities were shaped and the much-needed flow of medical
growing. supplies, critical agricultural products Trade relations alone will never be
and other essential goods and services sufficient to prevent conflicts from
But as we all know, our ability to live this across borders. escalating, especially in the absence of
value to its fullest abruptly changed in democratic safeguards. But economic
early 2020. Working with the Organisation interdependence remains a significant
for Economic Co-operation and deterrent against armed conflict and is a
With the pandemic inducing lockdowns, Development (OECD), we acted to powerful motivator for seeking peace.
I found myself grounded in one city for safely revive international travel, which
the first time in many years – a change supports millions of businesses large In complement, the continued
I quickly came to appreciate for the and small, as well as the communities in development of the rule of law in its
precious time it afforded me with my which they operate. public and private forms increases
normally, very dispersed family. trust in relationships between states,
12 LUCE Number 20 2021