BARLOWORLD LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT
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2003
VISION – 2020
As 2003 moves towards its close, global economic and political patterns are assuming new
profiles. These will reshape human affairs, including business and world trade, as well as various
other interdependent relationships, over the next 10 to 20 years. The consequences of the
underlying changes may open the way to exploration of new advantages or create vulnerabilities
for citizens, corporate or otherwise, of many countries.
Even when acting together in terms of
international treaties or alliances, nation
states have limited outward influence.
Individually, such states have even weaker
external credentials.
Internally they are
becoming increasingly impotent regarding
protection of their citizens and property rights
and the provision of essential infrastructure
and services to support adequate life
prospects for the majority of citizens.
International frameworks of both public and
private law were considerably strengthened in
the second half of the twentieth century. This
was the result of efforts of inspired people
who, after the horrors of the Second World
War, saw the upholding of human dignity as
an imperative in the pursuit of peaceful
progress. The principal document, since
augmented by many complementary
initiatives, is the United Nations Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the
General Assembly in 1948.
As the Cold War ended, further progress was
made in extending respect for basic human
rights more extensively across the world. A
substantial proportion of European countries,
formerly subject to Soviet domination, were
transformed into democratic states with
market economies.
Perhaps the most notable feature supporting
wider recognition of human rights was the
eloquent strength of humility in South Africa.
This led to mutual public recognition of gross
violations of human rights by the protagonists
in many decades of conflict and struggle. It
was followed by well structured negotiations
at various levels of society and with
participation by all interested parties. The
climax was a peaceful transition of South
Africa to a democratic constitution. The
voting support of a vast majority of the total
population was independently assessed and
monitored through wide involvement of
international observers.
Globalisation, once an idealistic dream, was
becoming tangible. The General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade was dismantled. It was
replaced by a new World Trade Organisation.
Numerous bilateral and multilateral
agreements and treaties between nation
states regulate commerce all over the globe.
In some cases, of which the European Union
and the North American Free Trade
Association are the most important, clusters
of states have harmonised trade relations in
treaties and agreements overlaying their
historical national borders.
Two of these have made huge progress.
The United States has been, for over two
centuries, both a political and economic union
CORPORATE
CITIZENSHIP REPORT
The goodwill of our customers, principals, employees,
intermediaries, and other stakeholders surrounding
them, was vital to our past success and will remain so
