"1 The business imperative for action

Domestic and multinational companies have an increasingly important role to play in conflict prevention and resolution.  In today's global economy they have a growing commercial rationale for playing this role, in order to avoid the direct and indirect business costs of conflict and to reap the business benefits of peace.  They also have a moral imperative and leadership responsibility, given the increasingly central position of the private sector as decision-makers and influencers at the national and international level.

Almost all companies, in any industry sector, have an interest in helping to build peaceful and prosperous societies and a role to play by contributing to: equitable economic development; human development, especially education and health; environmental sustainability; good governance; social cohesion and respect for human rights.

Certain companies and industry sectors, most notably the defence, natural resource and infrastructure industries, have a particularly important responsibility to understand and address their direct roles as potential causes of conflict.  Others, such as banks, travel and tourism companies and companies providing products and services to humanitarian agencies, also have a direct and growing role in conflict prevention and resolution."