Fr. (Dr.) Frank Brennan, S.J. Delivers ‘25th Annual JRD Tata Ethics Oration on Business Ethics’ at XLRI

Fr. (Dr.) Frank Brennan, S.J. Delivers ‘25th Annual JRD Tata Ethics Oration on Business Ethics’ at XLRI

XLRI- Xavier School of Management, one of India’s premier B-Schools hosted the ‘25th Annual JRD Tata Oration on Business Ethics’ on November 26, 2016. Fr. (Dr.) Frank Brennan, S.J., Professor of Law, Australian Catholic University delivered the oration at XLRI Campus, Jamshedpur.

In his oration, Fr. Frank Brennan delved on the topic of – “The Placement of International Law in seeking Sustainable Development for India: Some Ethical Reflections”.

In the speech, he said, “My thesis this evening is that no matter what the economic, political and legal problems are confronted by modern day India, these problems can be better addressed and answered by a consideration of the profound truths and insights of all the religious traditions represented in this country. An application of the key principles and norms developed in the international law of trade and human rights, helping to enunciate the realm of law, regulation and political accountability, enhancing public scrutiny, providing the right environment for doing business, and that no matter how well developed the regulatory machinery, no matter how elaborate the constitutional separation of powers and the legislative provisions for accountability, there will always be a place for and a value-add from the national culture, corporate ethos and personal character. Thus there is a need to ensure that the national and ethnic cultures are sufficiently open to international influences and sufficiently grounded in the goodness and the daily concerns of the ordinary citizen. There is a need to create the right corporate ethos and an appropriate business environment, particularly in a country which is still ranked 138th in the global ratings for ease of business investment. Serving the needs and interests of our planet, in fact, just saving our planet, is the great contemporary challenge, while at the same time continuing to raise India’s poor out of poverty. Those who are privileged with wealth, power and honours need to see themselves as the primary custodians of the planet and as key contributors to the relief of dehumanising poverty.”

He pointed out, “The development of national laws and policies needs to be contoured by sufficient regard for the principles and values enunciated in international law. Laws and policies cannot be fully integrated into the life of the community unless the lawmakers and the policy makers are finely attuned to all that is noblest in their cultures and in their religious and philosophical traditions.”

He observed, “International law does not provide the answers for sustainable development in India. But there are piecemeal international developments which should assist Indian citizens and Indian decision makers at the cabinet table and in board rooms to make better decisions informed by all that is best in your religious traditions, in your national cultures, in the corporate cultures, being true to the people’s noblest sense of themselves and faithful to the character each of us is called to be and develop.”

The session was also attended by Mr. T. V. Narendran (Chairman, Board of Governors, XLRI & MD, Tata Steel Limited), Fr. E Abraham, S. J. (Director, XLRI), Dr. Ashis K. Pani (Dean [Academics], XLRI) and Fr. Oswald Mascarenhas, S.J. (JRD Tata Chair Professor of Business Ethics at XLRI).

In his welcome address, Fr. E Abraham, S. J. Director of XLRI said, “Ethics in most socio-economic contexts runs parallel to law and shows due consideration to others’ rights and interests in a civilized society. Ethics is a part and parcel of all disciplines of management like accounting, information technology, human resource management, sales and marketing, production, intellectual property rights, etc. Globalization has further complicated the ethical issues in business. Corporations have entered a new era, the “prove to me” era. There is an increasing expectation from stakeholders for businesses not only to say they are ethical, but to prove they have ethical values embedded throughout their organisation. The culture of an organisation is set by the tone at the top. Chief executives must lead by example. The senior management also needs to be trained to develop ethical sensitivity – an understanding of fairness, openness, transparency, integrity, responsibility to others and the ability to recognise conflicts of interest. Remaining ethical is not a static issue. It requires review and evaluation. Companies need to occasionally review their priorities and make necessary alterations. Otherwise, their standards and training become obsolete.”

“XLRI has always emphasized on the importance of adopting an ethical code of conduct within the corporate world. We believe that no management education curriculum is really complete, unless and until the students are instilled with a set of values that are necessary decision-making ingredients for the corporate manager today. It is for this reason that a core course on “Managerial Ethics” is offered to all our students at XLRI,” he further added.

XLRI – JRD Tata Foundation in Business Ethics
XLRI- Xavier School of Management, in association with a few select Tata Group Companies, established in 1991 the XLRI – JRD Tata Foundation in Business Ethics, to mark their long-standing commitment and contribution to business ethics in India. The Foundation seeks to address itself by publicly affirming the urgent need for ethics in business and the need to bring about a conducive culture in which it can thrive. The activities that are envisaged by this Foundation are an annual ‘JRD Tata Oration on Business Ethics’, recognition and presentation of the ‘JRD Tata Award for Business Ethics’ to an eminent person who has distinguished oneself in business ethics, and the setting up of the JRD Tata Chair in Business Ethics at XLRI for the advancement of research in this field.

XLRI is the first B-school in the country to introduce a core course on “Managerial Ethics” for both its HRM and BM programmes. Each year, XLRI confers a medal on the best student in Managerial Ethics at the institute’s annual convocation.

Brief Profile of Fr. (Dr.) Frank Brennan, S.J.
Fr. (Dr.) Frank Brennan, S.J. is a Jesuit priest, professor of law at Australian Catholic University and Adjunct Professor at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Australian National University College of Law and the National Centre for Indigenous Studies. He is the National Director of Human Rights and Social Justice for Jesuit Social Services, and superior of the Jesuit community at Xavier House in Canberra.

In February 2017, Frank will take up a new appointment as CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia. In May 2015 he returned to Australia, having spent a year as the Gasson Professor at the Boston College Law School. His most recent books include: No Small Change: The Road to Recognition for Indigenous Australia; Amplifying That Still, Small Voice; The Quest for Leadership in Church and State; and The 2015 Gasson Lectures: Maintaining a Convinced and Pondered Trust. An Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for services to Aboriginal Australians, particularly as an advocate in the areas of law, social justice and reconciliation, he was the recipient of the Migration Institute of Australia’s 2013 Distinguished Service to Immigration Award and of the 2015 Eureka Democracy Award in recognition of his endeavours which have contributed to strengthening democratic traditions in Australia.

In 2009, he chaired the Australian National Human Rights Consultation Committee. Frank serves on the board of the National Apology Foundation and the Advisory Council of the Global Foundation. His research interests include conscience and faith, human rights and the rule of law, and the rights of indigenous peoples and asylum seekers.

About XLRI
XLRI-Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur is a premier, private management institute in India founded in 1949 by Fr Quinn Enright, S.J. in the ‘steel city’ of Jamshedpur (www.xlri.ac.in). Over the last six decades, the institute has grown into a top-ranking business management school of international repute with a wide portfolio of management programs and research publications. Its alumni are spread around the globe and have demonstrated responsible business leadership in their organizations. XLRI continually strives to contribute its mite to the professional growth and management of numerous organizations and institutions across industry sectors. XLRI has been awarded two prestigious International Accreditations, viz., AACSB – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and AMBA – Association of MBAs. XLRI has also earned the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) accreditation.