Protesters 'Stifling' Globalisation Debate

By Alan Jones, Industrial Correspondent, PA News


A business leader today warned anti-globalisation protesters that they were “stifling” debate about issues, including how to help the world’s poor.

George Cox, director general of the Institute of Directors, said globalisation needed to be discussed openly across business and society.

As he opened the IoD’s annual convention in London, scores of protesters staged a demonstration outside the conference venue, briefly halting traffic as they staged a sit-down protest.

Mr Cox apologised to the 2,500 delegates for inconvenience caused by the strict security at the Royal Albert Hall, which led to a 15-minute delay in the opening of the conference.

He accused the protesters of stifling debate and said they themselves were part of globalisation.

“They are an international movement, they communicate with satellite phones, they wear their Nike gear, travel by global airlines and plan their demonstrations using perhaps the greatest of all drivers of globalisation – the Internet.

“To call for an end to globalisation is to call for an end to the weather – it is unstoppable.”

Mr Cox said people living in poverty did not fear globalisation, they were only afraid that it would pass them by.

“Globalisation isn’t the best hope for the poor of the world, it is the only hope.”