I looked into the RGS/IBG position a few years ago when I was confronted
with my continued non-membership. It seemed to me then that the RGS/IBG had
strong enough sentiments in its mission statement etc. but that there was
no mechanism to convert those sentiments into any rigorous form of
accountability. So deciding that the sentiments were mere window dressing I
did not rejoin although I did explain why to a few people on the RGS
Council. A simple set of demands would be: a. that the RGS/IBG review how
other learned societies have implemented an ethical investments/sponsorship
policy that has teeth. b. The RGS/IBG should set up a mechanism whereby
unethical associations can be identified and terminated.
Gerry Kearns
On Nov 27 2007, Duncan Fuller wrote:
>Hi Kelvin
>
>
>
>Well, a basic response...:
>
>
>
>* who is coordinating it? This goes back a number of years.
>The session at the last IBG originally entitled Shell and the RGS was
>convened (I believe) by Paul Chatterton and Larch Maxey; subsequently a
>number of people expressed interest in taking any actions further...
>
>* do we have a proposal? There were a range of 'proposals' for
>action discussed after that session - some are, I believe, in hand,
>others still to be coordinated...
>
>* an agreed response? Not as such; if anything was learnt from
>the Elsevier 'victory' its probably that a range of responses need to be
>undertaken...
>
>* an alternative to Shell? Erm, any ethically sound company
>that's not apparently involved in environmental damage, gas flaring, oil
>spills, wrecking local inhabitant's lives etc etc etc etc etc...
>
>* Where do we access campaign information - in fact, what's the
>campaign even called? I'm not sure, but I'm also not sure it needs a
>name...
>
>
>
>From where I'm at the details aren't really that important - it just
>seems incredibly inappropriate and ironic for the RGS to be taking money
>from an oil company, especially (if especially is needed) one that has
>such an apparently questionable record in the Niger Delta.
>
>
>
>Hopefully others with a little more knowledge than me will add in the
>details!
>
>
>
>
>
>________________________________
>
>From: Discussion list on participatory geographies
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kelvin Mason
>Sent: 26 November 2007 12:23
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: RGS/IBG MEMBERSHIP
>
>
>
>I have just received my RGS/IBG membership renewal - so I'm guessing
>others have too?
>
>
>
>From last year's conference sessions I understand we have a campaign to
>boycott membership because of RGS/IBG accepting funding fro Shell.
>
>
>
>Before I let RGS/IBG know that I'm not renewing my membership, however,
>I'd like to be a bit clearer about the campaign: who is coordinating it,
>do we have a proposal, an agreed response, an alternative to Shell?
>Where do we access campaign information - in fact, what's the campaign
>even called? (I'm sure its prime-movers will respond)
>
>
>
>Let me know if you have more information than me and whether or not you
>are renewing.
>
>
>
>Cheers
>
>
>
>Kelvin Mason
>
>
>
>Aberystwyth University PLC (formally University of Wales Aberystwyth)
>
>
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