Robinson concerned by Iraqi rights violations
Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson's work toward the infusion of ethics and human rights into the globalization movement did not end in September with her term as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. On the contrary, she's recently become involved in the Ethical Globalization Initiative, which is striving to increase government accountability for human rights standards, especially in African nations, through, among other things, support for universal primary education and increased research for HIV/AIDS. Robinson strongly believes that human rights are integral to a positive globalization movement. "The human rights framework adds value to how we view globalization," she said, remarking that globalization is inevitable in our modern world, and that it is "beating the waves" to take a Luddite stance against the movement. Robinson acknowledged that trade is essential to the development of nations, but that the way in which it is often practiced is not optimal for an ethical globalization, saying that other values should be incorporated. "It's important to recognize that the dominant influence on globalization is twofold," she said, citing market forces that create wealth for those already in power, and the privatization of what were previously government-based programs in many countries, such as education, health and prison systems. "At a certain point that is going to create difficulties in maintaining standards," Robinson said, referring to the factor of profitability reducing services in privately-operated institutions.