Hybrid event Wednesday 26 April 2023, 7 pm
Ecumenical Education Centre sanctclara, B5 19, 68159 Mannheim, Germany – or online
Language: German, contributions in English are welcome and will be translated into German
Please register by e-mail and indicate whether you wish to participate virtually or in person at dachverband[at]kritischeaktionaere.de.
The world is shaken by ever new crises. The Russian war of aggression, the associated supply crisis and the omnipresent climate catastrophe caused by centuries of overuse of fossil fuels are just some of the contexts in which the name BASF appears. BASF is also involved in the murder of striking mine workers in Marikana (South Africa), the destruction of the livelihoods of indigenous groups in Indonesia, slavery-like working conditions in Brazilian rice fields with the use of health-endangering pesticides, and millions of imprisoned Uyghurs in Chinese “re-education camps”.
As the world’s largest chemical company, BASF consumed as much gas at its Ludwigshafen headquarters in 2021 as the entire country of Switzerland. In the pursuit of the mobility transition, global demand for lithium and cobalt is rising – and BASF is right in the middle of it. The coveted resources are mainly found in the so-called Global South. This means that the new raw materials rush also carries a high risk of further environmental damage and human rights violations elsewhere for a supposedly “clean” German economy.
Whether with fossil or renewable energies, the billions in profits are preferably shown where the lowest taxes are to be paid. The successfully practised concept of tax avoidance leads to the fact that the city of Ludwigshafen, the location of the corporate headquarters with about 35,000 employees, is one of the most indebted cities in Germany.
On the eve of this year’s BASF Annual General Meeting, the Plough back the Fruits campaign will take a look at BASF’s connections with different parts of the world as outlined here in its event and wants to mobilise for joint action. You are cordially invited to discuss together with actors and to think further about the critique of the company.
Please register by e-mail and indicate whether you wish to participate virtually or in person at dachverband[at]kritischeaktionaere.de.
Programme
18:50 Online check-in
19:00 Welcome and introduction
19:05 Flashes from different parts of the world
- BASF and South Africa, Asanda Benya, Sociologist, Niren Tolsi, Journalist
- BASF and forced labour risks in China, Haiyuer Kuerban, Head of the World Uyghur Congress office Berlin
- BASF and pesticide use, Peter Clausing, PAN Germany
- BASF, Wintershall Dea and business in Russia, Sonja Meister, urgewald
- BASF; Ludwigshafen and its indebtedness
20:00 Questions and discussions
