GTZ, together with business partner, the Foreign Trade Association of the German Retail Trade (AVE), has launched a project to introduce uniform standards to improve working conditions in factories of China-based suppliers to the German retail trade. The project is part of a larger initiative that seeks to improve factory working conditions in eleven countries.

A core component of the initiative is the convening of regular Round Table meetings, organized by GTZ, which provide an open and neutral environment for participants to discuss strategies and issues related to CSR adoption in China. Participants consist of a diverse range of stakeholders including private and public sector, as well as representatives of Chinese civil society. The project was launched in February 2004 with a series of workshops in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The first national Round Table event was held during November 2004. An additional three round tables were convened during 2005 and 2006 respectively. ... More