Executives, Nader highlight the 28th annual Business Today conference
Business leadership and ethics were the focus of Business Today's 28th annual international conference, taking place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, where Ralph Nader '55 was keynote speaker Sunday.The conference, coordinated entirely by University undergraduates, gives 200 students the opportunity to interact with more than 80 corporate executives in the context of lectures, panel discussions and small seminars, which began Saturday and end today.Nader was one of several speakers to address aspects of this year's theme, "Leadership Under Fire: Overcoming the Challenges of Turbulent Times." He wove social and political commentary throughout his message to the aspiring business leaders."A just society is the most fundamental prerequisite of a prosperous economy," Nader said.He attributed the proliferation of various social catastrophes, such as poverty, unemployment and environmental devastation, to the combined power of certain international institutions, like the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization, and to global corporations."Global corporations put more power into hands that have no problem cutting deals with dictators," he said.In an exclusive interview, Nader conveyed his frustration with the U.S.