What a difference social media makes. After initially declining to respond to an online conversation on the corporate social responsibility community website Justmeans, Royal Dutch Shell has finally agreed to participate in a unique stakeholder dialog regarding the Wiwa v. Shell case. 

On June 25, 2009, Justmeans will host a call which brings together concerned citizens, activists, industry experts and Shell executives – including Bjorn Edlund, Executive Vice President of Communications, Nick Welch, Head of Policy and External Relations and Nick Wood, Vice President of Communications.

“Over the past two weeks we have received an overwhelming response to Shell’s $15.5 million human rights settlement,” says Justmeans founder and CEO Martin Smith. “We are delighted that Shell has agreed to participate in this meaningful conversation, and we hope to help establish greater transparency between the company and the community it serves.”

According to a flurry of comments posted on the Justmeans web site (over 150 and counting), Just Means community members are interested to hear from Shell statements that have not yet been publicly issued, including:

•  Exactly what role does Shell play in the ongoing Ogoni struggle?

•  Have all Shell employees in Nigeria or elsewhere who were complicit in the Ogoni executions been dismissed by the company?

•  How will the company prevent such human rights tragedies from occurring again?

•  To what extent has the company reformulated its policies and practices regarding human rights and community outreach?

Justmeans cordially invites the online community to learn more – and to participate in the call.

The call is scheduled for Thursday, June 25th at 9:00 PDT / 12:00 EST / 5:00 GMT / 6:00 CET 

A call in number will be posted prior to the event.

RSVP to this event on Justmeans.