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Article

16 Oct 2001

Author:
James Harding, Financial Times

Unilever funds anti-capitalists: Groups gain millions through Ben & Jerry's takeover

Unilever, one of the world's biggest multinationals, has given millions of dollars through its Ben & Jerry's subsidiary to anti-globalisation protest groups and critics of corporate greed...The company has made Dollars 5m (Pounds 3.4m) available to various initiatives through Ben & Jerry's, the ice-cream company famous for its social conscience. Unilever gave the money to Ben & Jerry's Foundation when it bought the company last year...Unilever has been a leading advocate of trade liberalisation, arguing that open markets and multinational businesses improve choices, knowledge and living standards around the world. Executives at the company were aware when they agreed to set aside the funds for the Ben & Jerry's foundation that the money was likely to help fund anti-globalisation causes. But executives at Unilever said it was felt the money could not be donated with caveats barring support for anti-globalisation groups.