University of Oxford, Respond to Paradise Papers: Commit to Transparency and Ethical Investment!
Dear Lord Patten, Chancellor of The University of Oxford, Professor Louise Richardson Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, University of Oxford Council and the Oxford University Finance Departments,
On Monday 6 November, the leak of the Paradise Papers revealed that the University of Oxford and many of its colleges invest substantial funds in offshore tax haven schemes. The papers revealed Oxford’s shockingly non-transparent investments in companies which, in addition to evading taxes, prey on the poor and disabled and fund technologies for exploiting the environment.
This use of funds is morally questionable and unacceptable for a university committed to generating knowledge and advancing society for the future. As a global leader in higher education, we ask that you set an example in response to this disappointing report and commit to the following:
TRANSPARENCY: Full disclosure of the University’s direct and indirect investments in offshore tax haven accounts and fossil fuels.
DIVESTMENT: Withdraw immediately from existing investments in companies (including Coller International and Brighthouse) that:
Prey on the poor and disabled
Engage in offshore drilling
Fund dangerous fossil fuel expansion exploration technology
ETHICAL INVESTMENT: Pledge immediately and publicly to cease future investments in tax haven offshore accounts, especially those that engage in the above.
-Sincerely, University of Oxford Faculty, Students and the global Oxford community
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Dear Lord Patten, Chancellor of The University of Oxford, Professor Louise Richardson Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, University of Oxford Council and the Oxford University Finance Departments,
From:
[Your Name]
On Monday 6 November, the leak of the Paradise Papers revealed that the University of Oxford and many of its colleges invest substantial funds in offshore tax haven schemes. The papers revealed Oxford’s shockingly non-transparent investments in companies which, in addition to evading taxes, prey on the poor and disabled and fund technologies for exploiting the environment.
This use of funds is morally questionable and unacceptable for a leading global university committed to generating knowledge and advancing society for the future.
As a global leader in higher education, we ask that you set an example in response to this disappointing report and commit to the following:
TRANSPARENCY: Full disclosure of the University’s direct and indirect investments in offshore tax haven accounts and fossil fuels.
DIVESTMENT: Withdraw immediately from existing investments in companies (including Coller International and Brighthouse) that:
Prey on the poor and disabled
Engage in offshore drilling
Fund dangerous fossil fuel expansion exploration technology
ETHICAL INVESTMENT: Pledge immediately and publicly to cease future investments in tax haven offshore accounts, especially those that engage in the above.
-Sincerely, University of Oxford Faculty, Students and the global Oxford community