The Global Compact – Corporate Social Responsibility

The Global Compact is a direct initiative of the UN Secretary-General which invites companies, international labour and civil society organizations from all regions of the world to work together to advance ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.

At an address to the World Economic Forum on 31 January 1999, United Nation Secretary-General Kofi Annan challenged business leaders to join an international initiative – the Global Compact – that would bring companies together with UN agencies, labour and civil society to support universal environmental and social principles.

The Global Compact’s operational phase was launched at UN Headquarters in New York on 26 July 2000.

The Ten Principles

The Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of core values – Ten Principles - in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption.

The Global Compact's ten principles are derived from:

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• The International Labour Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
• The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
• The United Nations Convention Against Corruption

Follow this link to the Global Compact’s 10 Principles (opens in a new browser window)

Through the power of collective action, the Global Compact seeks to promote responsible corporate citizenship so that business can be part of the solution to the challenges of globalisation. In this way, the private sector – in partnership with other social actors – can help realize the Secretary-General’s vision: a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.

Objectives of the Global Compact

The Global Compact is a purely voluntary initiative with two objectives:

• Mainstream the ten principles in business activities around the world
• Catalyse actions in support of UN goals

To achieve these objectives, the Global Compact offers facilitation and engagement through several mechanisms: Policy Dialogues, Learning, Country/Regional Networks, and Projects.

The Global Compact is not a regulatory instrument – it does not “police”, enforce or measure the behaviour or actions of companies.

Rather, the Global Compact is a network which relies on public accountability, transparency and the enlightened self-interest of companies, labour and civil society to initiate and share substantive action in pursuing the principles upon which the Global Compact is based.

Benefits of Participating in the Global Compact

There are numerous benefits to participating in the Global Compact. These include:

• Demonstrating leadership by advancing responsible corporate citizenship.
• Producing practical solutions to contemporary problems related to globalisation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility in a multi-stakeholder context.
• Managing risks by taking a proactive stance on critical issues.
• Leveraging the UN's global reach and convening power with governments, business, civil society and other stakeholders.
• Sharing good practices and learnings.
• Accessing the UN's broad knowledge in development issues.
• Improving corporate/brand management, employee morale and productivity, and operational efficiencies

For further information

Contact	:	The Global Compact
Email	:	globalcompact@un.org

WWW

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http://www.unglobalcompact.org