The campaign to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights during 2008 is well underway. At a time when human rights continue to be under threat around the world, the anniversary is an important reminder that the Universal Declaration belongs to all of us, and is our shared responsibility.

Understanding human rights responsibility and accountability is very much a work in progress. There continue to be many grey areas for companies: What are they expected to do in their operations and where? Should governments be in the driving seat? What constitutes complicity in rights abuses? John Ruggie was appointed UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights with a view to clarifying such key issues.

A “human rights and business framework” can mean different things to different people. There is the legal framework based on international human rights treaties and declarations, and the attempts made to make these relevant, understandable and accessible to a business audience. And there is the practical framework, which takes a standard management system model and incorporates human rights into this business-friendly approach.

From an ethical standpoint there are few issues that rank higher in importance than the protection of children’s rights. However, the effort to safeguard children’s rights is also important from a financial perspective. Norges Bank Investment Management believes that corporate behaviour which harms the rights and health of children distorts the market system in a way that threatens the legitimacy of individual companies, markets and the global market economy.

Estimates show that fewer than 1 percent of the approximately 70 million disabled persons in India are employed, which leads to economic disadvantage, denies rights and limits opportunities to play constructive roles in their communities. Titan Industries, an Indian producer of watches and jewelry, has taken steps to reverse this job-market bias through initiatives that target persons with disabilities.

Several of the countries that Sasol, a South African-based integrated oil and gas company, has identified for possible investment have been singled out as having state institutions that breach human rights obligations. In light of the blurring responsibilities between companies and host governments, Sasol saw a need for more systematic management of human rights risks within the company.

A suggested roadmap for using a number of business and human rights tools and guidance materials.

"Embedding Human Rights in Business Practice II" features 20 case studies from Global Compact signatories around the world outlining policies and practices to implement human rights within their own operations and spheres of influence.

A fundamental shift has occurred over the past decade. Not only has the concept of corporate responsibility (CR) evolved globally, but, incredibly, market drivers are starting to internalize signals that connect directly with the issues CR has long advocated. We have also seen that CR can help build market legitimacy at the micro and macro levels. It can enhance benefits and minimize negatives, and is helping to support modernizing forces in many countries. But can we assume that promising developments will continue? Ten years from now, will we be closer to achieving market sustainability and inclusion on a truly significant scale? Will globalization be synonymous with a race to the top?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is well into development of ISO 26000, a guidance standard on social responsibility (SR). Professor Kernaghan Webb, an expert on ISO, discusses the need for ISO SR guidance, what ISO 26000 hopes to achieve and how it relates to the Global Compact. According to Webb, “ISO 26000 is a way of truly mainstreaming the concept of SR, using a worldwide standards system that most companies are likely to be familiar with.”

While the number and quality of Communications on Progress (COPs) continues to increase, some companies still struggle to meet the communication requirement of Global Compact participation. This is a missed opportunity. The process of communicating progress can hold great value. Based on the input and experiences of participants and other key stakeholders, the Global Compact has identified practical ways that companies can maximize the value of the COP process, for example by improving the quality of COP content and taking steps to enhance the credibility of the report.

Berlin is working to shape a framework for urban development which is just, and socially and ecologically responsible. Accordingly, Berlin joined the UN Global Compact Cities Programme in 2005, seeking to learn from other local contexts and to work closely with companies and other figures in civil society to solve urban problems. As its first project under the Cities Programme, Berlin is concentrating on the issue of “urban medicine”, specifically the improvement of immigrants’ access to health care.

Updated Edition: "After the Signature" provides a basic introduction to the Global Compact and outlines the commitment that companies make when signing on to the initiative, such as implementing the ten principles and producing an annual Communication on Progress report.

A collection of case studies showcasing how organizations and businesses in Africa are addressing the challenge of corruption.

This SME edition of the Business Principles for Countering Bribery is designed to give practical advice to  companies with limited resources, helping them through the process of developing an anti-bribery strategy to suit their size and structure.

This brochure outlines the Caring for Climate initiative designed to assist companies in their efforts to advance practical solutions, articulate climate strategies, learn from industry peers and shape public policy.

The Global Leadership Networks tool supports Global Compact signatories with the strategic alignment of their core business with the ten principles.

Prepared on the occasion of the 2008 African Private Sector Forum, this publication presents a wide range of innovative and sustainable activities being undertaken by businesses across Africa.

Updated Edition: Guidance and practical examples – principle by principle – on communicating progress on the ten principles and partnerships. Includes relevant GRI indicators.

PRME seeks to inspire and champion responsible management education, research and thought leadership globally to develop a new generation of business leaders.

The official 2007 Global Compact Leaders Summit DVD presents a comprehensive documentation of the Summit, including a video archive of all major speeches, statements, presentations, key studies and reports.

Read about Local Network events, launches and dialogues being held around the world, including in Colombia, Ethiopia, France, the Gulf States, Indonesia, Japan, Lithuania, Moldova, Panama, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain and South Africa.