Over 100 participants representing 40 Global Compact Local Networks in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Arab region and the Americas attended this year's V Annual Local Network Forum, held in Monterrey, Mexico on 17-18 October 2007.  The agenda of this year's Forum was based on input gathered during the regional meetings held in the first half of 2007, in addition to bilateral contact between the Global Compact Office and Local Networks.

The Forum was organized to facilitate the exchange of good practices between Local Networks around the world. In addition, recently launched engagement platforms, as well as implementation tools and resources, were presented. The interactive format enabled participants to engage in stimulating peer-to-peer discussions and exchange of experience on issues of particular relevance. Key themes this year were quality aspects of Local Network structure (e.g. the multi-stakeholder nature) and the question of how to measure the impact of Local Networks.

Further, during plenary sessions participants discussed the alignment of the ISO 26000 guidance standard with the Global Compact principles, as well as the engagement of subsidiaries of multinational corporations at the network level.

Keynote speakers of the opening plenary included Mr. Guillermo Carrey, member of the Global Compact Board; Georg Kell, Executive Director of the Global Compact; Mireia Belil, General Director of the Fundació Fòrum - Barcelona Center for the Support of the Global Compact; and Soren Petersen, Head of Global Compact Networks and Partnerships.

The Networks Forum was made possible by the kind support and organization of the Fundació Fòrum - Barcelona Center for the Support of the Global Compact.

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Learn more about the Annual Local Networks Forum.