Albania

Global Compact clinics

“Global Compact Clinics” are now available to Global Compact participants. These clinics are designed to provide information on participant benefits, respond to questions related to participation requirements, offer guidance on preparing the Communication on Progress (COP), and facilitate public-private partnership projects with the Global Compact and the UN.
 
GC Albania contact: Eriola Cela, eriola.cela@undp.org

Brazil

COP workshop in Curitiba

The Global Compact Brazilian Committee organized a COP workshop in June in Curitiba, Brazil, during the Global Forum America Latina. With over 200 participants from academia, companies, NGOs, associations and government, the event also featured the very first meeting of the Education Commission. Focused on the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), the commission had a dialogue with different groups and the ANGRAD, the National Association of Managing Courses, requested that the Brazilian Government Education Council make CSR and the PRME a priority in graduation courses.

Brazilian President Lula pushes CSR agenda

In São Paulo, the Brazilian GC Local Network, Ethos Institute and the Federal Human Rights Estate Department jointly organized a meeting for over 250 company presidents on 24 June. Brazil’s president, Luís Inácio Lula da Silva, urged the private sector to push the agenda of CSR forward along with the government.

GC Brazil contact: Sylvya D'Oliveira, soliveira@ethos.org.br

Bulgaria

Media coverage on CSR

An 18-month project conducted by the Global Compact Network in Bulgaria took on the task of monitoring press coverage on CSR. Referred to as “Accelerating CSR practices in New Europe”, this project was the first ever media content analysis of CSR-focused coverage in the Bulgarian media. Thirteen national/regional newspapers and six weeklies in Bulgaria were “screened” to study how the media presents CSR. As part of the 18 month project, participants of the Bulgarian Global Compact network visited Spanish, UK and German companies to learn from their experiences. Additionally, Bulgarian journalists travelled to London to learn from British colleagues on CSR reporting. Contacts with CSR organizations from other countries led to the establishment of a new coalition, "Partners for CSR Association". Global Compact participants were invited to join the multi-stakeholder working group chaired by the Ministry of Labor and Social policy on the preparation of a future CSR national strategy.

GC Bulgaria contact: Maya Nyagolova, maya.nyagolova@undp.org

China

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon talks “climate change” to Chinese business leaders

During a Global Compact event in Beijing on 2 July 2008, the Secretary-General was addressed by numerous representatives of companies and business confederations on efforts to advance responsible corporate practices, particularly related to climate change, poverty reduction and disaster relief. Approximately 30 high-level representatives from business, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the meeting.

In his address, the Secretary-General called on Chinese business leaders engaged in the Global Compact to continue efforts to embrace responsible practices, particularly related to climate change. “By investing and planning today for a future that protects our planet, Chinese business has an opportunity to be a true front-runner,” he stated. “I'm sure Chinese businesses will not wait for the long and complex intergovernmental agreements to be finalized, but rather engage pro-actively in China and elsewhere in the world to pave the way for a low-carbon path to prosperity.”

GC China contact: Chen Ying, cema@public.bta.net.cn

France

Climate Change tops agenda at French association's 3rd General Assembly

On 9 April, the French association Forum des Amis du Pacte Mondial en France organized its 3rd General Assembly. The meeting convened 160 chairs, CEOs and executives, particularly Sustainable Development Directors, for a two-part meeting. The first portion of the general assembly was dedicated to approval of the 2007 accounts and the 2008 budget, as well as renewals and nominations of new members to the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee met immediately after the meeting to elect the new chairman of the association. Gérard Mestrallet, the Chairman and CEO of Suez, was elected to succeed Bertrand Collomb, Chairman of Lafarge, who had chaired the association during its first three years.

The second portion of the meeting was a discussion on climate change. Discussants included Bertrand Collomb, Gérard Mestrallet, Nicole Notat (Chairwoman of Vigeo) and Claire Tutenuit (General Delegate of the NGO Entreprises pour l’Environnement). The debate included a Question & Answer session, during which Brice Lalonde, Ambassador for France to the climate change negotiations, intervened to give the position of the French government.

GC France contact: Konrad Eckenschwiller, pacte-mondial@idep.net

Greece

New local network launched in Greece

On 28 May, the Global Compact was launched in Greece in a ceremony attended by representatives of Greek business, civil society, government and the United Nations. The chief executives of more than 50 Greek companies presented letters of participation expressing their commitment to make the Global Compact's ten principles part of business strategy, culture, and day-to-day operations. Guiseppe Belsito, Manager of the UNDP Programme Management Office in Athens, described the participation of Greek business in the Global Compact as an expression of the country's commitment to the United Nations' humanitarian and development principles.

GC Greece contact: Giorgos Petrides george.petrides@undp.org

Indonesia

Twenty-four new signatories join Global Compact in Indonesia

The number of signatories rises to 150 in Indonesia after a seminar on the Millennium Development Goals and the Global Compact was hosted in Yogyakarta on 24 May. Organized by the Corporate Forum for Community Development (CFCD), the seminar featured presentations by the president of the Indonesia Global Compact Network, Y.W.Junardy, and the CEO of DHL, Rudy Pesik. Twenty four companies, academic institutions and NGOs in Indonesia’s province of Central Java signed a pledge to commit to the ten principles.

GC Indonesia contact: Angger Wibowo, angger.wibowo@undp.org

Japan

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praises Japan network

In Tokyo, the Secretary-General met with approximately 50 business representatives, as well as several high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 29 June 2008. Global Compact Japan Network chairman Toshio Arima, Board Director of Fuji Xerox Co., welcomed the Secretary-General and reported on recent developments in the network. In his first official function in Japan as Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon praised Global Compact Japan Network members for their recent decision to adopt a CEO-led structure. “The Japan Network is truly supporting the Global Compact's leadership model – which recognizes that long-term, active commitment to organizational change must be led by top management. Your model will be a powerful inspiration for other Local Networks seeking to transition to business-led structures,” said the Secretary-General.

GC Japan contact: Shigeki Yamamoto, s.yamamoto@ungcjn.org

Moldova

Media workshop on CSR

On 13 June, the UNDP in Moldova (the GC representative in Moldova), in collaboration with the Association of Specialists in Public Relations and Communication (ASRP), organized a workshop for editors of media institutions to discuss the issue of supporting CSR campaigns and how they’re covered in the media. The well-known Romanian journalist, Cosmin Pacuraru, trainer at the Center for Independent Journalism in Bucharest, was the special guest at the workshop. Pacuraru shared the experience of journalists from Romania and other neighboring states on CSR programs, media coverage and the benefits media institutions gain from engaging with CSR efforts. The event was a part of a series of actions planned by the Global Compact network in order to promote the corporate responsibility in the Republic of Moldova. 

GC Moldova contact: Aurelia Braguta, aurelia.braguta@undp.org

Namibia

Prime Minister attends launch of network

On 29 April, Namibia’s national media announced that the country launched their very first UN Global Compact local network. In a ceremony attended by 50 corporate leaders, senior officials from government, business associations and non-governmental organizations, Namibia’s Prime Minister Nahas Angula emphasized that the objectives of the Global Compact match his nation’s priorities, and that the Global Compact can contribute positively to the government’s objectives on sustainable private sector development. Before closing, the Prime Minister asked Namibian companies – particularly in prominent industries such as mining, fishing and tourism – to sign on to the Global Compact.

GC Namibia contact: Tim Parkhouse, globalcompact@iway.na

Poland

New book on discrimination in the workforce

UNDP Poland has published a new book entitled “Equal Opportunities Company: Good Practice Guide”. Based on the Global Compact’s sixth principle on discrimination in the workplace, the book was conceived to serve as a practical tool for the implementation of equal opportunities. Compiled by Global Compact focal point Paulina Kaczmarek, the book presents examples of measures, procedures, projects and initiatives implemented by employers striving to create equal opportunities for women and men.
  
GC Poland contact: Paulina Kaczmarek, Paulina.Kaczmarek@undp.org

Serbia

Conference on CSR and persons with disabilities

On 9 June, a conference on "Corporate Social Responsibility and Persons with Disabilities in Serbia" was organized by UNDP, which also serves as coordinator of the Global Compact in Serbia. The conference was a fruitful cross sector dialogue on the roles that persons with disabilities play as competitive employees and valuable customers to businesses in Serbia. The conference aimed to provide companies, and Human Resources managers in particular, with practical information on how to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities within their organizations and how to make their businesses more accessible.

GC Serbia contact: Stevan Vujasino, stevan.vujasinovic@undp.org

South Korea

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commends activities of Global Compact Korea

The Global Compact Korea Network convened a luncheon for the Secretary-General on 4 July 2008, attended by Prime Minister Han Seung-Soo, over 100 business leaders and other distinguished guests.

Following remarks by Global Compact Korea Network President Nam Seung-Woo and Network Secretary-General Ju Chul-Ki, the Secretary-General praised the rapid growth of the network which has attracted nearly 120 companies in less than one year. He encouraged companies to strive for world-class responsible business practices and expressed his “hope that the Compact can help bring a new dawn of transparency and good governance to our country’s business sector”.

The Secretary-General also remarked on the success of the recent “Changing Landscapes” conference co-hosted by the network in June 2008, which was the first meeting of Asian business, global investors and civil society on such a broad scale.

“You have made an important contribution by giving practical meaning to United Nations values, and helping to build bridges between countries, based on commerce, trade and investment,” stated Ban. “The more investors recognize that business responsibility is about reducing risks and enhancing benefits, the faster we can move towards market sustainability.”

GC Korea contact: Jun Suk Lee, leeungckorea@gmail.com

Spain

Spanish Network advances GC issues

The Global Compact Spanish Network organized several activities to promote the implementation of the Global Compact’s ten principles. A dialogue forum was organized to discuss the role of the enterprise in climate change. Also, two learning forums were set up -- one on how to implement labour and environmental standards into the supply chain, and another on the implementation of anti-corruption politics. Representatives of the Spanish Network also visited several companies to assist with development of COPs. Besides participating in three educational forums, the network was also invited to participate in several external forums. Two of them were organized by business associations.

GC Spain contact: Cristina Sánchez García, cristinasanchez@pactomundial.org

Ukraine

Ukraine goes green and cleans up

On 3 July, the National Go Green Campaign, initiated by the United Nations Office in Ukraine under the auspices of Global Compact Network, was launched in Kyiv at the central National Botanic garden. This voluntary initiative, which brought together more than 60 participants, including the senior management of the leading Ukrainian and multinational companies, civil society leaders and media, aims to reinforce the importance of environmental protection within the context of the country’s economic and social development. Three days later, the campaign saw over 60 participants cleaning up the recreational zone of Matveevska Zatoka, in spite of the rain and bad weather conditions as part of Clean Up Dnipro Day at the Trukhaniv Island in Kyiv.

GC Ukraine contact: Elena Panova, elena.panova@undp.org

United Kingdom

UK Network shares practices

The UK network held a meeting on 15 June to review Global Compact related activities conducted by Rio Tinto’s Sustainable Development Team. Other items discussed at the meeting included the recently updated UK Network Guidelines for Activity & Governance, the fifth round of Communication on Progress peer reviews, and the recent European Local Networks Meeting. In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, upcoming meetings will feature presentations on human rights and supply chains, water, and conflict.

GC UK contact: Steve Kenzie, stephen.kenzie@iblf.org

United States

Business and human rights conference

In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Global Compact US Network convened its first working symposium of 2008 on 28 April 2008 at the Harvard Business School (HBS) in Boston. Jointly convened with HBS, the event drew approximately 100 corporate executives, civil society representatives, academics and other human rights experts. The meeting also featured the US launch of “Embedding Human Rights in Business Practices II”, a compendium of case studies developed by the UN Global Compact Office and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Also attending the meeting were members of the Global Compact's Human Rights Working Group, which held a related meeting on 29 April in Boston. On 5 May, the UN Global Compact Office and the Harvard Business School released the report and summaries of the presentations. Click here to download the meeting report.

GC US contact: Ante Glavas, ante.glavas@case.edu

Zambia

Human rights project launched

With the assistance of Global Compact Regional Office in South Africa, Global Compact Zambia launched the project “Embedding Human Rights At Places of Work” on 28 February.

GC Zambia contact: Rosario Fundanga, gczambia@yahoo.com