Bangladesh
Bangladesh to launch a formal network
At a roundtable discussion on 23 September convened by the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) in partnership with the CSR Centre, it was announced that a local network for Bangladesh would be formally launched early next year. During the discussions, Mr. Farooq Sobhan, President of BEI, stressed the need for encouraging more organizations in Bangladesh to join the Global Compact. Participants at the meeting emphasised the need for more training, capacity building and awareness about CSR, highlighting the differences between corporate responsibility and corporate philanthropy.
Bangladesh Contact: Shaila Khan, shaila.khan@undp.org
India
New challenges facing the Global Compact Society of India
Earlier this year, the Global Compact Society of India convened its 4th Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, with nearly 100 people in attendance. The President of the Society, Mr. R. S. Sharma (of ONGC), presided over the meeting and shared highlights of the activities for the year 2007-08. He noted that there were challenges ahead for the society given that nearly 1/3 of organizations from India that had joined Global Compact have since been de-listed due to non-compliance with COP requirements. The immediate challenge facing the society, according to Mr. Sharma, was to increase its membership base and to add value to members by supporting them in meeting progress reporting requirements.
India Contact: Uddesh Kohli, uddeshkohli@gmail.com
Israel
Global Compact launched in Israel
On 16 July 2008, the Global Compact was officially launched in Israel in a ceremony hosted by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem. Following an introduction by Rony Adam, Director for UN Political Affairs in the Ministry, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni explained that it is of crucial importance for companies from Israel to join the Global Compact, especially as the country seeks to contribute to addressing global challenges, such as climate change, hunger and the food crisis. "I believe that there is a real need today to join forces and tackle internal and global challenges crossing the boundaries between the public and private sectors," the minister said. Maala – Business for Social Responsibility, Israel's leading CSR organization, will promote the Global Compact in the country.
Israel Contact: Talia Aharoni, taharoni@maala.org.il
Malaysia
Building momentum in Malaysia
In August, ten Malaysian firms joined the Global Compact in a signing and networking event hosted by UNDP, the Malaysia Compact and the Caux Round Table, with the support of Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Talisman Energy. The local business units of several multinational companies including DiGi Communications, Talisman Energy Malaysia, and Phillips Malaysia, also joined the Global Compact. DiGi is also the first Malaysian company to sign up for the “Caring for Climate” initiative.
Malaysia Contact: Puvan Selvanathan, puvan.selvanathan@simedarby.com, puvanjs@gmail.com
Mexico
Meeting with the UN Secretary-General
On the occasion of his first official visit to Mexico, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with leading business champions of the Mexican Global Compact Network in Mexico City on 4 August.
The 18 executives made a commitment to take the Network, which is one of the world’s largest, to its next level of development and create a truly business-led, nationally owned, multi-stakeholder platform for corporate responsibility. In a Mexico Declaration presented during the meeting, participating companies pledged to position the Global Compact Mexico Network as a platform to:
- advance the UN Global Compact and the implementation of the ten universal principles throughout the Mexican business and social environment;
- strengthen the role of the Network in facilitating multi-stakeholder partnerships and collective action with other companies; and
- engage in advocacy and policy dialogues on global challenges, including climate change and the Millennium Development Goals.
Addressing the group, the Secretary-General stressed that “[w]hen companies work hard to uphold human rights, workplace standards, environmental protection and corporate governance, we can be confident that progress will be made in the fight to better our societies and our world.” He also noted that a “vibrant business community greatly improves the chances of raising living standards, combating health epidemics, achieving equality and protecting the environment.” He further commended the Mexican Network for its “focus on training sessions and developing materials, helping to ensure that Mexican signatories to the Compact ‘walk the talk’ and are equipped to act on their commitments to engage responsibly.”
Mexico Contact: Diana Chávez, diana.chavez@undp.org.mx
Slovakia
Slovak network launched
Members of the Slovak business community joined together with representatives from government, UNDP and civil society to launch a Global Compact Local Network. Several issues are driving the corporate responsibility agenda in Slovakia, including reducing barriers to employment for disadvantaged groups, promoting greater environmental responsibility and fighting corruption.
The Global Compact Network Slovakia was launched under the auspices of H. E. Mr. Dušan Čaplovič, Deputy Prime Minister for Knowledge-Based Society, European Affairs, Human Rights and Minorities. According to Čaplovič, joining the Global Compact shows that Slovak companies, and those operating in Slovakia, are increasingly understanding their “responsibility towards employees, the region, society, state and the world”.
At the launch, the Slovak National Strategy for CSR Support was presented publicly for the first time. The Strategy, which is being implemented as part of a broader European Union plan, seeks to increase the competitiveness of the Slovak business environment, support transparency and improve the quality of life in Slovakia.
Slovakia Contact: Danica Viznerova, danica.viznerova@undp.org
Spain
Learning activities and advocacy
The network has recently organized learning activities:
- Benefits of the CSR policy implementation: During this meeting three companies explained to peers the economic, reputational and employee benefits gained from implementing a CSR policy.
- COP workshop: An interactive activity in which attendants from different entities analyse and comment on the COP of a member company. They learn from each other and exchange different experiences and good practices.
