Private Sector

UNDP and the Global Compact

The UN Global Compact offers a useful framework for companies to learn about responsible business practice and engage into multi-stakeholder partnerships at global, regional and local levels.

The UN Global Compact has emerged as the largest CSR initiative in the world, with more than 5500 participants from around the world. Companies commit to integrate 10 principles from in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption in their business operations and thru partnerships contribute to achievements of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The international principles of the Global Compact are translated into actions by networks and structures at local and regional levels. UNDP is the leading agency for facilitating the establishment of local Global Compact networks in non-OECD countries. Through its presence of the ground, UNDP advocates for the principles among wider public and engages with companies and non-business partners in concrete partnerships.  

National GC networks, with their knowledge of local culture, tradition, language, legal and socio-economic conditions as well as their links with the development expertise of the UN are ideally placed as platforms to engage members into responsible business practice in support of national development goals and MDGs.

UNDP role in launching the Global Compact

UNDP’s hands-on role in launching the Global Compact is catalytic to the process and involves initiating  and building a viable, self-sustaining local network that is business-led. In doing so, UNDP typically fulfills many roles that change over time as the process gets underway and matures, and specifics depend on the local context. Activities include: seeding the idea of the Global Compact and CSR in the business community; involving government, academia, media and CSOs; facilitating learning; building active collaboration between participants.

Azerbaijan	Setting up Global Compact network in Azerbaijan, in collaboration with Statoil, pdf
Eastern Europe	Regional project establishing Global Compact local networks and brokering business partnerships, click here for more information

 

Type of activities performed by Local Networks:

Advocacy

Raising awareness about CSR and advocating for the role of business in sustainable development. Typical activities include: conferences, workshops, seminars, reports, discussions.

Europe	Vienna Regional CSR Forum on ‘Responsible Investing’ pdf
Panama	Public Private Partnership in the Pursuit of the Social Responsibility pdf
Egypt	Saving Lives, Saving Money’ the Private Sectors Response to HIV/AIDS in the Arab Region pdf
Bulgaria	Responsible Business Directory 2005 pdf

Learning

Learning and training events provide an opportunity for companies to learn about the GC principles and CSR, how to internalize them into their business practices and what are the benefits to the companies and the communities where they are active. UNDP’s role in this area focuses on supporting training activities and playing a strong coordination role by identifying relevant partners that take the lead in such events.

Bosnia and Herzegovina	Learning seminars for anticorruption/transparency activities and internalization of 10th GC principle pdf
Ghana	Company Visits to interact with management and staff to see how the companies are incorporating the GC principles in their operations and their CSR initiatives pdf
Mexico	Global Compact Guide: a practical oriented way to implement the ten principles into business practice pdf

Collective actions

Companies engage into collective actions which assert business voice and role in sustainable development of countries. Interactive network activities offer opportunities to identify partnering themes and bringing and engaging all relevant actors in concrete projects where their comparative advantages are being utilized.

Policy dialogue

Lithuania	CSR policy discussion on responsible business with Parliament pdf
Peru	Public Private Dialogue to Create a Market for Reform pdf
Bulgaria	Care for Employees – a Priority on Private Companies’ Agenda pdf

Social investments

Global	The Accelerating Access Initiative to broaden access while ensuring rational, affordable, safe and effective use of drugs for HIV/AIDS-related illnesses pdf
Pakistan	E-Learning Initiative to provide certification level of IT Professional Development training pdf
Poland	The Internet Republic - Access to communication technologies can bridge the development gap between rural and urban areas pdf

More information on GC local networks activities can be found on: http://www.unglobalcompact.org/NetworksAroundTheWorld/index.html