Divine Humanism
for a Just Society

Great Minds


Dadi Janki
Chanakya
Noam Chomsky
Kabir, the mystic poet
Hazrat Inayat Khan
Rudolf Steiner
R. Buckminster Fuller
Jiddu Krishnamurti

 


THE GLOBAL COMPACT
Corporate Citizenship in the World Economy

The United Nations strongly encourages all vendors to actively participate in the Global Compact. The Global Compact is a voluntary international corporate citizenship network initiated to support the participation of both the private sector and other social actors to advance responsible corporate citizenship and universal social and environmental principles to meet the challenges of globalization.

EXPRESSIONS OF SUPPORT

To participate in the Global Compact a company:

1. Sends a letter from the Chief Executive Officer (and where possible, endorsed by the board) to Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressing support for the Global Compact and its principles

Kofi A. Annan Secretary-General United Nations
New York, NY10017

2. Sets in motion changes to business operations so that the Global Compact and its principles become part of strategy, culture and day-to-day operations;

3. Is expected to publicly advocate the Global Compact and its principles via communications vehicles such as press releases, speeches etc.; and

4. Is expected to publish in its annual report (Or similar corporate report) a description of the ways in which it is supporting the Global Compact and its ten principles. This “Communication on Progress” is an important tool to demonstrate implementation through public accountability.
The Global Compact offers engagement opportunities to all participants through the following:

  • Dialogues: Action-oriented meetings that focus on specific issues related to corporate citizenship, globalization and sustainable development.

  • Information Sharing and Learning Events:Local information sharing and learning events whereby participants share experiences and lessons related to Global Compact issues. Companies are also invited to develop and share examples of good corporate practices and lessons learned on the Global Compact website.

  • Partnership Projects: The Global Compact encourages participants to engage in partnership projects with UN agencies and civil society organizations in support of global development goals.

THE PRINCIPLES OF THE GLOBAL COMPACT

At the World Economic Forum, Davos, on 31 January 1999, UN Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan challenged world business leaders to "embrace and enact" the Global Compact, both in their individual corporate practices and by supporting appropriate public policies. The Global Compact’s operational phase was launched at UN Headquarters in New York on 26 July 2000. During the first Global Compact Leaders Summit, held on 24 June 2004 at UN Headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General announced the addition of a tenth principle against corruption.

Human Rights

  • Principle 1: The support and respect of the protection of international human rights;

  • Principle 2: The refusal to participate or condone human rights abuses.

Labour

  • Principle 3: The support of freedom of association and the recognition of the right to collective bargaining;

  • Principle 4: The abolition of compulsory labour;

  • Principle 5: The abolition of child labour;

  • Principle 6: The elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation.

Environment

  • Principle 7: The implementation of a precautionary and effective program to environmental issues;

  • Principle 8: Initiatives that demonstrate environmental responsibility;

  • Principle 9: The promotion of the diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption

  • Principle 10: The promotion and adoption of initiatives to counter all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery.

Vendors interested in participating in the Global Compact are encouraged to visit the Global Compact website at www.unglobalcompact.org for further information.