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UN Global Compact Bulletin - December 2008
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Dec 10th, 2008 - 00:04:05 |
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UN GLOBAL COMPACT BULLETIN
December 2008
NEWS & UPDATES
Global Compact CEO Statement on Human Rights to Be Published in the Financial Times on 10 December
Business Leaders to Discuss Global Deal on Climate Change at May 2009 Summit
Anti-Corruption Working Groups Address 10th Principle Reporting and Supply Chain Practices
Global Compact Network Launched in Sudan
US Network Holds Water Conference, Report Issued
Deputy Secretary-General Meets with Global Investors
Postponed: 2009 African Private Sector Forum
Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Human Trafficking in the Supply Chain: Short Survey for Companies
Fighting Corruption in the Supply Chain: Call for Information from Multinational Companies
Human Rights Case Studies: Seeking Interested Companies
FEATURED RESOURCES
Global Compact Slide Collection for Participants, Networks and Other Stakeholders
Human Rights Translated A Business Reference Guide
Eliminating Child Labour Guides for Employers
EVENTS
Please visit the Event Calendar on our website to learn more about the below events, including intended audience and availability.
December
Global Compact Network Sudan: Launch (1 Dec, Khartoum)
International Seminar on Business and Human Rights (3 5 Dec, Paris)
Global Forum for Responsible Management Education (4 5 Dec, New York)
Course: The Labour Dimension of Corporate Social Responsibility (10 12 Dec, Turin)
Confederation of Indian Industry's 3rd Annual Sustainability Summit (11 12 Dec, Delhi)
Global Compact Board Meeting (15 Dec, New York)
Second Meeting of Global Compact Labour Working Group (16 Dec, New York)
February
Meeting of the Global Compact Anti-Corruption Working Group (26 27 Feb, New York)
March
Third Working Conference of the CEO Water Mandate (16 22 March, Istanbul)
April
The Climate Imperative: Leadership, Innovation and Technology (22 23 April, Paris)
May
World Business Summit on Climate Change (24-24 May, Copenhagen)
June
VII Annual Local Networks Forum (9 10 June, Istanbul)
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NEWS & UPDATES
1. Global Compact CEO Statement on Human Rights to Be Published in the Financial Times on 10 December (Human Rights Day)
Approximately 250 CEOs from 70 countries have signed the CEO statement on Human Rights. The statement, as well as the names of the first 150 CEO signatories, will appear in all editions of the Financial Times on 10 December. Business leaders still wishing to express their support for the statement can add their name to the web version which will also be widely promoted. CEO Statement. List of CEO signatories. Express interest.
2. Business Leaders to Discuss Global Deal on Climate Change at May 2009 Summit
Six months prior to the pivotal UN climate change conference (COP15) at the end of 2009, the worlds leading CEOs from all regions and sectors will convene at the World Business Summit on Climate Change on 24-26 May 2009. At this summit, more than 500 business leaders will deliver a shared vision and a set of recommendations from a business perspective towards a new, global framework on climate change. The event is hosted by Copenhagen Climate Council in collaboration with six business initiatives on climate change, including the Global Compacts Caring for Climate. More. Join Caring for Climate.
3. Anti-Corruption Working Groups Address 10th Principle Reporting and Supply Chain Practices
The Global Compact Working Group on Anti-Corruption has established several sub-working groups to address implementation gaps, improve reporting and better disseminate information on available tools and resources. Two of these groups Taskforce on 10th Principle Reporting and Taskforce on Supply Chain met in Athens in early November in coordination with Transparency Internationals Annual Anti-Corruption Conference. All Global Compact participants are encouraged to contribute to the efforts of the Working Group on Anti-Corruption. More.
4. Global Compact Network Launched in Sudan
The Global Compact Network Sudan was launched in Khartoum (1 December). More than 150 senior representatives of business, the UN, government and civil society convened for the launch of the network, which aims to provide a practical platform for all actors to explore how business can make a positive contribution to sustainable development and conflict mitigation. The network launch the culmination of two years of local efforts was organized by the AlBadayel Advanced Training Center, the Sudanese Businessmen and Employers Federation and the Ahfad University for Women, in collaboration with a number of government ministries, UNIDO Sudan and UNDP Sudan. More.
5. US Network Holds Water Conference, Report Issued
The Global Compact US Network held a working conference on "Water in the 21st Century: Managing the Business Risks and Opportunities" (3 November) for representatives from business, finance, civil society, UN and academia to discuss the growing global crisis in water and sanitation. The conference highlighted the need for companies in all industries to take a comprehensive approach to water sustainability through initiatives such as the Global Compact's CEO Water Mandate. In addition, the conferences stressed the importance of working with civil society organizations. Participants from civil society included WaterAid, Oxfam, WWF and the Pacific Institute. A report of the meeting has been issued. This was the fifth working conference of the US Network. More. View report.
6. Deputy Secretary-General Meets with Global Investors
UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro met with the Board of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) on 11 November, emphasizing the relevance of the PRI in light of the global financial crisis. She stated: "A main priority in responding to the financial crisis must be to restore confidence and trust in financial markets and the private sector. Ethical globalization and corporate responsibility are a central part of this". PRI is the world's largest responsible investment initiative with more than 450 signatories representing approximately $15 trillion in assets. It was co-launched by the Global Compact and UNEP FI in 2006. More.
7. Postponed: 2009 African Private Sector Forum
The African Private Sector Forum, tentatively scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 22-23 January 2009, has been postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to announce a new date for the Forum in the future.
8. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
In November, 120 companies and 33 non-business stakeholders joined the Global Compact. PepsiCo, Inc. (US) and Bertelsmann AG (Germany) were among the largest companies to join during the month. 117 Communications on Progress (COPs) were received, and 22 companies were delisted for failing to communicate on progress.
Total figures as of 30 November 2008:
Business participants: 4,869
Non-business participants: 1,544
COPs received: 4,621
Delisted business participants: 783
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
* Engagement opportunities are intended for Global Compact signatories unless otherwise indicated *
1. Human Trafficking in the Supply Chain: Short Survey for Companies
Companies can avoid the risk of human trafficking by taking steps to make it harder for traffickers to use their products, premises or services, and by helping raise awareness of the problem. A number of businesses in the travel, tourism and technology sectors have introduced diverse measures to combat the problem. More information on Human Trafficking & Business.
The aim of this survey is to learn more about company policies, capacity-building and other needs on the topic of human trafficking in global supply chains. Results will help UN agencies prioritize ways to support corporate and other efforts. The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete and is anonymous.
Take the survey: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228HWCJNJGT
2. Fighting Corruption in the Supply Chain: Call for Information from Multinational Companies (MNCs)
The Global Compact Anti-Corruption Working Group is developing a framework for dealing with corruption in the supply chain. As a first step, the group is working to identify best practices and is calling for information and materials from MNCs.
Interested Multinational Companies (including non-Global Compact companies) should complete the questionnaire which outlines specific areas of interest. Responses and pertinent materials should be sent to Ms. Olajobi Makinwa (makinwa (at) un.org).
3. Human Rights Case Studies: Seeking Interested Companies
The Global Compact Office is calling for expressions of interest from companies keen to be the subject of a case study on their efforts to respect and support human rights. Please note that the best case studies are generally ones that address not only what worked in tackling specific human rights challenges, but also difficulties encountered and lessons learned along the way. Cases will be published as part of the series Embedding Human Rights in Business Practices.
Email globalcompact (at) un.org to express interest, including a short description of the proposed innovative practice. Review case study guidelines.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FEATURED RESOURCES
1. Global Compact Slide Collection for Participants, Networks and Other Stakeholders: A set of presentation slides highlighting the case for responsible business practices and providing an update on the initiative. These slides are intended to assist Global Compact participants, Local Network representatives and other stakeholders in the preparation of speaking engagements and presentations. The Global Compact Office welcomes feedback and suggestions for improvement. Download.
2. Human Rights Translated A Business Reference Guide: Explanation for the business community of universally recognized human rights. The publication illustrates, through the use of examples and suggested practical actions, how human rights are relevant in a corporate context and can be managed. Published by IBLF, Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Global Compact Office. Download.
3. Eliminating Child Labour Guides for Employers: An ILO resource that helps business understand and take action against child labour. Three practical guides provide ideas, advice and examples for the prevention of child labour, the withdrawal of children from work and the protection of young workers from hazardous conditions. Download.
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Read the Bulletin, be informed and stay engaged!
Provide feedback and suggestions to Carrie Hall (hallc (at) un.org).
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