UN Global Compact
Lotus Opportunities a private institution and ActionAid Nepal an international development organization have compiled five global tools on CSR called 'Guiding tools for Nepalese businesses on CSR', which is or can be applicable to different types or sizes of business. The objective of compiling these tools is to help companies select, develop and implement these tools to be responsible business. Taken from this toolkit, the tool that we are presenting here for BCF's October E-article is UN Global Compact.
UN Global Compact
Global Compact was launched in 2002 by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. It is a voluntary standard of ten principles in the area of human rights, labour, environment and corruption. The principles are drawn from the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, The Rio Principles on Sustainable Development and the recommendations of ILO. The tool is applicable to all types of business - small, medium and large enterprises.
The objective of this initiative is to make Global Compact and its principles part of business strategy and operations, facilitating cooperation among key stakeholders and promote multi sectoral partnerships and in process support development aligned with the UN's mission. To achieve these objectives the Global Compact often facilitates engagement through policy dialogues, learning, local networks and partnership projects.
Principles of UN Global Compact
Human Rights
Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of international human rights within their sphere of influence.
Principle 2: Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Labour
Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
Principle 4: The elimination of all sorts of forced and compulsory labour.
Principle 5: The effective abolition of child labour.
Principle 6: The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Environment
Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.
Principle 8: Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
Principle 9: Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti Corruption
Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms including extortion, bribery.
How to Participate
As a voluntary initiative, the Global Compact seeks wide participation from a diverse group of businesses and other organizations. To participate in the Global Compact a company:
- Send a letter from the CEO (and wherever possible endorsed by the Board) to Secretary General Kofi Annan expressing support for the Global Compact and its principles.
- Set in motion changes in business operations so that the Global Compact becomes part of strategy, culture and day today operations.
- Is expected to publicly advocate the Global Compact via communication vehicles such as press releases, speeches etc and
- 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.
For more details please visit http://www.lotusopportunities.com.np/
<<back
