Participation in the Global Compact

The UN Global Compact presents a unique platform for participants to advance their commitments to sustainability and corporate citizenship. With more than 5, 000 company participants and stakeholders from more than 120 countries, over 60 networks in developed and emerging economies, and a spectrum of learning, dialogue and partnership modalities, companies have an unprecedented opportunity to further their business and corporate responsibility objectives, while also contributing to the momentum and strength of the Global Compact.

While the purposes of the United Nations and business differ widely - the UN focuses on peace, poverty reduction and the protection of human rights, and business on profit and growth - their objectives increasingly overlap. Building sustainable markets, combatting corruption, safeguarding the environment and ensuring social inclusion is increasingly important for the long-term value for business. It makes business sense for companies to invest in creating a sound environment in which to do business, to minimize risks and to harness new business opportunities by supporting emerging markets.

Benefits of participation include:

Direct...	Indirect...
Global and local opportunities to dialogue and collaborate with other businesses, NGOs, labour, and governments on critical issues	Increased legitimacy and license to operate, particularly in the developing world, because business practices are based on universal values
Exchange of experiences and good practices inspiring practical solutions and strategies to challenging problems	Improved reputation and increasing brand value to consumers and investors – specifically in the context of changing societal expectations
Finding an entry-point through which companies can access the UN's broad knowledge of development issues	Increased employee morale and productivity, and attracting and retaining the highest qualified employees
Leveraging the UN's global reach and convening power with governments, business, civil society and other stakeholders	Improved operational efficiency, for instance through better use of raw materials and waste management
	Ensuring a company’s accountability and transparency through a public communication on progress

The Corporate Commitment

Joining the Global Compact is a widely visible commitment to the ten principles. A company that signs-on to the Global Compact specifically commits itself to:

1) set in motion changes to business operations so that the Global Compact and its principles become part of management, strategy, culture, and day-to-day operations;
2) publish in its annual report or similar public corporate report (e.g. sustainability report) a description of the ways in which it is supporting the Global Compact and its principles (Communication on Progress), and
3) publicly advocate the Global Compact and its principles via communications vehicles such as press releases, speeches, etc.

Further Engagement

The Global Compact offeres numerous ways for companies to engage, besides the implementation of the ten principles within the company's business strategy and operations.

Partnerships for Development: The Global Compact encourages companies to participate in partnership projects with their stakeholders in support of broad UN goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Local Networks: supporting companies in the implementation of the Global Compact at the local level. Currently, more than 70 local networks exist around the world.
Policy Dialogues: action-oriented multi-stakeholder meetings on specific issues related to and corporate citizenship.
Learning: participants are encouraged to share examples of corporate practices on this website as well as to develop in-depth case studies and analyses for publications or presentation at learning events.
Collective Action: a way of creating a level playing field on which to compete which increases the impact on local business practices beyond the capacity of any one company.
Training: the Global Compact organizes several workshops and training for participants around the world every year.

For an overview of concrete engagement opportunities in 2008, click here.

Key Resources

After the Signature - A Guide to Engagement in the United Nations Global Compact
A basic introduction to the Global Compact, outlining the commitment companies make when signinf on to the Global Compact, and including how to implement the ten principles and produce an annual Communication on Progress report, as well as other ways companies can maximize their engagement.

The Inspirational Guide to Implementing the Global Compact
The Inspirational Guide profiles 21 examples of how companies have approached the challenge of implementing the Global Compact - including integrating the principles and engaging in partnerships for development. Focus on the challenges that companies are facing and the practical solutions they have developed in response.

The 2007 Global Compact Annual Review
The Annual Review provides a comprehensive update of the initiative and the efforts made by business and other stakeholders to advance the Global Compact's mission and principles. The report reveals the results of the first in-depth survey of participants, and shows how and why companies are implementing the ten principles and seeking partnerships.

For more Tools and Resources on the Global Compact click here.

(Last Update 20 February 2008)