Integration within the Global Compact

Global Compact LEAD constitutes a major institutional innovation for the UN Global Compact, allowing for leading companies to differentiate themselves within the initiative. Nevertheless, LEAD will be deeply integrated into the current structure of the Global Compact, including most notably the Global Compact Local Networks, the six existing working groups as well as the Caring for Climate and CEO Water Mandate initiatives.

Leveraging Local Networks

The Global Compact has more than 100 Local Networks around the world. Local Networks perform an increasingly important role in rooting the Global Compact within different political, economic and cultural contexts, and also in helping to manage the organizational consequences of the Global Compact’s rapid expansion. There are a number of very important linkages to LEAD that will be leveraged:

• LEAD will encourage members to take a leadership role in one or more Local Networks and thus catalyze engagement of leading participants in networks around the world, particularly in non-OECD countries.
• LEAD members will receive assistance in navigating this global network and utilizing it to improve local implementation.
• The Local Networks will be leveraged to maximize the impact of LEAD initiatives on the ground, in particular with regard to collective action initiatives that may require local institutional infrastructure to become operational.
• LEAD will cascade the learnings, work, and outcomes of LEAD members to all Global Compact participants via the Local Networks.
• LEAD members will play an important role in strengthening Local Networks and will be invited to participate actively in the Annual Local Networks Forum as well as regional meetings.

Global Compact Working Groups

Over the years, Global Compact Working Groups have produced cutting-edge guidance materials and tools related to the initiative’s four core issue areas – human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. On additional key sustainability issues related to the mission of the Global Compact, other working groups and special initiatives – such as Caring for Climate, the CEO Water Mandate, Business and Peace as well as Supply Chain Sustainability— have also resulted in significant innovation and learning.

While the working groups will continue to be the main venue for discussion of the latest trends and developments as well as for the development of issue-specific tools and resources, Global Compact LEAD will provide a number of related opportunities for its members:

• LEAD will encourage members to actively participate in one or more of the issue-area working groups, and those members of working groups that are also part of LEAD will serve as champions and representatives of their issue area in relation to LEAD.
• LEAD will serve as an “implementation lab” for the working groups with respect to the implementation of guidance, resources, and tools produced.
• LEAD members will be assisted in accessing issue-area experts that can assist in the implementation and integration of policies and recommendations; and
• LEAD members will be invited to provide input to the various working groups on current implementation challenges and knowledge gaps.

Learn more about the Global Compact working groups:

• Human Rights and Labour Working Group
• Environmental Stewardship Working Group
• Working Group on the 10th Principle against Anti-Corruption
• Expert Group on Responsible Investment in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas
• Advisory Group on Supply Chain Sustainability

Strategic Linkages

Participation in Global Compact LEAD will also provide unique access to critical stakeholders. Learn more about the strategic linkages that will be offered through this platform. 

Contact

lead@unglobalcompact.org

(Last Update 7 December 2010)