Civil Society in the Global Compact
‘I call on civil society and labour leaders to remain vigilant and engaged, and continue to hold businesses accountable to their commitments.’
United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon
Global Compact
Leaders Summit, Geneva, July 2007
The UN Global Compact is a multi-stakeholder voluntary initiative that asks
participants, in particular companies, to engage and collaborate with other
stakeholders to create a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.
Companies joining the Compact make a commitment to incorporate into their
business strategy and practices ten universal principles in the areas of human
rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Civil society participants
agree to work with companies to help advance the principles in business
operations and, where possible, through partnership projects.
Civil
society organizations are an important and integral part of the Global Compact
and its goal to effect social change through collective action. The initiative
seeks to strengthen and widen the engagement with committed civil society
organizations that have an understanding of the ten principles and related
expertise – particularly in terms of helping companies translate the principles
into policies and practice. In this regard, civil society organizations
utilize professional and/or field expertise.
The current status of civil society participants in the Global Compact
Civil society has been participating in the Global Compact initiative from its inception in 2000. Currently almost 400 civil society organizations – representing local, regional, and global interests – are involved at some level.
Civil society organizations participating in the Global Compact.
Statistics on current civil society participation in the Global Compact.
How to participate in the Global Compact.
For more information contact
Ms. Olajobi Makinwa
UN Global Compact Senior
Civil Society Coordinator
makinwa@un.org
(Last update 12 December 2007)
