U.S. Network Issues Report: CSR and Public Policy
(
New York, 17 June 2009
) - The U.S. Network of the UN Global Compact today issued the
report of its first working conference of 2009 -
Integrating CSR Into Public Policy Initiatives.
The conference, which took place on 13 May in Washington D.C., drew nearly 80 senior
representatives and experts from the private sector, public sector, civil society, and academia.
Conference sessions focused on such areas as Engaging Policymakers; Multi-Stakeholder Engagement;
and Public-Private Partnerships. In addition, the event featured breakout sessions on
Climate-Water; Sustainability and Finance; and Responsible Transitions.
"One of the most important and rapidly evolving trends is the convergence between corporate
sustainability issues and public policy objectives - at the local, national, and international
levels", said Gavin Power, Deputy Director of the UN Global Compact. "On a host of critical
environmental and social issues, the private sector finds itself in a position to engage in public
policy spheres that positively advance both commercial and societal objectives. But such
interactions need to be carried out with a high degree of transparency and accountability. That is
one of the main messages coming out of this conference".
The conference included some of the largest corporations headquartered in the United States.
U.S. corporate engagement in the UN Global Compact has grown rapidly during the past two years. The
U.S. Network is now the fifth-largest of the UN Global Compact's approximately 80 country networks.
Operationally, the U.S. Network convenes two theme-based working conferences per year. Previous
conferences have focused on topics such as Climate Change; Responsible Procurement; and Business
and Human Rights.
The second working conference of 2009 will take place in the latter half of 2009.
Contact
Gavin Power
Deputy Director
UN Global Compact
powerg@un.org
Cecily Joseph
Director, Corporate Responsibility
Symantec Corporation
& U.S. Network Focal Point
cecily_joseph@symantec.com
