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Business and Peace

Companies have an interest in peace and stability. Lack of a predictable political and economic framework and violence disrupts production and supply lines, increases operating costs and delays business activities. For companies of all sizes, being operational in "conflict-prone", "weak" or "post-conflict" countries poses a number of dilemmas with no easy answers. The UN Global Compact provides a dynamic forum, bringing together all stakeholders in society to enhance the capacity of companies to make a positive contribution to peace and development.

Featured Resources

Guidance on Responsible Business in Conflict-Affected & High-Risk Areas: A Resource for Companies & Investors (2010) The Guidance aims to assist companies in implementing responsible business practices in conflict-affected and high-risk areas consistent with the Global Compact ten principles. Also available in 中文 and Español.
Peace through Commerce - Responsible Corporate Citizenship and the Ideals of the United Nations Global Compact (2008) edited by Oliver F. Williams. Notre Dame, In: University of Notre Dame Press.
Sustaining Business and Peace - a Resource Pack for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises This resource, developed by International Alert and the Global Compact, assists SMEs in understanding how CSR strategies and activities can contribute to peace and development.
Doing Business in a Multicultural World This publication, developed by the UN Alliance of Civilizations and Global Compact, explores how companies can facilitate intercultural understanding in ways that benefit both business and society.

Ongoing Projects and Engagement Opportunities

Building on the recent launch of the "Guidance on Responsible Business in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: A Resource for Companies and Investors", the Global Compact and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) are establishing a pilot group of companies and investors willing to actively implement the Guidance and report on lessons learned. The aim of the pilot project is to develop a better understanding of what the Guidance means in practical terms across different operating environments and how companies from different sectors can best implement.

News and Events

8 Nov 2011 - Expert Group Meeting: "Responsible Business in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas"
20 June 2011 - Fifth Corporate Sustainability Forum, Cairo, Egypt - Release of the "Call for Responsible Business and Investment in Egypt"
17 May 2011 - Expert Group Meeting: "Responsible Business & Investment in High-Risk Areas"
11 Nov 2010 - New Phase of Business and Peace Initiative Launched
26 Apr 2010 - Exploring the Business and Peace Agenda in East Asia
2 Mar 2010 - Sudan Workshop Looks at Business and Investment in Conflict-Affected Countries
8 Jun 2009 - Tackling Responsible Investment in Conflict-Affected Countries
7 Apr 2009 - Business Has Important Role in Bridging Cultural Divides
4 Feb 2009 - Business Contribution to Peace and Global Compact’s Engagement in Sudan
1 Dec 2008 - Launch of the Global Compact Network Sudan
28 Jun 2008 - Responsibility to the Future: Business, Peace, Sustainability, Mumbai, India

Contact

Adrienne Gardaz
UN Global Compact
gardaz (at) un.org
+1-917-367-7096

Melissa Powell
UN Global Compact
powell1 (at) un.org
+1 212-963-0566

(Last updated: 21 November 2011)