Sri Lankan Participants Look at Global Compact Implementation

(New York, 16 June 2006) - Participants of the Global Compact in Sri Lanka were invited to attend a UN Global Compact / Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) workshop on strategic CSR and the Global Compact held at the CIMA auditorium in Colombo on the 15th of June. Approximately 40 corporate participants attended the event which served to inform, energize and re-engage Sri Lankan Global Compact participants.

Mr. Chandra Jayaratne of the Chamber of Commerce gave a moving speech to open the event which highlighted how participation in the Global Compact can benefit Sri Lankan corporations. A portion of the workshop was devoted to distinguishing between philanthropy "doing good to look good" and strategic CSR. The point was made that strategic CSR is the new model for a sustainable business.

Mr. Ravi Fernando of MAS Holdings/Strategic CSR Futures worked with participants to assist them in developing a CSR Framework for their respective organizations. Ms. Melissa Powell, Regional Manager for South Asia, UN Global Compact Office informed participants about the Global Compact, recent developments and engagement opportunities including a potential GC Network and the Compact’s annual requirement, the "Communication on Progress".

Key Outcomes:

The foundation of a GC Network in the country has been established. All key stakeholders expressed a strong interest in developing a Global Compact Network Steering Committee for Sri Lanka. (Organizations include the Employers Federation of Ceylon, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, PIM, CIMA and UNDP along with a number corporate leaders from the key industries in the country.) Ravi Fernando, Global Compact focal point for MAS Holdings will continue to drive this process.
The Post-Graduate Institute of Management (PIM), the pioneer of advanced management education in Sri Lanka has recently joined the Compact. In addition to engaging in the GC's academic network, the Dean agreed that the institution will incorporate an elective on sustainability, political & environmental issues which will include the Global Compact in the syllabus for MBAs - starting in January 2007.
The Chamber of Commerce will have a large regional event focused on CSR in November which may provide a good opportunity to re-launch the Global Compact in the country. They also have "Peace & Reconciliation Committee" (new sub-committee recently developed that we should link with the GC’s work on the role of the private sector in zones of conflict).
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Sri Lanka hosted the Global Compact/CIMA workshop on Strategic CSR and will continue to partner with the Global Compact in order to help Sri Lankan corporations implement the GC principles into their day-to-day operations. Going forward, it was agreed that this professional body should play an important role in terms of advocacy and training linked to CSR and the Compact.
Great interest in engaging corporations/Government around the anti-corruption issues.

Download the workshop report here.

Download the participants list here.

For more information please contact Melissa Powell ( powell1@un.org / +1-212-963-0566).