GLOBAL COMPACT

A UN network launched in 2000, which brings private sector companies together with UN agencies and labour and civil society organizations in a common effort to advance responsible corporate citizenship so that business can be a part of the solution to the challenges of globalization.

To learn more about, click on the link Overview of the UN Global Compact

"As part of the general strategic drive towards elevating the integrity and accountability of the initiative, the Global Compact Office removed 335 companies from its global list of participants on 1 October 2006."
(Global Compact, 335 Companies Inactive as Part of Quality Drive, 2006, visited 2009-08-04)

"The UN Global Compact epitomizes the current state of the politics of international development in three distinct ways. First, the Compact illustrates a major turn in development thinking. After decades of hostile relations, the UN and business now acknowledge their common interest in the promotion of sustainable development. Second, the Compact brings to light the gradual emergence of more inclusive forms of global governance, in response to the failure of traditional mechanisms of development cooperation. Third, ongoing discussions about the Global Compact attest to the competing worldviews that structure today's development debate."
(Thérien, J.-P., The Global Compact: Shifting the Politics of International Development?, 2006, visited 2009-08-04)

Through dialogue, projects, regional networks, and similar means, participants seek to promote ten principles in the area of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.

The Global Compact does not monitor participating companies, but measures have now been adopted to deal with the misuse of association with the UN, failure to communicate progress and allegations of systematic abuse.
Following a comprehensive review of the Global Compact's governance during 2004-2005, a new governance framework was adopted in August 2005. Governance functions are shared by six entities, each with differentiated tasks within a multi-centric framework:

• Global Compact Leaders Summit
• Local Networks
• Annual Local Networks Forum
• Global Compact Board
• Global Compact Office
• Inter-Agency Team

(adapted fromGlobal Compact, Global Compact Governance; visited 2009-08-04)