1 Antonio C. Asper (Asst. to the President, of FFW) The GLOBAL COMPACT INITIATIVE

2 GCI: What it is all about An initiative of the UN SG, launched in January 31, 1999; essentially a leadership model With an open, voluntary, multi-stakeholder, network- based character (more than 2300 companies) Embeded in the UN (with six participating UN agencies) To promote responsible corporate citizenship by encouraging adherence to 10 principles in four broad areas: human rights, labour standards, environment and anti-corruption By means of practical learning, dialogue and concrete undertakings With a governance framework that is described as “light multi-centric”

3 GCI: STAKE-HOLDERS Companies Governments Labor Civil Society United Nations

4 MISSION STATEMENT “The Global Compact strives to be the world’s most inclusive voluntary initiative to promote responsible corporate citizenship, ensuring that business, in partnership with other social actors, plays its essential part in achieving the United Nation’s vision of a more sustainable and equitable global economy”

5 2 COMPLEMENTARY OBJECTIVES Making the Compact and its principles on human rights, labor environment and anti- corruption an integral part of business operations and activities everywhere; Encouraging and facilitating dialogue and partnerships among key stakeholders in support of the ten principles and broader UN goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals

6 The GC Governance Framework Global Compact Leaders Summit Local Networks Annual Local Networks Forum Global Compact Board Global Compact Office UN Inter-agency Team

7 The Global Compact Board 20 Members appointed by the UN Secretary General, with 3-years tenure  10 business representatives  4 representatives of business associations and labour groups (2 each)  4 representatives of civil society organizations  2 Ex-Officio: Head of the Global Compact Office and Chair of the Foundation for the Global Compact

8 Labour Groups in the GC ICFTU TUAC 5 GUFs (BWI, ICEM, IFJ, IMF, UNI) 26 National Labour Organizations In the Philippines, the only labour organization in the Global Compact is the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE)

9 Philippine Scene Organizations developing the GC Network in the Philippines include: – UNDP – ECOP – PCCI – IOE/ILO – PBSP – Steering Committee May 2002

10 TEN PRINCIPLES from FOUR SOURCES 1.The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 2.The ILO’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work 3.The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development 4.The UN’s Convention Against Corruption The GLOBAL COMPACT INITIATIVE

11 2 PRINCIPLES on: Human Rights Principle 1: Business should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses

12 4 PRINCIPLES on: Labour Standards Principle 3: Business should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

13 3 PRINCIPLES on: Environment Principle 7: Business should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges; Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and Princi0ple 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies

14 1 PRINCIPLE on: Anti-corruption Principle 10: Business should work against all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery

15 What Unions can do to promote the GC Enlist in the GC Practice the Principles Join the Local Networks Actively participate in Local Networks and the Local Network Fora Negotiate with or encourage Companies to enlist in the GC Advocate with Government and IFIs to give preferential treatment to GC-enlisted companies in their procurement activities; start with DOLE