In 1999 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan proposed a “Global Compact” between the United Nations and the world business community.  The Global Compact is an initiative to safeguard sustainable growth within the context of globilzation by promoting a core set of universal values which are fundamental to meeting the socio-economic needs of the world's people.  It is an effort to give a human face to the global market.

What does it mean for employers?

The UN asks business to publicly embrace, support and enact nine universal principles within their spheres of inluence.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Principle one
Business should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.

Principle two
Business should make sure they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Principle three
Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.

Principle four
Business should uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour.

Principle five
Businesses should uphold the effective abolition of child labour.

Principle six
Businesses should uphold the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

ENVIRONMENT

Principle seven
Business should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.

Principle eight
Businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.

Principle nine
Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

ANTI-CORRUPTION

Principle ten
Business should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

For further information, please visit www.unglobalcompact.org