|
George Kell
Executive Director UN Global Compact 
 
|
About the European Local NetworksLocal networks are clusters of participants who come together to advance the United Nations Global Compact and its principles within a particular geographic context. They perform increasingly important roles in rooting the Global Compact within different national, cultural and language contexts, and also in helping to manage the organizational consequences of the Global Compact’s rapid expansion. Their role is to facilitate the progress of companies (both local firms and subsidiaries of foreign corporations) engaged in the Global Compact with respect to implementation of the ten principles, while also creating opportunities for multi-stakeholder engagement and collective action. Furthermore, networks deepen the learning experience of all participants through their own activities and events and promote action in support of broader UN goals. Local networks play an essential role in the initiative and are an integral part of the overall governance of the Global Compact. They and their annual meeting - the Local Networks Forum - comprise two of the six entities with differentiated tasks within the Global Compact’s multicentric governance framework. Company participants, including their subsidiaries, are encouraged to be involved in Local Networks. Local network representatives come together for an annual meeting coordinated and chaired by the Global Compact Office, which is known as the Annual Local Networks Forum. The purpose of the Local Networks Forum is for Local Networks to learn from each other’s experiences in building a network, review and compare progress, identify best practices and adopt recommendations intended to enhance the effectiveness of Local Networks, including relating to governance. United Nations Global Compact Local Network Report 2010Takes stock of the work of approximately 90 Local Networks around the world, featuring statistics and case examples on network governance, activities, issues and communications. European trends in CSR development: enhancing cross-border dynamics within the UN Global Compact (29 October 2010)The Global Compact Network Belgium in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a conference on “European trends in CSR development: Enhancing cross-border dynamics within the UN Global Compact Local Networks” During the conference a declaration of intent was signed which is a key outcome of the conference and will definitely contribute to more alignment and knowledge sharing across Europe. In the presence of Mr. Soren Petersen, Head Global Compact Networks & Partnerships New York, the following networks ( including NY) signed: France, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Nordic Countries, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Russia, Austria en Croatia. View the photos that were taken at this event. |
"Dialogue and knowledge-sharing have always been central to the Global Compact’s mission. Tangible progress can only be achieved if challenges are addressed collectively and if good practices are shared widely across industry sectors, and across borders. I applaud the European Local Networks in the Global Compact for this effort to advance regional cooperation in the spirit of our shared objectives."