Participants
The Global Compact challenges chief executive officers - supported by their boards - to make the Compact and its principles part of corporate strategy and day-to-day operations. Taking a public stand and submitting a letter to the UN Secretary-General is a crucial first step in a process of change towards Responsible Corporate Citizenship. In some cases, the Global Compact will initiate this process; in other cases, the Compact will serve to amplify efforts that have already begun. For many companies, the Global Compact marks the beginning of a long and uneven process: bringing human rights, labour issues and environmental priorities into boardrooms, to company personnel, suppliers, clients, and to the public at large.
We acknowledge these letters of intent and post company names in our online database. This does not mean that the Global Compact recognizes or certifies that these companies have fulfilled the Compact’s principles. We have neither the capacity to do so nor is the Compact designed as a static verification instrument. Instead, we foster dialogue, learning and actions while giving maximum impetus to public accountability and transparency by asking participating companies to report on actions taken in their annual reports or other public documents. In this way, shareholders, relevant stakeholders and the public at large can foster change processes and the implementation of the Global Compact's principles.
For more information on joining the Compact, see How to Participate.