20.05.2009

Kyiv, Ukraine

United Nations Global Compact General Meeting

At the United Nations Global Compact General Meeting the network members from Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova reported on the activities and projects implemented in their countries since the launch of the initiative three years ago.

"Ten years ago (31 January 1999) in its address to the World Economic Forum, Kofi Annan called on business leaders to initiate a "Global Compact" of shared values and principles. From an experimental idea the Global Compact grew into the biggest corporate social responsibility (CSR) movement in the world. Belarus, - said Jeremy HARTLEY, United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i., UNICEF Representative in Ukraine. - Ukraine and Moldova joined this movement three years ago, and the Global Compact has grown rapidly in a relatively short amount of time in these countries. In Ukraine, for example, the United Nations Global Compact has been among the first to introduce the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Starting as a handful of 34 champions it reached the amount of 134 signatories including local and multi-national companies, labour organizations, civil society organizations, academia and media. The network keeps growing even in the times of economic recession.

During these three years Global Compact members from countries' networks have implemented a significant amount of initiatives aimed at solving social and economical issues, raising awareness of CSR in their countries and naturally implementing the ten principles of UN Global Compact 

Mr. Kirill Ermichine, CSR manager, DTEK, member company of the GC Network Ukraine together with the colleagues representing Belarus and Moldova networks (Mr. Alexandr Denisov, General Manager, Coca Cola Belarus and Ms. Rodica Verbenyuc, Corporate Communication, Unit Head, MOLDCELL) made presentations of the networks, talking about major achievements, challenges and perspectives.

In the framework of the meeting award ceremony for the winner of the contest on the best analytical material on social responsibility of business took place.Ms. Elena GLADSKIKH (newspaper "DELO") was awarded with the opportunity to attend Annual Forum of the GC Networks in Istanbul (June 2009). In addition companies "Coca-Cola Ukraine" and "Philips Ukraine" provided special nominations and awarded Ms. Viktoria Granina ("Gvardia" project) for the material on ecological responsibility and Mr. Svyatoslav Rybnikov ( "Ukrainian Technial Newspaper") for popularization of CSR topic in the regions.

Mr. Igor Slisarenko, famous TV journalist, special guest of the ceremony and member of the jury, provided comments on CSR coverage in media, its challenges and opportunities.

During the second session GC participants from the three countries discussed partnership projects engaging local businesses, among which were "Developing Youth Skills for Success" (Intel Ukraine), Telemedicine project (MTS Belarus), "Every Drop Matters" (Coca-Cola Ukraine) "Healthy Diet for Children" (Savushkin product, Belarus) and "Introduction of Code of Conduct for Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour" (Bioprotect Ltd, Moldova).

Presentations of the intra-network meeting are available here.

Photo material from the summit is available here.

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