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United Nations Global Compact
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Civil Society in the Global Compact

Civil society organizations (CSOs) are an important and integral part of the UN Global Compact and its goal of embedding economies with universal principles and values. There is wide international consensus that today’s global problems are too complex for any one sector to solve alone – collective action is required. In this regard, civil society organizations contribute much needed perspectives and expertise that can complement those of other participants and stakeholders – including business, labour, the United Nations, and government.  

Participating civil society organizations, especially NGOs, offer their knowledge in shaping special initiatives and workstreams; in the development of tools and research; in assisting business participants in the practical implementing the principles; and in furthering partnership projects. Indeed, increasing numbers of companies around the world are working actively with civil society organizations in the development and implementation of their sustainability policies.
Equally important, CSOs help hold business accountable with respect to their commitments to the UN Global Compact and its ten principles. One of the chief dimensions of this important role is through the "social vetting" of business participants' Communications on Progress – that is, reviewing and analyzing these publicly released progress reports and providing constructive commentary to companies.

Civil society has been participating in the UN Global Compact initiative from its inception in 2000. Currently almost 400 civil society organizations – representing local, regional, and global interests – are involved at some level. In addition, four members of the UN Global Compact Board are representatives of civil society.

But there is scope for much greater involvement. The UN Global Compact Office seeks to strengthen and widen engagement with committed civil society organizations that have an understanding of the ten principles and related expertise – particularly in terms of helping companies translate the principles into action. 

How Civil Society Organizations Can Participate

Practically speaking, civil society organizations can engage in the UN Global Compact in numerous ways. An important first step is to officially register as a stakeholder in the UN Global Compact, through a Letter of Commitment and via the on-line Organization Information Form. Committed stakeholders pledge to support the ten principles within their organizations and sphere of influence (note: CSOs, unlike business participants, are not required to report on implementation), and to engage in the activities of the UN Global Compact. Registered CSOs receive all key communications on UN Global Compact activities, events, and initiatives – and this is an important way of staying abreast of engagement opportunities.

To become a participant in the Global Compact:

  1. Download and complete the Letter of Commitment.
  2. Complete the online Organization Registration Form and upload your Letter of Commitment.

The following outlines the key ways in which CSOs can engage and participate.
  1. Explore Participation in UN Global Compact Country (Local) Networks. As an initiative, the UN Global Compact has established more than 80 Country Networks throughout the world. These autonomous, business-led networks are designed as multi-stakeholder "chapters" to advance the UN Global Compact at the local level, through the implementation of the ten principles and partnership projects. CSOs are encouraged to contact the focal points of the relevant Country Network(s) to explore participation. The focal points and their contact information can be found under Networks Around the World.

  2. Join and/or Propose Partnership Projects. One of the two goals of the UN Global Compact is to catalyze partnership projects in support of broad development objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals. Therefore, CSOs are encouraged to forge partnership projects with business participants and other supporting stakeholders of the UN Global Compact, including UN agencies and programs. Several important guides and partnership resources have been developed in this respect. These can be accessed under Partnerships for Development. This section also outlines the various types of partnerships and includes important links to the activities of the UN Development Programme and upcoming meetings and events related to the topic of partnerships.

  3. Engage Companies. In addition, CSOs are encouraged to invite companies within their Country Network(s) to join partnership projects (existing/new/proposed), and to offer their organizations as potential partners to business on specific projects.

  4. Join and/or Support Special Initiatives and Workstreams. The UN Global Compact has a number of topical initiatives and specialized workstreams that may be of interest to CSOs. These cover a spectrum of issues including: climate change, water, human rights, transparency and anti-corruption, responsible investment, zones of conflict, and management education. Opportunities may exist for enhanced civil society engagement in these initiatives and workstreams, and CSOs are encouraged to offer their participation and support. Information on these areas and related contact data can be found under Issues. In some cases, opportunity for greater CSO engagement may depend on the status of a given initiative and its current capacities.

  5. Provide Commentary to Companies on Communications on Progress. As part of their commitment to the UN Global Compact, chief executive officers and their companies pledge to communicate annually on the ways in which they are implementing the ten principles and to provide links to these public disclosures on the UN Global Compact website. CSOs and other stakeholders are encouraged to analyze and review these Communications on Progress (COPs) and provide feedback directly to companies in the spirit of continuous improvement. Reviewing these public documents may also given CSOs key information on specific corporate activities and programs where greater CSO involvement may be needed.

  6. Participate in Global, Regional, and Local Events. As a registered stakeholder in the UN Global Compact, a supporting CSO will receive regular communications on global, regional and local events. CSOs are encourage, where possible and feasible, to participate in these activities – bringing their unique perspectives, expertise, and capacities. 

For more information contact:

Ms. Olajobi Makinwa
Senior Civil Society Coordinator
UN Global Compact
makinwa@un.org

(Last update: 5 October 2008)