The Global Compact Network Germany (Deutsches Global Compact Netzwerk-DGCN) is an active learning and dialogue platform for the implementation of the ten Global Compact principles. As a business driven multi-stakeholder network, the DGCN functions independently, openly, and transparently. More information about the network's governance structure, its participants and activities can be found in our factsheet.
You can find more information about the UN Global Compact at www.unglobalcompact.org and below.

---

The Ten Principles

The Global Compact's ten principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption enjoy universal consensus and are derived from:
   
* The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
* The International Labour Organisation's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
* The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
*  The United Nations Convention Against Corruption

The Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption:

Human Rights

* Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
* Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses. 

Labour Standards

* Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
* Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
* Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
* Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.     

Environment

* Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
* Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
*  Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies. 

Anti-Corruption

* Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery. 

---

Implementation and Engagement

The UN Global Compact presents a unique and powerful platform for participants to advance their commitments to sustainability and corporate citizenship. With more than 5200 company participants and stakeholders from more than 120 countries, over 60 networks in developed and emerging economies, and a spectrum of learning, dialogue and partnership opportunities, companies have an unprecedented opportunity to further their business and corporate responsibility objectives, while also contributing to the momentum and strength of the Global Compact.

While the purposes of the United Nations and business differ widely - the UN focuses on peace, poverty reduction and the protection of human rights, and business on profit and growth - their objectives increasingly overlap. Building sustainable markets, combatting corruption, safeguarding the environment and ensuring social inclusion is increasingly important for the long-term value for business. It makes business sense for companies to invest in creating a sound environment in which to do business, to minimize risks, and to harness new business opportunities by supporting emerging markets.

---

The Corporate Commitment

Joining the Global Compact is a widely visible commitment to the  ten principles . A company that signs-on to the Global Compact specifically commits itself to:

1) set in motion changes to business operations so that the Global Compact and its principles become part of management, strategy, culture, and day-to-day operations;

2) publish in its annual report or similar public corporate report (e.g. sustainability report) a description of the ways in which it is supporting the Global Compact and its principles (Communication on Progress), and

3) publicly advocate the Global Compact and its principles via communications vehicles such as press releases, speeches, etc.

In addition, the Global Compact offers many additional opportunities for companies and other organizations to engage, that can maximise the benefit and value of participation, including: local, regional, and global policy dialogues, learning activities (production of case studies, resources and tools), local networks, and multi-stakeholder partnerships .

---

Benefits of participation include:

Direct...

• Global and local opportunities to dialogue and collaborate with other businesses, NGOs, labour, and governments on critical issues
• Exchange of experiences and good practices inspiring practical solutions and strategies to challenging problems
• Finding an entry-point through which companies can access the UN's broad knowledge of development issues
• Leveraging the UN's global reach and convening power with governments, business, civil society, and other stakeholders

Indirect...

• Increased legitimacy and license to operate, particularly in the developing world, because business practices are based on universal values
• Improved reputation and increasing brand value to consumers and investors – specifically in the context of changing societal expectations
• Increased employee morale and productivity, and attracting and retaining the highest qualified employees
• Improved operational efficiency, for instance through better use of raw materials and waste management
• Ensuring a company’s accountability and transparency through a public communication on progress

---

Communication on Progress (COP)

One of the explicit commitments that a company makes when it participates in the Global Compact is to produce an annual COP. A COP is a communication to stakeholders (consumers, employees, organized labour, shareholders, media, government…) on the progress the company has made in implementing the ten principles in their business activities and, where appropriate, supporting UN goals through partnerships.

This section of the Global Compact website provides an overview of the COP, related tools, templates and publications, allows user to find the COPs of participating companies, highlights those COPs that are deemed “notable” and presents answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding COPs.

More →  http://www.unglobalcompact.org/COP/index.html

---

Integrity Measures

The Global Compact is a voluntary initiative that seeks to advance universal principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption through the active engagement of the corporate community, in cooperation with civil society and representatives of organized labour. The initiative is not designed, nor does it have the mandate or resources, to monitor or measure participants’ performance. Nevertheless, with the aim of assuring that the integrity of the United Nations Global Compact is safeguarded at all times, the Secretary-General, on the recommendation of the Global Compact Advisory Council, has adopted various measures.

More → http://www.unglobalcompact.org/AboutTheGC/integrity.html

---

Key Documents

After the Signature - A Guide to Engagement in the United Nations Global Compact   
After the Signature provides a basic introduction to the Global Compact and outlines the commitment that companies make when signing on to the initiative, such as implementing the ten principles and producing an annual Communication on Progress report. The publication includes information on Global Compact Local Networks and engagement in partnerships projects. [More...]

The Inspirational Guide to Implementing the Global Compact
The Inspirational Guide profiles 21 examples of how companies have approached the challenge of implementing the Global Compact, including integrating the principles and engaging in partnerships for development. Focus on the challenges that companies are facing and the practical solutions they have developed in response.
[More...]

The 2007 Global Compact Annual Review
The Annual Review provides a comprehensive update of the initiative and the efforts made by business and other stakeholders to advance the Global Compact's mission and principles. The report reveals the results of the first in-depth survey of participants, and shows how and why companies are implementing the ten principles and seeking partnerships.
[More...]