THE BELGIAN NETWORK FOR THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT Introduction by Stephan Vanhaverbeke 06/08/09 Global Compact Network Belgium

Introduction by Stephan Vanhaverbeke

What is the UN Global Compact? The UN Global Compact is a leadership platform, endorsed by business leaders and their CEO's, offering a unique strategic platform for participants to advance their commitments to sustainability and corporate citizenship. In Belgium, there is an emerging network of the Global Compact, to serve as a point for communication and collaboration, peer exchange and training. The Belgian Network is currently an informal network that is being supported by key participants and local partners of the UN Global Compact. 06/08/09 Global Compact Network Belgium

The UN Global Compact is a leadership platform, endorsed by business leaders and their CEO's, offering a unique strategic platform for participants to advance their commitments to sustainability and corporate citizenship.

In Belgium, there is an emerging network of the Global Compact, to serve as a point for communication and collaboration, peer exchange and training. The Belgian Network is currently an informal network that is being supported by key participants and local partners of the UN Global Compact.

Who are we? The network consists of organisations that are “active” participants in the UN Global Compact who have a representation in Belgium. As a voluntary initiative, we seek wide participation from a diverse group of businesses and other organisations. To participate in the Global Compact, an organisation must simply draft a Letter of Commitment to the Global Compact and its principles and register at the UN Global Compact website www.unglobalcompact.org . This also automatically enrolls your organization in the Belgian Network. (As long as the network is informal, no additional requirements apply). 06/08/09 Global Compact Network Belgium

The network consists of organisations that are “active” participants in the UN Global Compact who have a representation in Belgium. As a voluntary initiative, we seek wide participation from a diverse group of businesses and other organisations.

To participate in the Global Compact, an organisation must simply draft a Letter of Commitment to the Global Compact and its principles and register at the UN Global Compact website www.unglobalcompact.org . This also automatically enrolls your organization in the Belgian Network. (As long as the network is informal, no additional requirements apply).

What are you committing to? The Global Compact formulates 10 principles: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses. Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;the effective abolition of child labour; and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges; undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies. Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery. 06/08/09 Global Compact Network Belgium

The Global Compact formulates 10 principles:

Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and

make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;

the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;the effective abolition of child labour; and

the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;

undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and

encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

What are you committing to? One of the explicit commitments that a company makes when it joins the UN Global Compact is to produce an annual Communication on Progress (COP), with three basic elements: Statement of continued support for the UN Global Compact in the opening letter, statement or message from the senior executive. Description of practical actions that participants have taken since joining the initiative or since the company’s most recent COP to implement the UN Global Compact principles and undertake partnership projects in support of broad UN goals. Measurement of outcomes or expected outcomes using, as much as possible, indicators or metrics such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Guidelines or other methodologies. 06/08/09 Global Compact Network Belgium

One of the explicit commitments that a company makes when it joins the UN Global Compact is to produce an annual Communication on Progress (COP), with three basic elements:

Statement of continued support for the UN Global Compact in the opening letter, statement or message from the senior executive.

Description of practical actions that participants have taken since joining the initiative or since the company’s most recent COP to implement the UN Global Compact principles and undertake partnership projects in support of broad UN goals.

Measurement of outcomes or expected outcomes using, as much as possible, indicators or metrics such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Guidelines or other methodologies.

What value do we generate? Through the Global Compact, you align your organization towards the realization of the UN’s Millenium Development Goals through effective, open commitment to important CSR principles. As a network, we can generate additional value for participants through: Peer exchange of useful principles and feedback on performance and communication. Performance enhancing Toolkits and trainings. Case studies (local and international) An international network that connects to NGO’s, governments and institutions world-wide. 06/08/09 Global Compact Network Belgium

Through the Global Compact, you align your organization towards the realization of the UN’s Millenium Development Goals through effective, open commitment to important CSR principles. As a network, we can generate additional value for participants through:

Peer exchange of useful principles and feedback on performance and communication.

Performance enhancing Toolkits and trainings.

Case studies (local and international)

An international network that connects to NGO’s, governments and institutions world-wide.

Connecting to the Global Compact www.unglobalcompact.org www.globalcompact.be At your service, Stephan Vanhaverbeke, stephan.vanhaverbeke@globalcompact.be Focal Point for the Global Compact Network Belgium 06/08/09 Global Compact Network Belgium

www.unglobalcompact.org

www.globalcompact.be

At your service,

Stephan Vanhaverbeke, stephan.vanhaverbeke@globalcompact.be

Focal Point for the Global Compact Network Belgium