Global Compact

1
Global Compact the Pakistan Experience
Presentation for 5th regional JPO Workshop, Hanoi
14-18 June
2
Sequence of Events
Media Launch - media briefing held in Islamabad,
15 May 2003 Pre-Launch Workshop on Global
Compact by Employer's Federation of Pakistan in
Karachi on 27 September 2003 (CEO, Pakistani
private sector and multinationals) Formation of
Global Compact Steering Board, first meeting held
in Islamabad on 1 October 2003 Next step the
Global Compact Foundation
3
Media Launch

• Launching event to mobilize support and create
  awareness
• GC web site developed www.globalcompact.org.pk
• Examples of GC related initiatives already
  exciting in Pakistan ( UN and non-UN associated)

Pre Launch Workshop

• Pre-Launch Workshop on Global Compact arranged by
  Employer's Federation of Pakistan to generate
  interest among stakeholders
• Keynote speakers on Universal Principles of Human
  Rights, Labour Standards and Environment

4
Poverty Reduction- Examples of Concrete
Partnerships

• The Program for Improving Livelihoods in Urban
  Settlements (PLUS) is aimed at introducing and
  experimenting an alternative, integrated,
  effective, affordable and community-based
  approaches for improving the conditions of the
  predominantly low income communities in selected
  urban areas.
• National Commission on Human Development channel
  resources from the Government of Pakistan, the
  private sector and the international donor
  community.
• Industrial Information Network - INN, to promote
  SMEs in Pakistan and oversees, and facilitate
  entrepreneurs in e-commerce trade established by
  UNIDO in 2001 with technical assistance of
  COMSATS, MOST and SMEDA worth Rs. 40 million

5
Formation of GC Steering Board
In order to consult and involve all
stakeholders, and determine a Plan of Action, a
core group of champions among business,
government, civil society, media and academia
The Global Compact Steering Board was formed,
with UN facilitation.
6
The Composition of the Steering Board
Patron Minister for CommerceChairman UN
Resident CoordinatorMembers UN agencies
(UNDP, ILO, UNIDO) Government Business sector
Academia Civil Society
7
Recommendations from the Board
GC initiative shall be dovetailed to national
priorities go down to local level be governed by
clear institutional mechanisms, to ensure
transparent and sustainable implementation of
practical partnerships and projects create public
awareness on the importance and benefits,and
undertake research and advocacy as first critical
steps mobilize further resources to further the
initiative The Steering Board decided to
establish a Foundation to take the GC imitative
further
8
The GC Foundation

• The GC Foundation, led by the business community,
  will act as the principal agency to engage with
  interested stakeholders, and initiate, facilitate
  and support events, projects, partnerships,
  networks, dialogues and research, under the
  Global Compact Pakistan banner. It shall
• Provide a common neutral and organized platform
  for initiating diversity of actions and engaging
  all interested stakeholders
• Institutionalize initiatives and
  capitalize/disseminate knowledge and expertise
• Provide a formal, accountable, flexible and
  transparent framework for resource mobilization
  and utilization

9
Next steps
The GC Steering Board has decided to dissolve
itself as and when the Foundation will be
established. The GC process will then be
completely handed over to the Foundation. The
Foundation will then operate through its Board of
Directors (consisting of a majority of business
leaders), and its working sub-committees, where
all interested stakeholders will be able to work
in partnership around issues and projects of
common interest. The UN will continue to get
involved in GC related activities, but as a
facilitator and broker.
10
Board of the Foundation
The Board of the Foundation would be a broad-base
representation and act as the policy-making body
for Global Compact Pakistan. Subject to the
provisions of the (Societies registration ACT
1860) , the following members of the Board are
proposed 5 representative associations of the
corporate sector 3 public sector agencies
representatives 2 representatives from civil
society and academia UN Resident Coordinator will
act as an observer on behalf of participating UN
agencies
11
Summary of recommendations

• Develop institutional frameworks for the Global
  Compact by
• Establishing a Global Compact Foundation
• Embedding into existing institutional networks
  and platforms
• Employ a bottom-up approach and localizing Global
  Compact initiatives through
• Global Compact City Initiative, TimeBanks
  Initiative, Focus on SMEs, Focus on
  public-private partnerships that involve and
  benefit communities

12
Summary of recommendations cont.

• Focus on Advocacy, Outreach, Research and
  Learning by
• Working closely with stakeholders to raise
  awareness about Global Compact and its principles
  through seminars, workshops and trainings
• Establish Chairs and Fellowships at premier
  universities
• Establish learning centers
• Carry out research on relevant topics
• Participate in international events to raise
  country profile and learn from international
  practices
• Engage in consistent communication with
  stakeholders through media including advertising,
  websites, newsletters, articles and supplements 

13
Summary of recommendations cont.

• Develop incentives for good practice and assist
  business and industry in self-regulation by
• Instituting various Global Compact awards,
  Capacity building of associations to strengthen
  self-regulatory frameworks 
• Formalize the commitments made by stakeholders by
  signing Memorandum of Understanding with
  partners, outlining areas and nature of
  partnership and thus develop and sustain momentum
  on the Global Compact Pakistan agenda.

14
Resource Mobilization

• Start-up
• Received some funds from RC and UNDP CO budgets,
  hired one national consultants and had one UNDP
  PO as focal point
• Resource Mobilization Strategy
• Board members have committed initial funding
• Developed detailed recourse mobilization strategy
  for both cash and in kind contributions for
  private sector, government, development agencies,
  civil society and academia contributions

15
Some lessons learned...

• Perceptions initial criticism of UN blue wash
  of corporate sector
• Need to be pragmatic at country level, important
  to link it to concrete local ideas and
  initiatives on corporate social responsibility
• It is a voluntary, multi-stakeholder network
  bringing business together with UN, government,
  labour and civil society to advance responsible
  corporate citizenship.
• It is a framework to facilitate better
  interaction and increased partnerships between
  the public and the private sectors, with the
  ultimate objective to promote and support
  development.
• to match ideas, partners and resources

16
Some lessons learned...

• Difficult to get started without any funds, as
  partners were reluctant to host the initial
  events
• Feedback the power of the logo makes many
  interested in the GC, opportunity for SMEs to
  associate with UN
• Ownership many wants the primary ownership,
  difficult to work with so many VIPs at one time
• Bottom-up approach forging partnerships at
  district and city level, devolution process opens
  opportunities ( 80 of labour force employed in
  SMEs)

17
Thank you!