The United Nations Global Compact

The Syrian International Academy (SAE) joined the UN Global Compact in February 2010 after having officially adopted its ten principles.

There is a global consensus on the ten principles of the UN Global Compact in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment, and the fight against corruption, which are derived from:

  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
  • The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.
  • The United Nations Convention against Corruption.

The Ten Principles Are:

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

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.

The Benefits of Joining the UN Global Compact:

  • Adopting an established and globally recognized policy framework for the development, implementation, and disclosure of environmental, social, and governance policies and practices.
  • Sharing best and emerging practices to advance practical solutions and strategies to common challenges.
  • Advancing sustainability solutions in partnership with a range of stakeholders, including UN agencies, governments, civil society, labor, and other non-business interests.
  • Linking business units and subsidiaries across the value chain with the Global Compact’s Local Networks around the world—many of these in developing and emerging markets.
  • Accessing the United Nations’ extensive knowledge of and experience with sustainability and development issues.
  • Developing specific know-hows.
  • Improving the company reputation and increasing the trust in the company.
  • Assuming a leading role in critical themes.
  • Developing a network with other organizations.
  • Understanding the financial needs and promoting the capital access.
  • Utilizing UN Global Compact management tools and resources, and the opportunity to engage in specialized work streams in the environmental, social and governance realms.

For more information about the UN Global Compact, please visit: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/