ABSTRACT
Over a decade since its formal launch on 26 July 2000, the United Nations Global Compact (hereafter referred to as the Compact) is now considered as the archetypical corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in the world, counting over 6,000 business participants and 2,200 other ‘stakeholders’. 1 The Compact's ambitious mission has been that of contributing to more sustainable and inclusive global markets by embedding them in shared values. Businesses, large and small, are encouraged to act upon ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour rights, the environment and corruption, and engage in partnerships and initiatives linked to the advancement of United Nations (UN) goals, particularly the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Furthermore, as a learning and knowledge network, the Compact promotes dialogues and learning events among its business signatories, and stakeholders such as trade unions, civil society organizations and academia, at the global, regional and local level.
