With the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Swiss Embassy, a Global Compact Local Network was launched in Tanzania, reflecting increased commitment to the values and principles of corporate social responsibility by businesses and corporates operating domestically in the country.
Attended by about 70 private sector executives and government representatives, the launch event focused on how this new network of participants from diverse sectors could advance the 10-point Compact Principles.
As a voluntary initiative, the UN Global Compact (UNGC) seeks wide participation from a diverse group of businesses. As a participant in the Global Compact, a company sets in motion changes to business operations to deliver long- term value in financial, social, environmental and ethical terms. In essence, the Global Compact asks businesses to do no harm, make a difference, and work with others. And local networks advance corporate sustainability at the grassroots level by helping companies understand what responsible business means within a national context. The Global Compact supports and builds the capacity of such networks, and facilitates knowledge sharing among them.
The UN Global Compact (UNGC), an international voluntary CSR initiative launched in 2000, promotes UN-backed principles of corporate governance focused on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Participation is entirely voluntary and implies that businesses openly report on their progress relating to Corporate Social Responsibility on a regular basis.
The formation of the network was spearheaded by the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA), along with eight founding signatory companies and non-companies – include Helvetic Group, Statoil, IPP Media, Association of Tanzanian Employers (ATE), Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF), Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and the CEO Round Table (CEOrt). It currently has over 45 Tanzanian signatories from a wide range of sectors and industries, following the lead of hundreds of countries around the world that have established Local Networks to jumpstart corporate sustainability action and awareness at the local level.
