Speakers Included:
Mr. Farid Ahmed (EEG)
Mr. Jim Walker (The Climate Group)
Mr. Khaled Bushnaq (Energy Management Services)
Mr. Mark Silverton (WSP)
Mr. Mohammed Al Jariri (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority)
The Emirates Environmental Group Corporate Social Responsibility Network hosted a workshop on
Creating Sustainable Business on 27th February 2006. The workshop focused on United Nations Global
Compact and was the seventh workshop to be conducted under the auspices of the EEG Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) Network.
This event addressed the need for an integrated approach to create holistic CSR programmes in the UAE region. It also looked at introducing the United Nations Global Compact Network at a regional level, thus emphasizing the need for partnerships to create collective impact in social development.
Chairperson Mrs Habiba Al Marashi opened the workshop quoting UN Director General Kofi Anan who initiated the Global Compact in 1999. “We have to choose between a global market driven only by calculation of short - term profits, and one which has a human face. Between a world, which condemns a quarter of the human race to starvation and squalor, and one which offers everyone at least a chance of prosperity, in a healthy environment. Between a selfish free-for-all, in which we ignore the fate of the losers, and a future in which the strong and successful accept their responsibilities, showing global vision and leadership.”
The UN Global Compact is a voluntary initiative supported by companies around the world that are
working to advance ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-
corruption.
To date the Global Compact has not been widely adopted in the Middle East region. However, several of the EEG member companies were instrumental in its establishment, namely ABB and Shell. The only regional company which has signed up to the Compact, Metito, is also a member of the CSR Network.
Mrs. Al Marashi commented that the goals of the two organizations are closely aligned: Both seek,
through the power of collective action, to promote responsible corporate citizenship so that business can
be part of the solution to the challenges of globalisation.
She went on to stress the importance of businesses contributions to sustainable development “It requires the integration of social, environmental and economic considerations to make balanced judgments in the long-term. We live in a world, which says “Don’t tell me, show me”, where power must expect to be challenged, and where transparency is recognised to be best both for markets and society. Business must take full account of these societal expectations. The basic message being that business is not divorced from the rest of society. Business and society are interdependent and we must ensure, through mutual understanding and responsible behaviour, that the role of business in building a better future is recognized and encouraged.”
This workshop brought home the fact that despite achieving impressive momentum, the corporate social responsibility movement is still more of a cosmetic treatment for many companies. However, the Global Compact can be seen as a useful tool for aiding companies in their development and implementation of strategies that encompass CSR. This was demonstrated through the profiling of practical case studies.
The keynote speaker at the workshop was Mr. Matthias Stausberg, Communication and Public Affairs Officer for the United Nations Global Compact, who introduced the Global Compact, its regional network, its benefits and also gave examples to demonstrate how the ten principles can be incorporated to create sustainable business.
Also presenting at the event was Ms Hala Mouniemne, Programme Analyst, UNDP, UAE Office. Ms
Mouniemne briefed how UNDP works with the Global Compact to help bring the Global Compact to
the country level, its partnership agenda and also examples of business partnership opportunities.
Mr Mohammed El Kalla, Private and Global Compact Specialist, UN Resident Coordinator Office, Egypt outlined developments in the Egyptian GC network, including the Pre-Launch Activities, Post Launch Activities, and the potential and key lessons learned from the Egyptian Experience.
Mr. Khalid Al Kassim, Deputy Director General of Planning and Development, Department of Economic Development (DED) said that “Government departments must take the lead in implementing initiatives and setting standards that contribute to the welfare of the community and society, along with playing a part in the economic development of the nation,” He added that the Department has always been committed to the welfare of Dubai’s multi-cultural community and has implemented several programmes. He emphasized that, it is important to ensure that the primary objective of socially responsible practices within an organisation must be for the benefit of society and CSR initiatives must be a part of the mainstream strategy and the way of doing business,” .
Metito (Overseas) Ltd was represented by Mr Rami Ghandour, Executive Director Corporate Strategy and
Investment and Ms Budoor Hunnoon, Marketing Executive. Metito is the only Global Compact member
in UAE and their presentation focused on Metito’s approach to CSR, their vision and values, Metito’s
engagement with the EEG CSR Network and how they are implementing the principles of the Global
Compact in taking forward their commitment to social responsibility.
Gambate Communications is an affiliate of Ketchum in UAE. Ketchum is a Global Compact signatory and Ms Renee Harper Ardrey, CEO and Nadia Jabri, Director of Public Affairs at Gambate Communications spoke about Ketchum’s CSR activities and how they have incorporated the principles of the Global Compact into their business.
This event signified the need to build strategic partnerships between the government, business and civil
society and highlighted the fact that one of the main challenges facing the country is the activation of the
role of the private sector to be an effective and efficient partner in the development
process. Around 70 delegates from government, business and academia attended the event held at the
JW Marriott Hotel Dubai.
