Creating a Sustainable Business
Workshop on United Nations Global Compact

27th February 2006
9 am – 5 pm JW Marriott Hotel Dubai

INTRODUCTION

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 high level workshop focused on what is UN Global Compact, the ten universal principles and how we can as a region incorporate these into our CSR programmes. The Global Compact is an international initiative that will bring companies together with UN agencies, labour and civil society to support universal environmental and social principles. The Global Compact is working to advance ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.

OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP

1. Provide Delegates with an understanding about the UN Global Compact and the need for this initiative.
2. Bringing forth to delegates the long-term benefits of creating a positive impact on society as a business.
3. Outline the ten universal principles of Global Compact and how, their adoption will help one create a sustainable business.
4. Showcase case studies
5. Facilitate sharing of experiences across a cross section of people.

The workshop was facilitated by Mr Peter Wilson, Director, WSP Environment (Annexure 1 - Agenda).

SPEAKERS

• Keynote Speaker - Mr. Matthias Stausberg,Communication and Public Affair, UN Global Compact
  
• Ms. Hala Mouneimne - UNDP, Programme Analyst, UAE office
  
• Mr Khalid Al Kassim, Deputy Director General Planning and Development, Department of Economic Development.
  
• Mr. Mohammed El-Kalla - Private Sector and Global Compact Specialist, UN Resident Coordinator Office.
  
• Ms Budoor Hunnoon, Marketing Executive & Mr. Rami Ghandour, Executive Director Corporate Strategy & Investment, Metito(Overseas) Ltd
  
• Ms Renee Harper-Ardrey and Ms Nadia Jabri,CEO and Director Public Affairs, Gambate Communication

Attendees

Around 60 delegates from government, business and academia attended the event held at the JW Marriott Hotel Dubai

SYNOPSIS OF SESSIONS

Chairperson Mrs. Habiba Al Marashi opened the workshop by highlighting the importance of businesses contributions to sustainable development. She said that it requires the integration of social, environmental and economic considerations to make balanced judgments in the long-term. Ms Marashi stressed that 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."

She also emphasized that strategic alliances lead to the pursuit of development objectives in diverse fields, in particular, in employment creation, education, health, and environmental protection.

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) spoke about the role of Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) in serving its community through several initiatives undertaken by their divisions. It also explained the duties of organizations in promoting CSR and the challenges organizations face in order to set a more consolidated and integrated CSR such that, the community will benefit more.

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.

CONCLUSIONS

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.

This event addressed the need for an integrated approach to create holistic CSR programmes in the UAE region. It looked at introducing the United Nations Global Compact Network at a regional level, to emphasize the need for partnerships to create collective impact in social development.

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 workshop was well received and many of the delegates saw this workshop as being a important step forward to promote CSR in UAE and the right time to introduce the Global compact in the region. 65% of the delegates said that the workshop was excellent; all of them felt that the topic chosen was extremely relevant in today's scenario.

Annexure 1 - Programme Schedule

Facilitator: Mr. Peter Wilson, Director, WSP Environment
9.00am Registration
9.30am Opening speech by Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson, EEG
9.45am Mr. Matthias Stausberg - Communication & Public Affairs, Global Compact.
10.30am Ms Hala Mouneimne - Programme Analyst, UNDP
11.00am Coffee break
11.15am Mr. Khalid Al Kassim, Deputy Director General Planning and Development, Department of Economic Development
11.45am Mr. Mohammed El-Kalla, Private & Global Compact Specialist, GC Network Egypt
12.15pm Discussion
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Ms Budoor Hunnoon, Marketing Executive & Mr. Rami Ghandour, Executive Director Corporate Strategy & Investment, Metito(Overseas) Ltd
2.20pm Discussion
2.30pm Renee Harper-Ardrey and Ms Nadia Jabri, Gambate Communication
2.50pm Discussion
3.00pm Coffee Break
3.15pm Plenary session - 'CSR in UAE a Strategy or PR'
4.20pm Conclusion & Vote of Thanks