Center for Responsible Business Becomes Secretariat for the U.S. Network of U.N. Global Compact

The Haas School's Center for Responsible Business (CRB) has been named the new secretariat for the United States Network of the United Nations Global Compact. As secretariat, the center will play a major role in helping the nearly 500-organization U.S. Network support the U.N. Global Compact's goals in such areas as human rights, labor conditions, environment, and anti-corruption.

 “The Global Compact asks companies to embrace universal principles and to partner with the United Nations," says U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "It has grown to become a critical platform for the U.N. to engage effectively with enlightened global business.”

The CRB will lead activities to grow the U.S. Network, the eighth largest among the U.N. Global Compact’s approximately 100-country networks, through Dec. 31, 2013 (with the option and expectation of renewal). Specific responsibilities will include developing a comprehensive Network Strategic Plan and providing ongoing strategic advice.

“Our students and faculty are looking forward to supporting and expanding this platform to unleash the opportunities associated with collaborative action," says Jo Mackness, CRB’s executive director.

The U.S. Network has grown increasingly active in recent years. In addition to participating in an annual international forum on the U.N. Global Compact, the U.S. Network convenes yearly working conferences covering key sustainability and corporate responsibility topics. Previous working conferences have covered such diverse topics as “Managing Climate Risk” and "Business and Human Rights.”

The Haas School also is a signatory of the U.N. Global Compact’s Principles for Responsible Management Education, which seeks to advance the tenets of sustainability and corporate responsibility in management education and research.

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