Conflict Prevention/Peace-building
Although Governments have the responsibility for peace and stability, companies have an important role to play in contributing to security and development. A company’s decisions - on employment, security arrangements, relations with local communities, among many other issues - can exacerbate existing tensions and lead to conflict, or help a country to re-build after conflict.
Companies have an interest in peace and stability. Lack of a predictable political and economic framework and increased violence disrupts production and supply lines, increases operating costs and delays completion of planned business activities. For companies of all sizes, being operational in "conflict-prone", "weak" or "post-conflict" countries poses a number of dilemmas for which there are no easy answers.
The work of the Global Compact on “The Role of the Private Sector in Zones of Conflict” began in the form of a Policy Dialogue launched in 2001 with a series of international and country-level workshops resulting in a series of policy papers, tools and guidance. The Compact provides a dynamic forum where all stakeholders in society can come together to help mitigate the negative impact of business investments and enhance the capacity of companies to make a positive contribution to peace and development. The Global Compact Office encourages companies to share their experiences and lessons learned with a view to assisting others to become more conflict-sensitive in their approach.
Currently, the United Nations Global Compact Office, International Alert, and the Kogod School of Business are undertaking a survey of companies on the Role of Business in Conflict Prevention and Peace-building to learn more about the levels of risk experienced and what strategies, if any, they have implemented to address them. This survey will give GC participants an excellent opportunity to share their experiences and dilemmas with a view to improving our capacity to assist them in this challenging area. The survey will close at the end of May and the Global Compact Office encourages all business participants to contribute. Click here to view the questions contained in the survey.
Upcoming Event: On 26-28 June in Mumbai, India the UN Global Compact Office and Strategic Foresight Group are co-hosting an international event on " Responsibility to the Future: Business, Peace, Sustainability". The President of India, Mrs. Pratibha Patil will provide the inaugural address, Dr. Supachai, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, will attend as the Guest of Honour, and Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman of Anglo American will co-chair the event. The forum will provide a platform for multistakeholder dialogue and the launch of projects and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable business practices that contribute to development and peace. Please click here for the latest programme. Kindly indicate your interest in the event to: info@strategicforesight.com
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Meetings and Workshops
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Contact
Melissa Powell ( powell1@un.org )
(Last update 5 May 2008)
