Communication on Progress

Participant
Published
  • 12-Aug-2021
Time period
  • April 2021  –  April 2022
Format
  • Stand alone document – Basic COP Template
Differentiation Level
  • This COP qualifies for the Global Compact Active level
Self-assessment
  • Includes a CEO statement of continued support for the UN Global Compact and its ten principles
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Human Rights
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Labour
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Environment
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Anti-Corruption
  • Includes a measurement of outcomes
 
  • Statement of continued support by the Chief Executive Officer
  • Statement of the company's chief executive (CEO or equivalent) expressing continued support for the Global Compact and renewing the company's ongoing commitment to the initiative and its principles.

  • To our stakeholders:
    I am pleased to confirm that Charlie Goldsmith Associates Ltd reaffirms its support of the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-Corruption.

    In this annual Communication on Progress, we describe our actions to continually improve the integration of the Global Compact and its principles into our business
    strategy, culture and daily operations. We also commit to sharing this information with our stakeholders using our primary channels of communication.

    Yours sincerely
    Charlie Goldsmith

Human Rights
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of human rights for the company (i.e. human rights risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on Human Rights.

  • We support and promote a rights-based approach to international development.
    • We ensure workers are provided safe, suitable and sanitary work facilities and treated fairly.
    • We protect both workers and the communities CGA works (in particularly children and vulnerable adults) with through its safeguarding policy and reporting mechanism
    outlined in the Positive Business Ethics and Conduct Policy.
    • The Company notes and is committed to the principles set out in the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015. We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or
    human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business.

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions to implement Human Rights policies, address Human Rights risks and respond to Human Rights violations.

  • We support accountability to human rights principles and standards through our safeguarding policy and reporting mechanism as outlined in our Positive Business Ethics and Conduct Policy (https://cgatechnologies.org.uk/sites/default/files/201029-CGA-Positive-Business-Ethics-and-Conduct-Policy-V13.1-2020-.pdf) and through our ethics reporting hotline: https://corusinternational.org/ethics-and-policies-corus-international

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • We monitor all concerns reported through our case management system and investigate and respond accordingly.

Labour
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of labour rights for the company (i.e. labour rights-related risks and opportunities). Description of written policies, public commitments and company goals on labour rights.

  • We not only comply with minimum wage standards but actively work to drive standards up, with pay rates well above minimum or local market, and fully integrated
    with our international scales, and with health insurance for staff, and, where possible, their dependents.
    • Ensure that employment-related decisions are based on relevant and objective criteria and seek to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within our team through an
    approach and initiatives developed by our staff Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
    • We ensure that the company does not participate in any form of forced or bonded labour. The Company notes and is committed to the principles set out in the UK
    Modern Slavery Act 2015. We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business.
    • We protect both workers and the communities CGA works (in particularly children and vulnerable adults) with through its safeguarding policy and reporting mechanism
    outlined in the Positive Business Ethics and Conduct Policy.

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions taken by the company to implement labour policies, address labour risks and respond to labour violations.

  • We protect and support our staff through our safeguarding policy and reporting mechanism as outlined in our Positive Business Ethics and Conduct Policy (https://cgatechnologies.org.uk/sites/default/files/201029-CGA-Positive-Business-Ethics-and-Conduct-Policy-V13.1-2020-.pdf) and through our ethics reporting hotline: https://corusinternational.org/ethics-and-policies-corus-international
    We are constantly striving to make our employment policies and practices more equitable and inclusive through the ongoing work of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee monitors staff satisfaction and gathers feedback through staff surveys which inform evolving policy and practice, while our Safeguarding and Ethics reporting mechanisms monitor any safeguarding or ethical concerns that staff or other stakeholders might have.

Environment
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of environmental protection for the company (i.e. environmental risks and opportunities). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on environmental protection.

  • Wherever possible, CGA will adopt a ‘Do No Harm’ approach while aiming to have a positive impact on the surrounding environment. Specifically:
    • Our extensive use of remote working, to minimise air and vehicle travel
    • We focus on localising roles in the Global South countries we work in with our tech/developer/coder team now majority Global South/from the countries we work in and this - amongst other benefits enables us to reduce air travel,

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions to implement environmental policies, address environmental risks and respond to environmental incidents.

  • • We currently work through a South Sudanese colleague to sustainably reforest an area of land, in order to promote sustainable livelihoods and to seek to offset the
    carbon footprint of our flights
    • We take practical steps to minimise waste and limit pollution, e.g. through reusing and recycling and using the least damaging methods of waste disposal, and those
    available in obtaining power and water. E.g. We use water filters/reusable jugs in our office to greatest extent possible.
    • Our Environmental Committee are in the process of further developing our Environmental Policy to reduce our environmental impact and to increase sustainability.

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates environmental performance.

  • • Our Environmental Committee are in the process of further developing our Environmental Policy to reduce our environmental impact and to increase sustainability, and this will include how we measure our impact on the environment as well as how we mitigate it.

Anti-Corruption
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of anti-corruption for the company (i.e. anti-corruption risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on anti-corruption.

  • We require all staff, contractors and sub-contractors to adhere to our Positive Business Ethics and Conduct Policy which specifically guards against corruption in
    our business practices. Specifically, they must comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations including but not limited to the DFID Statement of Priorities and
    Expectation, UK Bribery Act 2010, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, relevant local legislation, and where appropriate, the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery
    of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions.

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions to implement anti-corruption policies, address anti-corruption risks and respond to incidents.

  • All of our staff are trained to uphold the standards of our Positive Business Ethics and Conduct Policy (https://cgatechnologies.org.uk/sites/default/files/201029-CGA-Positive-Business-Ethics-and-Conduct-Policy-V13.1-2020-.pdf) which also lays out our standards for reporting to donors and clients.
    Staff are required to report any concerns or violations of this policy in line with guidance, including through our Ethics Hotline: https://corusinternational.org/ethics-and-policies-corus-international

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates anti-corruption performance.

  • Our ethics case management system (which includes reports received via our Ethics Hotline: https://corusinternational.org/ethics-and-policies-corus-international ) manages all concerns and ensures that they are appropriately investigated, addressed and responded to.