12.17.2007 - 04:45pm ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK - December 17, 2007 – The UN Global Compact and the Barcelona Centre for the Support of the Global Compact today launched the first comprehensive survey of Global Compact Local Networks. The report presents a detailed analysis of 90 emerging and existing networks and showcases numerous examples of network activities from all regions of the world.

"Local Network Report: Deepening the Engagement of Participants at the Local Level" marks the first systematic attempt to gather and present statistical data and information about local networks, and has been produced in close collaboration with local network focal points around the world. The report presents lessons learned regarding how networks emerge and are sustained, as well as how they deliver local results and contribute to the overall mission of the UN Global Compact. In addition, the report highlights inspiring and innovative solutions developed by local networks to give the ten universal principles a concrete and practical local meaning, and therefore makes an important contribution to defining what corporate citizenship means in different national contexts.

"Local networks continue to play a crucial role in the Global Compact, and the report shows the extent to which these networks are becoming a vibrant reality all over the world", said Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. "Ultimately, change must occur at the local level. At the same time, the Global Compact can only thrive and fulfill its promise when networks are sensitive to cultural, linguistic and institutional characteristics across countries. This report provides a good snapshot of where we stand today".

About the Global Compact:

The United Nations Global Compact brings businesses together with UN agencies, labour, civil society and governments to advance ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Through the power of collective action, the United Nations Global Compact seeks to mainstream these ten principles in business activities around the world and to catalyze action in support of broader UN goals. With over 5000 participants from more than 100 countries, the Global Compact is the world's largest voluntary corporate citizenship initiative.

For more information, please visit www.unglobalcompact.org

About Global Compact Local Networks:

UN Global Compact participants voluntarily establish local networks in individual countries in all regions of the world in order to advance the ten principles at the local level. Local networks assist in rooting the Global Compact within different national and cultural contexts, and provide support to companies in their efforts to integrate the Global Compact into their business operations and strategies. These networks serve as engagement platforms for participants at the local level – almost two-thirds of Global Compact participants actively engage in local networks. Today, the Global Compact has established 61 networks, and another 25 are in the making.

Please visit www.unglobalcompact.org for more information.

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