As part of the 2020 UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers program, Global Compact Network Canada has launched its national search for professionals who are committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Later this year, the Network will recognize an employee of a participating company as the Global Compact Network Canada SDG Pioneer. The selected individual will then have the opportunity to participate in the final search of global SDG Pioneers to be recognized during the 2020 UN General Assembly in September in New York. 

In 2020, the UN Global Compact will recognize a new class of SDG Pioneers who are setting ambitious SDG targets, scale and impact across their companies through a principles-based approach.

Global Compact Network Canada welcomes the leadership of companies participating in the UN Global Compact to nominate their employees to the program and later on join them during the recognition.

“Leadership in the 2030 era requires change agents. Change agents don’t sit around waiting for the future to happen. They create it. They do not choose the path of least resistance. They stay the course, also when they are ridiculed or fought. In the end — they win. They have the future on their side” says Lise Kingo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.  

“Business action is undoubtedly central to the achievement of the SDGs. In this Decade of Action, the spotlight will be on individuals who champion sustainability and are mobilizing companies to be a force for good. Business leadership today, requires leaders to demonstrate the essential qualities of SDG leadership, which are to be bold, intentional, ambitious, consistent, collaborative, and accountable.” Ayman Chowdhury, Head of Secretariat, Global Compact Network Canada. 

Employees of companies participating in the UN Global Compact are welcome to submit their own stories on contributions towards sustainable development or nominate a colleague for consideration in the program before April 15, 2020. 

About the SDG Pioneers Program 

As part of UN Global Compact Making Global Goals Local Business campaign, each year the initiative recognizes a class of SDG Pioneers — business leaders working at any level of a company, who are using business as a force for good to advance the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG Pioneers play an important role to drum up interest in the Global Goals and in how the UN Global Compact is empowering businesses to advance them. In 2020, the UN Global Compact will again recognize professionals working at any level in a participating company of the UN Global Compact who are setting ambitious SDG targets, scale and impact across their companies through a principles-based approach.

About Global Compact Network Canada

Global Compact Network Canada (GCNC) is the Canadian network of the United Nations Global Compact – a network of companies and organizations who are committed to spearheading sustainable business solutions and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The GCNC supports corporate sustainability among Canadian businesses by spearheading the SDGs and the 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact. In doing so, it unifies and builds the capacity of the Canadian private sector to embrace sustainable business practices by convening and accelerating opportunities for peer-learning, innovation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Global Compact Network Canada

Global Compact Network Canada

The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest voluntary corporate responsibility initiative with over 10,000 signatories in 130 countries committing to ten universally accepted principles. The Global Compact Network Canada builds the capacity of the Canadian corporate sector to embrace sustainable business practices.

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