October 30, 2006

At the UN Church Center

“Achieving Values Corporate Citizenship and the Millennium Development Goals with the UN Global Compact”

  Introduction: The UN Global Compact, NGO Committee on Spirituality, Human Values and Global Concerns, and (CSVGC) Values and Business Working Group presented an in-depth interactive discussion on the principles and best practices, including case studies and practical applications on “Achieving Values Corporate Citizenship and the Millennium Development Goals with the UN Global Compact. The aim of this session was to understand, spread awareness and network with businesses, civil society and the United Nations on the importance and implementation of The Global Compact, the Millennium Development Goals, Corporate Citizenship and Values.  

Panelists: The speakers for the event included:1) Olajobi Makinwa, Civil Society Coordinator, UN Global Compact 2) Sharon Hamilton, Chairperson, Values and Business Working Group 3) Shomik Chaudhuri, UN Representative, Institute of International Social Development 4) Peter and Monika Mitchell Ressler, Co-Owners RMG Services, Financial Services Introductions: Sharon Hamilton, Chair welcomed the audience and introduced the speakers. She said that the (CSVGC) Values and Business Working Group is envisioning possibilities for the future and planning innovative programs to encourage businesses to respond to environmental and social issues, corporate and social responsibility and citizenship and suggesting them to become members of the Global Compact Initiative. “The time has come now to bring value to humanity through service, the way we touch others lives through the workplace and how we respect others human rights,” she said. Diane Williams, Chairperson Emeritus of CSVGC, to launch the ‘Values and Business’ Working Group, thanked Association for Spirit at Work for supporting the working group and continuing the flow of positive and transforming ideas throughout Session I. She said that the UN Global Compact launched by the Secretary General six years ago has grown into the world's largest voluntary corporate citizenship initiative with more than 3000 participants in over 100 countries. She explained that there are nine working groups in the Committee for ‘Spirituality, Human Values and Global Concerns’ and the ‘Values and Business’ Working Group was perfectly timed to begin as the Global Compact is focusing on Civil Society partnerships to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.   Panelist Olajobi Makinwa, Global Compact, shared information about globalization, UN, business, and corporate and social programs. CEOs of businesses are being encouraged to abide by the principles set forth by the Global Compact and to become part of the GCI membership. Compliance is necessary with 10 universal principles focusing on 4 areas – Human Rights, Labor Rights, Environment Protection and Anti-Corruption. She proposed partnerships to accomplish these UN Goals and the MDGs.  She proposed more discussion of how a company should perform under the prism of the Global Compact. The laws of a country can be different from others, so it is necessary to implement the respect of human rights and also respect the environment in tune with the law of each land. It is necessary to develop respect for the environment, human rights, labor standards and anti corruption in every place. She said that GCI has volunteer membership in 38 countries. As of March 2006 about 3,000 business participants and other stakeholders signed up as members of the Global Compact. The Global Compact regions include Europe with 48 percent, Asia with 20.6 percent, North America with 4.6 percent, South and Central America with 20.4 percent and Africa with 5 percent. She also said that the civil society was strengthening project implementation and developing relationships and partnerships to create a platform for the GCI Global Compact Initiative to reach out to societies in the remotest places. Shomik Chaudhuri, Institute of International Social Development, explained the principles of the Global Compact, the Millennium Development Goals, Corporate Citizenship and Values and the interlinking principles among them.  He elaborated on values becoming an important part of the corporate and business world in the present world in light of the scandals that have rocked the corporate world. He further elaborated on the importance of spiritual values that are now being accepted as part of the management courses and training to empower the business and corporate leaders to achieve ‘self mastery’ to perform better in their work and personal lives. He said that businesses are moving from a shareholder driven agenda to a more stakeholder focused approach. The new belief in the business world is for executives to be motivated by broader purpose than money. Companies are being encouraged to have a more holistic approach toward business. The quest is to develop a capitalism that puts the individual at the center of the universe, placing employees and customers first so that they can benefit shareholders. He also mentioned a 2-day Procurement Conference organized by IISD that was attended by 131 business owners who met 8 Procurement chiefs of the United Nations and its agencies to discuss the issue of enhancing business through ethics, transparency and pro-people business policies. Peter Ressler RMG Partners Work/Humanity, spoke on the responsibility to remind people in business who the businesses serve – humanity. He said that awareness should be raised to separate self and profit in business. Businesses exist to provide a service or produce products that touch everyone's lives.  Monika Ressler shared the interest with others to take responsibility of supporting the working group on Global Compact and suggested several ways in which the ideas of the society can be changed for accepting Global Compact, the MDGs, Corporate Citizenship and Values. She said that human rights principles should be implemented in businesses in each network that sign on and reach out to networks with interest to sign up. Discussion Forum on Values, Partnership Development: Walter Reichman, Applied Psychology He said that usually people end up exploiting employees to meet bottom line in most organizations.   Sheila Wall, Insurance Industry She said that the corporation has the fiduciary responsibility and the director and officers have liability policies for willful error and omissions that compromise higher standards. She said that remuneration of executives should be within a reasonable level compared to the average the other employees receive. Peter Ressler, RMG Partners Work/Humanity He said that honest ethical business principles are the basis of change. He said that laws, ethics, and codes are necessary but even better is if you treat someone well they will act better rather than punishing them or looking down on them or for those who have made mistakes. Tim Shea He said that legislation and concrete examples of measuring success through following the Global Compact would profit the planet and have positive resonance on the abilities of NGOs. He spoke about the laws guiding child protection in Australia and monetary mechanisms guiding the financial world. He also spoke on alternate fuel sources like solar bulbs in rural areas in some countries and newer business models. He also said that change of thought about business ethics should start first. Group discussion The working group for Global Compact and Values in Business discussed specific questions related to examples of values to expand upon, in ways to support the Global Compact and partnerships to achieve the goals of the program as well as planning the next session scheduled at the United Nations Headquarters in March 2007. Conclusion The event was documented, Group/Joint Invitation to GCI was extended, and Practical Application Forums were suggested.  Special thanks to Shomik Chaudhuri,, Institute of InternationalSocial Development for compiling this report.

September 6-8, 2006

In Support of the Annual DPI/NGO Conference and the Work of the United Nations our groups invited delegates from the DPI NGO conference to visit the UN Meditation Room. The Meditation Room is located to the right of the information desk in the UN Visitors Lobby. After the visit from 9:30am – 9:45am representatives from the sponsoring groups (listed below) were available outside the meditation room following the Silent Reflection to meet those interested in hearing more about our committees and caucuses. “There is an ancient saying that the sense of a vessel is not in its shell but in the void. So it is with this room. It is for those who come here to fill the void with what they find in their center of stillness.”  “This is a room devoted to peace and those who are giving their lives for peace. It is a room of quiet where only thoughts should speak.” Statements by Dag Hammarskjöld , UN Secretary-General (1953-1961), written for the dedication of the United Nations Meditation Room <http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/dag/meditationroom.htm>. The NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns (NY), Spiritual Caucus, Values Caucus, United Religions Initiative-UN & Earth Values Caucuswww.csvgc-ny.org, www.spiritualcaucusun.org, www.valuescaucus.org, www.uri.org  

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THE INCREDIBLE, UNLIMITED POWER WITHIN, WITH DR. HELENA STEINER-HORNSTEYN

April 28, 2006

In United Nations GA-37, near the UN bookstore, basement level by the vending machines.No security passes are needed. (Please use 46th and 1st Avenue entrance). The workshops are sponsored by the United Nations Recreation Club, U.N.S.R.C. Friendship Club, Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns (CSVGC), A Committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO).  Helena Hornsteyn-Steiner is the Founder of ACTIVALE, a Global Enterprise for Human Development and World Peace, a leading international authority in the field of spiritual personal transformation and healing of body and mind and is ranked as one of the worlds Top 4 Spiritual Coaches.  

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FLOWER FESTIVAL

March 20, 2006

Traditional Japanese Arts Collective, featuring works by Miyoji Ishida, Hitomi Miyakoshi, Isuke Nakano, Suirei Narisawa, Nori Noda and Fumiko Uesaka   Flower FestivalHarmonizing United Nations Renewal, Social Development and Peace 3-5pm   Demonstration & Spring Ceremony6-8pm   Opening Reception  Remarks at 7pm South Lobby Secretariat Building, United Nations Headquarters, NYC The Flower Festival presents harmony within diversity through a collective exhibition of Japanese Traditional Arts. From Japan to the United Nations, the artists bring ancient wonders, timeless beauty through Japanese Traditional Arts, emphasizing the symbolic power of flowers through images with blossoms for renewal, on the occasion of the "Spirit of the United Nations", 60th Anniversary and the awareness of our responsibility for social development, global partnership and peace.  Organized by: United Nations Staff Recreation Council - Friendship Club Supported by: NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values & Global Concerns, (CSVGC), Values & Business, NGO-ECOSOC: Institute of International Social Development (I.I.S.D.), Institute for the Development of Education Arts & Leisure (I.D.E.A.L.)Sponsored by: www.memoria-kuyo.com, www.hokkoku.co.jp, www.packamerica.com, www.ikenobo.jp, www.berlitz.com, www.shoyeido.co.jp, www.hakuza.co.jp, www.nakaiintl.com, www.uniteboard.com, www.tsukuri-te.com, www.itoen.com, www.kitchoan.com, www.sushiden.com, www.kazuma.co.jp, www.choya.comFor Subcommittee Meetings and Events