Join the global search for change agents who are advancing the SDGs in their business from the bottom up.
The Application for the 2023 SDG Pioneer program closed May 3, 2023! As part of the 2023 UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers program, UN Global Compact Network USA is searching for professionals to recognize who are committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Each year the UN Global Compact recognizes a class of SDG Pioneers — business leaders working at any level of their company who are using business as a force for good to advance the 17 SDGs. Through their own company or by mobilizing other businesses, they are helping to reach one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while also contributing to business success. The UN Global Compact Network USA will award two SDG Pioneers this year. One to represent Small & Medium-sized enterprises (<250 employees), and one to represent Large National & Multi-National Companies. Please note that companies must have submitted at least 1 CoP and be a signatory since 1 October 2022 to be eligible for this opportunity. The UN Global Compact Network USA will award the two2023 Global Compact Network USA SDG Pioneers at the local level, announced on June 30, 2023. The selected individuals will then have the opportunity to participate in the final search of global SDG Pioneers to be recognized during the 2023 UN General Assembly in September in New York.
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FAQ
The idea of human rights is as simple as it is powerful: That all people have a right to be treated with dignity. Businesses often impact the human rights of their employees and contract workers, workers in their supply chains, the communities around their operations, and even the end users of their products or services. Whether directly or indirectly, they impact virtually the entire spectrum of internationally recognized human rights.
As a result, companies have both a responsibility and an opportunity to advance human rights across operations, supply chains, and beyond. Is your company able to know and show that it supports and respects the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights and that it is not complicit in human rights abuses?
The Business & Human Rights Accelerator is a six-month hybrid program activating companies participating in the UN Global Compact across industries and regions. The objective is to help businesses swiftly move from commitment to action on human and labor rights by establishing an ongoing human rights due diligence process. Network USA is excited to welcome a select group of 20 companies into our cohort, and slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to all companies that apply and meet the necessary qualifications for participation.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
How to identify your responsibilities in respecting human rights and labor rights, expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
How to establish an ongoing human rights due diligence process in line with international standards
How to report and communicate on your human rights due diligence journey, including through the Communication on Progress, the annual public disclosure requirement for all UN Global Compact participants
WHAT YOU WILL GAIN
An understanding of where your company is on their human rights journey
An assessment of actual and potential adverse human rights impacts and the ability to prioritize action
The ability to mitigate your human rights impacts, including grievance mechanisms and remedy
Ways to engage stakeholders on business impacts
An action plan to advance human rights in your company and beyond
A network of peers, UN partners and experts to support your human rights journey and work collectively to tackle persistent barriers to human rights due diligence
A certificate demonstrating completion of program
TIMELINE
Company registration: September 6, 2023 – December 15, 2023
