Resource List The list of Multi-lateral Organizations Global Compact is comprised of international organizations http://www.unglobalcompact.org working with both governments and The Global Compact is based on a set of COMPILED BY ADINA MATISOFF NGOs to alleviate economic, social, values and guidelines for businesses in INTERNATIONAL TRADE and environmental problems worldwide. the areas of labor standards, human rights AND CORPORATE SOCIAL These links give an indication of the and environmental practices. These RESPONSIBILITY extent of dialogue between China and the values, called the “Nine Principles,” are The following is a list of Internet interna-tional community, as well as the rooted in the standards of the International resources relating to corporate social extensive reports published by multi-lateral Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration of responsibility and human rights and organi-zations such as the United Nations Fundamental Principles and Rights of environmental issues, with an emphasis Deve-lopment Programme and the Workers, the International Declaration of on China. A resource list of this scope World Bank. Human Rights and the Rio Declaration. is of particular value for understanding The Global Compact’s main goal is the issues arising from China’s entry into to promote “good corporate citizenship” the WTO in 2001. The rapid increase in PERFORMANCE STANDARDS among global participants. Chinese-foreign joint ventures, as well as AND MEASUREMENT GUIDELINES investment in Chinese companies and Global Reporting Initiative the use of Chinese labor, requires greater AccountAbility (AA1000Series) (GRI) Guidelines effort to ensure adherence to domestic http://www.accountability.org.uk http://www.globalreporting.org and international laws, the setting of Provides an assurance standard that A set of globally applicable guidelines performance standards and guidelines to reports which private corporations used by multi-stakeholders to judge a protect against abuses, and effective make public are an even-handed corporation’s economic, environmental, monitoring by multi-lateral and non- representation and truly accurate. Based and social impact on sustainability issues. governmental groups. on the five principles of completeness, The goal of the guidelines is to raise The Internet links are divided into responsiveness, relevance, evidence the standard of sustainability reporting four categories: Performance Standards and accessibility, the AA1000 Assurance practices by utilizing businesses, and and Measurement Guides, Non- Series is used to help companies accountancy, human rights, environmental, Governmental Organizations, Law, and understand and improve their social and labor and governmental organizations. Multi-lateral Organizations. ethical performance. The list of Performance Standards Global Sullivan Principles and Measurement Guide are principles and Caux Round Table http://globalsullivanprinciples.org/ guidelines not ratified by governments, http://www.cauxroundtable.org/ Stemming from the 1977 “Sullivan but considered to be industry standards The Caux Round Table is a network of Principles for South Africa,” these and best practices. They include the Global international senior business leaders principles are a blueprint for economic, Compact, the Global Sullivan Principles, who are committed to finding equitable, social and political justice in the and the ILO Declaration of Fundamental fair solutions to key global issues practices of hiring, training, and work- Principles and Rights at Work, among through ethical business leadership. The place tolerance. others. Also in this section are various Round Table advocates implementation of performance standard tools for self- the Caux Round Table Principles for ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles monitoring business and labor practices. Business through which sustainable and and Rights at Work (1998) Non-Governmental Organizations in- socially responsible prosperity can emerge http://www.ilo.org/public/english/ cludes links to private organizations as the foundation for a fair, free and standards/index.htm monitoring environmental, labor, human transparent society. The Round Table has The conventions outlined in this document rights and corporate responsibility published many position papers on concern topics such as forced labor, issues within China and in relevant globalization issues. freedom of association and protection of international sectors. the right to organize, the right to organize The Law section provides links to China Capacity-Building Project: and collectively bargain, equal relevant international treaties and cove- Occupational Health and Safety remuneration, abolition of forced labor, nants signed and ratified by China, or http://mhssn.igc.org/China3.htm discrimination, minimum age of workers, which China has demonstrated a willing- This report, published in May 2002 by the workers with family responsibilities, the ness to sign. These are documents to Maquiladora Health and Safety Support worst forms of child labor, and the rights of which all ratifying countries can be held Network, details a two-year project in indigenous and tribal peoples. accountable. Covenants and treaties China to train shoe industry workers in the cover the rights of women, children, areas of health and safety. The project Secretary of State 2002 Awards workers and minorities, as well as pro- included a needs assessment, formation for Corporate Excellence tecting against racial, religious, ethnic of a coordinating committee, and training http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2002/ and economic discrimination. of employees. 14071.htm Awards given by United States Secretary NON-GOVERNMENTAL the website www.climatehotmap.org, of State to U.S. companies displaying ORGANIZATIONS which details early warning signs and local out-standing corporate citizenship and impacts of global climate change. inter-national business practices. NGOs are divided into four categories: NO.1, 2003 Exemplary companies should possess Environment, Labor, Human Rights Green Plans the qualities of conscience, character and Corporate Responsibility based on http://www.rri.org/ and integrity in business. their primary mission statements. “A successful model of NGO collaborations The 2002 Award was presented to However, many NGOs often work in with local and national governments”, Chindex International of Bethesda, overlapping areas. dedicated to “solve environmental and Maryland, and its subsidiaries in China social problems through a systemic, multi- for its work in delivering healthcare sector process that mandates proactive products, health education and health Environment management strategies and establishes services in China. measurable goals for recovery.” The Alliance for Environmental Innovation CHINA RIGHTS FORUM Social Accountability 8000 http://www.environmentaldefense.org/ Greenpeace International (SA8000) alliance/ http://www.greenpeace.org 95 http://www.cepaa.org/ Works cooperatively with companies to Founded in 1971, Greenpeace International A standard for workplace practices that improve their environmental performance is an environmental watchdog organization includes all key labor rights and certifies while yielding substantial business campaigning against environmental de- compliance through independent, benefits. Such partnerships include United gradation and pressuring governments and accredited auditors. This website contains States Parcel Service, Starbucks Coffee corporations to improve their environ- a list of facilities in China and around the Company, and SC Johnson Wax. mental policies. Some of the major world that are SA8000 certified. Greenpeace campaigns within China are Center for Environmentally Responsible to stop the Three Gorges Dam Project, as Sustainability Integrated Guidelines Economics (CERES) well as halting China’s nuclear testing. REGULAR FEATURES for Management (SIGMA) http://www.ceres.org http://www.projectsigma.com/ The CERES Coalition is a U.S.-based International Council on Mining and The pilot version developed a set of network of more than 80 organizations Metals (ICMM) guidelines, which deal with issues including environmental groups, investors, http://www.icmm.com/html/about_intro.php regarding management of sustainability. advisors and analysts, and public interest ICMM works with the world’s mining and The guidelines are taken from the and community groups working together metal industries to articulate, develop, and experiences of its organizational partners, for a sustainable future. More than 70 promote sustainable development, as well as well as a wide variety of organizations companies, from multinationals to small as acting as a liaison between industries within steering and stakeholder and medium-sized companies, have and world stakeholders to align economic, groups. These guidelines are compatible endorsing the CERES Principles, a ten- social, and environmental goals and with AA1000 and GRI guidelines. point code of environmental conduct maximize their contribution to achieving sustainable development. World Resources 2002-2004, Environmental Defense “Decisions for the Earth: Balance, http://www.environmentaldefense.org/ International Institute for Environment Voice and Power” home.cfm and Development (IIED) http://pubs.wri.org/pubs_description.cfm Combines science, economics and the www.iied.org ?PubID=3764 law to formulate solutions to the world’s The IIED works in the field of sustainable A report forthcoming in February 2003 most pressing