Lise Kingo, executive director of the Global Compact, the United Nations (UN / Handout)
"Corruption is a disruptive force, destroys business and goes against the economic sustainability"
Fix the world is not an easy task, but the Danish Lise Kingo promises to be struggling. Former executive of Novo Nordisk, healthcare multinational with presence in over 70 countries, she left the private sector to coordinate an ambitious plan: Deploy ten global principles to combat poverty, inequality and climate change, the more effort comprehensive ever made by the United Nations (UN) to mitigate global problems.
The Global Compact program is the UN arm that works with companies, institutions and governments and their ten fundamental principles unfold in seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets that will be implemented and improved between 2016 and 2030. Among the seventeen proposed objectives are: promoting sustainable agriculture; health and wellness; gender equality; clean energy; innovation and infrastructure; sustainable consumption and production, among others. To explain the principles and goals and talk how you want to deploy them and extend them over the next 15 years, Lise Kingo spoke to the SEE site. See below.
The UN is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2015. We have reason to celebrate? The UN has a vital role to play; It is a source matrix of principles and actions that should be preserved. It is the main voice of a global community we need more than ever at this moment in history we are living. We are facing many challenges and the fact that there is a place where nations can meet to discuss these issues is critical. I think we have reason to celebrate. Extreme poverty was reduced by half in 2010, five years before the UN target. This is obviously very good. Greater access of women to education, on three levels, was another achievement. The access to clean water levels have also improved a lot.
Could you explain the Global Compact project? How he was born The Global Compact was forged in the management of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan [1997 - 2007]. He believed a global impact idea, to join the UN and the private sector. He understood that in the era of globalization, liberalization and privatization, the companies would have to promote environmental protection and sustainability in order to maintain their business. Annan realized it was a good time to give a more human face to globalization.
The ten principles of the Global Compact are ambitious. Do you think we can meet them in just 15 years? Yes, the principles are very ambitious to large, complex themes evolve and always will be a challenge for all companies. I do not know whether we will achieve the goals by 2030, but it is important that more and more companies and countries to strive and enhance their business strategies to encompass the ten principles. They have to submit an annual report showing progress in order to continue being part of the Global Compact network.
What is the link between the ten principles of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? The ten principles are the foundation for companies to follow. The ODS are goals set by the UN and many partners in a gigantic work in the last three years. They are a beacon to guide the growth of companies and the world in the next 15 years. All seventeen goals aim to create a better world for future generations. They are goals that make sense for companies and the market, will ensure business survival. All companies can make contributions to themselves and to society.
Many people understand sustainability as a concept restricted to the environment, but it is something that goes beyond also involves social and economic aspects. Could you explain this current understanding of sustainability? It is important people endentecerem that sustainability is a much broader concept. The ten principles of the Global Compact are a good start for this new understanding. Environment, human rights, labor laws, child protection, anti-corruption practices and economics are all area covered by sustainability. It is a social concept, environmental and economic. I think that sustainable development is basically creating a better world, not only for people and companies, but also for the planet itself.
Fighting corruption is one of the principles of the Global Compact. Here in Brazil, we know from experience that corruption is bad for the government, for business and especially for the people.How corruption hinders sustainability? Corruption is a disruptive force, destroys business and goes against the economic sustainability by promoting unfairness and unequal conditions. It is something that must be fought always for all nations and for all companies.
The global pact argues that economic growth and sustainability are not antagonistic concepts. As businesses and people can balance growth and sustainability? To promote growth and sustainability is to ensure that we have access to natural resources in the future. Innovation and new technologies are key to answering these questions. New technologies for energy production, new partnerships, new business models. It is important that large companies, which have large businesses and supply chains around the world, show that they are concerned about sustainability, they work for it. It is essential for the survival of the companies themselves. Creating an entrepreneurial culture that supports sustainability will not only ensure the survival of people and the planet, but also the companies themselves. Every company wants to be seen as an entity that makes serious contributions to people and the planet, not just for themselves.
Technical innovations often lead to more sustainable practices. But we must improve education to encourage innovation and qualify people. What the Global Compact provides for education? We have a platform to boost education. It is important that all schools, universities teach and propagate sustainable development. We believe that the next generation will be much more intuitive and understanding regarding the construction of a more sustainable environment. Young people are naturally much more integrated with the sustainable agenda, it is something that is already part of your worries. Sustainability is in the new business models basis, guides the way to how young people think about structuring their businesses. It is precisely this new way of thinking that we need for the future.
Because of its size, its biodiversity and other characteristics, Brazil has weight in global issues involving sustainability. As the country has done its part, it can be improved? Brazil has done a great job and moved on sustainability issues. When the Rebbe Brazilian was established in 2001, it quickly became one of the most powerful networks in the world. All stakeholders have helped to create a strong network. Brazil has important projects on rational use of water, promoting sustainable agriculture, fight against corruption, empowering women. The Brazilian network is one of the models and have embraced some of the objectives of sustainable development in their business models. Being sustainable is an important flag for Brazilian companies.
