HUB Category: Initiative

UN Global Compact Network Lebanon Launches “Business Integrity Series” to Mark 25 Years of Advancing Corporate Sustainability

Beirut, Lebanon – July 2025 — On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the UN Global Compact, the UN Global Compact Network Lebanon proudly launched the Business Integrity Series, a flagship initiative designed to support companies in Lebanon as they shift from a compliance mindset to embedding integrity across all levels of their operations.

This initiative is part of the Anti-Corruption Collective Action agenda and reflects the network’s ongoing commitment to equipping the private sector with the knowledge, tools, and community needed to foster ethical business practices and build trust in a time of institutional and economic transformation.

A Journey from Compliance to Integrity

From March to May 2025, the Business Integrity Series brought together 40 organizations—including private companies, NGOs, and academic institutions—for a four-part learning journey. The series combined two online expert-led sessions with two in-person practical workshops, offering a unique hybrid approach to strengthen internal governance frameworks, promote transparency, and foster multi-stakeholder collaboration on anti-corruption.

Highlights from the Series

Session 1 – March 28, 2025
“Anti-Corruption and Compliance Programs for SMEs”
Focused on establishing integrity committees, codes of conduct, and anti-corruption policies tailored to smaller enterprises, with a strong emphasis on Collective Action.

Session 2 – April 11, 2025
“Assessment, Integration, and Dissemination”
Participants explored risk assessment techniques, identified internal policy gaps, and discussed whistleblower protection and grievance mechanisms.

Event 1 (In-Person) – May 8, 2025
“From Compliance to Integrity: Anti-Corruption Collective Action”
Participants collaborated on designing integrity programs aligned with international standards and discussed the value of collective approaches to fighting corruption.

Event 2 (In-Person) – May 22, 2025
“Roundtable for Integrity Measuring and Reporting”
Using simulated case studies, companies worked in groups to identify integrity risks, propose internal reforms, and benchmark policies against global best practices.

Key Outcomes

• 31 participants successfully completed the full journey and received certificates of participation.
• Over 220 attendees engaged across the four sessions.
• 107 employees were registered, with 76 women participating, reinforcing the initiative’s inclusive spirit.
• 9 experts from diverse sectors, including banking, academia, production, and law, shared their insights.
• Participants came from a wide range of industries such as finance, telecom, construction, healthcare, and oil & gas.

UN Global Compact Network Lebanon and IFG at ESA Business School Conclude Corporate Governance Training Series

Beirut, Lebanon – March 6, 2025 — UN Global Compact Network Lebanon, in partnership with the Institute for Finance and Governance (IFG) at ESA Business School, successfully concluded a three-part Corporate Governance Training Series held on February 20, February 27, and March 6, 2025.

This high-level workshop series brought together board members, executives, and governance professionals for an in-depth exploration of corporate governance best practices. Led by renowned governance expert Mr. Badri El Meouchi, Director of IFG, and joined by Mr. Shawki Ahwash in Session Two, the sessions equipped participants with the tools needed to strengthen governance frameworks, enhance transparency, and ensure ethical, sustainable leadership.

Session 1 – February 20, 2025:
The series launched with a session focused on “The Role of the Board in Setting the Company’s Strategy, CEO Evaluation Criteria, and Succession Planning.” Mr. El Meouchi guided participants through key principles of responsible leadership, emphasizing the strategic role boards play in shaping long-term business direction and preparing for future leadership transitions.

Session 2 – February 27, 2025:
Titled “Board Risk Management, Internal Control Frameworks, and the Internal Audit Function,” the second session featured both Mr. El Meouchi and Mr. Ahwash. The speakers provided participants with a detailed overview of risk oversight responsibilities, the design of effective internal control systems, and how boards can foster a culture of accountability through internal audit practices.

Session 3 – March 6, 2025:
The final session addressed “The Board’s Role in Information Disclosure and Transparency.” Mr. El Meouchi highlighted the critical importance of timely and accurate disclosure, especially in today’s business environment where transparency is closely linked to stakeholder trust and regulatory compliance.

Throughout the three sessions, participants engaged in rich discussions, case studies, and practical exercises that bridged theory and real-world application. The training reinforced the growing recognition that strong governance is foundational to achieving both financial performance and sustainable impact.

UN Global Compact Network Lebanon extends its deep appreciation to the Institute for Finance and Governance (IFG) and ESA Business School for their outstanding collaboration. Their expertise and support were instrumental in delivering a program that reflects our shared commitment to building responsible, future-ready business leadership across Lebanon.

Last Thursday, February 22nd, the UN Global Compact Network Lebanon and the Institute for Finance and Governance (IFG) at ESA Business School hosted a one-day workshop on corporate governance with over 30 companies in attendance.

Following opening remarks by Hadi El-Assaad, General Secretary of the IFG, and Deenah Fakhoury, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Lebanon, the workshop covered key governance concepts, with a particular focus on transparency and accountability, and delved into the role of a well-structured board as well as the business case for good governance.

Through insights from governance experts Badri Meouchi, Yasser Akkaoui, and Philip Black, participants gained a deeper understanding of corporate governance and its importance for the sustainability and viability of organizations down the line. They also had a chance to share ideas and best practices amongst themselves.

Electronic waste, or e-waste is especially harmful to the environment. The toxic substances built into electrical appliances can contaminate soil and groundwater in addition to polluting the air we breathe, with dire consequences on land and sea ecosystems.

In an effort to mitigate the harms of e-waste and encourage environmental stewardship, the UN Global Comapct Network Lebanon partnered with Ecoserv, a Lebanese non-profit organization, to collect e-waste from our participants and dispose of it safely. A few months after the launch of the project, we joined forces with Green Community, also a non-profit organization, to expand the initiative’s reach to North Lebanon.

About Ecoserv

Ecoserv is a non-profit organization with the primary goal of promoting good environmental practices among Lebanese communities for sustainable solutions and development. The organization is specialized in the collection and proper disposal of electronic waste.

About Green Community

Green Community is a non-profit organization whose objective is to shape better communities at several levels, such as education, job creation, gender equality and agriculture within the framework of sustainable development and the circular economy.

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 Sustainable Development Goals while also contributing to business success. These individuals play a crucial role in inspiring action and showcasing the power of business to create a sustainable future for all.

We welcome the leadership of companies participating in the UN Global Compact to nominate their employees to the programme. The UN Global Compact Network Lebanon will award the 2024 UN Global Compact Network Lebanon SDG Pioneer at the local level, announced on July 1st, 2024. The selected individuals will then have the opportunity to participate in the final search of global SDG Pioneers to be recognized during the 2024 UN Global Compact Leaders Summit on September 24th, 2024 as part of the UN General Assembly week in New York.
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Applications open on April 3rd, 2024 and close on May 17th, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Overview

The SDG Pioneers play an important role to drum up interest in the Global Goals and how the UN Global Compact is empowering businesses to advance them. In 2024, 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.

Why apply or nominate someone?

• Employee engagement and recognition – The program provides companies with an opportunity to highlight how their employees are advancing the SDGs and are indeed next-generation leaders.
• Enable change agents for the SDGs – Leadership in the 2030 era requires change agents, and the SDG Pioneers Program provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for professionals to push their vision forward within their organizations and create change.
• National and global recognition – SDG Pioneers will receive visibility and be recognized for the great work that they have done to advance the SDGs. The Global SDG Pioneers will be announced at the 2024 UN General Assembly in September.

Who can apply?

Employees working at any level of a company participating in the UN Global Compact are eligible to apply or be nominated. Former SDG Pioneers can re-apply, but a thorough review of their application will be required to ensure it covers different activities/projects than the previous application.

The UN Global Compact reserves the right to remove the SDG Pioneer recognition if the company and/or individual is later deemed to be a reputational risk to the SDG Pioneer campaign and/or the UN Global Compact initiative.

Company Eligibility

‍For the 2024 SDG Pioneers, we are only considering companies who were participants of the UN Global Compact prior to 1st October 2023, have submitted at least 1 Communication on Progress (CoP), and have an “active” CoP status. If your company joined after this date, please consider applying for the 2025 SDG Pioneers programme.

Companies in the weapons, gambling, fossil fuels, and alcohol sectors are ineligible to apply.

Selection Process and Timeline

Applications will be accepted from April 3rd to May 17th, 2024. A multi-stakeholder SDG Pioneers Selection Group will vote on the candidates. Once the selections have been made, the applications will be sent to the UN Global Compact Headquarters for final screening and review by June 7th, 2024. Once confirmed, the SDG Pioneer will be notified and made public on July 1st, 2024.

The Lebanon SDG Pioneer will then be submitted to the Global SDG Pioneer round, where the Global SDG Pioneer will be announced at the 2024 Leaders Summit in New York City in September.

The UN Global Compact will recognize 12 Global SDG Pioneers under two award categories: 1) Large National and Multinational companies and 2) SMEs and Micro-enterprises*.

In addition to this, the UN Global Compact will recognize Global SDG Pioneers under 6 categories representing the regions where it operates: Western Europe and North America, Latin America and Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Oceania.

*SMEs are considered businesses with 10-250 employees while micro-enterprises would be businesses with 1-9 employees.

For any questions or more information, please reach out to sdgpioneers@unglobalcompact.org or our Programmes Lead Ms. Lynn Khatib at lynn.khatib@ungcnlebanon.org.

Programme Overview

Governance of Associations is a governance training programme targeting NGOs of all sizes and sectors in Lebanon developed in joint collaboration between the UN Global Compact Network Lebanon, the Institute for Finance and Governance (IFG), and ESA Business School.

The 4-month training was conceptualized in efforts to strengthen NGOs’ structure, simplify their procedures, and enhance their credibility by enabling them to:

• Understand the principles and the role of good corporate governance
• Understand the Board of Directors’ mission and its regulatory framework
• Identify good practices for an effective Board of Directors;
• Identify the actions to be taken internally to develop a climate of trust between the Board of Directors and employees
• Understand business realities to adapt to alterations with ESA-CRED (the ESA Center for Research, Studies, and Documentation)
• Reflect transparency and credibility to attract donors and funds

Modules and Speakers

Module 1: Corporate Governance for NGOs (November 24th, 2022)

In this module, participants were introduced to the corporate governance structure for NGOs and heard from two speakers:

• Mr. Alain Martel, Training Director at LEDCONSEIL and experienced consultant on governance, on how NGOs can assess, establish, and strengthen the effectiveness of their corporate governance; and
• Mr. Muhannad Al-Jarrah, a professional fundraiser and strategic planner, who shared about corporate governance from a fundraising lens as well as the elements of a good fundraising strategy.

Module 2: The Role of the Board of Directors (December 15th, 2022)

The second module of the programme covered the role of the Board of Directors of an NGO. Participants learned about this topic through insights from:

• Mr. Edouard Silvério, Trainer at the French Institute of Administrators (AFA) and President of MoovInGov, who did a deep dive on the roles, duties, and responsibilities of the Board of Directors; and
• Mr. Richard Haykel, a Board Member of several NGOs and Chairman of Haykel Hospital in Tripoli, Lebanon, who gave his perspectives and advised on the pain points of NGOs in the country.

Module 3: Striving for Best Practices (January 19th, 2023)

During this module, speakers covered various aspects of corporate governance, the role of NGOs in wider society, the importance of auditing, and a growing trend of looking at NGOs as inspiration for the private sector. Participants heard from:

• Dr. Abdel Maoula Chaar, Director of Academic Affairs and the head of the DBA of the African Business School in Rabat, Morocco;
• Dr. Sally Shamieh, Research Project Manager at the ESA Center for Research, Studies and Documentation (ESA-CRED);
• Mr. Karl Soued, Deputy Director of the CCI France Liban and Program Manager of ESA Coding Lab; and
• Mr. Yasser Akkaoui, Founder & CEO of Capital Concept.

Module 4: Roundtable (February 16th, 2023)

During this in-person, interactive module, participants reflected on their journey in the programme and mapped out their next steps through an action-planning exercise. They were also joined by two speakers from earlier sessions, Dr. Sally Shamieh and Mr. Alain Martel, who answered questions from participants and spoke about their perspectives on governance.

Overview

Target Gender Equality (TGE) is a nine-month gender equality accelerator programme for participating companies of the UN Global Compact. Through facilitated performance analysis, capacity-building workshops, peer-to-peer learning, and multi-stakeholder dialogue at the country level, TGE will support companies engaged with the UN Global Compact in setting and reaching ambitious corporate targets for women’s representation and leadership.

Companies participating in TGE have the opportunity to deepen the implementation of the Women’s Empowerment Principles and strengthen their contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 5.5, which calls for equal women’s representation, participation, and leadership in business globally. Companies will be equipped with the latest data and research supporting the business case for gender equality and gain insights from UN partners and experts on how to accelerate progress in this regard.

A Regional Commitment

Global Compact Local Networks in Lebanon, the UAE, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia are joining forces on the Target Gender Equality Accelerator within the MENA Region to mobilize a regional corporate movement aimed at fostering gender parity within the private sector.

Key Learning Outcomes

• The business case for gender equality – unpacking the benefits of diversity and inclusion
• The external and internal factors to consider when developing ambitious but realistic targets for women’s leadership
• How to prioritize strategies and build a holistic action plan for gender equality
• How to build an enabling organizational infrastructure to avoid siloed approaches and ensure ownership across departments
• How to include KPIs for each step and monitor and communicate progress in a transparent manner

Participants will also:

• Gain a certificate of completion
• Have the chance to showcase their efforts and learn from peers at the global Target Gender Equality Live Event in March 2023
• Be asked to complete a survey to help us assess the outcomes of TGE

Features of the Programme

TGE consists of a performance-analysis phase, followed by three modules developed in collaboration with Catalyst, a global non-profit that helps companies build workplaces that work for women:

Programme Timeline

Explore the Women’s Empowerment Principles

The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are a set of Principles offering guidance to business on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community. Established by UN Global Compact and UN Women, the WEPs are informed by international labour and human rights standards and grounded in the recognition that businesses have a stake in, and a responsibility for, gender equality and women’s empowerment.

WEPs are a primary vehicle for corporate delivery on gender equality dimensions of the 2030 agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By joining the WEPs community, the CEO signals commitment to this agenda at the highest levels of the company and to work collaboratively in multi-stakeholder networks to foster business practices that empower women. These include equal pay for work of equal value, gender-responsive supply chain practices and zero tolerance against sexual harassment in the workplace.

To read more about the WEPs, click here.

Local Participating Companies

Should you have any further questions about the Target Gender Equality Accelerator, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Programmes Coordinator Lynn Khatib at lynn.khatib@globalcompact-lebanon.org.

Overview

The Climate Ambition Accelerator is a six-month accelerator programme for companies participating in the United Nations Global Compact who are looking to make progress towards setting science-based emissions targets and create a clear path to address their organization’s transition to net-zero. Led by the United Nations Global Compact with support from Patrons Ørsted and Natura & Co and sponsored by En+ Group, the Climate Ambition Accelerator aims to scale-up credible climate action across companies of all sizes, sectors, and regions, enabling them to deliver on meaningful commitments to reduce emissions at scale.

No matter where companies are in their sustainability journey, the Climate Ambition Accelerator will equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to accelerate progress towards setting science-based emissions targets aligned with the 1.5°C pathway. Through the Global Compact Local Networks around the world, participating companies will gain access to global best practices, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, capacity-building sessions, and on-demand training.

Benefits of the Programme

• Learn how to set science-based emissions reduction targets to achieve net-zero by 2050
• Motivate investors, leadership, employees and shareholders with an emissions reduction plan that sets your organization apart in the market
• Gain a clear understanding of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the net-zero concept,including methodologies, requirements, processes, benefits and applicability
• Hear from peers and share insights in group sessions
• Take advantage of on-demand learning that enables you to work at your own pace
• Get access to industry experts and networking opportunities
• Benefit from local delivery combined with global insights and best practices

Programme Modules

Who is Eligible?

• Companies who are already participants in the network

• Participants who are interested in setting ambitious emissions reduction targets aligned with climate science at the pace and  scale required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement

• Participants who are willing to appoint two representatives to participate in the accelerator activities and events and an executive-level  representative to follow accelerator developments, provide support and participate in high-level events

Key Dates

• April 22nd (Earth Day 2022) – CAA Launch
• May -All of Module 1 will go live (recommended LN-led kick-off session to startAccelerator)
• July -All of Module 2 will go live
• September -All of Module 3 will go live
• November 7th – 18th – COP27 (CAARound 2022 wrap up)

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Apply today and start your sustainability journey towards a healthier and safer environment.

Should you have any further questions about Climate Action Accelerator, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Senior Programmes Manager Susu Smaili at susu@globalcompactnetwork-lebanon.org

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LEBANON, Beirut, January 2nd, 2022

On the 2nd of January 2022, the Global Compact Network Lebanon and the Volunteer Circle signed an MoU, enhancing a partnership that aims to empower the volunteering community by connecting the right talents with the right opportunities and building future skills in the workplace.

The agreement seeks to foster the social value of volunteering and its links to economic empowerment, and it will bridge between the acquisition of talents and the companies’ needs through the intelligent digital platform developed by the Volunteer Circle.

Advantages of this partnership

• Save time in managing the volunteering component and community service program for
  individuals, universities, and companies.
• Ease sourcing talent for network participants through an intelligent digital platform and
  predictive content recommendation systems.
• Foster a stronger connection to community and economic growth through empowerment,
  skills development, and network expansion.

About the Volunteer Circle

The Volunteer Circle, launched in March 2019, is the first volunteering platform in the MENA region using smart tech to match volunteers with the right opportunities – on the spot!

Its mission is to make volunteering accessible, targeted, and innovative. They turn traditional volunteering into a holistic ecosystem that benefits our local communities and society. They see volunteers as social entrepreneurs and provide them with the latest tools to become sought-after job candidates. 

To know more about the Volunteer Circle, please click here!

About the Global Compact Network Lebanon

UNGCNL was launched in September 2015 and initially hosted at the American University of Beirut (AUB). In 2018, a legal entity was established for the sole purpose of hosting UNGCNL’s Secretariat and the MOU with the UN Global Compact was updated reflecting this new hosting arrangement

UNGCNL is one of the 68 Local Networks around the world that operates through a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UN Global Compact HQ (HQ).

It is an independent and self-managed entity with the unique mandate to provide direct local support to UN Global Compact participants based in our country with direct communication and guidance from UN Global Compact HQ. Global Compact Network Lebanon (UNGCNL) works closely with the UN Global Compact (UNGC) headquarters to provide opportunities for learning, policy dialogue, and partnerships on the Ten Principles of responsible conduct and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Objective of the Programme

In line with the United Nations Global Compact Network Lebanon’s mission, the SDG Brain Lab sheds light on the importance of Global Goals by empowering Lebanese youth to advance the Ten Principles and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Lebanon and the region while offering them the exposure they need for future employment opportunities.

Youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and our mission is to equip them with the required knowledge while providing an interactive, holistic program led by professional coaches, experts, practitioners, and trainers.

What does the SDG Brain Lab entail?

Currently in its second edition, the SDG Brain Lab is open to all Lebanese citizens between 18 and 24 years old, and consists of three interactive hubs available to students according to their areas of interest and field of expertise:

Outstanding participants have the opportunity to be nominated as Ambassadors of Change for the year 2023 where they will lead initiatives on sustainability in their respective universities and immediate environment. Finally, and depending on their engagement and commitment, they can also benefit from internship opportunities with our participating companies and NGOs.

Timeline of the Programme

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Academic Partners

Enabling companies to move beyond incremental progress and step-up transformative change – unlocking business value, building business resilience and enabling long-term growth.

Programme Overview

SDG Ambition is a six-month accelerator that aims to challenge and support participating companies of the UN Global Compact in setting ambitious corporate targets and accelerating integration of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into core business management. SDG Ambition enables companies to move beyond incremental progress and step-up transformative change – unlocking business value, building business resilience, and enabling long-term growth.

The need for SDG Ambition today is clear. The world is not delivering progress towards the SDGs at the pace and scale needed. While it is still possible to shift the world towards a 1.5°C trajectory and achieve the SDGs by 2030, it will take urgent, scalable and multi-stakeholder action to dramatically accelerate progress. Companies must take a clear stand and demonstrate bold leadership to transform business models and economies so they become more just and inclusive – leaving no one behind.

SDG Ambition will empower and equip participating companies of the UN Global Compact to develop and implement innovative business strategies that significantly increase their positive impact on the SDGs. Through the Global Compact Local Networks, participating companies will assess current performance, identify risk areas, discover new opportunities across business units and functions and take ambitious business action towards achieving the SDGs.

What participants will learn

• How to strategically prioritize actions that will accelerate companies’ contributions to the 2030 Agenda
• How to set targets aligned with absolute benchmarks that today may seem aspirational, but are critical to spearhead the transformation of economies and societies
• How to approach sustainability management differently and design new systems integrating the SDGs
• How to build a business case and generate sustainability buy-in

What participants will gain

• An understanding of baseline impacts across the business to help create a comprehensive sustainability strategy
• The ability to achieve ambitious goals aimed at galvanizing business action with what is actually required to achieve the SDGs
• An overview of how to integrate and mainstream ambitious sustainability goals across business units by pioneering a performance integration approach that utilizes enabling technologies
• An opportunity to communicate and track progress over time
• The foundational tools and understanding to build a business case
• Insight into industries with an outsized impact on the SDGs
• Ability to develop and share ambitious business actions on the SDGs alongside a diverse group of leaders from numerous corporations
• Certificate demonstrating completion of the programme

Our Local Network participants

Learn what previous participants are saying

Should you have any further questions about the SDG Ambition Accelerator, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Programmes Coordinator Lynn Khatib at lynn.khatib@globalcompact-lebanon.org.

Background:

Women’s leadership and more equitable representation in business are essential to drive business performance, advance corporate sustainability, and achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Yet, progress around the world is alarmingly slow. At the current pace of change it will take 257 years to close the economic gender gap.

Now more than ever, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown into sharp relief the need for comprehensive governmental and business policies that support and protect working women and their families during and after the crisis.

Across all spheres – health to economy, security and education to social protection – the disrupting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are disproportionally affecting the majority of Lebanese women.

Generally Lebanon has one of the highest overall gender gaps in the world (ranking 145 out of 153 countries in the World Economic Gender Index Report 2020), and amongst the lowest global rates of women’s labour market participation, hovering at 29% for women and 76% for men.  

Source: World Economic Gender Index Report

Lebanese women were already at a substantial disadvantage even prior to the economic downturn, therefore, most vulnerable in the current Lebanese context characterized by punctuated conflicts and disruptions.

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Key Differential Impacts of the Crisis on Women:

• Women in Lebanon have already experienced – and will continue to experience – acute reductions in the labour force participation and employment during the crisis: contraction in real GDP from 2017 to 2020 is expected to have increased women’s unemployment rate from 14.3% before the crisis to 26% by September 2020

Source: Women on the Verge of an Economic Downturn Report, UN Women

• The quality and type of employment women will have access to, is deteriorating during the crisis
• Women contend with the livelihoods and well-being impacts of their own job losses. Millions of the jobs that have disappeared belong to the services sector where women are overrepresented. This translates into a feminine surge in vulnerability
• Retirees and older adults, particularly women, are at risk of losing sustainability during the crisis
• The crisis is set to harm women’s physical and mental health
• Women’s health care, including sexual and reproductive health, is harder to access in these times of crisis as resources are diverted to address the pandemic

Source: UN Global Compact

• The crisis is set to curb women’s institutional rights and career advancement
• More girls face the risk of being deprived of the opportunity of attending private schools. This is both due to the loss of incomes within families and deleterious coping strategies that favor boys’ education over girls

Source: Women on the Verge of an Economic Downturn Report, UN Women

• 50% of women’s employment is in the informal economy with limited access to social protection
• The Global Gender pay gap is stuck at a 16% leaving women more vulnerable to economic downturn

Source: UN Global Compact

• Women already do 3 times more unpaid care work as men

Source: UN Women

• 70% of health care workers serving at the frontlines and contributing to a huge change in the COVID-19 response are women. Yet they get paid less than 11% than men

Source: UN Women

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The Private Sector Pioneers on Gender Equality Campaign:

Recognizing the incremental role of the private sector in advancing and deepening the implementation of the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs), Global Compact Network Lebanon is launching the Private Sector Pioneers on Gender Equality Campaign. The broader aim of this campaign is to celebrate our pioneers on SDG5 on the occasion of Women’s International Day on March 8th. The display of real-world examples reflects the core essence of this campaign. Throughout this campaign, we will celebrate our Private Sector Pioneers through featuring and promoting their best corporate policies and workplace practices in the context of Gender Equality (SDG5) and Women’s Economic Empowerment.

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Now more than ever, we call on the private sector to collectively and jointly pursue concrete and bold steps to empower women and proactively close the gender gap across all fronts within the Lebanese society. Only with our sustained actions we can create a snowball of change. We must move forward and not backward.

     Join our conversation using the hash tag: #WhenWomenLead

Follow us on social media and tag us in your posts:

• Twitter: gcnlebanon
• Facebook: Global Compact Network Lebanon
• LinkedIn: Global Compact Network Lebanon
• Instagram: gcnlebanon

The SDG learning journey has began!

The UN Global Compact Network Lebanon is proud to introduce the Young SDG Innovators Programme, a development programme designed to accelerate business innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Young SDG Innovators Programme activates future business leaders and change makers and challenges them to rethink traditional business models and unlock new business opportunities.

Young SDG Innovators connects midlevel and junior managers – aged 35 and younger – across diverse business units to generate bold yet viable solutions that can have a positive impact on the company and the SDGs.

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Programme Goal

The programme aims to target corporate behavioral change by changing the way employees view the SDGs in relation to their businesses. While the tangible outcome of the programme is designed to be a new idea, product, survive or business model that is rooted in the SDGs while also having real market value for the company.

By focusing on young professionals from diverse business units, the programme aims to mainstream SDG innovation, leveraging the programme participants – and future business leaders and decision-makers – to become advocates and working practitioners of SDG innovation and spread this practice across their companies at all levels.

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Program Features

Activities focus on “learning by doing” and are action-oriented allowing innovators to apply SDG innovation to solve real challenges or leverage existing opportunities.

Innovators are matched with Mentors and Experts to guide them in the design, development and testing of solutions.

Solutions are tracked throughout the course of the development cycle to provide inspiration and serve as models for business innovation to achieve the SDGs.

Establishes a global network of young professionals in Global Compact companies for continued engagement and promotion of SDG innovation.

Programme Benefits

The YSIP is designed to engage your company’s brightest and best talent in not only advancing your sustainability efforts but driving innovation and delivering tangible
solutions with potential market value for your company.

Participant Benefits

• Learning and development resources: A comprehensive curriculum with a blend of learning opportunities including online and in-person workshops, case studies, company visits and forum discussions.

• Professional experience: Connect with other business units and collaborate on innovative projects relative to the company and industry.

• Coaching, mentoring and peer-to-peer networking opportunities: Build working relationships and learn from some of the brightest minds working on sustainability and innovation from around the world.

• Be part of a global network of leading young professionals: from some of the top companies across every continent.

Company Benefits

• Accelerate integration of the SDGs into your company’s business strategy through collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.

• Create a culture of innovation to address the SDGs and showcase the programme’s tangible outputs and results.

• Increase employee engagement and professional development opportunities for valued talent.

• Gain global recognition for participation in the programme.

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Meet our Innovators

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Meet our Champions

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Meet our Mentors

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We look forward to seeing what big ideas, transformative business models and innovative new approaches to technology our 2021 YSIP cohorts will unlock and unleash through the program.

Regular updates

Q&A on coronaviruses from the WHO, please see here

What your organization can do: suggestions for reaction to the crisis

Raise Awareness: Share information from the World Health Organization on precautions and other preventive measures.

Be Flexible: Exercise flexibility in terms of remote work arrangements for employees who want to limit their contact with others and work from home. Support companies and suppliers affected by the outbreak by taking a flexible and comprehensive approach to their business negotiations. Be flexible on delivery times and pay invoices immediately.

Be Compassionate: get in touch with friends and colleagues to ask what they need and offer support.

Provide Help and Support: Explore how your organization can support, including leveraging your global supply chain, to increase the supply of essentials in affected areas and countries. Organizations can also offer assets, resources and financial support to provide medical supplies and increase support for relief efforts.

Other actions your organization can take through the 10 UN Principles: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/news/4531-03-16-2020 

Good practices from UNGCNL Members

Showcase examples of corporate actions from across industries and regions, and promote learning and sharing on the challenges and solutions being deployed to deal with the pandemic, including its impact on companies internally and in the communities and societies in which they operate.

Infographics: COVID-19 response by our network members

Has your organization implemented a home office policy?

Has your organization implemented policies on employee participation in face-to-face events or meetings and/or restrictions on national and international travel?

Does your organization have policies to support those suspected of being infected or infected?

Does your organization have initiatives to raise awareness about preventive measures, such as channels for clarifying doubts, for example?

Does your organization support an external program or other stakeholders to contain the spread of the virus in Lebanon?

Engage Online Via the UNGC Academy

Special Session on Tuesday, 12th of May known as the Regional Sessions: “Six regional spotlight sessions, part of a special series from the UN Global Compact Academy highlighting new and existing approaches to leadership in a time of global crisis”.

For more information about the Academy Sessions, please click here

Other Resources

• Executive Update: Uniting Business to Tackle COVID-19 Through the 10 Principles, please click here 
• The UN has consolidated all updates related to COVID-19 here.
• The Secretary General addressed a letter to the leaders of G20 countries, calling for “an articulated response mechanism” to the COVID-19 crisis including rolling back international sanctions regimes around the world, a stimulus package and an inclusive recovery strategy.
• The UN issued an unprecedented call to creatives everywhere to help spread effective and accessible health messages around the coronavirus pandemic. The goal is to preemptively communicate guidance to areas that can still minimize or prevent a coronavirus outbreak while stopping the spread of misinformation. 
• The UN Secretary-General, President of the Security Council, President of the General Assembly, President of ECOSOC and USG of DGC addressed Member States in a joint briefing, assuring all that the critical work of the UN is largely uninterrupted. The whole session can be viewed here. As stated by the PGA, “Although we are not sitting together, be rest assured that we are in this together.”
• On 31 March, the UN Global Compact highlighted key points from the “Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19” Report. The summary lists the various ways in which the private sector can contribute to remedying the repercussions from the pandemic with the support and guidance of UNGC.

We want to hear from your organization!

UNGCNL invites its network members to share what they are doing in response to COVID-19 giving examples of efforts to recover from, and support resiliency in the face of this global crisis. We invite you to share your ideas, advice and experience with our local community of more than 140 businesses and 70 NGOs. Only by #UnitingBusiness and supporting each other will be able to get through this crisis.

Triggering a behavioral long positive organizational change with respect to women’s corporate representation and leadership.

Overview

Target Gender Equality is a gender equality accelerator programme for participating companies of the UN Global Compact. Through facilitated performance analysis, capacity building workshops, peer-to-peer learning and multi-stakeholder dialogue at the country-level, Target Gender Equality will support companies engaged with the UN Global Compact in setting and reaching ambitious corporate targets for women’s representation and leadership, starting with the Board and Executive Management levels.

Companies participating in Target Gender Equality have the opportunity to deepen implementation of the Women’s Empowerment Principles and strengthen their contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 5.5, which calls for equal women representation, participation and leadership in business globally. Companies will be equipped with the latest data and research supporting the business case for gender equality and gain insights from UN partners and experts on how to accelerate progress on gender equality.

Global Compact Network Lebanon and Global Compact Network UAE are joining forces on the Target Gender Equality Global Impact Accelerator within the MENA Region to mobilize a regional corporate movement aimed at fostering gender parity within the private sector

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Program Benefits

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Women don’t lack drive, they lack funding

Alarming facts that will be leveraged during the accelerator:

• At the current rate of progress, the global economic gender gap will close in 268 years
• Women are only represented by 25% in national parliaments
• Women are only represented by 36% in local governments
• Women are bearing additional household responsibilities during the pandemic
• 41.5 of women with a university degree are either unemployed or out of the labour force, while only 17.2% of men are in a similar situation

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Why achieving Gender Equality is now more important than ever?

• Gender parity must be perceived as an urgent need and a corporate priority. It is a moral duty and an operational necessity.
• The meaningful inclusion of women in decision-making results in boosting the effectiveness and productivity of the entire corporation. It brings new perspective to the table, unlocks greater resources and strengthens efforts. 

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Local Participating Companies

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Program Timeline

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Why your company needs to join today?

You can also find the Video Target Gender Equality: Taking Action in Response to COVID-19, a co-developed TGE Video that features representatives from all 19 TGE LNs, GCO staff, and colleagues from partner organizations such as UN Women, UNICEF, the UN Human Rights Office, IFC, and WE Empower.

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TGE Global Coalition

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TGE Global Opportunities

Target Gender Equality LIVE

Regional Breakout Session featuring Gender Equality edge cutting experts from across the MENA Region

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Join the conversation on Twitter

#COVID19 has underlined the necessity of inclusive workplaces and women's leadership in companies to achieve #GenderEquality.

Take action by joining #TargetGenderEquality — an accelerator to help companies close the gender gap in business leadership: https://t.co/2Cz0KyVr9B pic.twitter.com/ORvIMxdBbW

— UN Global Compact (@globalcompact) June 13, 2021

Only 37% of companies have an organization-wide strategy to tackle barriers and improve #GenderEquality.

Take action in your company by signing up for #TargetGenderEquality. The deadline to join is 30 June: https://t.co/DLz6BDQwtb pic.twitter.com/yGOzw7G8so

— UN Global Compact (@globalcompact) June 11, 2021

Established by UN Women and UN Global Compact Office

The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), are the result of a partnership between the UN Global Compact and UN Women to empower women in the workplace, marketplace, and community.

The principles of the UNGC, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlight women’s empowerment as a vital developmental target and emphasize the importance of dealing with gender inequality. The participation of the private sector is essential because women’s employment is crucial for economic growth and development, knowing that the Lebanese private sector provides the large majority of employment opportunities.

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What are the seven WEPs?

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Why adopt the WEPs?

Female employees tend to be concentrated in an entry or middle-level positions. That said, the more senior the position, the lower the percentage of women. Lebanese women tend to occupy a very small minority of the senior professional managerial or leadership positions. Therefore, the WEPs ask for a rebalancing of the situation. They call for deliberate policies to ensure that women are given opportunities to access leadership positions, training in order to improve their status in comparison to men, to have better work conditions with ensured health, safety, and well-being, and are free from discrimination. It also calls for companies to become better advocates of gender equality within their sphere of influence.

How can empowering women benefit businesses?

Investing in diversity is critical for innovation, performance, and reputation within a business. It has taken companies some time to realize that if a workforce reflects the diversity of its consumer base, then productivity and innovation will be better. Studies have shown that team diversity reduces groupthink and leads to better decision-making, problem-solving and creative output.
On the other side, consumers are also more likely to have a positive feeling about companies that are gender-diverse, which improves brand reputations.

“We look at the private sector to generate innovation, employment and financing that can bridge the gender gaps in the world of work and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. This will help our women, families and communities, and it is certainly good for the bottom line in business. Companies that invest in women and support women’s leadership and decision-making, and commit to gender equality typically outperform their competitors. The Women’s Empowerment Principles offer a great platform for change.”

Amina Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General at the 2018 WEPs Forum

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Women’s Empowerment Principles: Make Today Your Organization’s Signature Moment:

Additional Resources

Learn more about the Women’s Empowerment Principles

Ready to collaborate on the WEPs?

Follow WEPs on Twitter

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