Advisory Group Established, Elections Held at Annual Local Network Forum
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Geneva, Switzerland
(Geneva, 26 April 2013) – Today concluded the XI Annual Local Network Forum (ALNF), which provides an opportunity for Global Compact Local Networks from around the world to share best practices, explore synergies and determine a path forward for network management. Fifty-six Local Networks attended the three-day conference, of which 85 percent are Formal Networks.
Building upon a recommendation made during the last ALNF (Rio de Janiero, June 2012), Local Networks established a new Advisory Group, which will provide guidance to the UN Global Compact Office and serve as a conduit for Local Networks to raise ideas and concerns in a systematic manner. A primary role of the Advisory Group will be to enhance communication between the Global Compact Office and Local Networks and empower networks with a greater say in the initiative – thereby maximizing the positive impact of the Global Compact’s global-local reach, knowledge and expertise.
During the ALNF, elections were also held for the seven-member body, with one representative from each of the following regions: the Americas; Africa; Eastern Europe; Middle East and North Africa (MENA); South-Central Asia; South-East Asia and the Pacific; and Western Europe. The Advisory Group will select its own Chair who will also occupy the Ex Officio Local Network position on the Global Compact Board. Today’s newly-elected members of the Local Networks Advisory Group follow:
- Africa – Innocent Azih, Nigeria
- Americas – Margarita Ducci, Chile
- Eastern Europe – Yilmaz Arguden, Turkey
- MENA – Habiba Al Marashi, Gulf States
- South-Central Asia – Fasihul Siddiqi, Pakistan
- South-East Asia and the Pacific – Matthew Tukaki, Australia*
- Western Europe – Steve Kenzie, United Kingdom
The XI Annual Local Network Forum in Geneva welcomed representatives from 56 Local Networks around the world. Eighty-fivepercent of networks in attendance were Formal Networks.
Additionally, general measures were agreed to improve Local Network governance and brand management. An improved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) introduced a number of elements, including full financial disclosure and measures to enhance accountability. Networks agreed to expedite this upgraded MoU to become effective as of 2015. A new logo policy was also introduced to ensure brand coherence and integrity.
During the forum, Local Networks participated in a joint day of programming with UN-System Private Sector Focal Points. Representatives of UN entities and Local Networks each shared an overview of their work and priorities as a gateway to explore opportunities for local engagement. Topics for the joint session included the Post-2015 Development Agenda; enhancing collaboration between the UN, Local Networks and the private sector; and partnerships at the national level.
Local Networks were also briefed by the Global Compact Office on the initiative’s issue areas and key upcoming events such as the Leaders Summit 2013.
Prior to the forum, representatives from 26 Global Compact Local Networks participated in a two-day partnership training programme. In light of the growing demand for increased cross-sector cooperation to create business and social value at the local level, the programme trained participants on how to achieve common understanding across partnerships, develop a collaborative mindset and provide resources to broker sustainable partnerships.
*Chair of Advisory Group as elected through a nomination process
Contact
Walid Nagi
Head, Global Compact Local Networks
nagi@un.org