Global Compact Network Indonesia Inspires Participants to Support SDGs at Annual Gathering

The following is an article submitted by a Global Compact Local Network. Please contact the network representative listed below with any questions regarding its contents.

(Jakarta, 4 August 2016) –  Inspired by the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2016, Global Compact Network Indonesia (IGCN) utilized the moment of annual members gathering as a platform to inspire its members and partners to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their business.

Highlighting the topic of Making Global Goals Local Business, the event was participated by 102 attendees from business leaders, UN bodies, NGOs, and academia. It was livened by ten corporate leaders as the speakers, and ten high achieving students from five universities as special invitees. The core programmes at the gathering, included (1) summary findings of the UN Global Compact– Accenture CEO Study; (2) how to ‘Turn risks into opportunities’; (3) ‘Make global goals local business’; (4) best practice sharing from six leading companies on ‘Leading the way on the SDGs’; and (5) sharing about ‘Disability in the SDGs – a volunteer’s journey’. These were followed by COP/COE Recognition, new members sign pledge, and encouragement to participate in IGCN Working Groups through ‘Hall of Fame’ exploration in the venue. In addition, there was an SDGs Photo Booth for participants to take pictures with the SDG Goals that they are interested to advance.

“It is not cool to work only for our own KPI, but it is better to make more impact to others“, said Prof. Firmanzah Ph.D., the Rector of Paramadina University and Member of IGCN Board of Supervisors. The message was delivered as opening remarks from the host of the event that was held in Paramadina Graduate School.

In addition, the second opening remarks highlighted the relevancy of SDGs for businesses. “Answering SDGs can help companies to increase their own business, which can increase their own profit while developing society and environment at the same time”, said Christophe Bahuet, Country Director of UNDP Indonesia.

“CEOs see the SDGs as a framework to restructure and accelerate their efforts on business sustainability. Meanwhile, the business leaders are accepting a mandate to lead the way.”, one of the key summary findings on UN Global Compact – Accenture CEO Study that was delivered by Mengmeng Cui, the Sustainability Manager ASEAN Region of Accenture Singapore.

The programme continued by ‘Turning Risks into Opportunities’ session by Joseph Dharmabrata, CEO PT Transjavagas Pipeline and Member of IGCN Board of Advisors who shared the key takeaways he got from Leaders Summit,  ‘Making Global Goals Local Business’ session by YW Junardy, President of IGCN and UN Global Compact Board Member, followed by ‘Leading the Ways on the SDGs’ sessions that was delivered by six corporate leaders:

• “Recycling: Reducing the Impact of Electronic Waste in The Environment“, Berry Boen, Head of Corporate Management Support - PT Datascrip
• “Forest conservation through creation of shared value”, Dewi P Bramono, Deputy Director of Sustainability & Stakeholder Engagement - Asia Pulp and Paper Group
• “Make Sustainable Living a Common Place – Lifebuoy Handwashing Campaign for Healthy Indonesia”, Sinta Kaniawati, General Manager Unilever Foundation - PT Unilever Indonesia, Tbk
• “Nestle Cocoa Plan: Rural Development in Mamuju”, Debora R Tjandrakusuma, Legal & Corporate Affairs Director - PT Nestle Indonesia
• “Creating Opportunities for Communities”, See Teck Ann, Deputy CEO - PT Eagle High Plantations, Tbk

Erna Witoelar, IGCN Board of Supervisor mentioned, “Since the launch of SDGs in New York, there is big urge to apply them in Indonesia. I feel very relieved to know that we do not need to start from zero, because, by seeing the presentations from the companies today, all are already applying SDGs in each company. The challenge is how to influence these SDGs to other companies.“

The last speaker was Pandu Sastrowardoyo, IBM Volunteer for Yayasan Mitra Netra, who shared about ‘Disability on the SDGs – a Volunteers Journey’. The session was aimed to increase the awareness of participants on the existence of the persons with disabilities that according to the UN data, are about 15% of the world’s population.  “Currently, there are revolutionary businesses in the world, for example, taxi company but have no vehicles. It creates opportunities for differently-abled people to build businesses, work normally, enter the workforce and create an inclusive society”, she said.

The event continued by COP & COE recognition for IGCN members, and a pledge signing by new members, and closing remarks by Josephine Satyono, Executive Director of IGCN. The participants were encouraged to explore the ‘Hall of Fame’ (HOF) in the venue which exhibited the IGCN Working Groups namely Business and Human Rights, CRBP, WEP & SME, PRME, CEO Water Mandate, Business Ethics & Governance. The HOF also exhibited “Growing Inclusive Market” (GIM) Indonesia case studies, Global SDGs Pioneers, and several LEAD Companies cases that are helping the advancement of SDGs.

CONTACT

Deladwita Suyoso
Program Manager - Communications and Relations
Global Compact Network Indonesia
deladwita@indonesiagcn.org