Local Networks in Latin America Gather in Chile for Regional Meeting

(Santiago de Chile, 28 October 2015)  – On 26 and 27 October, Global Compact Network Chile hosted over 10 networks, as well as the Regional Center for the Support of the Global Compact in Latin America and the Caribbean, at the Latin America Local Networks Regional Meeting. Global Compact Networks in attendance included: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay and Peru.

Based on examples from Global Compact Network Mexico and Global Compact Network Argentina, Local Network representatives discussed how they are scaling up impact in accordance with the Ten Principles, current progress on building the Post-2015 Business Engagement Architecture from a bottom-up approach, as well as shaping and implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in a consistent, systematic way among networks. The Global Compact Office and Local Networks shared ideas and experiences about how to foster and leverage this bottom-up construction of the corporate sustainability agenda and the importance of rooting the global agenda within their local contexts. Recently launched resources to help companies engage with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the SDG Compass, were presented.

Other topics of discussion included the growth of  the Global Compact in the region and the connection between global and local levels. The Global Compact Office shared with the Local Networks ideas on how to face the challenge of achieving a critical mass of companies through a global-local coordinated growth strategy,  retention and recruitment with a fundamental focus on SMEs and financial sustainability in both local and global contributions. The roles of the Regional Center and the Local Network Advisory Group in contributing to the effectiveness of the UN Global Compact in Latin America were also discussed.

Following the meeting, Global Compact participants gathered on 28 October for the Fifth Global Compact Business Forum in Latin America, organized by the Regional Centre and Global Compact Network Chile.

Learn more

• See full agenda
• Local Networks in Latin America and the Caribbean
• The role of Local Networks in implementing the SDGs