Diageo today announces that it has signed up to the United Nations Global Compact as a public commitment to leadership in social responsibility. Today's announcement forms part of Diageo's involvement in a major international conference in Dublin on Alcohol, Ethics and Society sponsored by the International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP) and the National College of Ireland.
The Global Compact - launched by the UN's Secretary General, Kofi Annan, in January 1999 - calls on companies to embrace nine universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour standards and the environment. Participants are asked to act on these principles in their own corporate domains and exercise leadership in their enlightened self-interest. The United Nations promotes good practice by those companies - rather then endorsing the companies themselves.
Diageo is the first global drinks company to have signed up to the Compact, reflecting its stated intention to lead the sector in the area of social responsibility.
Lord Blyth, Chairman of Diageo, said 'Diageo is proud to uphold a series of social and environmental codes and policies. We believe that our leadership position requires us to promote what we stand for everyday, everywhere. Central to this approach is our code of business conduct. Similarly, the UN Global Compact espouses the highest standards in human rights, society and the environment. We take these standards on board in developing our own codes and policies.'
Organisations involved in the UN Global Compact are diverse, representing a spread of industries and geographic areas. All are leaders and aspire to manage global growth in a responsible manner that takes into consideration the interests and concerns of a broad spectrum of stakeholders including employees, investors, customers, business partners, special interest groups and communities.
In addition to ensuring all global policies and codes reflect the principles of the Compact, Diageo has committed to:
> Make public its involvement at the ICAP conference in Dublin
> Communicate its approach to all employees in October 2002
> Report annually on progress on implementation and a wider advocacy of the principles.
The nine principles are as follows:
Human rights
1. Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights
2. Make sure they are not complicit in human rights abuses
Labour standards
Businesses should uphold
3. The freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining
4. The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour
5. The effective abolition of child labour
6. The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
Environment
Businesses should
7. Support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges
8. Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility
9. Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Alcohol, Ethics and Society - an international conference on rights and responsibilities - explores general conclusions about the role of key stakeholders in the sometimes contentious alcohol debate, identifying ethical principles that that should guide them. The conference takes place on 16-18 October 2002 in Dublin and is hosted by The International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP) and National College of Ireland. Keynote presentations include a contribution from Chris Britton, Director of Global Marketing, Diageo plc, UK entitled 'Setting the Standards for Responsible Consumer Marketing'.
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Notes to Editor
Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wine and beer categories. These brands include Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Baileys, J&B, Captain Morgan, Cuervo, Tanqueray, and Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.
Diageo is a global company, trading in over 180 markets around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com.
UN Global Compact
For further information on the UN Global Compact please visit their website: www.unglobalcompact.org
ICAP
The International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP) is dedicated to helping reduce the abuse of alcohol world-wide and to promoting understanding of the role of alcohol in society through dialogue and partnership involving the beverage alcohol industry, the public health community, government and others involved interested in alcohol policy. ICAP is a not for profit organisation supported by eleven major international beverage alcohol companies. For further information visit the ICAP web site on www.icap.org.
National College of Ireland
The National College of Ireland is a tertiary college, informed by research and committed to the development of individual, community and business potential in an innovative, accessible and learner-friendly manner. The new 220,000 sq.ft. campus which the National College of Ireland calls a 'campus without walls', is made up of three integrated elements: The College, the Student Residences and The Research Foundation.
The vision of the Centre for Corporate Responsibility at the National College of Ireland is to provide leadership in developing and supporting corporate responsibility to enhance business performance and the society. The Centre provides an innovative and accessible forum for the exchange of ideas on the triple bottom line and actively encourages participation in debate among different sectors, co-operation in developing solutions for the future. For further information visit the college web site on www.ucd.ie.