Meeting of BBLF Members with Ms Marta Ruedas, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative

On March 28, 2002 BBLF members met with Ms Marta Ruedas, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, who spoke about UN Global Compact on CSR (see more). In her speech Ms Ruedas talked about today's global citizenship and global responsibility that are integral to the way we understand the world and to what UN often refer to as global governance.

While presenting the nine principles of the UN Global Compact Ms Ruedas shared that this is the first time business leaders are challenged to help build the pillars of the new global economy by turning the principle and the practice of corporate citizenship into global ones. In such an interdependent world business now have a reach and an impact that are truly global in nature and therefore, it makes good business sense for companies to internalize these principles as elements of their corporate strategies. At the same time Ms Ruedas pointed out that the Global Compact on CSR is not a substitute for effective action by governments, but an opportunity for companies to exercise leadership in their enlightened self-interest. Referring to the example of Cisco Systems Bulgaria and their contribution to UNDP Chitalishte project Ms Ruedas shared just an option for Bulgarian business to join the Global compact.