In the morning of July 26th, all members of the 2nd Collegiate Summer Camp on CSR visited the UN Global Compact Network in China. We were honored to be given a speech presented by Dr. WangXiaoguang, deputy director of this organization.
Development of Global Compact
The Global Compact was launched with ten principles, including human rights, labor standards, environment, anti-corruption, etc. It was put forward by Kofi Annan, the former secretary-general of the United Nations in 1990, and the headquarters was set up in the U.S. ten years after that. As western wise was introduced, Mr. George Cole, the chief secretary of the UN Global Compact, and Ms. ChenYing, the director of Beijing Rongzhi CSR Center, signed a contract in Feb. 2009. Thus the UN Global Compact Network in China was initiated, so was the development of Global Compact in China. In accordance with the UN’s aim of sustainable development, UN Global Compact Network in China actively impulses Chinese enterprises’ participation, and offers CSR training and consulting service for them. In this way, it succeeded to inaugurate a new phase for Global Compact development in China.
Practice of Global Compact
The UN Global Compact Network in China plays a role of a platform for Chinese enterprises to share SCR practice. It encourages the companies to act in tune with the Global Compact and take their social responsibility. It broadens the business in consulting and training service for Chinese central enterprises step by step. Examples are China Metallurgical Group CSR Report Project, China Datang Corporation Sustainability Report, etc.
As a matter of fact, Global Compact practice in China extends to CSR activities, research, and index system consultation, and the UN Global Compact Network in China is trying its best to enrich related project.
Our Opinions
The lecture benefited us a lot. We made it clear that companies must “seek profit” when taking social responsibility based on particular situations. That is to say, they should be profitable and responsible at the same time. Only in this way can the enterprises achieve dynamic and sustainable development. When it comes to the prospective of CSR practice in China in Q&A part, Dr. WangXiaoguang pointed out that, difficulties and flaws undoubtedly exit, but just because of that we should make more efforts, just because of that we get more potential. However, the western experience can’t be applied without adaptation, since the fact is value system is always in line with the moral standard, legal development and economic level. What goes for the west may not work in China, considering the gap between different social environments. So, there’s still a long way to go.
    In addition, we gain a new understanding towards state capitalism and monopoly. Not all the monopoly is for the sake of profit, and natural monopoly is such an instance. State-owned companies of this kind contributed a lot to the national economic development, for it can lower profit on behalf of the public.
  There is a chance that what we’ve seen is not that pleasant. However, we should develop and maintain a positive attitude, looking forward to a well-functioned society. Social responsibility is a concept that can hardly be accepted widely in a short period of time. It needs a process to be spread as well as recognized. We believe that if we, the government and the enterprises spare no efforts, we’ll finally make this concept leads our society, and make our nation prosperous.

By Group Four: NiXue, YangYibo, ChiYufei, ZhangPeipei
July 26th, 2011