The Global Compact Network Belgium was launched last week, on 15 October 2009 (read the press release). Its purpose is to serve as a point for communication and collaboration, peer review and training. The Belgian network is currently being supported by key participants, local partners of the UN Global Compact and the Belgian government.

The UN Global Compact is a leadership platform, endorsed by business leaders and their CEO's, offering a unique strategic platform for participants to advance their commitments to sustainability and corporate citizenship.

As the Chairman of the Task Force that took the initiative to create the Belgian Network for the UN Global Compact, I presented a short speech:

You cannot create a network in a single day. Creating a network takes a lot of time, effort and commitment from a lot of people. And this is certainly true when the network involves the leaders of business and society.

Therefore I feel privileged to stand here before you, as we witness the first steps in the creation of the Belgian Network for the UN Global Compact.

All of us being here today is a clear example of how our world is interconnected. We are all interconnected.And therefore, we are all responsible. Responsible for our ecology. Responsible for the future we build for our families. And as leaders, we are responsible for the systems we create.

The Global Compact is a worldwide system that connects the leaders of business and society, and aims for a better future. Today, the Global Compact networks span the entire globe and connect more than 7000 organizations.

I first learned about the Global Compact during a seminar at the Junior Chamber World Conference, a few years ago. There I saw a colorful map of all the Global Compact networks in the world. And on that map, in the centre of Europe, I saw a white spot. That spot was Belgium.

Today we witness the creation of the Belgian Network for the Global Compact. Today we reach out to other leaders of business and society, to join the Global Compact. And today we provide you with a calendar of our activities.

In November, we will be present at the Annual Diamond Conference in Antwerp, to highlight the importance of the UN Global Compact.
In December the Belgian Participants of the Global Compact will be able to elect a formal Steering Committee for the network.
Early next year, we plan a variety of activities including workshops and seminars. And later next year, we plan to organize a Conference on the Global Compact in Europe in light of the Belgian presidency of the EU.

We also seek active collaboration with existing CSR networks and initiatives, and already have built good relations with Kauri and Business & Society.

As you can see, there’s a lot to come. And we invite you all to become part of our network. Join the Global Compact. Join us, and take the lead, towards a more responsible and more sustainable future.

Thank you.

More information is available on www.globalcompact.be

Author's update:

• The event that is mentioned to be held november 2009 will be held instead in the spring of 2010.
  
• The event mentioned to be held in september 2010 is currently being considered as an opportunity, for which we seed advisement and collaboration of all parties involved.