First Traveling Seminar and National Network Retreat discuss the Network’s governing structure and future actions

Representatives of leading socially responsible companies in Bulgaria get together for a first traveling seminar and network retreat to discuss the future of the Global Compact initiative in Bulgaria. UNDP, the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum, the Bulgarian International Business Association and the National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria co-organized the event. At two stops during the seminar, nearly 30 participants from companies-members and observers to the Global Compact had the chance to acquaint themselves with corporate and local community practices and needs. They first visited the site of Cumerio Med, a copper company that is amongs the leaders in applying the principles of corporate social responsibility in Bulgaria. The company’s CEO Tom Beamish revealed its CSR policy including such activities as support of local communities in art, culture and sport; implementation of specific investment projects for the local communities and support of the integration of ethnic minorities. To introduce the participants in the development needs of the municipalities, the traveling seminar chose as its second destination the Koprivshtitza Municipality where the Mayor of Koprivshtitza, Mr. Nikola Kamenov, presented the Municipal Plan for Development, priorities and current initiatives, and discussed the challenges standing in front of the local authorities as well as ideas for private sector investments.

The traveling seminar saw its conclusion in an one-day formal meeting for all participants. The highlights in the event were the discussion of a framework on the governing and organizational principles of the GC National network and the discussion of the joint initiatives in response to the recently launched Global Compact tenth principle related to anti corruption. Participants were briefed on the latest tendencies in developing sustainable regional and national networks by the international consultant, Ms. Hanna Ruszcyk, and on the modalities and examples of governing structures by the GC focal point for Bulgaria, Ms. Maria Metodieva.

Sharing and partnering for applying the UN Global Compact principles in Bulgaria was initiated in 2005 and is financially supported by UN Global Compact in New York. The project includes three main components: traveling GC seminar, Global Compact Network Retreat and Global Compact plus Three National Forum. The initiative is implemented in partnership with leading business and non business associations in Bulgaria. The overall aim of the project is the constitution of Global Compact’s network governance structure in Bulgaria as well as strengthening and increasing the role of the local network in view of the future governance of the GC initiative in Bulgaria.

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For further information, please, contact:

Maya Nyagolova, Public Advocacy Officer, UNDP Bulgaria,

tel. 359 2 96 96 167, e-mail: maya.nyagolova@undp.org,

Ralitza Germanova, Global Compact, Bulgaria

tel. 359 2 96 96 162, e-mail: ralitza.germanova@undp.org