With its commitment to the UN Global Compact, Instituto Ramacrisna reinforces its dedication to sustainable and social practices, aligning its initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals.

In September 2024, Instituto Ramacrisna, with over 65 years of impact in Betim, became a signatory of the UN Global Compact, joining the Brazil Network. This commitment reaffirms the Institute’s dedication to promoting sustainability, social justice, and citizenship in its daily operations. Launched in 2000 by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the UN Global Compact is one of the largest corporate sustainability initiatives globally, engaging over 25,000 participants, including businesses and organizations worldwide.

The Global Compact encourages businesses to align their operations with Ten Universal Principles organized into four pillars: Human Rights, Labor, Environment, and Anti-Corruption. These principles are grounded in key UN declarations, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention Against Corruption. By joining this network, Ramacrisna takes on the responsibility to contribute to the 2030 Agenda, aiming to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by 193 UN member states in 2015.

What is the UN Global Compact?

The UN Global Compact provides voluntary guidelines for promoting ethical and sustainable business practices. It’s not a regulatory tool, but rather an initiative that encourages organizations to adopt responsible practices, creating positive impacts in the communities they serve. Since its inception, the Global Compact has aimed to drive gradual change in corporate governance globally, trusting in the capacity of business leaders to adopt and expand sustainable and innovative practices.

In Brazil, the UN Global Compact’s Brazil Network was established in 2003 and is now the second-largest local network globally, with over 1,900 members. The network develops high-impact initiatives through roughly 50 active projects and focuses on areas such as Water and Sanitation, Human Rights, Labor, Climate, Sustainable Agriculture, and Anti-Corruption.

The Ten Principles of the Global Compact

By becoming a Global Compact signatory, Instituto Ramacrisna commits to upholding the Ten Principles in its daily practices. These principles reflect ethical commitments in the areas of Human Rights, Labor, Environment, and Anti-Corruption. Below is an overview of the principles guiding the Global Compact’s actions:

Human Rights

• Support and respect the protection of internationally recognized human rights.
• Ensure the organization is not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labor

• Uphold freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
• Eliminate all forms of forced or compulsory labor.
• Abolish child labor effectively.
• Eradicate discrimination in the workplace.

Environment

• Support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.
• Promote environmental responsibility.
• Encourage environmentally friendly technology development and diffusion.

Anti-Corruption

• Work against all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery.

Instituto Ramacrisna’s Commitment to the SDGs

By joining the Global Compact, Instituto Ramacrisna deepens its commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a global plan to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. In joining the Brazil Network of the Global Compact, the Institute reaffirms its commitment to building a more just and sustainable world.

This advancement strengthens Ramacrisna’s dedication to sustainable and social practices, which have already benefitted thousands of people through various projects over the years. Becoming part of the Global Compact is a natural evolution of the Institute’s long-standing mission to help make the world a better place.

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