Intel supports UN Global Compact Values
posted by Michael Jacobson on June 12, 2009
I am pleased to announce that today; Intel became a supporter of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).
The commitment to doing the right things the right way is culturally engrained at Intel. Uncompromising integrity and the highest standards of business ethics informs everything we do. That commitment determines how we run our daily operations around the world, and drives our approach to corporate social responsibility. We are actively engaged around the world with organizations, like the United Nations, that share the same commitment.
We have worked very closely with the United Nations over the years, so it was no surprise when prior to the 2009 World Economic Forum annual meeting, we received an email from the U.N. General Secretary’s office asking to meet with Craig Barrett, Intel’s Chairman, while he was in Davos. We, of course, readily accepted the meeting. In that meeting Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon made a formal request to Intel to support the United Nations Global Compact.
The Compact reflects shared values between the United Nations and businesses in the areas of human rights, labor standards, environmental protections, and anti-corruption. The UNGC recognizes that, because of the wealth that business creates, businesses are part of the solution to world peace and security and a decent standard of living and quality of life. During our Davos meeting, Georg Kell, the UNGC executive director, described UNGC support as “a journey, not a destination.” This explanation resonated with us. It is the same way we have approached corporate responsibility at Intel over the years. We take a long-term view and focus on continuous improvement - from our multi-billion dollar investment in education to our ongoing commitment to find new ways to reduce our environmental footprint.
After that meeting, we launched a new interdepartmental review of UNGC membership, in the context of our own corporate responsibility journey. With this assessment, we concluded that the time was right to lend Intel’s public support to help advance the values of the UNGC and leverage this collaboration to deepen own learning and growth in the coming years.
To learn more about UNGC, go to www.unglobalcompact.org.
Comments (2)
tagged: corporate responsibility, Craig Barrett, UN Global Compact, UNGC, United Nations, World Economic Forum
Comments
Jun 12 | elaine cohen said:
This is very positive news ! The UNGC is a very significant program driving an understanding and far-reaching application of important business principles, with a supportive and energetic network worldwide. I attended UNCG meetings last week (8-11 june) and am a member of the Human Rights Working Group. I am very familiar with the UNGC principles and their application. As i am based in Israel, I would be happy to support Intel Israel in working with a local network for understanding and application of the UNCG principles. warm regards, elaine cohen , www.b-yond.biz/en
Jun 13 | Ken said:
This is off topic. I can’t find where is a more appropriate place on Intel’s site to put this. Seems like social responsibility ought to be the place.
I will no longer buy Intel products as long as you continue to advertise with the David Letterman show. Letterman has made rape jokes about teenage girls, and as a father of two I find this continued coarsening of our culture increasingly intolerable. This is beyond the pale.
I am ruling out an Intel platform for my upcoming design projects, and urging my team to use AMD or Sun Microsystems solutions wherever possible. Intel chips, compilers, and the Integrated Performance Primitives have just become persona non grata in my shop. We are now actively seeking alternatives.
I look forward to a time when you stand with me against rape and violence relating to our young people and work to build a more positive social climate. Until that time comes, I consider your corporation to be one that endorses and enables the coarsening process I note with David Letterman.
Take care.