Nairobi, 24 February — As part of the 2020 United Nations Global Compact SDG Pioneers programme, Global Compact Network Kenya launched its national search for professionals who are committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Later this year, the Network will recognize an employee of a participating company as the Global Compact Network Kenya SDG Pioneer. The selected individual will then have the opportunity to participate in the final search of global SDG Pioneers to be recognized during the 2020 UN General Assembly in September in New York.
In 2020, the UN Global Compact will recognize a new class of SDG Pioneers who are setting ambitious SDG targets, scale, and impact across their companies through a principles-based approach.
Global Compact Network Kenya welcomes the leadership of companies participating in the UN Global Compact to nominate their employees to the programme and later on join them during the recognition.
"Leadership in the 2030 era requires change agents. Change agents don't sit around waiting for the future to happen. They create it. They do not choose the path of at least resistance. They stay the course, also when they are ridiculed or fought. In the end — they win. They have the future on their side" says Lise Kingo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.
"Business action is undoubtedly central to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. In this Decade of Action, the spotlight will be on individuals who champion sustainability and are mobilizing companies to be a force for good. Business leadership today, requires leaders to demonstrate the essential qualities of SDG leadership, which are bold, intentional, ambitious, consistent, collaborative and accountable," says Judy Njino, Executive Director of Global Compact Network Kenya.
Employees of companies participating in the UN Global Compact are welcome to submit their own stories on contributions towards sustainable development or nominate a colleague for consideration in the programme before 15 April 2020.