31 May 2019

Nairobi, May 31, 2019 – As part of the 2019 United Nations Global Compact SDG Pioneers programme, Global Compact Network Kenya recognized the first ever Kenya SDG Pioneer — young business leader who is championing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through her company and inspiring others to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Chosen from over twenty nominations, the Network is proud to recognize Dr. Joyce Sitonik as its SDG Pioneer. Unwavering in her commitment to help reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promoting mental health and well-being, Dr. Sitonik is contributing to SDG 4 on Good health and Wellbeing. As part of her strategy to advance the SDGs through the company’s core business, she saw an opportunity to leverage the company’s existing technical capacity, brand positioning and heritage to view health risk management differently as a product and to address emerging local and global health risks.

Dr. Sitonik led in the design of tailor-made corporate wellness packages implemented through office based awareness and screening programs for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health. AAR Wellness Program has resulted in a six-fold growth in the number of people screened for NCDs from just over 1,000 in 2016 to over 6,000 in 2018. The program has been able to successfully identify more than 100 cases with high risk for cancer and more than 500 new cases of high blood pressure. According to the Ministry of Health, it is estimated that Non-communicable diseases account for over 55 per cent of deaths in Kenya and over 50 per cent of hospital admissions.

“Business action is undoubtedly central to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,” says Judy Njino, Executive Director of Global Compact Network Kenya, “and there is no better catalyst of business action than the young professionals- who are the leaders of tomorrow- pushing the boundaries in each and every company”.

As the winner of the national round, Dr. Sitonik will now compete in the global round along with other candidates for the title of 2019 UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers. The global winners will be announced this September in New York during the UN General Assembly.

“We are excited to help young professionals innovate new business solutions to address today’s global challenges,” says Lise Kingo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “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 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.”

About the SDG Pioneers Programme

As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact works with companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact guides and supports the global business community in advancing UN goals and values through responsible corporate practices. With more than 9,500 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and 70 Local Networks, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world.

The Kenya network is the local focal point working to support 1000 Kenyan companies to integrate the ten principles and SDGs within core business.

For more information, follow us on social media - Twitter: @globalcompact @globalcompactKE, Facebook:@GlobalcompactKE and visit our website at UN Global Compact.

Contact

Global Compact Network Kenya

Cynthia Kimilu

Network Support Officer

Tel: 254 (20) 232 4818/8 

Email: cynthia.kimilu@globalcompactkenya.org