The World is confronted by many challenges today that are threatening our existence as Human Beings and the survival of our planet, and those include injustice, economic inequality, war, climate change, need for innovation, poverty, and environmental degradation.
A universal call to action has been spread around by the United Nations Development Program to ensure prosperity and solve worldwide challenges to balance our environment, society, and economy. This is through creating 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) that both the public and private sectors can focus on.
In this context, the United Nations Global Compact was initiated to call companies across the world to align their strategies and operations with 10 universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take actions that advance broader societal goals, such as the SDGs.
Berytech and The UN Global Compact Network Lebanon
The Global Compact Network Lebanon (GCNL) is the Lebanese national chapter of the UN Global Compact. Its mission is to promote the 10 Principles of responsible conduct and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout the Lebanese business and non- business community.
As a member of the GCNL, Berytech Foundation enacts the 10 principles of the UNGC, and it is being committed to the 9th Sustainable Development Goal related to Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. This goal aims at building a resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation to achieve continuous economic growth and sustainable development.
Moreover, Berytech is taking the lead in Lebanon along with GCNL to spread awareness about the benefits of joining a network of players that adopt common goals. Across its network of startups, SMEs, and larger Lebanese companies, Berytech is inviting everyone to play a leading role to ensure sustainability and social responsibility by incorporating the UNGC 10 principles and focusing on one of the 17 SDGs to step together towards a better world.
Grow your Business with a Purpose Event
Grow your Business with a Purpose event – supported by BDD, gathered a pool of Lebanese startups and SMEs with the aim to get them involved and mobilized in a truly global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders to accomplish the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
“We hope to be able to drive progress towards advancing sustainability practices nation-wide and connecting members of our community under a common outlook,” comments Ramy Boujawdeh, Deputy GM of Berytech and GCNL Ambassador.
Founders and CEOs of startups and SMEs were encouraged to join the GCNL network which guarantees access to a pool of like-minded network members, access to a cross-section platform, visibility on UNGC (New York) and GCNL (Lebanon) platforms, and access to a door of other opportunities.
Attendees were able to hear from Dr. Hasan Youness, Strategic Advisor at GCNL, who showcased GCNL’s mission and milestones, followed by Ramy Boujawdeh, who highlighted how startups and SMEs can grow their businesses with a strategic purpose and why Berytech joined to become a member of the GCNL network committing to SDG9.
Two back to back workshops followed; the first included five roundtables, each representing a specific sustainability case study moderated by GCNL ambassadors who highlighted the growth strategy and sustainability plans of top multinational corporations like IKEA, Nike, PNS, Siemens, and Starbucks.
During the second workshop, attendees had the chance to meet Berytech’s business advisors who are working on the USAID-Lebanese Enterprise Development Program, which aims to develop Lebanese enterprises through providing customized assistance by identifying and solving problems that may be preventing a business from growing.
Lebanese SMEs and startups within Berytech’s network are now aware of the actions that can be taken towards a sustainable future and how to address the challenges that the world is facing. “Each one of us can play a role in a better, balanced world for the next generation,” concludes Boujawdeh.
