15 February 2007
CIMA Sri Lanka division has signed an MOU with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) to facilitate collaboration on the UNGC's local activities. CIMA and the UNGC Local Network will work together to raise awareness of the UNGC's corporate citizenship initiatives, organise training programmes focused on the principles of the Global Compact and recognise Sri Lankan business organisations through an annual CSR awards event.
CIMA Sri Lanka division will also facilitate the work of the Local Network, including hosting UNGC Local Network meetings, the first which took place at the CIMA Auditorium on Friday 26 January. The meeting brought a cross-section of key industry leaders from Aitken Spence, Commercial Bank, Dialog Telekom, Hayleys, John Keells Group, Mabroc/Kelani Valley Plantations, MAS Holdings and Unilever, who together create a robust Local Network Steering Committee.
The Global Compact is a UN initiative that seeks to bring businesses together with UN agencies, labour organisations and civil societies to work together to support 10 universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. Through the power of collective action the Global Compact seeks to promote responsible corporate citizenship and work towards the realisation of the vision of a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.
Georg Kell, Executive Director UN Global Compact office in New York, in his official message on the launch of the UNGC Sri Lanka Network stated:
'I am confident that the establishment of this Steering Committee will help the Global Compact take root in your country and contribute to a better life for the people of Sri Lanka. My office stands ready to support your efforts to contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.'
Speaking at the signing of the MOU, CIMA Sri Lanka division President, Shanthikumar Sadanandan, commented:
'In an age of ever increasing globalisation it is essential that business organisations across the world work together to adopt and promote the principles of the UN Global Compact. We are proud of the role we have to play with the local network and look forward to helping catalyse the actions of Sri Lankan organisations to support the UN's goals.'
Ravi Fernando, the UN Global Compact Focal Point for Sri Lanka, added 'It is my vision to take the best practice of UN Global Compact signatory companies and feature it on the global platform to help position Sri Lanka's best.'
For more information, please contact:
Surangi Ranaweera
Asst. Manager Marketing & Promotions
CIMA Sri Lanka Division
Tel: 94 11 2503880 Ext. 212, Fax: 94 11 2503881
E-mail: Surangi.Ranaweera@cimaglobal.com
Notes to editors
1. CIMA (The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) is the only international accountancy body with a sole focus on business. It is a world leading professional institute that offers an internationally recognized qualification in management accountancy, focusing on accounting in business, in both the private and public sectors. It is the fastest growing UK based accountancy body, in terms of members, in both the UK and worldwide and is the voice of over 87,000 students and 68,000 members in 158 countries. In Sri Lanka alone, there are more than 1700 members working in a variety of fields both in the private and public sector. CIMA students in Sri Lanka number more than 12,000.
2. CIMA prides itself on the commercial relevance of its syllabus, which is in tune with the activities of high performance organizations, and evolves continually to reflect the latest developments in global business. It is committed to upholding the highest ethical and professional standards of members and students, and to maintaining public confidence in management accountancy. For more information about CIMA, please visit www.cimaglobal.com
15 February 2007070215