LRN joined more than 1,000 chief executive officers from companies in more than 100 countries to demonstrate support for the United Nations and inclusive multilateralism by signing onto a statement from business leaders for renewed global cooperation.
The statement attracted signatures from some of the world’s largest brands along, with hundreds of other large-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises participating in the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.
“We, the business peoples, recognize that peace, justice and strong institutions are beneficial to the long-term viability of our organizations and are foundational for upholding the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," said the statement.
"Now is our opportunity to learn from our collective experiences to realign behind the mission of the UN and steer our world onto a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable path. We are in this together—and we are united in the business of a better world.”
The statement, including the full list of CEO supporters, was presented to UN Secretary-General António Guterres by Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and executive director of the UN Global Compact, at the opening of the private sector forum during the meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the UN's 75th anniversary.
Dov Seidman, LRN’s chairman and founder, presented thoughts on the kind of courageous leadership needed in today's world. The forum is the first in a series of three events to promote principled business and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The CEO statement supports the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 16: to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions.
LRN joined the UNGC 10 years ago in recognition of the fact LRN and the UN are aligned in our belief that principled behavior is the only long-term, sustainable, and responsible strategy for leading, operating, and governing. LRN committed more specifically in 2019 to support Goal 16.
LRN is aligned with other organizations supporting Goal 16, and who believe good governance lies at the heart of good business. We believe companies must not only ensure their own houses are in order through enhanced corporate governance, but that businesses must support enhanced global governance, including modeling ethical leadership in their organizations; tackling systemic inequalities and injustices in their supply chains; and partnering with government, civil society, and others to strengthen institutions, laws and systems, both nationally and internationally.