| Participation in the Global Compact
In January 2004 Toshiba joined the United Nations Global Compact, pledging to adhere to universal principles covering human rights, labor and the environment. The Global Compact is a voluntary corporate citizenship initiative proposed by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 1999 at the World Economic Forum.
The Global Compact envisages that in the course of business, companies' fullfillment of their corporate social responsibilities through compliance with internally recognized principles concerning human rights, labor and the environment will lead to the emergence of a sustainable global economy.
The Global Compact's Ten Principles
Human Rights
1. Business should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
2. make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Labor Standards
3. Business should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
4. the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor;
5. the effective abolition of child labor; and
6. the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
Environment
7. Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
8. undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
9. encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti-Corruption
10. Businesses should work against all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery.
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The Global Compact and its ten principles were proposed by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in an address to The World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, in January 1999. Major companies from around the world have taken the initiative, and Toshiba is one of the earliest Japanese companies to join.