On June 6, 2023 many participants joined our General Assembly 2023 in Bern. The event served as a platform to reflect on our past achievements, vote on our new board members, and share our planned future activities. It was also a great opportunity to network and meet longstanding and new participants of our local network.
Annual Report: Highlighting Past Activities and Events
The assembly started off with the presentation of the Annual Report, which summarized our many activities and events of the previous year. The report showcased the dedication of our network in offering various insightful programmes and events for our participants: from interactive Accelerator Programmes, insightful Academy e-learnings and event series to different peer learning groups and numberous fruitful collaborations.
Revision of Statutes: Shaping Our Governance and Voting on Membership Fees
As a responsible organisation, we recognized the need to adapt to the changing landscape. Therefore, the revision of our statutes was a significant point on the agenda to ensure that our governance structure remains sustainable and capable of meeting the evolving needs of our network.
In addition, the general assembly also discussed and voted on the revised membership fee structure. The adjustment of fees was a result of the merger of the two engagement levels (signatory and participant) and the expanded access to all programmes and will support global strategic investments in programmes and initiatives and fund the UN Global Compact more equitably.
Financial Statements 2022 and Budget 2023: Presentation and Voting
During the assembly we closely reviewed the financial statements for 2022, taking into account the income, expenses, and overall financial health of our organisation. Transparency and accountability are crucial to our organisation which is why an additional financial audit conducted by PwC Switzerland was shared. Following the presentation of the numbers, all participants were given the chance to ask questions or express concerns before voting on the financial statements and budget.
Board Election: New Faces and Sad Goodbyes
As part of the general assembly our participants conducted elections to form our local network's board of directors. This moment marked a significant transition, as five new leaders joined our board to guide our organisation in the future. Their commitmment, expertise, and fresh perspectives will undoubtedly contribute to our continued success in promoting sustainability and driving positive change in Switzerland, Liechtenstein and beyond.
We would like to warmly welcome the following people to the board of the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein:
Adrienne Williams | Group Vice President, Head of Corporate Responsibility | ABB
Carrie Scott | Head, Sustainability and ESG Office | Novartis
Florian Strasser | Group CEO & Chairman | GWF AG
Nadia Kaddouri | Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer | Swissport
Stefania Lallai | Vice President Sustainability Cargo Division | MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
We also had to say goodbye to three longstanding board members who made the difficult decision to step down. Their dedication, impactful contributions, and tireless efforts played a vital role in shaping our organisation and our initiatives. A big thank you to:
Caroline Portmann | Head Sustainability Public Policy | Credit Suisse | appointed 2015
Marina Prada | Head Sustainability Performance | Syngenta Crop Protection AG | appointed 2018
Matthew Kilgarriff | Director of Corporate Social Responsibility | Richemont International SA | appointed 2014
Outlook: Planned Activities and Events 2023
The last point of the agenda was an outlook of the current and planned activities for 2023. The Secretariat team shared the latest information on the global strategy of the UN Global Compact and gave insights on different activites and events happening on a global level such as the new Communication on Progress (CoP) and the Leader Summit.
Furthermore, the team gave a quick overview of the current focus areas and an outlook of the current and upcoming events. Some of the highlighted events and initiatives are listed in the slider below. For the full event list, please visit our event page.
Exchange and Reception: Participant Stories and Inspiration
After the official part of the General Assembly, the participants were invited to engage in an interactive session where Florian Klingel from Skat Consulting, Nadia Kaddouri from Swissport and Franics Froborg from Zühlke Group shared insights on challenges companies face when it comes to their sustainability transition. It was a thought-provoking discussion with many valuable inputs and questions from the audience that also helped the board and secretariat team to better understand where we can adjust our offerings to meet the needs of our participants.
The General Assembly concluded on a joyous note with an apéro riche, where participants had the opportunity to connect and network. Sharing stories with like-minded people, exchanging ideas, and reaffirming our commitment inspired everyone to continue their mission of pursuiting a more sustainable and inclusive future.
We would like to thank everyone who attended our General Assembly! We look forward to continue working with all of you.
