What if we are failing? Towards a post-crisis compact for systemic change

Has the UN Global Compact (UNGC) failed? This question deserves as much attention as the search for evidence of success, if we are to be rigorous in our evaluation. The celebrations in New York to mark the tenth anniversary of its founding were justified and important. However, as someone who held great hopes for this initiative when I discussed it with its founders over ten years ago (Bendell 2000a), I believe we need to think as freely, critically and ambitiously as we did back then if we are to ensure it evolves to meet the challenges of our time. Success or failure depends on what one seeks to achieve. There are multiple aims for the UN, its member organisations, the corporate participants, and the individuals involved, but the stated objectives of the UN are: 1. Mainstream the UNGC principles in business activities around the world 2. Catalyse actions in support of broader UN goals including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).