Koan accepted as member of UN Global Compact

Koan has become the first business in Manchester to join the world’s largest global corporate citizenship initiative.

Koan has been accepted as a member of the UN Global Compact after a rigorous application process, in which the agency had to outline its commitment to sustainability, human rights and education.

A total of 144 companies in the UK belong to the UN Global Compact and Koan sits alongside the likes of BT, Cadbury Schweppes, Centrica and GlaxoSmithKline.

As well as being the first business in Manchester to be accepted on to the initiative, Koan is the only PR agency outside of London on the scheme.

The UN Global Compact aims to encourage businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies. It seeks to advance corporate citizenship so businesses can help realise the UN’s vision to create a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.

As a member, Koan has made a commitment to adhere to the Compact’s 10 principles that centre on human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. The agency must ensure that business, culture and day-to-day operations follow the principles, and provide regular updates to the UN on its progress.

Elaine Mitchel-Hill, founder and MD of Koan said: “To be accepted by the UN Global Compact is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates Koan’s commitment as an ethical agency.

“At Koan we specialise in delivering ethical and sustainable communication campaigns and I feel that it is really important that as a business, we also live and breathe the values that we are helping other organisations to embrace and promote.

“We are looking forward to working with the UN under their 10 principles and further enhancing our contribution to society. These are exciting times and businesses should not underestimate the opportunity they have to make a positive contribution and help shape new sustainable ways of doing business.”