CATIE joins the United Nations Global Compact Initiative

• Institution’s corporate social responsibility policy complies with the Global Compact’s 10 fundamental principles

CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Education Center) has joined the United Nations Global Compact, an international initiative for organizations that are willing to make a voluntary commitment to pursue socially responsible policies through the adoption of 10 universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption. 

CATIE’s acceptance to this initiative was officially confirmed by the UN in a letter welcoming the institution to the Global Compact. The letter states: “We believe that business practices rooted in universal principles help the global market to be more socially and economically responsible. Indeed, the companies and other organizations that participate in the Global Compact are working diligently to give practical meaning to those principles, thereby advancing the collective goals of international cooperation, peace and development.” 

“Your participation helps to promote this spirit of cooperation that is so critical to address today’s challenges.” By joining this initiative, CATIE pledges to comply with the 10 principles not only in management approaches but in all activities, both at headquarters in Costa Rica and in the countries where it works. In 2007, the institution began preparing its corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy and as part of this process identified an opportunity to align itself with the UN Global Compact, according to Felicia Granados, the person in charge of social responsibility issues at CATIE.

CATIE is one of three academic institutions in Costa Rica under the Global Compact.

This CRS policy states, “CATIE pledges its ongoing commitment to implement its activities and products based on principles, ethical values and environmentally sustainable practices that contribute to sustainable economic development and have a positive impact on society, improving the well-being of its staff, local communities, member countries and partners.”

The director general of CATIE, José Joaquín Campos, explained that “implementing a corporate social responsibility policy implies an effort on the part of each of the institution’s members. But above all, it shows a desire to improve and find new ways of fulfilling our mission.” He added, “It is a continuous and firm commitment to try to find better ways of doing our work. Social responsibility should be expressed in each step of the process that leads us to fulfill our goals and develop in response to current demands.”

According to Granados, the organizations that sign up to the Global Compact are required to submit an annual progress report describing their achievements in the area of social responsibility, together with the goals that they wish to accomplish based on the 10 principles.

Reducing the environmental impact of our actions

CATIE’s CSR policy includes a process to analyze and reduce the environmental impact of all its activities. One of its most important efforts in this regard was the consolidation of its comprehensive solid waste management program. “This program provides an opportunity for the entire CATIE community to learn and put into practice environmentally responsible behavior,” said Granados, “which allows us to effectively manage the waste produced in the institution.”

CATIE has established 35 collection points from which waste and residues are collected three times a week. At each collection point there are labeled recipients for the different types of waste, so that people can classify, separate and deposit these materials. The recyclable materials are taken to a recovery center where they are stored until a buyer comes to collect them. Organic residues are transported to CATIE’s commercial farm and the various residues are deposited in the landfill.

According to Granados, program activities began in 2003; however, the consolidation process began in 2008. Some of the program’s main achievements include:

• Improvements have been made to the recovery center (previously called the collection center), where materials are stored before being sent to be recycled. This has provided an opportunity for staff members who live off campus to bring recyclable materials from their homes.
  
  

• All collection points have been labeled to improve the classification and separation of waste materials.
  
  

• The program is the only local-level effort that forms part of the Costa Rican Recycling Network.
  
  

• 168 staff members have received training in the implementation of the program.
  
  

• CATIE has also made contacts with the Technical College of La Suiza de Turrialba, the State Distance University (UNED), the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the Municipality of Turrialba to explore possible alliances in the area of solid waste management.

See CSR policy at: http://www.catie.ac.cr/rsi

More information
Felicia Granados Cordero
Telephone (506) 2558-2221
Fax (506) 2558-2042
E-mail: fgranado@catie.ac.cr