Our global commitment

At the UN General Assembly in September 2015, member states decided on a set of new ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs) or 'Global Goals' for the world to work towards to end extreme poverty by 2030.

The new Global Goals include a dedicated goal for water and sanitation to tackle the crisis head on.

We believe it is possible to end extreme poverty by 2030 and ensure sustainable development only by achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene.

To discover more about the Global Goals and the role of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as an essential component of an integrated approach to tackling poverty, hunger, health and inequality, download our Investment in WASH booklet.

WaterAid’s strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, both internally and through the development of ethical and appropriate corporate partnerships saw us make the Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility’s Top 10 CSR Companies two years running: recognition of which we are immensely proud.

In December 2013, WaterAid Australia signed onto the UN Global Compact (UNGC). Launched in 2000, the UNGC is an international initiative which seeks to improve organisational practices in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, WaterAid Australia is able to show leadership in the not-for-profit sector and ensure our policies align with ten universally accepted principles addressing human rights, labour standards, environment, and anti-corruption.

WaterAid International is committed to the CEO Water Mandate and advises companies on how they can both protect their water supply needs and ensure poor, rural communities have access to clean water. This is an important element of our work with our global corporate partners.

As a member and participant in the UNGC forums, WaterAid Australia is able to promote the necessity of universal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene as a fundamental human right in overcoming poverty to companies showing true leadership in sustainability.

Corporate partnerships are critical to our success, not only in terms of raising valuable funds, but also in ensuring WaterAid has a strong voice in campaigning governments locally and in the countries in which we work to help us solve the water and sanitation crisis in developing countries.

Through a partnership with WaterAid, companies can strengthen their corporate social responsibility and sustainability programmes, commit action toward the UN Millennium Development Goals and bring life-saving clean water and sanitation to the world’s poorest communities.

With 7,000 corporate signatories in 135 countries, it is the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative. www.unglobalcompact.org

Human Rights

Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.
Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour

Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour.
Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour.
Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment

Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.
Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption

Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

Click here to read WaterAid’s 2016 United Nations Global Compact Report.