We’re reducing disaster risk and building resilience.

You need to be part of it.

 

ABOUT ARISE CANADA

 

ARISE is a private sector initiative, in conjunction with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), which works towards a resilient, prosperous future where fewer lives are lost to disasters, capital assets and investments are risk-informed, and infrastructure is resilient to natural and man-made hazards.

 

Members voluntarily commit to support and implement the Sendai Framework Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030, aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Paris Climate Agreement, New Urban Agenda and Agenda for Humanity.

 

In doing so, ARISE advocates for risk-informed development by encouraging and supporting the private and public sectors to put in place policies and practices to reduce disaster risk and losses. It mobilizes and facilitates the private sector to carry out risk-informed investments and to engage in business practices that build resilience, prevent social and economic losses and enhance recovery from disasters, in line with the Sendai Framework.

 

Mission 

“To create risk-resilient societies by energising the private sector in collaboration with the public sector and other stakeholders to achieve the outcome and goal of the Sendai Framework in a transparent and inclusive way that delivers local and measurable impact.”

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ARISE signatory companies voluntarily commit to align with the Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction.

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ARISE aims to support the achievement of this goal through the following ARISE Five Commitments:

1. Raise Awareness: Awareness raising with respect to disaster risk and mobilization of the private sector;

2. Influence: Exercising influence in respective spheres of expertise;

3. Share Knowledge: Share knowledge, experience and good practices amongst the private sector; 

4. Catalyse: Be a catalyst to generate innovation and collaboration in developing risk-informed business strategies;

5. Implement: Implement projects and activities to achieve the targets of the Sendai Framework.

 

UN Global Compact

In addition to the ARISE Guiding Principles, ARISE Members must furthermore adhere to the 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact, the UN body responsible within the UN system for private sector engagement in sustainable development:

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“Corporate sustainability starts with a company’s value system and a principles-based approach to doing business. This means operating in ways that, at a minimum, meet fundamental responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Responsible businesses enact the same values and principles wherever they have a presence and know that good practices in one area do not offset harm in another. By incorporating the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact into strategies, policies and procedures, and establishing a culture of integrity, companies are not only upholding their basic responsibilities to people and planet, but also setting the stage for long-term success. 

 

The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact are derived from: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

 

Human rights:

Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and

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; and 

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; and

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”.

 

HOW WE WORK

Over the past ten years, disasters continued to exact a heavy toll on communities, global development and prosperity, with more than 1.5 billion people affected with total economic losses of more than $1.3 trillion. The exposure of persons and assets in all countries increased faster than vulnerability decreased, thus generating new risks combined with a steady rise in overall disaster-related losses and damage. The decisions that are taken at all scales, in ever more interconnected societies reverberate across interdependent social, ecological, economic and political systems in increasingly diverse and correlated ways.

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Private sector entities are encouraged to join ARISE in its Mission to create risk-resilient societies by promoting and supporting the integration of disaster risk and disaster preparation into business management strategies and investment decisions. ARISE also aims at unleashing the potential of private sector know-how, innovation and convening powers in partnership with Governments and other stakeholders to deliver measurable changes in business practices towards resilience.

 

ARISE Canada activities include: 

• Advocacy, knowledge products, good practice sharing and guidance on disaster risk reduction and risk-informed investment, including through engagement at Global and Regional Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction; 

• Promotion of the integration of DRR into business strategies and management, product development, enterprise risk management and continuity plans and strategies,

• Leading and facilitating capacity building on disaster risk reduction for member companies, including for Small- and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); 

• Developing public - private collaboration for targeted projects and initiatives to catalyze innovation, strategy development, collaboration and partnerships with national and local governments and other stakeholder groups for coherent policy development and implementation; 

• Registration of commitments and reporting on achievements of national and regional activities through the Sendai Voluntary Commitments Platform, PreventionWeb and other UNDRR communication platforms and events.

 

JOIN THE NETWORK

For private sector partners, being a member of ARISE Canada is expected to facilitate members to build and foster resilient and prosperous business through the provision of access to information and best practices, tools and mechanisms for the integration of disaster risk reduction into business strategies and management, product development, enterprise risk management and continuity plans and strategies. ARISE Canada members may provide services pro bono, depending upon the need and expertise. At the same time, ARISE Canada works towards raising awareness of the wider private sector, creating an enabling environment with public sector and private sector partners, for implementing the Sendai Framework.

1.         Create greater awareness, education and transparency regarding disaster hazards, that will affect consumer behavior, business decisions and public policies;

2.         Meet potential partners and collaborators among like-minded businesses, concerned stakeholder groups and government agencies;

3.         Share knowledge with other businesses: learn from them, and also let your good practices be known;

4.         Bring together private sector experience to plan and implement ARISE activities, particularly in work streams;

5.         Gain visibility, recognition, and appreciation for championing and demonstrating private sector engagement;

6.         Get first-hand exposure to and opportunity to influence and capture market developments, early access to and input in discussions regarding regulatory changes;

7.         Deliver your voice and insights to global, regional, and national policymakers;

8.         Work closely with a UN organization and their platform for dialogue and further opportunities.

 

How Can I Join ARISE?

 

**Note: Applicants that are already members of the UN Global Compact are eligible to join ARISE through a shortened application process**

 

1. Interested companies are required to submit a completed Application Form, Proof of Legal Registration as well as Statement of Commitment. Download and fill out the application form, available here

2. Email the completed application form to arisecanada@novasphere.ca

3. Applications are subject to UNDRR’s due diligence process. If the due diligence process identifies egregious or systematic abuse of the UN Global Compact Ten Principles, or if any of the information provided by the applicant is determined inaccurate, unclear, or incomplete, UNDRR reserves the right to reject the application.

4. Following the review, successful applicants will be notified via a formal welcome letter.

 

** Note: There are no membership fees associated with being an ARISE member**

 

ARISE CANADA NETWORK

NovaSphere provides secretariat support for ARISE Canada.

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