The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) established the Principles for Social Investment Secretariat (PSIS) to support the implementation of effective and principled social investment practices by UNGC signatories. The Secretariat was officially launched from its Melbourne headquarters in December 2011 and has four guiding principles for purposeful, accountable respectful and ethical social investment.

Social investment is when voluntary financial and non-financial contributions demonstrably help local communities and broader societies address their development needs. Business leaders are becoming increasingly aware of the significant and sustainable social impact achieved by linking core business objectives with community development initiatives.

PSIS’s purpose is to facilitate and improve this awareness, and in turn deliver measurable and sustainable improvements in the quality of life for communities in need.