SUN Business Network - sunpc.org.pk

The SUN Business Network (SBN) is the only dedicated global platform for business and nutrition, with the aim to reduce malnutrition in all its forms – through engaging and supporting business to act, invest and innovate in responsible and sustainable actions and operations to improve nutrition. To do this, the SBN provides a neutral platform to broker partnerships and collaborations between business and all actors on nutrition at the national, regional and global level in support of SUN Countries. The SUN Business Network is co-convened by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and World Food Programme (WFP). The SBN is supported by a global secretariat based in London, UK

Objectives of SUN Business Network

To Mobilise

businesses to contribute towards the reduction of malnutrition, in all forms.

To Make

good nutrition more aspirational, accessible, affordable and available for the consumer.

To Build

the case for greater business engagement in nutrition amongst all stakeholders.

Governance

The SUN Business Network (SBN) is the only dedicated global platform for business and nutrition, with the aim to reduce malnutrition in all its forms – through engaging and supporting business to act, invest and innovate in responsible and sustainable actions and operations to improve nutrition. To do this, the SBN provides a neutral platform to broker partnerships and collaborations between business and all actors on nutrition at the national, regional and global level in support of SUN Countries. The SBN believes that when consumers demand improved nutrition that businesses will act and national economies will grow.
The SUN Business Network is coconvened by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and World Food Programme (WFP), the latter of which, through its regional offices, have supported the setting up of new national networks. The SBN is supported by a global secretariat based in London, UK.

Progress at a glance

Today, the SBN brings together more than 400 members – up by 100 since 2015-2016 – ranging from multi-national to national companies united in their commitment to improved nutrition.

- National networks have higher membership than ever before, and are working on programmes in areas including: consumer awareness and demand creation, nutrition in the agriculture value chain, workforce nutrition and food fortification.

- At the global level, the SBN updated its impact pathway and impact indicators for national SBNs, to show results, in 2016-2017.

- An online toolkit for host organisations in SUN Countries wishing to develop a national business engagement network was created in 2016-2017.

To explore how best to support businesses in Africa, the SBN surveyed its members, showing that some key concerns facing businesses, including small and medium enterprises include: weak infrastructure and accessing finance, policy environment information and technical assistance. The SBN is identifying partnerships for members in Africa, such as the African Development Bank, Ashoka Changemakers and private sector investment funds, to redress these challenges.

Priorities

Create

more national SBNs in Asia, Latin America and West Africa, in particular

Increase

business commitments to address the multiple burdens of malnutrition.

Capture

good practice and lessons learned to apply these in the development of new-and-improved tools for national SBNs.

Understand

business members’ needs to meet commitments (i.e. technical assistance, business development support and access to finance) and identify potential partners and service providers to address business needs.

Apply

SBN’s new monitoring and learning approach to assess impact of the network in SUN Countries

Increase

the number of partnerships with providers of finance and business; development support to improve the access and affordability of nutritious foods.

SUN Movement – Principles of Engagement

Be rights-based: act in line with a commitment to uphold the equity and rights of all women, men and their children.
Be transparent about impact: all stakeholders to transparently and honestly demonstrate the impact of collective action.
Be inclusive: through open multi-stakeholder partnerships that bring proven solutions and interventions to scale.
Be willing to negotiate: when conflicts arise, as can be expected with diverse partners working together, hold the intention to resolve conflicts and reach a way forward.
Be mutually accountable: act so all stakeholders feel responsible for and are held collectively accountable to the joint commitments.
Be cost-effective: establish priorities on evidenced-based analysis of what will have the greatest and most sustainable impact for the least cost.
Be continuously communicative: to learn and adapt through regular sharing of the relevant critical lessons, what works and what does not, across sectors, countries and stakeholders.
Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Businesses should comply with UN guidance on health and nutrition, with a specific mention of the International Code on Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and World Health Assembly resolutions related to Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition
Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
Businesses should uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour; the effective abolition of child labour; and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges; undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.