Course Description:
This class is a leadership development program centred on the topic of ‘transition’ to a low carbon, sustainable and socially just economy and explores the disruptive implications of transition for all aspects of society and the economy. The political, economic, social, technological, legal and ecological drivers for transition are discussed and debated and students are encouraged to consider the implications of these drivers for social/community systems, financial/capital systems, energy systems, transportation systems, food systems, water systems and urban/infrastructure systems around the world. Students will learn principles of strategy and design, and explore approaches to effective leadership and cooperation across sectors: public, private and civil society. The importance of an inter-disciplinary and entrepreneurial mindset to addressing challenges and enhancing value through sustainable innovation will be explored with reference to case studies and the personal interests of students in the class.
This course aims to help participants reflect on the next steps in their personal and professional journey. It focuses on a human paradigm of leadership – the ability to reflect on self, think about people you collaborate with, and reflect on frameworks for engaging people around a common goal. Using cutting-edge concepts in positive psychology, design thinking, and organizational effectiveness research, the course will give participants the space, structure, and frameworks for planning in the face of complexity and a fast-changing world. The overarching objective of the course is to provide an opportunity for participants to step back from the day-to-day and reflect upon important questions about personal and professionals goals and how to take action on them!
The justification for the proposed course is addressing crucial issues in our contemporary society. The roles and responsibilities of business as well as governments and social sector are becoming more urgent and complex, and concepts related to societal responsibility and sustainability – like human rights, gender issues and impacts on the environment - are gaining recognition as essential elements in business management. The need for responsible global citizens, leaders and managers is urgent and this course will help students in sharing and providing ideas, frameworks, and case studies to ensure that they will understand their role as future responsible citizens, leaders and managers. A more “responsible” workforce will allow governments, corporations, NGOs and communities to contribute, rather than detract from the sustainability of the world. Recent empirical research shows that profitability is sometimes greater for those companies that are actively engaged in the resolution of global issues and that a better interconnection between all sectors will achieve a more sustainable development and world economy.
The course will be taught as a combination between theories and practical exercises which will be introduced and coached by external experts from the public, corporate and social sectors. For all topics addressed, the course is aiming for a reality check – that will result for some in a reality shock – by introducing different and sometimes opposing models and research outcomes to similar issues because responsible managers should be able to deal with the complexity of contradictory viewpoints and interests that are often there in reality.
This course offers a broad examination of sustainable development: its theory, principles and practice (the what, why and how of sustainability). It will offer an opportunity for students to get familiar with the international processes that were initiated with the Brundtland Commission report Our Common Future in 1987. It will review the evolving process of international policy making since the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development until the new Sustainable Development Goals. The sessions will aim to deepen understanding on the integrated approach of sustainable development and fundamental principles of sustainability. It will also offer an opportunity to be familiar with the Earth Charter and sustainability tools.
The course will equip students with the capacity to understand sustainability policies, governance and practices. By the end of the course, students will be sensitized and aware about the key tools, values and principles to help put sustainability vision in practice.