Today’s grand societal challenges are unprecedented. The economic growth aspirations of firms historically have been driving carbon emissions and environmental pollution. A staggering $44 trillion, half of the world’s GDP, relies on nature. Climate risks jeopardize global wealth, quality of life, and economic growth. Despite heightened awareness and sustainability efforts, these grand challenges persist, demanding urgent action. “Globalization is evolving into a multi-stakeholder, empathy-focused common culture of life, beyond the transfer of goods and people” which places sustainability at the epicenter of this “cultural revolution”, says Sabancı Holding CEO Cenk Alper at the 54th Davos Summit in 2024. Addressing grand challenges in general, and considering environmental impact while accelerating economic performance in particular is a hitherto unsolved mystery facing organizations which, once solved, can unlock the potential for paving the way for a new “mission-driven capitalism”. Hence, it becomes imperative for scholars, businesspeople, consultants, and government officials to navigate these uncharted waters collectively.
However, sustainability is at a crossroads, marked by faultlines between developed and developing economies, academia and industry, varying political ideologies, and the dichotomy between businesses genuinely committed to sustainability and those who merely see it as a public relations exercise. This extension aims to foster convergence by bringing together different stakeholders operating within the sustainability sphere. We plan to delve deeply into topics such as the differing approaches to sustainability between developing and developed countries, potential synergies between profit-driven corporations and public institutions, and corporate social responsibility initiatives and their impact on society and the environment.
Through an engaging program, the extension strives to provide a platform for diverse stakeholders to learn from one another and engage in meaningful dialogue. Participants will have the opportunity to glean insights from keynote speeches delivered by leading scholars and executives, engage in panel discussions featuring both academics and practitioners and cultivate valuable connections through networking opportunities. By facilitating such interactions, this extension endeavors to catalyze collaborative efforts towards sustainable business models of the future.
Speakers:
- Alvaro Cuervo-Cazurra (Professor of International Business and Strategy at Northeastern University)
- Jonathan Doh (Rammrath Chaired Professor in International Business at Villanova University)
- Sinziana Dorobantu (Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at NYU Stern School of Business)
- Rodolpho Durand (Joly Family Chaired Professor in Purposeful Leadership at HEC Paris)
- Olga Hawn (Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)
- Cevdet Alemdar (The Energy, Environment and Climate Change Round Table Leader at Turkish Industry and Business Association, Mobility Solutions SBU President at Sabancı Holding)
- Cahit Erdoğan (Assistant General Manager- Commercial and SME Banking Management at Yapı Kredi Bank)
- Burak Tansal (The Global Leader for ESG in Emerging Markets and the Chairman of the Turkey Office at Boston Consulting Group)
- Tankut Turnaoğlu (AmCham Turkey Chair, CEO and Chairman of the Board- Turkey, Caucasus & Central Asia at Procter & Gamble)
- Mehmet Uvez (Deputy Head of Turkey and the Head of Ankara Resident Office at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development)
- Zeliha Unaldi (Deputy Country Director at UN Women)
- We are still in touch with other academics and business leaders. We will soon update the list and post the final program.
Registration Fees:
- SMS Members: 100 USD
- Non-Members: 125 USD
Event Sponsors:
- Sabancı Holding
- Brisa
- Yapı Kredi
- Cargill
- Boston Consulting Group
- Procter & Gamble
- AmCham
- Sabancı University
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