Programme information

The Business & Sustainability Programme is designed to encourage you to test your assumptions and learn from peers while making the most of a unique residential environment and the experts in the room. Sessions use a combination of lectures, case-study presentations, group discussions, individual reflections, debates, networking and external activities that will expose you to CISL’s cutting-edge thinking and practice. A series of lightly facilitated small-group conversations will help you reflect on your leadership journey, share challenges and co-create responses.

Business & Sustainability Programme

This is the inaugural Business & Sustainability Programme Africa delivered by CISL Africa.

Overview

The Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership’s Executive Education builds on Cambridge’s leading-edge capabilities, our unparalleled experience in education for sustainability and our commitment to helping organisations in every sector improve their performance towards a sustainable future.

Through an interactive learning model, we help businesses thrive by addressing pressing social, economic and environmental challenges and focusing on successful leadership of change designed to help businesses reconcile profitability with sustainability.

Sustainability rests on a simple premise - the interconnectedness of all things. It requires us to reframe our thinking by asking different questions. Sustainability is no longer simply a bolt-on to a ‘business-as-usual’ approach. It is something that must become deeply embedded in the day-to-day operations of an organisation.

Exit level Outcomes

Understand and explain global systems, pressures and trends (including climate change and ecological degradation, rising inequality and its social and political impact)
Analyse the implications of the changing global context on the economy and and business, applying systems-level thinking
Explore key factors that have enabled sustainable business models and the different approaches taken in identifying and delivering new opportunities
Evaluate the kind of leadership required to manage rapid and disruptive change, and, in turn, influence this type of change to move the dial from incremental to transformational

Preparatory Material

To ensure you get the most out of this seminar, please complete the required essential preparation beforehand. Certain sessions will be structured around this preparation, and you will be expected to share insights and participate in group discussions based on the readings.

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Agenda

Day 1 : Sunday 16 March

Systems thinking – The Interconnectedness of all things
Understand and explain global systems, pressures and trends (including climate change and ecological degradation, rising inequality and its social and political impact)

15.00 – 16.00: Delegate arrival and registration - refreshments available
16.00 – 16.30: Opening and context setting
16.30 – 16.50: Welcome and roadmap: the context for business and sustainability
16.50 – 17.50: Forces Shaping the world : global inter-connectivity and poly-crisis
17.50 – 18.50: Evening syndicate groups – getting to know your peers and their context
18.50 – 19.00: Break
19.00 – 19.50: What has nature ever done for us? The case for climate stability and healthy ecosystems
19.50 – 21.00: Dinner

Evaluation Form - Day 1 Photos - Day 1 Presentation - Day 1

Day 2 : Monday 17 March

The changing context for business and investment – risks and opportunities
Analyse the implications of the changing global context on the economy and on and business, applying systems-level thinking.

08.15 – 09.10: Morning syndicate groups – organisational focus
09.10 – 09.30: Orientation: roadmap and reflections
09.30 – 10.30: The need for a new economic model: Can (African) markets be re-designed, re-imagined?
10.30 – 10.50: Refreshment break
10.50 – 11.50: How is the financial sector responding? Why isn’t capital going to where it’s most needed? What needs to change?
11.50 – 12.50: “ESG is dead, Long Live ESG!” The changing (geo)political landscape: implications for sustainability
12.50 – 13.50: Lunch
13.50 – 14.50: What does it mean for BAU (Business as Usual)? What needs to change?
14.50 – 15.10: Refreshment break
15.10 – 15.55: Evolving stakeholder expectations
15.55 – 16.55: Afternoon syndicate – reflection
17.00 – 17.45: Free time
17.45 – 18.45: Fireside Chat – Role of Technology for business in Africa- enabler/disruptor or inhibitor– what needs to shift?
18.45 – 19.15: Dinner

Evaluation Form - Day 2 Photos - Day 2 Presentation - Day 2

Day 3 : Tuesday 18 March

Accelerating change
Explore key factors that have enabled sustainable business models and the different approaches taken in identifying and delivering new opportunities.

08.15 – 09.00: Morning syndicate groups - organisational focus
09.00 – 09.15: Orientation: roadmap and reflections
09.15 – 10.00: Transitioning to a new economic model – A Just and Sustainable Transition in Africa
10.00 – 11.00: The role of business in A Just and Sustainable Transition. Provoking business transformation in the Just Transition
11.00 – 11.30: Refreshment break
11.30 – 12.30: Financing the transition
12.30 – 13.30: Lunch
13.30 – 14.30: Governing the Transition
14.30 – 15.30: The Big First Steps: Innovating Organisational Strategy & Purpose
15.30 – 16.00: Depart for Farm Tour
16.00 – 17.00: Farm Tour: Gorge Farm Naivasha
17.30 – 18.15: Free time
18.15 – 20.30: Gala Dinner (national/cultural attire)

Evaluation Form - Day 3 Photos - Day 3 Presentation - Day 3

Day 4 : Wednesday 19 March

The leadership required
Evaluate the kind of leadership required to manage rapid and disruptive change, and in turn to influence this type of change to move the dial between incremental to transformational.

08.15 – 09.00: Morning syndicate groups – organisational focus
09.00 – 09.15: Orientation: roadmap and reflections
09.15 – 10.15: Leadership for a sustainable future
10.15 – 10.45: Refreshment break
10.45 – 11.40: From incremental to transformational – systems-level leadership in practice
11.40 – 12.50: Changing the Narrative
12.50 – 13.30: Lunch
13.30 – 14.30: Afternoon syndicate – reflection and next steps and commitment action
14.30 – 15.00: Next steps and closing circle

Evaluation Form - Day 4 Photos - Day 4 Presentation - Day 4

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