Live Panel: What is the role of business in education and training for sustainable development?

Education is at the heart of human progress and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It enables people to build better lives and equips business and society to address our world’s interconnected issues and opportunities.

Business has a strong incentive to invest in strengthening skills and knowledge for sustainable development. Companies’ performance and progress on the SDGs are increasingly linked to opportunities and risks driven by environmental and social trends. Skills for sustainable development are vital for business leadership, innovation and a productive, adaptable workforce. Companies can gain a competitive advantage by equipping their employees with the skills and knowledge needed to make the most of the opportunities ahead.

Our new report 33 offers examples of how business can help people gain the skills and knowledge to advance sustainable development, navigate the future of work and create a more prosperous society. Following recent interviews with educators and companies, the report shares insights and recommendations for business to promote education and training for sustainable development. The project was led by a consortium of partners, including Business Fights Poverty, Pearson, Arizona State University and PRME, an initiative of the United Nations Global Compact.

Business, educators and learners all have a stake in the future of work and job skills. The ability to adapt to the changing needs of the economy and workforce is closely connected to progress on the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The role of business in education and training for sustainable development plays a significant part in delivering on this ambitious agenda.

Panellists:

Alison Taylor, Managing Director, BSR

Jason Franz, Senior Manager, Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives, ASU

Jason Walters, Director of Sustainability, Pearson

Florencia Librizzi, Senior Manager, PRME

Levan Pangani, President, oikos International

Daphne Halkias, Professor, International School of Management Paris

Moderator: David Norman, Challenge Director, Business Fights Poverty

Questions

Q1. How should business collaborate better with partners to advance education for sustainable development and connect it to job skills and career paths?

Q2. What kinds of training investments work best to deepen employees’ sustainable development skills and knowledge?

Q3. What does it take for companies to open up and share more of their internal business learnings on what works and what doesn’t for sustainable development?

Q4. What should companies do differently to highlight the business demand for sustainable development skills and knowledge?

How to participate

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Location: Virtual

Date: Thursday, November 29, 2018