Towards a more sustainable future
Concordia’s John Molson School of Business is among the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Champions for 2024-25.
The PRME Champion program’s mission is to contribute to thought and action leadership on responsible management education that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The current cohort includes 47 schools from 25 countries.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the John Molson School to position itself on the world stage alongside like-minded institutions,” says Anne-Marie Croteau, dean of the John Molson School.
Champions collaborate on advancing the SDGs and sustainability overall through management education. The champions will also act as ambassadors by participating in the broader PRME community, including PRME chapters, working groups and other global opportunities.
Another program component is for participants to curate content for a communal digital space called PRME Commons. The idea is that participating institutions will nurture a space for exchange, learning and accountability within the PRME community.
The PRME is an initiative of the United Nations Global Compact, and the John Molson School has been a PRME signatory since 2008.
‘A catalyst for positive societal impact’
Sustainability is a key component of the business school’s 2023-26 Strategic Plan.
“One of our strategic plan’s overarching pursuits is to be a catalyst for positive societal impact,” notes Frédérica Martin, manager of programs, internationalization and sustainability.
“Being selected as a PRME Champion captures our conviction that our collective actions and beliefs have an important impact on our society and its sustainability.”
Martin’s role was created in 2021 to support a strategic vision for sustainability for the school.
Sustainability expertise
John Molson is a hub for sustainable management education. The David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise, which operated from 2009 to 2017, established several initiatives, activities and research in this area that continue today.
The John Molson Sustainable Business Group and the Sustainable Investing Practicum grew out of the centre.
The John Molson Executive Centre offers the Sustainable Investing Professional Certification and is home to the Sustainability Ecosystem, which includes a Sustainability Case Competition and micro-certificates in sustainability, among other offerings.
The faculty is also home to the John Molson Sustainable Enterprise Committee, a student association, and numerous courses on sustainability.
“We look forward to leveraging what we’ve done over the years and moving into a new phase,” Croteau says. “This is our time to learn from and contribute to this global community devoted to a just and sustainable future for management education and society.”
Learn more about the John Molson School of Business 2023-26 Strategic Plan and Concordia’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
