The new frontier of Management Education: sustainability and social impact at the Foresight 2050 conference

An international context with students from some of the best business schools in Europe, featuring some extremely forward-looking topics and workshops. In the background was the objective of redefining corporate education, which is increasingly focused on sustainability and social impact. All this took place during the “Foresight 2050 Environmental and Social Justice in Business Management” conference held on 21 and 22 June 2024 at IE Business School in Madrid, which was attended by some of our students accompanied and supported by Sergio Terzi, as Associate Dean for Student Engagement and Supporting Services, and Giulia Antenucci as Project Manager.

 

Rethinking Management Education: the new dawn of Business Schools

The Madrid conference has its roots in 2023, when POLIMI Graduate School of Management, together with University College London, organised a workshop designed for business schools that discussed the trends that will be crucial for future generations of students, and what types of tools business schools will need to implement to keep up with the trends.

From this meeting, it emerged that in order to find a solution to the challenges of our times, organisations need to redefine their work in accordance with the positive impact they want to have on society, reconciling this with profit. It is precisely in this context that management education must see the impact on society and the environment as its main objective.

In outlining the management school of the future in a visionary way, it was decided to organise a practical workshop every year during which ideas and best practices could be shared, while analysing future trends and creating a close collaboration between business schools and their students. 

 

A look at the workshops: imagining the leading companies of 2050

In addition to IE Business School, EDHEC Business School, Technical University of Monaco (TUM), and POLIMI GSoM took part in the Madrid event. Over the course of two days, participants were involved in four highly practical and innovative workshops in which they had to imagine a company that would be a leader in its sector in 2050. This positioning, however, stemmed not only from the company’s success on the market, but also from the fact that it had distinguished itself on the sustainability front by its particular attention to environmental and social impact.
How these results were achieved, what were the critical moments and the factors of success or change, were all questions that the students had to answer by opening a window onto the future. 

Practical work between sustainability and social impact

One of the projects developed during the workshop was that of some students who, once aboard their time machine, were able to imagine and tell the story of a company, BioFusion Energy Solutions. Founded in Berlin, it had become a world leader in transforming organic waste into clean and renewable energy thanks to state-of-the-art bioreactors that had reduced landfill use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Through continuous and stimulating discussions with other business schools, students had the opportunity to develop innovative ideas, acquire new skills, and look at the market from a different angle, addressing crucial issues such as sustainability, market evolution, and corporate culture.

Management education must therefore reconsider the role of leaders as agents of change, capable of making a positive impact on society and helping to build a better and more sustainable future.

 

Discover our students’ experiences at Foresight 2050:

“The Foresight 2050 conference was a truly transformative journey into the future of sustainable business practices. The collaboration with colleagues from IE, TUM and EDHEC, together with my colleagues from POLIMI GSoM, opened my eyes to the crucial role of "foresight" and innovation in achieving a symbiotic economy. The global and forward-looking approach, combining advanced technologies and policy frameworks, made this event very meaningful by increasing my awareness and commitment to sustainability and market leadership. As well as being a formative experience, the Conference was my call to action to drive change towards an equitable future."

Swathi Kalburgi, New Generation MBA

“Attending the Foresight 2050 conference was both academically and socially inspiring, as I learned how quickly great minds and teamwork can create disruptive technologies in a supportive environment. The strength of the event was its 360-degree approach, focused on imagining the future to create scalable, life-changing innovations, rather than focusing solely on existing theory and research."

Francesca Borghetti, International Master in Marketing Management, Omnichannel and Consumer Analytics

“Taking part in the Foresight 2050 conference in Madrid allowed me to undertake a journey of discovery and growth. The power of reflection, global collaboration and our collective responsibility to have a positive impact were the main lessons. The non-competitive, interdisciplinary environment nurtured creativity, while inspiring leadership and diverse perspectives highlighted the importance of working together to address today's challenges.”

Justina Mengelle, International Master in Sustainability Management and Circular Economy

“The Foresight 2050 conference was uplifting and well organised, with an energetic atmosphere and excellent networking opportunities. The focus on sustainable practices and building a better future was particularly strong. The event's inclusive and non-competitive approach fostered collaboration between students from different backgrounds, highlighting our role and potential in creating innovative solutions."

Arsenije Dabetić, International Master in Digital Innovation and New Business Design