Teacher(s)
Language
English
Prerequisites
You need to be enrolled in the CEMS MIM Program
Main themes
The objective of this seminar is to highlight some of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (SDG’s). These goals have been launched in 2015 by the United Nations to transform the world. Building on the principle of leaving ‘no one behind”, the UN agenda emphasizes a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development for all. Each year, some of the Sustainable Development goals are chosen by the professors and are analyzed in depth by the students
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | At the end of the seminar, the students will be able to understand the issues related to the sustainable development goals and will understand how they can personally contribute to help achieving some of the goals of the United Nations. This seminar has been integrated in the CEMS curriculum to open the minds of students on these SDG’s and show how different actors act together to reach these goals. |
Content
In this course, we begin by introducing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), not simply as a framework, but as a subject of critical analysis. We will examine their value-added in guiding global sustainability efforts, while also exploring their limitations, ambiguities, and the challenges they pose in practice.
Building on this foundation, we will explore how various sectors and companies have engaged with the SDGs to shape their strategic approaches to sustainability. These case studies vary from year to year and may include company visits or guest speaker sessions, offering students direct insights into real-world applications and interpretations of the SDGs.
Finally, a particular focus will be placed on the intersections between the digital transition and the ecological transition, examining how technological innovation can both support and complicate sustainable development.
Building on this foundation, we will explore how various sectors and companies have engaged with the SDGs to shape their strategic approaches to sustainability. These case studies vary from year to year and may include company visits or guest speaker sessions, offering students direct insights into real-world applications and interpretations of the SDGs.
Finally, a particular focus will be placed on the intersections between the digital transition and the ecological transition, examining how technological innovation can both support and complicate sustainable development.
Teaching methods
Our teaching approach combines critical analysis, case-based learning, and experiential insights.
We begin with interactive lectures and discussions to unpack the SDGs and their implications, encouraging students to question their strengths and limitations. This is followed by the exploration of real-world applications through sector-specific case studies, which may include company visits and guest speaker sessions. These experiences allow students to engage directly with professionals and understand how sustainability strategies are implemented in practice.
Throughout the seminar, we emphasize active participation, collaborative learning, and the development of a critical and interdisciplinary perspective.
We begin with interactive lectures and discussions to unpack the SDGs and their implications, encouraging students to question their strengths and limitations. This is followed by the exploration of real-world applications through sector-specific case studies, which may include company visits and guest speaker sessions. These experiences allow students to engage directly with professionals and understand how sustainability strategies are implemented in practice.
Throughout the seminar, we emphasize active participation, collaborative learning, and the development of a critical and interdisciplinary perspective.
Evaluation methods
The presence of the students and their active participation will be sufficient to acquire the 2 ECTS of this seminar. It is a mandatory seminar in the curriculum of the CEMS students (for national and incoming students)
Bibliography
Online articles and videos will be provided to the students beforehand.
Faculty or entity
