By Dayo Adesulu

In a bid to bring together leaders in academia, business, government and civil society, to discuss and identify best practices for integrating sustainability and responsibility into management education, PRME Secretariat of the UN Global Compact Office is set to host the 6th PRME Assembly on June 23-25, 2015.

CT CHALLENGE: Dr Daniel Apori, Chairman, Nana Apori Schools (4th left); Evang Vida Apori proprietress (5th left); Mr Ebun Arowosegbe P.T.A Chairman, (3rd left); Mrs Tinuola Alabi (Parent) (1st left) Mrs Onayemi Adenike P. T.A Welfare Officer, (2nd left); Mr Olabode Olawole (2nd Right) and Mr Yemi Olaifa, MD Edge Varsity (1st Right) at the Nana Apori ICT Challenge Season Two held at Adiyan, Ogun State.

The PRME initiative facilitates organizational change, inspiring and recognizing higher education institutions that embed corporate responsibility and sustainability into their curricula, thereby producing business leaders equipped to manage the complex challenges facing business and society.

This year one of the main discussion points will be the involvement of business and management education in contributing to the forthcoming UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Since the initiative’s launch in 2007, over 600 institutions have signed up to PRME. Inspiring examples will be presented at the forum, including Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria, which introduced a Managerial Anthropology programme; an approach to teaching a more holistic, human-centred vision for business than the traditional economic outlook.

Speaking on the essence of the assembly Kemi Ogunyemi, Professor, Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria said; “This deepened understanding of human nature helps students to be better able to lead and relate to selves and others. It emphasises the importance of fostering human dignity and human flourishing and enables responsible use of freedom. In the process, it empowers the students to be true leaders, whether informally or formally, in their future careers.”

PRME signatory schools and universities are working to improve responsible management worldwide through innovative strategies and initiatives.

The Global Forum will provide a space to identify global trends for 2015-2030 and will include business and management education.