Transforming business education
Recognising that today’s business schools often remain anchored in outdated economic models, The Fifth Element is supporting an initiative to radically rethink business and leadership education. It brings together educators, accreditors and system-change leaders to co-create curricula and ecosystems rooted in regeneration, wellbeing and systemic flourishing.
40 million students graduate each year from a business school program. Students in business programs often become less socially concerned as a result of their education, yet business is the primary driver of the threats to planetary integrity. Now at the center of the storm, businesses must play a vital role in mitigating crisis impacts and moving the global economy towards wellbeing for all. Business education needs to prepare managers for a climate-altered world and other challenges of the Anthropocene. What can we do to enhance capacities to lead system and societal transformation to create shared prosperity on a healthy planet: a world that works for everyone within the planetary boundaries?
Exploring this question, a diverse group of educators, thought leaders and systems-change practitioners gathered to envision a transformation of business and management education in service of a life-affirming future. This collaborative effort now spans local pilot labs, curriculum and faculty development, global network building and narrative strategy.