On July 19th, the GAPFRAME, one of the innovation tools in the BSL learning lab, was introduced to over 300 representatives of leading business schools and learning organisations at the UNPRME Global Forum in New York. It was a proud moment for BSL as students and staff gathered to watch the live link from New York.
Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever said:
The SDG’s provide the world with a framework to secure a sustainable future that works for everyone. To succeed we must understand where the gaps are. As has rightly been said, you treasure what you measure. That is why I welcome the GAPFRAME, which can play a helpful role in identifying the sustainable development priorities for each country and region.
Following an introduction to the GAPFRAME, which included a short animated film and a welcome speech from Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever (video), Katrin Muff announced the release of the GAPFRAME Report and walked the audience through the key findings. Thomas Dyllick, University of St Gallen, joined Katrin to present True Business Sustainability, outlining examples how companies are applying the “outside‐ in” approach to make impactful progress on their sustainability journey.
“We need new ways to measure humanity’s impact on planet and society and GAPFRAME offers a unique tool to do so” – Katrin Muff
The morning continued with a multi-stakeholder engagement panel who discussed the burning issues revealed by the GAPFRAME, shared examples and put forward ways that business schools could solve these complex SDG issues. The panel led by Katrin consisted of; Thomas Fröhlicher, Dean of KEDGE Business School, France, Michael Gerber, Ambassador, Special Envoy for Global Sustainable Development, FDFA, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, Switzerland, Sabine Zindera, SIEMENS, Vice President Legal and Compliance, Germany, Amanda Gardiner, Pearson, US, Steef van der Velde, Rotterdam School of Management RSM, The Netherlands and Mari Vesikivi, Student representative, Finland.
The session wrapped up with process review and pair reflection where all participants reflected on how to convene stakeholders on the burning issues. Insights were shared in the newly released UNPRME on-line global community platform Rita.
Participants at the forum experienced a flavor of GAPFRAME Week, the BSL innovative, issue-centered learning lab. Where students from different programs, faculty, social entrepreneurs, companies and NGOs bring their experience and insights to work together with on generating creative business solutions to major problems that affect our world.
We are so proud that GAPFRAME is reaching a wider audience and that here at BSL we were among the early adopters of something which can truly change the world.
Download the GAPFRAME Report here
Follow GAPFRAME on twitter @gapframe to keep up to date with all the news.