The Role of Education: Between Learning and Unlearning

Due to the consequent pollution, resource shortages, biodiversity loss and catastrophic climate change, an emerging mindset is rightfully questioning our way of life and our consumption patterns. The transition to a more sustainable, circular future is happening at varying speeds. However, there is one sector above all others that is crucial for the eventual success of sustainable progress, and this is education. The knowledge and the skills of young men and women will be essential to firmly, and finally, accomplish long-term sustainability interwoven with the future of business in the circular economy.

In this 30-minute stars webinar, Tensie WHELAN, Clinical Professor of Business and Society and Director of the Center for Sustainable Business, New York University, Stern School of Business, New York, talks about how the pandemic shifted the mindset regarding sustainability. She also addressed the question if universities are doing enough to implement sustainability in their curricula and mentioned experimental learningregarding the circular economy. Furthermore, value creation, the regenerative economy and the concept of Life in business studies werecovered. The nexus of sustainability, resilience, efficiency and profitability was also discussed, especially concerning the obvious question of whether sustainability is profitable.

To watch the recording, please click here and subscribe to receive future content.

This stars Webinar had been moderated by Dr Gordana KIERANS, Former Professor of International Business; Managing Partner; Circular Economy Consultant, MGT OPEN j.d.o.o.; stars Southeast Europe Alumni Chapter President, Grižane, Croatia.

About the speaker:
Tensie WHELAN, Clinical Professor for Business and Society, is the Director of the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business, where she is bringing her 25 years of experience working on local, national and international sustainability issues to engage businesses in proactive and innovative mainstreaming of sustainability.

As President of the Rainforest Alliance, she built the organization from a $4.5 million to $50 million budget, transforming the engagement of business with sustainability, recruiting 5,000 companies in more than 60 countries to work with Rainforest Alliance. She transformed the Rainforest Alliance into an internationally recognized and credible brand. Her previous work included serving as Executive Director of the New York League of Conservation Voters, Vice President of the National Audubon Society, Managing Editor of Ambio, a journal of the Swedish Academy of Sciences, and a journalist in Latin America.

Tensie holds a B.A. from New York University, an M.A. from American University, and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Owner President Management (OPM) Program. She was awarded the Stern Faculty Excellence Award in 2020 and made Distinguished Professor of Practice in 2023 in recognition of her contributions to Stern.