CSR and sustainable development: IÉSEG launches new Responsible Leaders initiative for students
12/04/2018
IÉSEG recently launched a new voluntary initiative designed to involve students on both campuses in a wide variety of Corporate Social Responsibility actions at the School.
Around 30 students have already joined the Responsible Leaders project during which they will work in small groups on different projects related to the School’s CSR strategy:
– organization of a major CSR event in March on both campuses (quizzes, workshops, associations, etc.)
– creation of different indicators to measure and reduce the consumption of water and electricity, and to manage waste better at IÉSEG
– definition of nudges to help reinforce ‘eco-friendly’ developments at the school
– creation of a “green” guide for staff and students
– the development of a “solidarity platform” for staff and students.
These groups will work with Maria Castillo, CSR Manager, who has developed the Responsible Leaders initiative at IÉSEG.
CSR Projects for Responsible Leaders
While participation is voluntary, all students will receive a certificate of participation. If they choose to continue with the program on a long-term basis during their studies, they will have the opportunity to evolve in their groups. For example, students participating for a second year in a row will be given the title of “senior associate”, whereas those participating for a third consecutive year will have a managerial role, with responsibility for leading their groups.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is at the heart of IÉSEG and of its 2025 Vision: to be “a unique international hub empowering changemakers for a better society”. It is integrated transversally across all of the activities at the School, which has been committed for a number of years to important international and national CSR-related schemes, such as the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).
“We need to provide opportunities to empower our students to be ‘changemakers for a better society’. Students want to be involved, they care about the school, and they want to have an impact. This initiative helps us have a tighter bond with our students and thus co-create a more responsible and better IÉSEG for everyone!” Maria Castillo, CSR Manager at IÉSEG, explained.
Camille Navarro, an IÉSEG student on the Lille campus and IÉSEG ENACTUS President: “Since my first year at IÉSEG, I have participated in several social and environmental associations that operate on a national and international level, but I was not yet a part of projects at IÉSEG, where certain things can be changed and improved. When I discovered the Responsible Leaders initiative, I thought that this could be a good way to do something. I wanted to go for it: to save our planet on my level. I am expecting this program to make an impact on students and staff, and that everyone will do their part to make this happen.”
Klaudia Lulkowska an IÉSEG student on the Paris campus: “During my studies at IÉSEG, I realized that just studying was not enough. I needed to have a beneficial mission and create an ethical environment around me. This was the reason why I joined the CSR leadership program. I want to help others to have a better life and motivate students to do something that adds value.”