24.06.2019 Views

Sustainability in Troubled Times

We live in times of uncertainty and global (dis)order. „Understanding global mega-trends is crucial. We live in times of multiple, evolving and mutually-reinforcing shifts“, says UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He adds: „These dynamics, of geopolitical, demographic, climatic, technological, social and economic nature, enhance threats and opportunities on an unprecedented scale.“ Therefore sustainability in troubled times is the key topic of this Sustainability Yearbook 2017, edited by macondo publishing. In the opening essay, Elmer Lenzen takes a critical look at the relationship between democracy and globalization. For decades this combination was a formula for success. Now both are experiencing troubled times. UN Global Compact founding director Georg Kell and Princeton professor Larry Diamond, who are well- known figures in this field, explain some of the reasons why in a profound interview. One reason is that today’s world is becoming more fragmented. So how can sustainability work in these times? It can work if we focus on the needs of the present without compromising the abilities of the future, says Global Compact Action Platform fellow Richard Roberts, and by utilizing the advantages of tomorrow. But doing the right thing in critical times is also a question of attitude. The entrepreneur Richard Branson and the actor Colin Firth both show in their own ways that sustainability means authenticity.

We live in times of uncertainty and global (dis)order. „Understanding global mega-trends is crucial. We live in times of multiple, evolving and mutually-reinforcing shifts“, says UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He adds: „These dynamics, of geopolitical, demographic, climatic, technological, social and economic nature, enhance threats and opportunities on an unprecedented scale.“ Therefore sustainability in troubled times is the key topic of this Sustainability Yearbook 2017, edited by macondo publishing.
In the opening essay, Elmer Lenzen takes a critical look at the relationship between democracy and globalization. For decades this combination was a formula for success. Now both are experiencing troubled times. UN Global Compact founding director Georg Kell and Princeton professor Larry Diamond, who are well- known figures in this field, explain some of the reasons why in a profound interview. One reason is that today’s world is becoming more fragmented. So how can sustainability work in these times?
It can work if we focus on the needs of the present without compromising the abilities of the future, says Global Compact Action Platform fellow Richard Roberts, and by utilizing the advantages of tomorrow. But doing the right thing in critical times is also a question of attitude. The entrepreneur Richard Branson and the actor Colin Firth both show in their own ways that sustainability means authenticity.

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DHL EXPRESS Country Manager Yati<br />

Abdullah teach<strong>in</strong>g a lesson alongside a<br />

Teach For the Philipp<strong>in</strong>es Fellow.<br />

Group is mak<strong>in</strong>g its contribution to the<br />

goal set at the UN Climate Conference<br />

<strong>in</strong> Paris to limit global warm<strong>in</strong>g to less<br />

than 2 degrees Celsius and to SDGs 11<br />

(Climate Action) and 13 (Susta<strong>in</strong>able Cities<br />

and Communities). These two goals<br />

are among five SDG priorities Deutsche<br />

Post DHL Group has selected, reflect<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the company’s responsibility and best<br />

possible impact on solv<strong>in</strong>g susta<strong>in</strong>able<br />

development challenges: quality education;<br />

decent work and economic growth;<br />

susta<strong>in</strong>able cities and communities;<br />

climate action; partnerships for the goals.<br />

Mak<strong>in</strong>g quality education accessible<br />

for all<br />

As one of the world’s largest employers,<br />

we rely on people. It is our employees<br />

who connect with people and improve<br />

their lives. This is why a future-oriented<br />

and susta<strong>in</strong>able human resources development<br />

is key to ensur<strong>in</strong>g our long-term<br />

bus<strong>in</strong>ess success. We provide lifelong<br />

development opportunities to our employees<br />

and tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g programs to potential<br />

future employees. We also provide<br />

vocational tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>gs for <strong>in</strong>dividuals with<br />

disabilities, as part of our <strong>in</strong>clusive and<br />

equitable quality education.<br />

With our GoTeach program we are<br />

committed to improv<strong>in</strong>g educational<br />

opportunities and the employability<br />

of young people. Our partnership with<br />

Teach For All aims to unleash young<br />

people’s potential. The educational<br />

network – committed to address<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the worldwide problem of educational<br />

<strong>in</strong>equity – is driven by the idea that<br />

every child, regardless of their parents’<br />

socioeconomic status, should have access<br />

to quality education.<br />

Through our strategic partnership with<br />

SOS Children’s Villages as part of the<br />

GoTeach program, we foster the empowerment<br />

and employability of young<br />

people from challenged socioeconomic<br />

backgrounds.<br />

Support<strong>in</strong>g growth by facilitat<strong>in</strong>g<br />

global trade<br />

Logistics is the backbone of economic<br />

development and prosperity. As a global<br />

98<br />

Global Compact International Yearbook 2017

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