Role of sustainability in 21st century leadership: PIM Monthly Montage on 6 May

Dr. Ravi Fernando

Tharindu Ameresekere

The words of Greta Thunberg, the young voice of the planet and one time the Time’s Person of the year 2019, were simple but stern: “Our house is on fire”. 

And given the impact of the pandemic on the world’s economic systems indicates what harsh the vengeance of nature can be when not related well since many traces the origins to excessive animal hunting made easier due to rapid deforestation which is an impetus for wet markets in countries like China. 

While a lot of lip service is paid to the concepts of sustainability and environment protection, it is appalling to note the rate of environmental damage taking place every day. As a result, we see harsh changes in weather patterns, the severe drought in certain areas and an increased human elephant conflict.

PIM Monthly Montage of May 2021, the sixth consecutive monthly online forum, is therefore dedicated towards the topic of having a strong agenda of policies and action for sustainability in the leadership of the organisation. And it will feature Dr. Ravi Fernando, a sustainability guru sought after globally. 

He is an Alumnus of the University of Cambridge having completed the Climate Leadership Program in 2007, a Post Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business at Cambridge University in 2008 and a Master of Studies in Sustainability Leadership in 2014. His career with multinationals and local businesses spanned from 1981 to 2008, having acquired global exposure with MNC’s across Africa, Middle East and Asia. 

In Academia, a visiting faculty member of the INSEAD International Directors program and the INSEAD Advanced Management Program from 2005 to date teaching the subject ‘Strategic Corporate Sustainability’. He is an Executive in Residence at the INSEAD Social Innovation centre since September 2010 to date. In November 2015, he published ‘Strategic Corporate Sustainability – 7 Imperatives for Sustainable Business’. He is also exclusively teaching in Sri Lanka for the Master’s Program at PIM.

The online discussion will be on 6 May from 6 to 7 p.m. and will be streamed via Zoom as well as live streamed via the FB page of PIM. The program will be moderated by Tharindu Ameresekere, a Senior lecturer of the faculty of PIM, who has recently concluded his semester at the Oxford Climate School program.