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Global and social issues will dominate the perspective of sustainability programs in coming years. The statement is by specialist in organizational behavior from the Case Western University/Weatherhead School of Management, David Cooperrider, who addresses entrepreneurs, representatives of financial institutions, and members of the academia on Wednesday (20), in São Paulo, at the Fenocomércio auditorium.

The event gives continuity to the Global Forum Latin America that gathered in Curitiba, in July, more than 1.3 thousand representatives of the academia, the public sector, and civil society to rethink the role of business with a focus on sustainability, a partnership with IPD – Development Promotion Institute. It  also prepares the Call for Action that will take place on November 20 and 21, in São Paulo, just as it happened in Curitiba. 

For Cooperrider, who came to São Paulo by invitation of FIEP – Federation of Industries of Paraná, this is the right time for colleges to play their important role of rethinking their syllabi, including social and sustainability issues in their discussions. “[they are] catalyst institutions of transformation and changes”, he emphasized.

The specialist gave the example of a small town in Israel that was able to eliminate conflicts between Arabs and Jews and grow, thanks to joint work. “In this small town there are 400 incubated projects that account for 10% of Israel’s GNP. The creation of sustainable value that recognizes the worth of individuals, is crucial for development”, he added.

For the president of the Federation of Industries of Paraná, Rodrigo da Rocha Loures, the relationship among businesses, universities, and the civil society must support dialog. “The university is a cardinal point in the process and the leverage of the education issue”.

Sustainability is IPD’s Focal Point – The executive director of IPD, Carlos Gloger, also champions the idea that academic work can be used to leverage sustainable development. “Doctors for Development” is an IPD project launched with the support of FIEP, through IEL, in 2004. “The goal is to connect the academic knowledge of its members to the practical outlook inherent to the business activity”, says Gloger.
 
The Development Promotion Institute is a non-profitable civil society organization that since 1996 has been developing sustainable projects, innovative initiatives, and transforming actions. In Gloger’s words, the Institute carries out its own actions regarding development activities and projects focusing on sustainability and social responsibility, and it is keen on becoming an open forum for discussion and a venue for actions capable of making ideas happen and project implementation.