A research project on Social Impact Bonds (SIB) was converted into a think tank report, and the author of the report was part of the SIBs launch alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and the Minister of Economy. An online event for practitioners was also created with the French Agency for Environmental Protection (ADEME). Audencia acted as an expert interface between project leaders and ADEME, allowing for the launch of a dozen SIBs focusing on environmental protection and the circular economy. Another example is a research project promoting efficient and circular water use in European Process Industries, fostering resource efficiency awareness and delivering integrated solutions for industrial applications to reduce waste to zero and overall water footprint. The results are being tested in six case studies involving eight industrial actors, six EU countries and one associated country. Are there any other areas within the new strategy pertinent to the development of more responsible technologies, a more inclusive society, and more sustainable business models, about which you are particularly enthusiastic? We are actively working towards a more inclusive society. To this end we have launched two social outreach programmes that will help young high school students
from disadvantaged backgrounds to become Audencia students.
restraint, and humility in our assessment of ourselves in relation to the world. And it has been forgotten. The current crisis is first and foremost a crisis of equilibrium, which affects the way in which spaces, objects, living beings, people and so on, coexist in the world. For the ecological equilibrium to be maintained, the transition to clean energy needs to be accelerated and our natural environment needs to be protected. The balance between local and global dimensions also needs to be addressed, as it is essential to reconcile the distribution of wealth between countries. The balance between timelines also needs to be addressed; we must not sacrifice the future on the altar of impatience and short-term interests. Finally, the balance between the economy and society is fundamental because the development of the former (normally) feeds the latter, and the solidity of the latter is indispensable to the former, all of which must contribute to the harmonious development of society. The list is long but getting all these balances right is essential. This is the major challenge facing humanity and it must be approached with determination and optimism. Audencia, through its new ECOS 2025 strategic plan, is committed to being a major actor in the transition towards these changes for the common good of society.
Considering the importance of lifelong learning, what is your strategy for enabling continuing learning among your alumni networks? A project called Token is being launched to allow each of the School’s stakeholders to recognise the value of their contribution. Based on the Blockchain technology, this virtual device allows alumni, in return for their impactful actions, exclusive access to Audencia’s training programmes. What do you think sustainable leadership looks like? Sustainable leadership is leadership that fully recognises its responsibility to society and the common good. Leaders with a sustainable mindset will be key to helping solve the societal and environmental challenges that the world is increasingly facing. Do you feel optimistic about the future of business, Business Schools, and the economy? Yes, absolutely. Who could claim today to have predicted, anticipated, and been prepared for the current global pandemic? As the writer Albert Camus said, it is the lack of modesty of men which is to blame. Modesty invites us to show moderation,
Christophe Germain is General Director of Audencia, and General Director of Shenzhen Audencia Business School in China. Since 2019, he has also held the position of Vice President of Business Schools at the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles. Christophe has been Professor of Management Control at Audencia for 19 years, and has also held the positions of Deputy Director of the Grande Ecole Programme (2002-2007), Academic Director (2007-2015), before becoming interim General Director of the School in 2016.
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Ambition | BE IN BRILLIANT COMPANY
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