The challenges facing our global society are apparent on many levels. From a lack of social trust, accelerating climate change, chronic poverty, pollution, species extinction and deforestation, institutional failure and our inability to continue consuming at current levels, the change that needs to take place on a global scale is massive, compounding and complex. In order to combat these challenges, we need both strategic planning that adheres to the limits of the Earth’s carrying capacity and leadership that inspires and creates systemic change in a collaborative manner across sectors, borders and disciplin
es.Last year, I had the very good fortune of attending a graduate programme in Sweden, called the Master’s in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) programme. We focused on the skills and knowledge necessary to energise change in organisations and to help them move strategically towards sustainability. This experience taught me that the challenges facing our world require a systems thinking and rigorous science-based approach, andthe ability to work collaboratively with diverse people.And while this programme taught skills in team-work, facilitation, presentation, project management, communication and strategic planning it taught me so much more. This programme taught me that when you get a group of people together that want to make the world a better place, the impossible become possible. People begin to really listen to one another, enjoy working together and become more authentic. My class had students from over 30 countries and the alumni networks encompasses over 50 countries. Here, I learned the importance of community building, building a shared vision and how working together is not only great fun, but provides the foundation for a sustainable society as well.
es.Last year, I had the very good fortune of attending a graduate programme in Sweden, called the Master’s in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) programme. We focused on the skills and knowledge necessary to energise change in organisations and to help them move strategically towards sustainability. This experience taught me that the challenges facing our world require a systems thinking and rigorous science-based approach, andthe ability to work collaboratively with diverse people.And while this programme taught skills in team-work, facilitation, presentation, project management, communication and strategic planning it taught me so much more. This programme taught me that when you get a group of people together that want to make the world a better place, the impossible become possible. People begin to really listen to one another, enjoy working together and become more authentic. My class had students from over 30 countries and the alumni networks encompasses over 50 countries. Here, I learned the importance of community building, building a shared vision and how working together is not only great fun, but provides the foundation for a sustainable society as well.Here, dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt, founder of the MSLS programme and founder of The Natural Step, talks about this unique programme.
Here’s what an employer of alumni of the MSLS programme says:
“MSLS graduates bring a systemic understanding of sustainability and a strategic approach to creating solutions that is very rare and highly valuable. [...] people with strategic sustainable development skills are increasingly in demand by companies and other organizations”- Dr. Anthony Cortese, President, Second Nature
I am writing about this programme to let people know that applications for the MSLS cohort of 2012-2013 opened December 1st, 2011 and close mid-January. Please visit the website www.bth.se/msls to see the full programme brochure and application procedures. If you are an EU citizen, the Swedish Government pays for your tuition. Scholarships are available and if you are a fee-paying student, visit www.kitesh.org to find out more about the free services available to assist you in the application and funding process.
Do yourself and the world a favour – go on the adventure of a lifetime and join the amazing network of alumni in the Master’s in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability.
To give a little insight into my personal learnings and take-aways from this Master’s, have a look at The Lotus, a practice we produced as the result of our thesis.
