Seminar

Cambridge Sustainability Practitioner Seminar

Devon Valley, Stellenbosch, Wellington, Western Cape

08: 30 on 21 May - 16:00 on 23 May  2012

PURPOSE

This seminar is designed for middle managers in the private or public sector who have been appointed to take responsibility for the environmental, social, communications, corporate affairs, new business development or supply chain dimensions of their organisation. Its purpose is to equip participants with a high-level understanding of sustainability as well as some of the best practical approaches to understanding critical social and environmental pressures, assessing their impact on organisations, developing systems for responding creatively to them, and integrating these systems into their organization’s operations and strategy. The participants will deepen their thinking and practice with peers in this fast-developing field. They will leave feeling empowered to convey to their executive/ line managers the business logic of placing sustainability at the heart of their strategy.

PROCESS

There will be exposure to cutting-edge thinking and practice from the Faculty and Guest contributors. Delegates will also spend valuable time in small group discussions, where they will also start to shape and refine their own strategy and sphere of influence for when they return to their organisation.

Each delegate will be allocated to a Syndicate Group for the duration of the workshop. This Syndicate Group is facilitated by a member of faculty and is a place where focused reflection on the ideas that emerge in the workshop can take place.

THEMES

What is the Emerging Social and Environmental Context for Business?
Develop a deeper understanding of how interlinked global issues such as climate change, poverty, urbanisation, energy, food security, demographics, waste, and water resources affect different sectors and organisations.

Developing Strategy
How to integrate sustainability into the core strategy of the organization, including innovation in partnerships, products and processes and developing your own sustainability dashboard.

Engaging Stakeholders, Communicating and Reporting
Managing and implementing stakeholder engagement, measurement systems and reporting requirements.

Personal Change
What is the role of a sustainability practitioner as a change agent? What does it mean for you personally and the work you do?

FEES

The full cost of attendance is R 13, 450+VAT. This fee covers all seminar materials, accommodation and all meals at Diemersfontein. It also includes accommodation and dinner on Sunday 20 May, as well as covering membership of the Cambridge Sustainable Development Network, which now has over 3,000+ members globally.

CORE FACULTY

• Elspeth Donovan – Southern Africa Development Director, CPSL
• Dr Gary Kendall – Senior Associate, CPSL
• Dirk Visser – Programme Manager, CPSL

GUEST CONTRIBUTORS (tbc)

• Dr Andrew Venter – CEO of Wildlands Trust
• Jon Hanks - Partner, Incite Sustainability
• David Farrell – Sustainability Consultant (former Director: Sustainable Business, Colors)

WORKSHOP VENUE

The workshop will be held at Devon Valley Hotel, Stellenbosch, Western Cape. Delegates must make their own travel arrangements to and from the venue. For a map and directions, please visit their website.

CONTACT DETAILS

Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership
PO Box 313
Cape Town
8000
South Africa

Tel +27 (0)21-469-4765
Fax 086 545 5639
Email: magda.dekok@cpsl.cam.ac.uk