The ten students, all LUMS undergraduates, spent a week on the trip as part of the module, Management and Sustainability: WBCSD Bootcamp.
During the first three days, the students worked as session hosts and note takers at the WBCSD meeting, which saw more than 400 delegates from around the world, including around 70 Council members, in attendance. They listened to talks on the Circular Economy, Redefining Values and Reporting, Sustainable Lifestyles, Climate and Energy, Social and Natural Capital, and enjoyed networking opportunities.
The group also took part in the WBCSD Leadership Program’s Degree Ceremony and received certificates of participation.
Medeea Fercu, (BSc Management and Human Resources), said: “The WBCSD taught us that coming together is a beginning. Shared purpose creates meaning, gives reason to work and encourages each individual to take an active part in achieving common goals. We had the chance to see professional teams in action and be inspired by them. I am confident that we will use the newly learnt skills in order to do our part in sustainability. We have been privileged to participate in this meeting and are truly grateful for the opportunity Lancaster University has given us.”
In addition, the group took part in a Sustainability in Action day at CEDER (The Educational Centre for Rural Research) in Piedra Grande with Professor Rodney Irwin (WBCSD Managing Director of Redefining Values & Education) and Professor Gail Whiteman. The Centre trains local communities in how to build soil walls, create hydration units for food, collect water and build sanitation.The students were able to witness this truly sustainable place, designed to work with nature, and used technologies that did not create an impact.
Student Nevena Stoyanova (BSc Business Studies) said: “Meeting influential and inspirational people and exploring their stories and their current effort to drive change went through me like a tornado full of emotions. It was a mind-opening experience.”
Finally, on Friday, the students went on a cultural excursion to Teotihuacan to see the Sun and Moon Pyramids and learnt about the Aztec and Mayan Cultures.
Module Convenor Dr Alison Stowell, who organised this trip with the assistance of Darren Axe from Green Lancaster (Lancaster University Students’ Union), said: “We are incredibly privileged to be able to offer these opportunities to our students as they are truly life changing. Through the collective support and collaboration within our Research Centre, Academic and Administrative staff, such as Careers and the Students’ Union, we have been able to design something innovation and unique.”
The boot camp module was made possible with the help of Professor Gail Whiteman, Director of the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business and Professor-in-Residence at the WBCSD, as well as the wider University.
Professor Whiteman said: “I am proud of the strong performance and professionalism our students bring to the WBCSD meetings. It is great to have their energy and enthusiasm at these events.”