|
What is GRLI?
The GRLI is a unique global community of action and learning, consisting of organisations (the Partners) that work individually, in pairs, in clusters and collectively. The GRLI’s focused mission is to promote and support the development of a next generation of globally responsible leaders. It is set up as a foundation of public interest, based in Belgium.
When did it start, and why?
The GRLI was initiated in 2002 by the EFMD (European Foundation of Management Development) in recognition of the need to address the challenge of developing business leaders with skills, knowledge and passion to take on the challenge of increasing the global social responsibility of the corporate world. In 2004, with the support of its two founding partners (EFMD and the UN Global Compact), the GRLI started with a group of 21 pioneering businesses and business schools/learning institutions from all parts of the world.
Who is involved?
Businesses and business schools/learning institutions from all over the globe have applied to join. After a selection process applicants are accepted as partners based on their track record, commitment to action and willingness to dedicate the time of senior members of their leadership to the work. A unique characteristic of the GRLI is that it seeks to maintain a balance between businesses and business schools/learning institutions, usually ensuring that each business school that joins does so with a business partner. The organisations come from all over the world (click here for a link to the current institutional partners). The GRLI, in order to continue to be a dynamic ‘laboratory’ for hands-on action in the development of globally responsible business leaders, does not intend to grow beyond 120 partner organisations. How do we work? The Institutional Partners develop their own projects and actions individually, in pairs of company and learning institution/business school, and collectively. They meet twice a year in a general Assembly. These assemblies are designed as work meetings, where the representatives tackle specific actions in small groups, and collective actions and reporting about projects takes place in plenary sessions. What is the value that partner organisations get? • Access to knowledge and experts in the GRLI network and material developed in the GRLI community;
• GRLI events organized for learning and facilitating change regarding globally responsible leadership and corporate global responsibility;
• Reputational benefits through use of logo which signals link with UN Global Compact and EFMD and signals intention to be a leader in the field;
• Professional and personal development of representatives participating in the work of GRLI;
• Platform for
1. research, debate and exchange on how to enable cultural change in large corporations;
2. reframing the purpose of management education
3. the corporation of the future
• Potential to work with other partner organisations to approach concrete challenges; e.g. creating a next generation of responsible, values-based leaders; identification of issues/solutions in reducing negative environmental impacts and enhancing contribution to society, etc.;
• Development of degree and management development programmes; whereby managers tackle social, community, stakeholder engagement or environmental issues, or management processes for their organisation, whilst at the same time working towards a degree / diploma; development of new learning/programmes for partner organisations, management, faculty and staff;
• Mutually beneficial research/consultancy between partners;
• (Student) internships are being planned;
• Etcetera… What actions / activities are going on in the GRLI currently? The GRLI works in three main areas, which are overlapping:
1. Conceptual and knowledge development
2. Execution of new learning practices 3. Advocacy For a definition and concrete actions, click here. What has GRLI produced up to now? Publications: click here for a list of publications
The GRLI has been a catalyst for the United Nations Global Compact’s Principles for Management Education PRME). The GRLI has presented on globally responsible leadership at many events including:
- Leading China’s Future – Future Chinese Leaders, EFMD-China Europe International Business School Conference (China, Nov. 2006);
- European Academy of Business in Society (EABiS) Annual Conference, Barcelona (Spain, Sept. 2007);
- MBA class, University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Business (South Africa, Nov. 2007);
- MBA Roundtable, Chicago (USA, Nov. 2007);
- CSR Europe – Laboratories (Belgium, Nov. 2007)
- PETROBRAS executive programme, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil, Nov. 2007);
- AACSB Annual Conference, Grenoble (France, 2007);
- EFMD Deans and Directors meeting (Oslo, January 2008);
- European Citizens' Seminars, Erfurt (Germany, March 2008);
- Responsible Business Summit, London (UK, May 2008).
|
