This course functions as an introduction and orientation for all students. The current trends seminar will give an overview of key global trends shaping the sustainability agenda across sectors and regions, with a focus on their implications for sustainability management and responsible leadership. The course addresses sustainability challenges at multiple levels: individual, organizational, societal, and transnational/global. It features guest speakers representing diverse stakeholders—including private-sector companies, NGOs, social ventures, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and government agencies—as well as panel discussions, site visits, peer coaching and structured reflection on students’ personal development needs and societal impact goals. Pre-course activities and assignments include brief online self-learning modules, assessments and quizzes, as well as opportunities for students to get to know their classmates and build a sense of belonging and excitement for the learning journey (i.e., onboarding).

After this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and critically analyse key global trends influencing sustainability across economic, environmental, and social dimensions.
• Evaluate the implications of global megatrends— such as climate change and the energy transition, resource scarcity, technological disruption and digitalization, social inequality, and seismic shifts in the geopolitical landscape—for business strategy and policy-making.
• Assess the roles and perspectives of different stakeholders (e.g., governments, NGOs, corporations, IGOs) in shaping sustainability agendas.
• Reflect on their own values and assumptions in relation to global sustainability and responsible leadership.
• Engage in deep self-reflection on their talents, ambitions, and sense of purpose, and evaluate how these relate to their career choices, personal impact, and capacity to contribute meaningfully to society.

Students must attend onsite 100% of the scheduled sessions.

Break out scenarios for the students to get to know each other, guest lectures and practitioner dialogues, site visit, structured self-reflection and peer-coaching in small groups.

• Reflective essay “Charting My Course: Reflections on My Personal Development Journey”, involving deep reflection on how students’ life experiences shaped their values, goals and sense of purpose—and the implications for their personal development and career goals. – 40% (individual)
• Final presentation "Designing Impact: Creating Meaningful Societal Change"– 40% (group)
• Participation – 20% (individual, including online activities)

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