This seminar uses the UN Sustainable Development Goals (e.g. Responsible Consumption and Production) as a springboard and inspiration to examine the characteristics of a responsible citizen and business leader. That said, the discussion about what a responsible or “good” citizen is has been around for more than 2000 years, not only in Western cultures. At the core, this is a discussion about ethics and values. Until recently, business leaders either shirked from this discussion (following Milton Friedman’s mantra that “business is about business”) or worked in niche industries or organisations where this was on the radar. However, by now, there is an increasing interest in re-inventing also mainstream business in a way that takes responsibility beyond the P&L. The seminar discusses different ethical positions and latest developments in moral psychology to support you in your thinking about being a responsible citizen and business leader.

The full course attendance is mandatory.

We strive to be as interactive as possible. We will discuss, work in groups, have a guest lecture and a panel discussion with external contributors.

Michael Steinmetz