Secretary-General Urges Education Forum to Explore How Asia’s

 

Academic Sector Can Help Build New Era of Sustainability

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for the first Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Asian Forum, in Seoul today, 5 November:

Dr. Inwon Choue, President of Kyung Hee University, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to greet all the scholars, business leaders and others participating in this important Forum.

The Principles for Responsible Management Education initiative has grown significantly since its launch three years ago.  More than 320 business schools and academic institutions in over 60 countries are now taking part.  In doing so, they are helping to advance the values and work of the United Nations Global Compact.

Today I encourage you to explore how the academic sector in Asia can contribute to building a new era of sustainability.  The Asian region has a central role to play in embracing and disseminating the Principles.  Asia remains one of the most dynamic regions in the world economy.  Educating future business leaders in the region will have a profound influence on the way business is done worldwide in the future.

Asia itself has acknowledged that business education in the region has focused mainly on efficiency.  This Forum is a welcome step in putting a human face on management education.  I look forward to the changes in curriculum and research that will no doubt result.

Thank you for your enthusiasm and support.  Your good work has the potential to inspire other academic institutions in Asia to join in our common cause.

I wish you a productive event.

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For information media • not an official record