We celebrate today the 200th edition of this weekly message. Almost four years ago we baptised this initiative as Have a great and impactful week and our aim has always been to convey key messages on Responsible Business and Leadership in a way that is concise (in the sense that it can be read in no more than 5 to 10m), timely (in the sense that they address trendy issues) and inspiring (in the sense that the reader will be curious to learn more).
Two hundred editions of a weekly message dedicated to responsible business and leadership which is sent to 3000 executives and read regularly by more than 1000!
This milestone symbolizes a journey of enlightenment, collaboration, and a commitment to making a positive difference in our world.
Each edition, signed not only by members of our Team at the Center for Responsible Business and Leadership of CATÓLICA-LISBON, but also by influential academics, CEOs, senior executives, and students, has contributed to shape a collective vision of responsible business practices and inspiring leadership.
Four years have also gone by since we launched the Centre. And we want also to take this opportunity to formally communicate the publication of our yearly Activity Report Jul/22 to Jun/23, where we consolidate all our activities at the Center. Again, this year has proved to be a moment of reinforcement and consolidation of our Purpose to which we continue loyal and passionate about: contribute to a society where we only have Responsible Businesses led by Responsible Leaders.
We strongly believe that businesses are a powerful force for good in society. Companies align resources, mobilize talent, develop innovations and can deploy value creation strategies at scale. We also believe that the daunting challenges that our society faces, particularly in the areas of sustainability of the planet and inclusion of people as drivers and beneficiaries of progress, can only be faced with an active and responsible role of established corporations and entrepreneurs.
This requires of companies the ability to define and mobilize purpose as a driver of their business. It also demands insightful goals and processes to integrate sustainable development concerns at the core of their business. And this can only be achieved through the regular practice of responsible leadership.
And we need a business ecosystem where companies are recognized and rewarded by the impact they achieve in society. These challenges have shaped our research and engagement agenda since the founding of the Centre focused on 1) purpose-driven business, 2) embedding sustainability and the SDGs 2) responsible leadership, and 4) business case for action. You can read in our yearly report our progress in all these domains, working with both current and future business leaders.
Let us take this milestone of the 200th newsletter as a reminder of our shared responsibility to build a future that leaves no one behind, one that fosters economic growth, social equity, and environmental stewardship.
Together, we can create a world where responsible business and leadership become the norm, not the exception.
As we move forward, let us keep the flame of inspiration alive, igniting change in our respective domains and inspiring others to follow suit. Together, we can transform the world and leave a lasting legacy of responsible business and leadership for generations to come.
Have a great and impactful week!
Filipe Santos
Dean of Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics
Academic Director of the Center for Responsible Business & Leadership
Nuno Moreira da Cruz
Executive Director of the Center for Responsible Business & Leadership
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