The Economist Impact COP29 Sustainability Week brought together global leaders, innovators, and visionaries committed to shaping a sustainable future. Among the various topics discussed, the role of education and legislative frameworks in fostering future-ready companies emerged as a critical area of focus. The conversations revolved around how businesses, institutions, and governments can create a level playing field, incentivize innovation, and curb harmful practices through thoughtful policy and skill development.
During the event, C-suite leaders expressed concerns about the preparedness of the next generation of employees who are entering a fast-evolving job market. Rapid technological advancement, environmental crises, and societal shifts demand that workers possess more than just technical expertise. Viviana Alvarez Sanchez, founder of cDots (Connecting the Dots for a Transition Economy), emphasized that in this new landscape, employees must be equipped with the ability to “unlearn, relearn, and learn.” She suggested that companies, in many ways, are becoming the de-facto universities of this new workforce, offering continuous education and development opportunities to ensure employees can keep pace with the changing demands.
Sanchez’s point was further reinforced by Anastasiia Lutcenko, Executive Director of MonAsia, who highlighted the critical need for employees to develop multi-disciplinary capacity and soft skills. Lutcenko’s own work through MonAsia’s Blue Schools of Sustainability project is a testament to this philosophy. The initiative aims to provide marginalized youth with hands-on learning experiences that combine sustainability with leadership skills, creating a new generation of change-makers who will be equipped to navigate complex, dynamic corporate landscapes. As organizations seek talent capable of adaptability and innovation, initiatives like these demonstrate how experiential education can be a game-changer for both individuals and companies.
In addition to the workforce preparedness conversation, Myriam Galopin Degrave from IÉSEG School of Management shared how her institution is transforming higher education to incorporate sustainability across all levels of the curriculum. With the future of work increasingly interconnected with environmental stewardship, IÉSEG is actively fostering partnerships between students and companies to develop innovative solutions to real-world sustainability challenges. By embedding sustainability into core academic and professional training programs, Galopin Degrave emphasized that future graduates will not only possess the necessary hard skills but will also be equipped with the mindset required to tackle global challenges.
One of the highlights of the panel was the discussion around legislation that can further drive innovation while holding industries accountable for the most severe environmental and social harms. The consensus among participants was that a holistic approach is necessary—one where legislation incentivizes forward-thinking solutions while criminalizing practices that contribute to the degradation of ecosystems or perpetuate inequality. By setting clear rules and rewards, policymakers can create an environment where businesses are encouraged to innovate responsibly while ensuring that those who inflict the worst harms face consequences.
Reflecting on the panel, our Executive Director, Anastasiia Lutcenko expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to share MonAsia’s Blue Schools of Sustainability project, which resonates strongly with the themes discussed. She remarked, “It was inspiring to connect with like-minded stakeholders who truly understand the power of education and are eager to contribute to human capital development!” Lutcenko also gave a special shout-out to her fellow panelists, Viviana Alvarez Sanchez and Myriam Galopin Degrave, for their dynamic and empowering contributions to the conversation, noting that the all-female panel was a “true girl power panel!”
The overarching message from the event was clear: education, whether delivered in traditional academic settings or within companies themselves, must evolve to meet the demands of a sustainable, innovation-driven future. At the same time, legislation has a vital role to play in creating an environment where the best practices are encouraged and the worst are penalized. The panelists, united by their shared vision, provided valuable insights into how education, corporate policy, and legislation can intersect to drive meaningful progress toward a more equitable and sustainable world.
As the world marches towards COP29, it is evident that the future of education and legislation will be at the forefront of the sustainability conversation. MonAsia, along with its partners, continues to lead by example through initiatives like the Blue Schools of Sustainability, contributing to the global effort of equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed for a sustainable future.
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