The 9th & 10th of November 2017, over 40 deans and representatives of Benelux and France business schools, universities and their stakeholders, gathered together to endorse the creation of a France/Benelux PRME chapter. This Chapter will focus upon furthering sustainability within the educational sector through collaborative initiatives and sharing best practices.

This community is dedicated to educational and business changes toward a sustainable society under the umbrella of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), an initiative of the UN Global Compact.

Vision

The France-Benelux PRME Chapter envisions to transform the mindset of business and society, in the region, by making ethics, sustainability, and responsible management education the norm.

Mission

The France-Benelux PRME Chapter aims to embrace, engage and achieve our vision in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, and through a proactive co-creation of solutions by:

● Steering an agenda for impact

● Going above and beyond the achievement of the SDGs through developing joint research and educational projects.

Values

● Passion

● Respect

● Inclusiveness

● Motivational

● Entrepreneurial

The PRME France BeNeLux chapter meets at least 1x per year. In these Chapter meetings, best practices are shared, guest speakers are invited to inspire and develop knowledge of participants further, and most importantly, collaboration is created through projects that the chapter has chosen to focus on.

In 2019, the Chapter chose to focus on analyzing existing Sustainability Assessment Tools, to provide some recommendations for Higher Education Institutions, and potentially, if a need is identified, create a PRME Sustainability Assessment Tool.

Other projects have also been discussed and will be the focus in upcoming years.

Background

In late 2006 The Global Compact Office issued a call to Schools of Business and Management around the world, to come together and develop principles that would guide an ethical approach to management education and promote research and teaching in ‘corporate social responsibility, sustainability and corporate citizenship’. As a result of this initiative, faculty from schools on all continents contributed to the development of the six Principles, and signed up to undertake:

‘..as institutions of higher education involved in the development of current and future managers, we declare our willingness to progress in the implementation, within our institution, of the following Principles, starting with those that are more relevant to our capacities and mission. We will report on progress to all our stakeholders and exchange effective practices related to these principles with other academic institutions:

Principle 1 | Purpose: We will develop the capabilities of students to be future generators of sustainable value for business and society at large and to work for an inclusive and sustainable global economy.

Principle 2 | Values: We will incorporate into our academic activities and curricula the values of global social responsibility as portrayed in international initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact.

Principle 3 | Method: We will create educational frameworks, materials, processes and environments that enable effective learning experiences for responsible leadership.

Principle 4 | Research: We will engage in conceptual and empirical research that advances our understanding about the role, dynamics, and impact of corporations in the creation of sustainable social, environmental and economic value.

Principle 5 | Partnership: We will interact with managers of business corporations to extend our knowledge of their challenges in meeting social and environmental responsibilities and to explore jointly effective approaches to meeting these challenges.

Principle 6 | Dialogue: We will facilitate and support dialog and debate among educators, students, business, government, consumers, media, civil society organisations and other interested groups and stakeholders on critical issues related to global social responsibility and sustainability’ These Principles (UN-backed PRME) should be placed in the context of the wider Global Compact which was launched in 2000 by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, to harness the power of collective action in the promotion of responsible corporate citizenship. The Compact pro vides a framework of 10 principles within which companies are invited to manage their operations:

1. To support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights;
2. To ensure that business is not complicit in human rights abuses;
3. To uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right of collective bargaining;
4. To support the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
5. To support the effective abolition of child labour;
6. To support the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation;
7. To support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
8. To undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility;
9. To encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies;
10. To work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

During 2017, a number of s PRME signoraties in The Netherlands, Belgium and through the Conference des Grandes Ecoles (CGE) in France and Ireland based signatories of UN-backed PRME made contact and met to explore the value and possible function of a France Benelux Chapter as part of the Global Compact’s programme of establishing regional Chapters. It was decided to proceed, and since then there has been a developing programme of activity including:

1. liaison with the Global Compact office and its PRME Secretariat;
2. organising introductory meetings to discuss the establishment of the Chapter
3. exploring a range of events and activities to support existing members and attract new members.;
4. engaging with the Global Compact Local Networks in the Netherlands, Belgium and France
5. drawing up governance documents for the Chapter
6. establishing a vision, mission, values and objectives for the Chapter

Vision, Mission, Values Objectives and Activities France Benelux PRME Chapter

This document sets out the basis upon which the France Benelux of UN-backed PRME Chapter will operate. It affirms its Purpose, Key Objectives, Key Principles, Programme Content and governance.

Vision

“The France-Benelux PRME Chapter envisions to transform the mindset of business and society, in the region, by making ethics, sustainability, and responsible management education the norm “

Mission

“The France-Benelux PRME Chapter aims to embrace, engage and achieve our vision in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, and through a proactive co-creation of solutions by:

• · Steering an agenda for impact by going above and beyond the achievement of the SDGs through developing joint research and educational projects.”

Values

Passion
Respect
Inclusiveness
Motivational
Entrepreneurial

Objectives & Activities

A 5 year roadmap has been constructed with signatory input at the launch meeting in November 2017 and the Marseille Chapter meeting in May 2018. It describes the key objectives for the Chapter.

In Annex I and Annex II the roadmap and activity map is displayed.

Governance and Management of the France Benelux PRME Chapter

Steering Committee Terms of Reference Proposal

1. The Chapter Steering Committee (SC) will determine priorities, approve the activity plan, oversee and advise the Chapter Secretariat, and take responsibility for the proper governance of the Chapter’s program in consultation with the PRME Chapter France Benelux participants.
2. It may consist of between 6 to 8 participants (or other such number as deemed appropriate by the Chapter Steering Committee) drawn from diverse PRME signatory institutions with a minimum requirement of having 1 representative per country. A quorum of two thirds is required to make any decision
   1. Observer/standing invitation: Global Compact representatives of each country, and the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles in France
3. SC meets as often as required but no less than twice a year. For this purpose a meeting can take place by electronic means.

It is a privilege to sit on the SC and its members carry responsibility to deliver upon agreed objectives set by the Chapter. If a SC member is non-active, it is the responsibility of the Chair to engage with the member and Dean of the institution concerned to seek ways to increase engagement. If unsuccessful, the Chair/SC can propose to replace that institution/member.

Responsibilities of the Steering Committee:

1. To ensure that the Chapter commits to the growth and engagement of PRME with respect to implementing the six principles of PRME and the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact.
2. To report appropriately to members on the Chapter’s activities.
3. To produce the Chapter Activities Report and file this with the PRME Secretariat.
4. To organize such activities as required to achieve the mission and vision of the Chapter.
5. To develop partnerships and actively cooperate, where appropriate, with other organizations or groups in ways that promote PRME, the UN Global Compact in general and the interests of the Chapter in particular.
6. To increase the visibility of PRME and its signatories in the region.

Election of Office Bearers of the Chapter Steering Committee

Elections should follow the steps outlined below:

1. Members are asked for nominations for position(s);
2. Individuals may nominate themselves (if officially supported by their school/university);
3. Nominated individuals are contacted to determine whether they are willing to stand for role.
4. In the event of multiple candidates, a folded paper (confidential) vote will be taken at the next scheduled Chapter Meeting. Members unable to attend will be able to vote by email via the Chapter Secretariat. If the vote results in a tie, the sitting Chair will cast the deciding vote.
5. In the event of there being only one willing, nominated candidate for a role, the appointment will be approved by the Chapter Steering Committee.
6. Criteria:
   1. Mandates for a minimum 2 year term, maximum 3 years term. Mandates can be renewed once allowing for a member to serve two terms in a row.
7. Nominees need to be PRME signatories from the France Benelux region and have a network in the region they represent

Specific tasks of the Steering Committee:

1. Maintain regular contact and exchange with the PRME Secretariat and Global Compact Office, other PRME Chapters Secretariats and Global Compact Local Networks (in particular Global Compact Local Networks in France Benelux region) on behalf of the Chapter;
2. Keep Chapter participants updated with PRME and Global Compact;
3. Organise an annual meeting for Chapter members;
4. Coordinate the maintenance of a website for the Chapter;
5. Provide informed input and materials to enhance discussion on PRME;
6. Liaise with other appropriate organizations, other than specified in point 1, as may be required from time to time on behalf of the Chapter;
7. Facilitate the direction of queries raised by the Chapter signatories from time to time;
8. Maintain membership database
9. Invoice participants directly according to the Chapter participant potential fee policy and schedule;
10. Prepare an annual report on the activities and finances of the Chapter.

Steering Committee 2018/2020 overview and tasks

For the governance period 2019/2020 the organization of task division is as follows

Yearly Conference

1. Once a year, on a rotation basis per country. If a country does not put forward nominations it will be opened for nominations for the next country up
2. All PRME signatories from that country can put a candidature forward giving a motivation, proof of ability in both content and organizational skills and high level support
3. Organizing institution is invited to sit in for the duration of that year on the SC as to ensure proper event coordination
4. Maintain their standing as an “active” participant in the UN-backed PRME as defined by the UN; this includes, but is not limited to, the timely submission of a Sharing Information on Progress (SIP) compliant with PRME rules.
5. The Chapter participants will provide feedback to inform the decisions through an Assembly meeting at the yearly PRME Regional France Benelux Chapter Meeting

Obligations on Participants

To maintain good standing in the Chapter, participants must fulfil the following obligations:

ANNEX I Objectives

A 5 year roadmap has been constructed with signatory input at the launch meeting in November 2017 and the Marseille Chapter meeting in May 2018. It describes the key objectives for the Chapter.

Join Our PRME France-BeNeLux LinkedIn Page:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12362310/

Current PRME France-BeNeLux Chair:

Krista FINSTAD-MILION

ICN Business School

t: +33 (0)6.12.89.12.69

e: krista.finstad-milion@icn-artem.com

Current PRME France-BeNeLux Secretary:

Currently, the role of secretariat still needs to be filled and as such, as a temporary measure, the SG members are doing this on a rolling basis.

Previous PRME France-BeNeLux Chair:

Eva Geluk

Antwerp Management School

t +32(0)3 265 47 58

m +32 477 093 516

eva.geluk@ams.ac.be

Previous PRME France-BeNeLux Secretary:

Mirjam Minderman

TIAS School for Business and Society

+31 13 466 3949

m.minderman@tias.edu