Corporate Responsibilities for Sustainable Development

Corporate Responsibilities for Sustainable Development is a six-part live webinar series hosted by the SDG Academy and led by Professor Klaus M. Leisinger, Founder and Chairman of the Global Values Alliance. Delivered online via Zoom, the webinar series examines the role of business in sustainable development and explores how companies can respond to ethical, social, and strategic responsibilities in turbulent times. Structured as a live, instructor-led series, it brings together academic insight and practical business experience to help participants engage more seriously with corporate responsibility and sustainable development.

Purpose and Objectives

The primary purpose of this webinar series is to examine corporate responsibilities for sustainable development and to explore how businesses can contribute meaningfully to a better world. According to the official overview, the sessions are designed to draw on Professor Leisinger’s long experience as a business leader, academic, and activist to help participants think more clearly about ethics, legitimacy, stakeholder responsibility, and the private sector’s role in societal transformation.

Key Activities

The event consists of six live sessions held on May 5, 6, 12, 14, 19, and 21, with each session running from 1:00 to 2:15 pm CET and including a 30-minute Q&A. The webinar topics cover corporate responsibility in the age of sustainable development, stakeholder management, value management, leadership responsibility, the business case for ethical conduct, and ethical decision-making. Participants also receive access to supporting learning materials, and session recordings are hosted in the SDG Academy Library.

Significance

This webinar series is significant because it addresses sustainable development through the lens of business ethics and leadership, rather than treating sustainability only as a compliance or reporting issue. The event’s focus on legitimacy, responsibility, and ethical decision-making makes it especially relevant for professionals seeking a deeper understanding of how corporate conduct influences wider social and development outcomes. The involvement of Professor Leisinger also gives the series added weight, given his long-standing work on the UN Global Compact and business ethics.

Expected Outcomes

Participants are expected to leave the webinar series with a stronger understanding of corporate responsibility, stakeholder engagement, ethical leadership, and structured decision-making in business contexts. The sessions are intended to help learners think more practically about how companies can balance commercial goals with broader responsibilities to society and sustainable development. The event is also likely to provide participants with a more grounded framework for approaching corporate ethics in real-world settings.

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