This international survey explores women’s leadership towards sustainable futures, with the objective to better understand perspectives across different national and cultural contexts and identify pathways to make green transformation (GX) and sustainability transitions more inclusive, participatory, and effective.
Participants aged 18 or above are invited to take part. The survey is open to all genders, contexts, and sectors, including academia, industry, civil society, government, entrepreneurship, and the broader community. Each response helps to strengthen the diversity and global representation of perspectives in the research and advance initiatives to build inclusive and sustainable futures.
Young academics are invited to submit papers or essays addressing one of the following topics:
- Climate and Sustainability Finance
1.1. The role of international financial centers in financing the net-zero transition
1.2. The role of international financial centers in financing the circular economy.
1.3. The role of the financial sector in fostering a sustainable blue (maritime) economy and
creating biodiversity solutions.
1.4. The role of international financial centers in global sustainability reporting interoperability
connecting ISSB, ESRS, GRI, and taxonomies.
- Social Impact and Inclusion
2.1. How international financial centers can foster diversity and inclusion in the financial
industry.
2.2. The role of international financial institutions in designing financial products and due
diligence methods to promote the growth of social enterprises and social finance.
- Digital Finance and Technology
3.1. The impact of agentic artificial intelligence on the financial sector.
3.2. The impact of quantum computing on the financial sector.
3.3. How can IFCs lead in establishing global tokenized capital markets and competitive
regulatory ecosystems to develop digital assets and tokenization of real-world assets?
3.4. How will new forms of digital money, such as Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and
stablecoins, transform payments and banking?
3.5. The role of the financial sector in better protecting consumers from fraud.
- Talent and Skills for the Future
4.1. How international financial centers can support talent development and re-skilling.
4.2. How the financial sector can remain an attractive employer for young talent.
Papers must be either unpublished or published no earlier than 2025. An English translation is required if the paper is written in a different language. Multiple authors can contribute to a paper or essay, but at least one author must be under 35 as of 30 May 2026.
Prizes
The top three finalists will have the unique opportunity to present their research at the WAIFC Annual General Meeting, to be held in Busan, South Korea, in the week from September 14 to 18, 2026. The World Alliance will cover the travel expenses to Busan. The winner of the best paper will be awarded a prize of €3,000. The runners-up will be awarded prizes of €2,000 (2nd place) and €1,000 (3rd place).
How to apply?
Applications to submit your paper or essay may be made by 30 April 2026. Your final paper or essay must be submitted no later than 30 May 2026.
GBSN and How to Change the World are delighted to invite GBSN members to join our Global Business Student Changemaker program.
Our new Global Business Student Changemaker program is designed to provide unique experiences for GBSN member students that
- Catalyse international collaboration and virtual global mobility.
- Contribute to sustainable development and community engagement.
- Advance academic excellence and real-world problem-solving
Every selected student who participates in the program is formally recognised as a “Changemaker” (a recognition they can add to their CVs and LinkedIn), and gains access to:
- an intensive, multi-university and interdisciplinary Global Sustainability Project Bootcamp run by How to Change the World
- a series of curated, highly interactive global virtual events led by GBSN
In the first year, more than 200 students from 18 inaugural Changemaker partner schools have participated, with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
GBSN is excited to announce the launch of the GBSN Business Leadership Lab—a transformative initiative connecting graduate students across our network of 150+ member schools for culturally immersive, hands-on learning experiences in diverse destinations.
Our pilot program in Dubai, UAE (October 11-18) focuses on one of today’s most pressing challenges: Artificial Intelligence & Global Leadership.
The Business Leadership Lab will host 40-50 students who will collaborate with peers, alumni, and industry leaders while gaining invaluable cultural insights. Hosting partner schools can nominate up to five students to participate at no cost. Upon completion, students receive a GBSN certificate of participation.
About the Program
The Summer Program: Mobility for Positive Impact is a three-week international experience designed for MBA and specialized master’s students from around the world. Participants learn through MBA-level courses, team-based innovation projects, and cultural immersion in one of Latin America’s most dynamic cities. The program emphasizes creativity, sustainability, and practical problem-solving.
Program Highlights
- Start date: June 30, 2026
- Location: Centrum PUCP, Lima, Peru
- Format: On-site, full-time
- Language of instruction: English
- Work in multicultural teams on real business challenges
- Cultural immersion experiences throughout the program
Courses (MBA-Level)
- Innovability (2 credits / 5 ECTS)
- Managerial Skills for Business (2 credits / 5 ECTS)
- High-Impact Professional Presentations (1 credit / 2.5 ECTS)
Who Can Apply
Participants must be enrolled in an MBA or specialized master’s program at their home institution.
Application & Fees
- Application deadline: April 30, 2026
- Regular fee: USD 380 per person
- Group rate (5 participants): USD 320 per person
Contact
For questions or to begin your application, email: cparejac@pucp.edu.pe
DATE & TIME
Tuesday 2 May
9:00 – 10:00 EST
LOCATION
Hosted on Zoom.
CONTACT
Emma Martens, emartens@gbsn.org
Many African business schools have been adopting research models that are popular in the United States and Europe. Demonstrating success with such models has many benefits, including increasing legitimacy (e.g., international accreditation) and reputation/rankings. But is it a good fit? Are there trade offs, especially when it comes to relevance and impact? This session will explore this question and offer insights to scholars and leaders of business schools for navigating the complex and changing research environment in Africa.
Speakers
-
Dean
University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science
South Africa
-
When?
Thursday, 2 May, 2023
- 9:00am Washington D.C.
- 3:00pm Paris
- 2:00pm Lagos
- 6:30pm Mumbai
- 9:00pm Singapore
Partners
African Academy of Management
The mission of Africa Academy of Management (AFAM) is “to foster the general advancement of knowledge and scholarship in the theory and practice of management among African scholars and/or academics interested in management and organization issues in Africa”. This exciting organization brings together people with an interest in management in Africa. Membership in AFAM provides a platform for building collaborative and supportive relationships for and with African and other scholars in the Diaspora who engage in, or who have an interest in research on management and organizations in Africa.
LOCATION
Online, Zoom
Date & Time
Wednesday, 27 July | 9:00am ET
CONTACT
Emma Martens, emartens@gbsn.org
Session #2: Urban Air Mobility
The task of universities and business schools is “to prepare graduates for jobs that do not yet exist.” These jobs of the future are being created right now by leading businesses worldwide.
In the second session of this Innovation Series Korn Ferry and GBSN are excited to host Esina Alic, CEO of Res Novae Group and former President and CEO of Insitu Inc, an unmanned aviation company, to explore the urban air mobility jobs that don’t exist yet. We will discuss how this industry developed, the current landscape of the unmanned industry, and how companies are continuing to innovate. Additionally, we will consider the hard and soft skillsets business schools need to equip their student with to help them be competitive in the urban air mobility sector. We encourage business students and alumni, as well as the staff and faculty who are helping them navigate careers in a rapidly changing world to join us for this interactive session.
Speakers
-
-
Principal, Regional Account Lead and Program Director
Korn Ferry
USA
Date & Time
Wednesday, 27 July
9:00am – Washington DC
8:00am – Lima
2:00pm – London
3:00pm Geneva /Cape Town
4:00pm Nairobi
6:30pm Mumbai
9:00pm Singapore
10:00pm Tokyo
About the Partner
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm that works with its clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. Korn Ferry helps them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers.
Its 10,000 experts in more than 50 countries deliver on five core areas: Organization Strategy, Assessment & Succession, Talent Acquisition, Leadership & Professional Development and Total Rewards.
More information visit www.kornferry.com
