Co-presented by IKEA Philippines, Ayala Corporation, and ACEN Corporation, the second edition of the MB Sustainability Forum is a two-day live event happening on Nov. 21-22 at the School of Statistics Auditorium, University of Philippines Diliman consisting of presentations and panel discussions led by speakers from major corporations.
With the theme “If not now, when? Addressing the Urgency to go Sustainable,” the forum will highlight the initiatives and gains by the business sector toward sustainability, underscoring the urgent call for stakeholders to integrate sustainable practices for a better future.
The Manila Bulletin proudly welcomes the participation of the University of the Philippines in the Sustainability Forum 2023, as its first academic partner. Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II of UP Diliman graciously accepted the partnership and offered their resources for the success of the event. Aside from hosting the physical venue, the university will also join the program and speak about the university’s initiatives on sustainability, to be delivered by Professor Carmela Española of the UP Diliman Biodiversity Committee. On the second day, Chancellor Vistan will give his closing remarks.
“We welcome this exchange with the academe and learn how sustainability has been put into practice by the business sector and for them to interact with the representatives of the different industries. Given this venue, we are hoping they would explore the opportunities to work and collaborate with the sustainability programs between companies and the academe, pushing the parameters of what more can be done,” said Philip Cu-Unjieng, the Project Lead of the forum.
During the event, major sponsors such as Aboitiz Infracapital Inc., Aboitiz Power Corporation, Acer Philippines Inc., Arthaland Corporation, Coca-Cola Philippines, Filinvest Alabang Inc., Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, NEO, PH Global Jet Express Inc., SM Investments Corporation, The Ascott Limited, and Watsons will field in their speakers to deliver presentations for discussion.
The series of presentations will cover topics chosen from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Making clean energy more accessible and affordable (SDG 7); Encouraging innovation in industry and infrastructure (SDG 9); Creating sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11); and Fostering responsible production and consumption (SDG 12).
The forum will hold two sessions each day, morning and afternoon, with four speakers scheduled for each session. At the end of the session, selected faculty members will join the panel of speakers as reactors after the question and answer segment. UP Diliman students are highly encouraged to attend the forum to achieve a greater understanding and appreciation of sustainable business policies and practices.
The public may also watch the recorded sessions on Manila Bulletin’s social media accounts.
“We look forward to the students as our main audience because they represent the future champions of sustainability. It’s their plan. If they do not really espouse sustainability and understand it better, how can they really push that agenda in their own lifetime? Inevitably, the youth are the ones who will gain the most from championing sustainability,” added Cu-Unjieng.
If you are interested to join and support the event, please send an email to: [email protected]
