An overview of three, sequential, interlinked GRLI events taking place this November.
If you’ve joined us for previous GRLI events, you already know that we do things a bit differently. Led by the practice of ongoing inquiry into systemic issues, our agendas and actions take shape with expert facilitation to reflect peer-based collaboration over competition, and relational innovation over stand-alone solutions.
Continuing the innovation sparked by the 2018 GRLI AGM
In 2018, the GRLI AGM hosted by Kedge Business School in Marseilles was a platform event where a number of groups, partnerships, networks and organizations convened to accelerate systemic impact.
Building on the successful approach of opening our AGM to various networks and initiatives, this year we’re establishing synergies with other gatherings in the region and convening our AGM themed “What’s Important Now?”
Our August 2019 newsletter introduces the theme in more detail if you are curious to learn more.
Plans were already in motion to host the next GRLI Deans Cohort in Porto, when a number of GRLI associates expressed interest in the GBSN Annual Conference focused on measuring the impact of business schools. Seeing the potential for cross-institutional learning, we’ve teamed up to make it possible for people to attend both. As an added benefit, coordinating our in-person gatherings helps reduce travel costs, time, and carbon miles.
3–6 Nov: Deans Cohort
Católica Porto Business School, Porto
The week begins with Deans, Directors and their learning partners that form part of the GRLI Deans Cohort, convening at Católica Porto Business School (Porto is a 3 hour train journey from Lisbon) on 3–6 November, 2019.
For more on application, registration, accommodation and the agenda visit the Dean’s Cohort page on our website. Note that registration and payment for this event is handled by our hosts Católica Porto Business School.
7 & 8 Nov: Participation in the GBSN Annual Conference
Nova School of Business and Economics, Lisbon
GRLI Partners and Associates (as well as Deans Cohort participants that wish to stay on in Portugal for our AGM) are invited to participate in the business end of the GBSN Annual Conference hosted by the Nova School of Business and Economics. The latest, detailed agenda is on GBSN’s website.
Our participation at the event starts at noon on 7 November. Following lunch, there is a solution room session hosted by ESMT Berlin, a number of breakout sessions on internationalisation of business education, management education programs for family owned businesses, evaluating the SDGs impact of Business Schools, as well as the role of Business Schools in solving security challenges. The afternoon also includes Innovation Showcases and the day concludes with a Gala Dinner at Palace of the Rock of the Conde d’Óbidos.
On 8 November we’ll take part in the full GBSN program from 9am to 2pm (including lunch). Highlights include Peter Tufano’s keynote on impact beyond rankings, more innovation showcases (including one hosted by Arnold Smit), a plenary on leveraging digital technology to scale impact, as well as breakout sessions focused on impact and innovation.
Please note that registration and payment for this event is handled by GBSN and that our Partners and Associates may register for a flat fee of $600 using code GRLIGBSN19.
8 & 9 Nov: GRLI All Gathering Momentum (AGM)
ISCTE Business School, Lisbon
#### View the latest version of our AGM agenda (Word document) ####
Following participation at the GBSN event, we transfer for our gathering at the city campus of GRLI Partner institution ISCTE Business School.
In holding questions such as “What is Global Responsibility?”, “How might we develop it?”, and in exploring those through co-inquiry and collaboration, GRLI opens the possibility for relational innovations that meet the urgency of our time.
At the 2019 “All Gathering Momentum” our overarching theme as introduced in the August newsletter is “Between extinction and hope — what’s important now?”
In a time of urgency and uncertainty, in the indeterminate state between extinction and hope, what is essential? What is important now?
As I scroll through newsletters and announcements from various networks and initiatives focused on addressing global responsibility in business and education, there appears to be no shortage of solutions on offer. Sustainability reporting playbooks, step-by-step guides for sustainability leaders and a constant stream of online learning hubs, community platforms, tools and frameworks either being launched or already on offer.
It may well be that all these answers and solutions add up to the type of progress we need. Respectfully, the GRLI does not have the answer. My sense is that we have enough of these things. What we don’t always have, and which the GRLI would invite others to work on with us, is the questions we should be asking ourselves.
First some logistics…
- Registration for our AGM requires a cost covering contribution with both payment and registration available online.
- This document contains a list of recommended and nearby hotels and information on travelling to Lisbon. There are 2 hotels within walking distance from ISCTE where the majority of Partners and Associates will stay namely Hotel NH Lisboa Campo Grande and VIP Executive Entrecampos Hotel.
- Please note that the Pestana Palace Lisboa hotel recommended by GBSN for their annual conference is a 15 min taxi ride from our hosts ISCTE Business Schools. You are welcome to extend your stay there but will have to arrange for taxi transfers to ISCTE during our AGM.
Our AGM Programme
Our AGM programme progresses from “What?” to “So what?” followed by “Now what?” and “How?” all in the context of the question “What’s important now?”. A number of sub-themes have already been proposed for exploration including:
- What is GRLI’s Theory of Change — past, present, future?
- Leading beyond the logo (and ego)?
- Walking the talk of radical action.
- What is the one big thing we have to achieve or focus on?
- Towards 2024 and beyond.
#### View the latest version of our AGM agenda (Word document) ####
We’ll open the AGM on Friday afternoon the 8th of November with our usual Getting Up To Speed (GUTS) session where the core team and our hosts share an overview of activities and developments since our 2018 gathering.
During this part of the AGM we concern ourselves mainly with the “What?” of our work and the agenda flows as follows:
- We start with a personal check-in, with people bringing images or items that represent their experiences in the last year.
- Then we zoom out for a collective view and insights from the past 10 years — to support us in leading together in the world we share.
- We finish the morning with a tighter lens on what GRLI’s role has been in the landscape since our last gathering.
Over dinner there will be an opportunity for participant-hosted table discussions on topics put forward by Partners and Associates. This may include sharing learning and updates related to ongoing initiatives or discussions on new thought leadership (e.g. recent and upcoming books and articles). Those who wish to host table discussions are asked to share a paragraph on their topic or inquiry and we’ll include it on this programme.
On 9 November we’ll be moving into the “So what?” part of our AGM (considering the levels of Me, We, All of Us).
The agenda for the morning flows as follows:
- We start with discussion about how our external context is changing, what is occupying our minds, and what this means for us all, the GRLI and individually.
- We move into two hours of Open/Inquiry space with emergent topic areas (including a virtual gathering for those not able to travel to the AGM).
After lunch our work will shift towards the “Now what?” part of the gathering where we plan future actions, gather resources needed to tackle the issues we’re dealing with, and establish who we will be working with.
We close the afternoon with a Check Out and WHAT’S NEXT for our individual experiences with the GRLI.
Over dinner, we anticipate conversations to strengthen our partnerships.
There is an optional Sunday morning “How?” session hosted by the GRLI Guardians welcoming any Board members or Partners and Associates who wish to connect and bring fuller awareness to what have we learnt and how that guides our intentions and actions for the 12–18 months ahead.
