Sustainable Development Ambassadors is developing new trends in the Urals

16:28, December 1, 2021

As part of the XIII International Autumn School, a workshop from IKEA is being held

The programme "International Economics and Business" GSEM UrFU continues to share the events held within the framework of the Autumn School "Sustainable Business Development: Smart Future for All". International teams of student ambassadors for sustainable development began to develop creative projects of closed cycles on the instructions of IKEA Ekaterinburg.

Students got to know virtually the IKEA atmosphere and learned about the features of a sustainable strategy in the world and the region. Moreover, participants of XIII International Autumn School found out how projects of closed cycles, such as the second life of stretch films, PET bottles, paper cups, are implemented, which show effective recycling of waste. Daria Nabokova, Sustainability Manager, IKEA Ekaterinburg, conducted a series of practice-oriented master classes aimed at generating creative ideas for business development.

Daria Nabokova shared her opinion:

One of IKEA's many values ​​is lead by example. For us, leadership is an act, not a position. We lead by taking the initiative and becoming a source of inspiration for others. That is why it is so important for us to work with students, because today's students are the future employees of many companies, including IKEA. It is important for us to show students our corporate culture, work processes and, most importantly, caring for people and the planet. After all, all together, in different parts of the globe, we strive for one common goal: to change the everyday life of many people for the better.

Inspired by the experience of sustainable development of a global company, Russian and international students began to develop new projects. During the sessions of the project workshop, the participants were able to ask a lot of interesting questions and get valuable recommendations for the development of their ideas.

After several workshops with students, we reviewed a lot of projects and almost ready-made business cases on the implementation of new closed cycles in IKEA's work processes. We were delighted to see real involvement, reflection and wonderful ideas on how to make a positive contribution to our Sustainable development strategy. Our company is not like others, and we do not strive for this. Difference with meaning is to have the courage to question established decisions, and a look from the outside is a great chance to look at our approach to work in a new way - commented IKEA Ekaterinburg Sustainability Manager

As part of the Autumn School, the final defense of circular projects is planned. We wish the participants good luck!

The most interesting, thoughtful and highly appreciated projects will be implemented in IKEA's real business processes, which will bring us much closer to the common goal of having only a positive impact on the climate by 2030," Daria added

 Let us highlight that the project activity of international economists is an obligatory part of the implementation of the educational programme, while much attention is paid to the formation of sustainable thinking.