Historically, executive education has focused on sharpening business acumen, enhancing leadership skills and driving financial performance.
However, as global conflicts and human rights issues rise in prominence, there is a growing recognition that business leaders must also be equipped to address these challenges.
In response, business schools are increasingly incorporating themes of peacebuilding, human rights and ethical leadership into their executive education curricula.
“It is our mission to educate global, responsible leaders,” says Sven Scheid, director for executive education at ESCP Business School in Europe.
At ESCP, the school has incorporated human rights topics into its executive education curricula through dedicated programmes like the Certified Human Rights Officer Certificate. The course is run over one or three days in English or German, taught online and at ESCP’s campus in Berlin.
“It is crucial that participants understand the intersection of human rights and business,” Scheid says. “Executives need to understand the importance of ethical governance and corporate responsibility. Business is certainly competitive, but fair business procedures will pay-off in the long run.”
This shift is driven by several factors. First, the modern workforce is more socially conscious than ever before, with employees and customers alike demanding that companies take a stand on critical issues.
Second, globalization has connected markets in new ways, meaning that conflicts and human rights abuses in one part of the world can have ripple effects across the globe.
Finally, there is a growing understanding that sustainable business practices and long-term profitability are closely linked to social stability and the well-being of communities.
Integrating peace and human rights into leadership
Leading business schools are recognizing the importance of these issues and are responding. Executive education courses now frequently include modules on corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethical decision-making and the role of business in promoting peace and human rights.
For example, New York University’s Stern School of Business offers open enrollment courses, several a semester, which are attended by more than 400 people annually. Those include a 14-week course called Corporate Sustainability, taught by Tensie Whelan, director of Stern’s Center for Sustainable Business.
“Executives are making decisions now that will affect the sustainability of the future,” says Whelan, a professor at Stern. “We want to have immediate impact as well as future impact.”
Stern also has bespoke executive education courses which companies such as Nespresso, KPMG and others commission, through which more than 1500 people participated in last year.
“Collaboration with organizations like NYU Stern has helped us scale a suite of ESG training to meet demand from our people,” says Corinne Dougherty, a partner at KPMG, the professional services firm.
“In fact, last year, KPMG professionals spent 33,000 hours learning about ESG strategy and reporting,” Dougherty says.
Moreover, business schools are increasingly emphasizing the importance of cultural competence and global awareness.
Courses on global leadership now often include case studies that explore the intersection of business, politics and human rights, helping executives to understand the broader impact of their decisions.
This training is particularly relevant for leaders of multinational corporations, who must manage diverse teams and operate in regions with varying degrees of political stability and respect for human rights.
Case Studies: Leading the Way
Several top-tier business schools are at the forefront of this transformation. For instance, Harvard Business School offers programs that explore the role of business in society, including how companies can contribute to peacebuilding efforts.
Harvard’s executive education courses often include discussions on the ethical implications of business decisions and the importance of leadership in promoting social good.
Similarly, INSEAD’s executive education programs emphasize the importance of responsible leadership in a global context. Courses such as the Business Sustainability Programme are designed for senior executives.
“Traditional measures of business success consider profits and revenue, but that has since evolved,” says Nathalie Nawrocki, executive director of corporate partnerships at INSEAD.
“Modern leaders are expected to lead successfully beyond financial performance and to manage the social and environmental impact of business operations.”
As the world continues to grapple with issues of conflict and human rights, the role of business leaders in addressing these challenges will only become more critical.
Business schools offering executive education can help equip future leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to make a positive impact on society.
