Summer School for Pluralism in Economics 2023

After a successful first edition, Plural Economics Zürich are organizing another summer school for all people interested in learning more about pluralist economics. The aim is to introduce different schools of thought within the topics of climate, finance and inequality, opening up new perspectives in economic thinking, and outlining solutions to economic crises.

This summer school is designed to appeal to all people from all disciplines, no matter the prior knowledge of (heterodox) economics. The goal is to spark or expand critical thinking generally and with regards to neoclassical economics and the ensuing economic policies. All essential concepts will be worked out in adequate formats embedded into our summer school. Speakers and peers will bring you an in-depth perspective into their research. You will be given the space to create your own ideas and projects moving forward.

Click here to learn more.

Click here to register.

Author image

oikos International

posted March 20, 2023

This might be for you.

Keeping 1.5°C Alive by getting serious about Sustainable Finance

Post oikos Academy Reflections by João Pedro Braga and Stephen Snider

Financial frameworks and regulations aren’t often the most exciting topics for students when they are first introduced to them. But when you combine them with global-warming, radical change, and political campaigning we begin to see the need for direct action that students should and want to to be involved in. This topic came to life during the oikos Academy where we witnessed the sustainable finance and transparency activism worlds collide with a presentation from Andy Agathangelou at the Transparency Task Force. Andy shared how their group’s work is inspiring social action to fix the financial sector. Students and young leaders have a role to play in fixing these global issues but this is complicated by living in a VUCA world (the theme of the oikos Academy). The acronym VUCA describes the high volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity of our world in the 21st century today. In this short blog post, we argue that getting serious about sustainable finance is key to protecting this VUCA world, especially if we are to keep the rising, global-average temperature below 1.5°C.

To address the oikos Academy theme and to showcase tools students can use for advocacy and action in the world they live in, oikos St Andrews hosted a workshop with the Transparency Task Force. This workshop showcased a ground-breaking database of corporate infringements which includes the kind of violations that are having a disastrous impact on society and the environment. The Violation Tracker database is a free-to-use public utility, ready and waiting for students to use the treasure chest of data it contains for applications such as research, campaigning, activism, and corporate governance oversight. For us, this tool demonstrated the need for change within the financial sector to integrate principles of sustainability. If the financial sector does plan to use sustainable finance to address systemic issues, tools like this will test if sustainability is being truly integrated by companies and financial actors. 

Climate change presents a daunting challenge to the stability of economic systems around the world. A possible way out of the environmental crises we all face is the notion of a just transition. The Paris Agreement set to keep “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels’’ (IPCC, 2019). In this sense, a just transition would mean we all can live sustainably and is seen by many as the key development mission of this century. To achieve this mission, the financial sector must not only (1) allocate finance to transition sectors such as renewable energies and transportation, but also (2) guarantee that the climate mission will have the economic impact to tackle broader societal goals framed under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In short, to get serious about sustainable finance, the financial sector can integrate these 2 steps and thus become truly sustainable in terms of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts of sustainable investing.

Sustainable finance can be defined as the mobilisation of financial flows toward the sustainability of the environment. Financers address climate issues like adaptation & mitigation projects via sustainable infrastructure investment loans, green bonds, environmental guarantees, and other innovative financial instruments. For financial flows to truly be considered sustainable, the establishment of frameworks, sustainability criteria, and indexes & rankings, are essential responsibilities of the “climate” financial sector. The wide adoption of ESG reporting and analysis will embolden investors to demand change and evaluate the extent to which financial actors embody sustainability within their companies, investments, and portfolios. 

Indeed, the concept of what’s broadly been seen as ESG finance is central to sustainable finance, providing a market-based evaluation of a firm’s engagement with and performance in environmental, social, and governance areas. This ESG data then becomes additional filters managers can use to quantify risk, measure return, and now invest for specific environmental and social impact. Through the valuation of a company, ESG however, can imply a commodification of the planet and assumes that market-based solutions only might be enough to fight climate change. This stands to be seen and is too easily abused by ‘greenwashing’ and ignores the financial sector’s historical role in the destruction of the environment. ESG-based sustainable finance may be green, but will never be just or sustainable by itself. Here is where regulation and tools like the Violation Tracker play a key role.  

What stuck out to us when attending the oikos Academy is the need for vast campaigning to advocate for a truly just and sustainable climate financing regime. While our national leaders seem to mostly agree that we need to act on climate change, little is said about how to change our financial sector. There must be action on sustainable finance to include ESG criteria, transparency, and accountability be paramount. Campaigning at all levels of society will be necessary if we hope to garner attention and stand up to political lobbying. Students and campaigners will need to first address the present power structures and thereby establish well-functioning campaigns to make change happen within these power structures. And secondly, empowering action by campaigning and moving people to join. 

The limitations of private-based sustainable finance emphasise the need to recover the role of the State in a just ecological transition towards a new pattern of low-carbon, climate-resilient, and inclusive economic structures. This is the case since the State plays a market-shaper role in the economy by directing finance and investing in green industrial policies.  Since climate change is a global challenge, international cooperation for sustainable finance represents an alternative approach to private ESG-based finance to fight climate change and achieve the SDGs. In this sense, the agreement of an international fund on Loss and Damage during COP 27 in 2022 was a good outcome of decades of pressure to provide financial assistance to climate-vulnerable developing countries. However, this fight is not yet won as the fund’s implementation has been delayed by developed countries since the beginning of the discussions. Without a properly appointed transitional committee, the countries will not be able to advance in crucial definitions for the future fund, such as the sources of financing, priority beneficiaries, and the supervision of these resources (Climate Change News, 2023). This example reinforces the argument that not only do we need to implement the promises of the Paris Agreement but also get serious about sustainable finance. 

If you would like to learn more about this topic why not join us for our upcoming event? We’re bringing back the Violation Tracker to learn more and apply their data to our local contexts > March 23rd, 1:30pm ET, 6:30 pm CET oikos Presents: Accountability and Finance – oikos (will partner with oikos St Andrews) to share the Violation Tracker UK, from an organization dedicated to sharing legal data on corporations’ environmental and social violations. Accountability and Transparency are necessary for a sustainable financial system. Join us as Eleanor Godwin helps us to workshop the actions our financial system needs to take.Register Here!

We are proud to see organisations like oikos and the Transparency Task Force working to showcase topics like this one. We need more campaigners and students involved in networks like these where change can be advocated for. If you’d like to get involved, please consider joining the Transparency Task Force, using the Violation Tracker, and joining oikos International. If you are a student, oikos is a global, student-led, non-profit that aims to transform economics and management education by empowering students, raising awareness for sustainability opportunities and challenges, and building institutional support for curriculum reform. Oikos has over 45 chapters at universities in 20+ countries. They are working to integrate sustainability into their educational programs. With 35 years of experience, oikos has a community of over 1,000 active future leaders, more than 10,000 alumni, and a network of faculty & partners working to change the way we teach and train. You can learn more about these topics using oikos’ Sustainable Finance Toolkit. Reach out to us to learn more.

Images by Unsplash

Author image

João Pedro Braga & Stephen Snider

posted March 16, 2023

This might be for you.

[CLOSED] Call for candidates: Are you the next oikos International Co-President?

Are you ready to rise to the challenge of stewarding a global community of student change agents, together with your learning ’partner in crime’ & fellow co-president? Does the idea of learning, growing & developing a multitude of leadership competencies ranging from the individual to the global community level excite you?

Then apply today to become the next Co-President of oikos International! 

Details:

  • Application Time: 06.03 – 10.04.2023
  • Election: during the HYBRID Legislative Meeting in April (22.04.2023) → ONSITE AT THE ICC in Copenhagen and ONLINE
  • Duration & scope:
    • 2 years contract
    • November/December 2023 – December 2025 
    • Full-time employment (42h)
  • Location: remote, at the country of residency
  • Salary: 2000 CHF + social security contributions + health insurance + travel, events and conference reimbursements

What the work of an oikos co-president looks like: 

As an oikos co-president, you will be working in a highly complex, ever-changing but also truly supportive and warm environment. You will work with a colorful & diverse team of around 20-25 employees and volunteers from all over the world, mostly but not limited to our virtual office. In your role, the team will actively support you and they count on your guidance and facilitation to some extent. AND there will also be another co-president stewarding the organization together with you. So you are not alone! You will have an amazing opportunity of holding the role together with a learning buddy, someone that has your back, and collaborates & co-creates this inspiring journey with you. Feel free to learn more about the co-presidency model here.

Your core RESPONSIBILITIES:

As a co-president, your roles and tasks are very diverse and cover all aspects of the organization. Roles will be agreed upon between the co-presidents, the sharpening and agreement will happen in an appreciative conversation after the election and during the handover process. Acknowledging that oikos is a complex organization, we assume that it needs this space to shape the roles together in close collaboration and co-creation.

Next to granular roles that are owned by either one or the other, there will be several roles that will/should be shared by both, eg. to better regulate long-term partnerships or help the team to navigate fundraising efforts, facilitation and hosting of the team and several roles that will need power of togetherness, like strategic clarity and overview. Beyond this, each role is enriched to address oikos’ purpose, vision and mission reflecting oikos’ identity AND the personal development needs and wishes of the individuals.

Some examples from the portfolio are..

  • Tending the oikos community by listening in, ensure close connection to the community, empowering chapters’ impact on the local level and exploring new pathways of organizational development
  • Stewarding the oikos International Team and taking care of forming & facilitating the oikos Board and the Staff. 
  • Facilitating our international & global strategy development to guide and map the activities, impact and development of the oikos community around the world.
  • Exchanging and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders towards fostering financial and non-financial partnerships and collaborations. This includes being in the (advisory/supervisory) board of several partner organizations 
  • Representing the network at various international conferences, seminars, trainings etc. Fundraising is a big part of this aspect as well.
  • Overseeing, contributing to and advising oikos international initiatives like Transforming Education Initiative or the LEAP Program and advising the organizing teams of community projects with an international scope.
  • Ensuring that all administrative, legal and HR matters are running smoothly, and supporting the dedicated team members in these matters.

What you can LEARN & how you can BENEFIT:

Over the two years of the co-presidency, you will grow and learn a lot, not only as a person but also professionally and as a leader. You will gain first-hand insights into how the wider network of sustainability and higher education works, where it is moving and how we at oikos have an influence that matters. On the ground, you will liaise and collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders working in the field of sustainability and foster a huge network of relationships to key individuals and movements in academia and business. One thing is sure: your leadership competencies will be on test – and you will definitely grow beyond yourself on this fascinating learning journey!

Your needed QUALIFICATIONS and competencies:

  • Commitment to and understanding of the oikos community, and the current needs, wishes, and topics of the network. We only accept applications from within the oikos network. Any oikee is welcome to apply!
  • Passion for sustainability in higher education and leadership development with an understanding of how it relates to oikos’ vision, mission and purpose.
  • Facilitation competencies and leadership skills
  • Ability and curiosity for leading in complexity: being able to navigate complex challenges, adapt to and handle overwhelming – stressful situations for yourself and the bigger team.
  • Willingness to develop and implement management skills, together with some experience with software packages (such as Google Workspace, Miro, Airtable, website content management, etc.)
  • Fluency in English in speaking and writing, basic knowledge of German and/or French is a helpful plus
  • Exceptional communication skills and an ability to collaborate with people of different backgrounds and cultures.
  • Experience with project management with an attention for detail.
  • Openness for learning!

How to apply →  It’s very simple:

Fill in the application form, while adding the following documents: 

  • A motivation letter (max 2-3 pages);
  • Your vision and action plan for oikos (max 2 pages);
  • Your CV (max 2 pages);
  • A brief introduction (about 150 words) and picture for the oikos website;
  • A reference letter;
  • A video of up to 3-4 minutes detailing your candidature.

Contacts for questions:

Darija Miletic (co-president 2021-23): darija.miletic@oikos-international.org 

Carolin Lemke (co-president 2022-24): carolin.lemke@oikos-international.org

Author image

oikos International

posted March 7, 2023

This might be for you.

[CLOSED] We are searching for new house facilitators for 2023!

What is a house? – A house is a peer group among chapters and offers a personalized space for exchange on learnings and opportunities. Each house is a unique composition of 4-5 oikos chapters that has their own identity and regularly comes together in house calls. The house calls are hosted by house facilitators.

What is a house facilitator? – A house facilitator is a connection maker & coordinator! House facilitators are warm, open-minded people with a community spirit. They creatively bring their house at the virtual table to meet, exchange and learn with and from each other.

What are the responsibilities? – Building personal relationships & an identity with chapters in their house, Coordinating monthly calls with their house, Attending regular exchange calls with other house facilitators, Communicating to oikos International about current health & status quo in house, Passing on information from oikos International to the chapters

What’s the expected commitment? – 3-6 hours/month for a minimum of 6-12 months

What is in it for you? – Become an official volunteer of oikos International, the umbrella organization of the oikos community (benefits include: access to coaching, Udemy online courses, international volunteer experience to put on your CV and more), Practice your facilitation skills, Connect to amazing people from around the world

Interested? Reach out to Carolin Lemke (caro.lmk) in a direct message on Discord!
We look forward to welcoming you in the team soon!

Not part of the oikos Discord Community yet? Join it from here!

Author image

oikos International

posted March 1, 2023

This might be for you.

oikos Copenhagen will host this years oikos International Chapter Conference

We’re delighted to invite you to join us for this year’s largest oikos Community gathering which is going to take place in Copenhagen from 20 to 23 April!

Get ready to connect and immerse yourself in sustainability and regeneration in the vibrant city of Copenhagen this April for the oikos International Chapter Conference!

All oikees and alumni are welcome to join! This is your chance to meet our community from all over the world and create meaningful connections.

You can find more details about it on the ICC 2023 event page!

Author image

oikos International

posted March 1, 2023

This might be for you.