Johannesburg, 24 October 2019
The Global Compact Network South Africa joins several Country Networks of the UN Global Compact in launching the Young SDG Innovators Programme (YSIP). The programme which will run for 10 months until June 2020, engages young people from companies participating in the UN Global Compact around the world on how to use Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a source for development of new products and services.
The programme engages mid-level and junior managers – aged 35 and younger – across different business departments to create bold yet viable business solutions that can have a positive impact on the company and society. Each team of young Innovators will work on their company challenges, with the aim of coming up with more sustainable business models, initiatives and products that will advance their sustainability efforts while driving innovation and delivering tangible solutions with possible market value.
Eleven South African companies have identified their young managers to participate in the Programme. The first in a series of innovation workshops will take place at Investec Offices in Sandton from 31 October to 1 November 2019. Participating companies include: Anglo American; AngloGold Ashanti; De Beers; Distell; Edcon; Investec; Old Mutual; the PIC; PwC; Scatec Solar; and Transnet.
The SDG Young Innovators will be supported by a team of programme mentors drawn from academia and the corporate sector. They include Dr Anastacia Mamabolo, Dr Dorothy Ndletyana, Dr Jill Bogie and Dr Tshidi Mathibe – all from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). Mentors from business include Monako Dibetle of Nestle and Victor Adewusi of Standard Bank.
The Global Compact Network South Africa is excited to introduce this programme to South African companies to support the integration of the SDGs; and to spur innovation while equipping young managers with the relevant knowledge and skills to help in future-proofing the business, says Dr Achieng Ojwang, the Executive Director of GCNSA.
For more information about the Programme, please contact Sifiso Nkosi.
To Join the UN Global Compact, please contact Anele Ngwenya.
