“Daring for Big Impact” was held at the Greifenstein Castle in Switzerland.
There is a new show in town, and it has economic ramifications worldwide. Ethiopia, Myanmar, Iran and Colombia – abbreviated as the EMICs – stand as the new bearers of economic growth, with a particular emphasis on sustainability and economic growth, according to the recent “Daring for Big Impact” symposium held at the Griefenstein castle this past June. The EMICs, set to rival the previous economic crown countries of Brazil, Russia, India, and China – abbreviated as BRIC – with a striking emphasis on environmental responsibility while continuing a hold in business innovation and investment in the 21st century.
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The EMICs stood as a major talking point and signifier of green hope at “Daring for Big Impact,” where highly-selected experts from the diverse cross sectors of industry, finance, government, philanthropy and spirituality gathered to discuss some of the most pressing concerns that we face today. Impact Economy, the Swiss-based global impact investment and strategy firm who organized the conference, packed in three days of conversation, lectures, and insight to pay witness to the growing external risks of overpopulation, water scarcity, fracking, electronic waste, rising temperatures and oceans, and unstable and totalitarian governments, while maintaining enthusiasm for utilizing strategic investment not only for profit but to curb these threats to our livelihood.
The breadth of diverse topics, which included how to sustainably meet increasing demand for clothing throughout the developing world, the new science of impact investing, and what is happiness in the 21st century, came together in the overarching message: if we can work together productively and strategically, we can overcome the seemingly immense challenges looming over our future. The conference’s host Christian Kruger, who serves as Chairman of Krüger & Co. and owns and maintains Greifenstein Castle, notes of the twofold challenge at the heart of the conference:
“First, to accelerate the pace of progress so we move from pilot to mainstream, and begin achieving demonstrable results on a massive scale. Second, we need to return to holistic thinking and consider what the good life means in the 21st century, and reflect upon what each of us can do individually to ground ourselves and contribute — so the good life is not just for the privileged few.”
The conference, nestled among idyllic gardens near the Swiss-Austrian border, brought together international experts to attend sessions like “The Pursuit of 21st Century Happiness.”
Another critical message conveyed by Dr. Maximilian Martin, co-host of the conference as well as founder and CEO of Impact Economy, is the emphasis on integration of sustainable practices into key industries, creating long-standing competitiveness within the realms of fashion, retail and electronics — none of which, he noted, are currently on such a sustainable track. Thus necessary partnerships between business and investment leaders with NGOs and philanthropists are all the more crucial to correct and sustain a prosperous path. Otherwise, the short-term and long-term consequences of waste generated by these industries will become disastrous. But if reused, they become a business opportunity.
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The necessary switch to sustainable tactics in key industries doubles in business smarts as Carlos Criado-Perez, former CEO of Safeway and Operations Director for Walmart, notes in detail, highlighting that over $700 billion of what is sold annually by the apparel industry could be recycled for future use after its useful life, instead of ending up in landfill. Further, the production of clothing is extremely water-intensive and Impact Economy estimates that up to 50 percent of the zillions—yes, that is a Z—of gallons water required could be saved by use of sustainable manufacturing practices.
As even the most ground-breaking of conversations at castles must come to a close, the challenging and comprehensive coverage at “Daring for Big Impact” Impact Economy Symposium will continue to shape the necessary relationships between worldwide environmental sustainability and a cutting-edge business economy to come.
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The post ‘Daring for Big Impact’: The New Bearers of Economic Growth appeared first on genConnect.
