Sustainable Development
Those studying within the sustainable development (SD) concentration appreciate that perhaps the greatest challenge in creating a sustainable culture is changing the organizations within that culture. And surely one of the greatest challenges to any organization is changing the patterns of behavior and practice of its members and stakeholders.
Organizational Dynamics, In collaboration with other Penn departments, Dow, formerly Rohm & Haas Company, and other external partners, has created a series of courses designed to help leaders implement sustainability initiatives today. Students who complete the SD concentration earn a certificate in sustainable development studies.
On November 13 and 14, the Sustainable Development Concentration sponsored a spectacular kick-off event here on campus. Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann along with Jerome Peribere, President and CEO Dow Advanced Materials, Dow Chemical Company, provided opening remarks prior to the Friday evening panel discussion on "Eco-Municipalities: What Does a Sustainable City Look Like?" The distinguished panel included Neil Hawkins, V.P. of Sustainability, Environment, Health & Safety, Dow Chemical; Anne Papageorge, V.P. Facilities and Real Estate Services, University of Pennsylvania; Katherine Gajewski, Director of Sustainability, City of Philadelphia; and special guest Dr. David Cook, Chief Executive, The Natural Step Foundation.
On Saturday morning, workshops on the sustainability theme were facilitated by Organizational Dynamics students and alumni, with participants from various community groups joining corporate and university officials to determine strategy going forward.
