13. Leadership for global responsibility: values and key competencies for a profound shift towards sustainability

Abstract

In the 21st century, we are increasingly aware of a series of urgent global and systemic problems that threaten the stability of vital ecological, social, and economic systems. These challenges – among them climate change, an overexploitation of resources, the rapid loss of biodiversity, forced migration and continuing poverty – all highlight the need for deep structural and cultural changes and a global shift towards more sustainable and equitable economies and societies. Continuing on our current path is likely to move us beyond thresholds and systemic tipping points and to lead to the collapse of vital planetary and societal systems.