Meaningful Learning and The Integration of Responsible Management Education in the Business School Courses

Gyuzel Gadelshina,Chandra Vemury,Arif Attar

doi:10.51383/ijonmes.2018.18

Abstract

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in responsible management education. Integration of the principles of responsible management education (PRME) within the core curricula of business schools and management education-related institutions calls for the creation of innovative pedagogies and educational approaches. Responding to the inherent challenges associated with the development and implementation of education for sustainability within existing business‐related education, this paper seeks to discuss a teaching initiative of introducing Model United Nations (Model UN) as a classroom activity for undergraduate students. The main purpose of research presented in this paper is to explore students’ experience of engaging in Model UN debates around topics related to the sustainable development goals as defined in the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development (for example, youth unemployment, climate change, poverty, etc.). Model UN is traditionally known as an extra-curricular educational simulation of the United Nations where students play their roles as delegates from different countries and endeavour to solve real world issues using the policies and perspectives of their assigned country as well as policies and procedures of the United Nations. In this paper Model UN is proposed as a classroom engagement activity which assists undergraduate students in recognising the complexity of international negotiations and reflecting on challenges associated with the decision making process and how it affects the sustainability agenda on the individual and societal level. This paper seeks to provide a useful insight into the practical value of Model UN simulation as a means to facilitate meaningful learning on the course. It is suggested that experience of introducing Model UN as a core curricular activity, rather than one that is extra-curricular, will be of particular interest for educators who are involved in delivering sustainability-related courses or wishing to teach sustainability-related topics in globally responsible business-related education programs for undergraduate students.

Highlights

In the era of the post-2015 UN Sustainable Development Goals there has been an increased attention to the integration of the skills and concepts of sustainability in higher education curricula
Our research has shown that it is not an easy task for the first-year students to move from the traditional approaches which emphasise rote learning to teaching and learning patterns where meaningful learning prevails
For example, we were faced with students’ dissatisfaction which have been highlighted in the comments such as “Model UN is irrelevant to my learning”, it “did not spark my interest”, “I wasn’t interested, if I wanted to do Model UN discussions I would’ve opted for politics”

Summary

Introduction

In the era of the post-2015 UN Sustainable Development Goals there has been an increased attention to the integration of the skills and concepts of sustainability in higher education curricula. Various intergovernmental panels and conventions have acknowledged the credibility of the body of scientific evidence that suggests a direct correlation between the industrialized way of life and the damages suffered by the ecosystems and the wider human society (Earth Council, 2000; Paris Agreement, 2015). The vision set out by the Brundtland Commission (1987) can only be realised if everyone across the board, from a lay individual through to global governmental systems truly understand the dynamic interdependence between the human and natural systems (Dale & Newman, 2005). As highlighted by Vemury et al (2013, 2015), it is incumbent upon Higher Education (HE) and Further Education (FE) institutions to engender among their students as well as the wider community, an understanding of the dynamic nature of earth’s ecosystems and a responsible way of engaging with them

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