Economy of enough
Former Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons will speak about an alternative economy of ‘enough’ at the launch of the AUT Business School’s new Sustainable Enterprise major (Bachelor of Business) on Tuesday 27 August.
This public lecture will challenge concepts of business-as-usual and growth at all costs, and will describe a potential future in which people do less work but share it equally, and where there is less consumption of energy and materials, and more local production and growth in knowledge, science and innovation.
Fitzsimons says: “In 1971 the Club of Rome, a group of leading academics, business people and politicians modelled the limits to growth and the consequences of continuing current trends. Since that time, the real economic challenge has been not how to grow faster, but how to stop. Our challenge now is how to build an economy of enough. I look forward to the role that AUT's new major will play in helping to meet this challenge."
Professor Kate Kearins, who is overseeing the Sustainable Enterprise major says: “Jeanette continues to provide valuable insights to improve understanding of the opportunities for sustainable enterprise in New Zealand, and we are excited to hear her vision at the launch of our new study programme.
“This new degree is all about leading change. We need more people in the sustainability army to have a significant impact. For this reason the new major is the only one in our Bachelor programme with a leadership paper in year one. Students will learn how to build strong relationships and how to persuade people to come on board with sustainability initiatives.”
More than 70 students are enrolled in the new programme, which started in July 2013.
Professor Kearins says: “The Sustainable Enterprise major brings a powerful edge to AUT Business School’s Bachelor programme. It combines well with all the other majors as a double degree, be it in finance, marketing or human resources. Students learn about how to work across product/service value chains to improve procurement and distribution practices, what’s involved in environmental and social audits and what to do with the outcomes.”
The Jeanette Fitzsimons lecture Enough! The challenge of a post-growth economy is at AUT University, WG308, Sir Paul Reeves Building on Tuesday 27 August, 5pm for a 5.30pm start.
Media enquiries: Esther Harward, Communications Manager, AUT University, phone 09 921 9688, email eharward@aut.ac.nz