The Campaign for INSEAD: “A Force for Good” is a bold and ambitious initiative with a target of €250million by 2023. Over the past few months, INSEAD publicly launched the Campaign in Fontainebleau, Singapore and Dubai.
Based on our enduring values, that business can be a force for good, the “Force for Good” Campaign aims to amplify and champion the school’s vision to fortify academic excellence in all our pursuits and to magnify INSEAD’s influence by enterprising new ventures globally.
The Europe Launch
On 5 October, over 600 INSEAD alumni, faculty, students, staff and friends gathered to kick-off the day with the Force for Good Conference on our Europe campus in Fontainebleau.
Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and member of INSEAD’s Hoffmann Institute Advisory Board, delivered a powerful keynote speech that was received with a standing ovation. Several industry leaders and faculty carried the day with discussions about aligning business with the urgent environmental, economic and social needs of society today.
Following the Conference, the Campaign for INSEAD: A Force for Good launched publicly for the first time at the historic and majestic Château de Fontainebleau. Five hundred and eighty guests came together in an elegant celebration with speeches from MBA’18D students, Dean Ilian Mihov and Campaign Chair Rémy Best. The evening was filled with INSEAD spirit that reflected the guests’ enthusiasm for the Campaign.
“Which other business school can count on 57,000 alumni in 175 countries? Which other business school teaches 1,000 MBAs per year how to do business as a force for good? Not many” said Rémy Best MBA’93D, Chair, Campaign Board.
The evening ended with breathtaking fireworks in sync with music from a live orchestra set against the magnificent gardens of the Château.
Which other business school can count on 57,000 alumni in 175 countries? Which other business school teaches 1,000 MBAs per year how to do business as a force for good? Not many.
Remy Best MBA’93D
Chair, Campaign Board
The Asia Launch
From 9 – 11 November, the Asia launch of the Campaign kicked-off with the Alumni Forum Asia 2018 and reunions for 1, 2 and 15-year alumni on our campus in Singapore and the iconic Gardens by the Bay. The three days were a representation of what the school hopes the Campaign will be – an active effort to bring together our alumni, faculty, students, staff and friends to work towards a common goal.
Minister of Trade and Industry in Singapore, Mr. Chan Chun Sing, gave an inspiring keynote, highlighting Singapore’s endeavors towards sustainable businesses and ensuring business and society are mutually beneficial. He emphasised the power of INSEAD’s alumni network saying, “You are from INSEAD and if you are from INSEAD, you can do it.”
His speech set the tone for the evening of the launch at the beautiful Gardens by the Bay where over 700 alumni had private access to the Flower Dome, home to over 100,000 plants. MBA’18D students and the school’s leadership began the launch with speeches about the future of the school and the importance of alumni participation as we move forward.
Dean Ilian Mihov addressed the audience about the power of INSEAD alumni and the vision, values and ventures that INSEAD is determined to champion during the Campaign and beyond, “We can be the authors of a new social contract, aligning the goals of business with societal and environmental needs, working towards setting the planet on a better, healthier path and creating a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone.”
The Middle East Launch
The Campaign launched in the Middle East on 24 February 2019 at Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai. The day started with the Global Business Leaders Conference where industry leaders, alumni and friends from the region joined in for a conversation on Business and Society: A Force for Good.
Speakers at the conference included INSEAD Affiliate Professor of Strategy, co-author of The New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal best-seller Blue Ocean Shift, Renée Mauborgne and Director General at Smart Dubai Office, H.E. Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr.
Dean Mihov wrapped up the conference with a motivating speech on how INSEAD is a Force for Good in the world today. As the sun set over the Burj Al Arab, 400 alumni gathered for the celebratory launch.
MBA’19J students, Dean Mihov and Campaign Vice Chair Todd Ruppert delivered impactful speeches. A mix of local culture, dancers and musicians, brought the evening to a spectacular end.
The Future
More new ventures including an INSEAD facility in San Francisco and the renewal of the Europe campus will help create exciting opportunities to bring the alumni community together as they propel INSEAD’s aim to keep advancing Business as a Force for Good.
Stay updated about the Campaign on forceforgood.insead.edu
