22 SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Team 25

Team Reflection
The exploration of these ten stories reveals a surge of creativity aimed at addressing environmental issues and promoting a more sustainable future. Redefining metal recycling techniques (INOXCRA) and allowing individuals to invest in clean energy (Fundeen) are just two examples of the tremendous progress made by entrepreneurs and businesses from a variety of industries. These are inspirational stories that show that building a sustainable future is something that is actively happening. The emphasis on creating constructive environmental and social change—often achieved through creative business models—recurs frequently in these stories. By providing infrastructure, training, and fair labor practices, FARO is tackling social and environmental problems in the coffee industry, while The Sustainable Green Company is fighting plastic pollution with its environmentally friendly packaging solutions. These stories make us feel encouraged and hopeful about the future. The inventiveness and teamwork that are on exhibit demonstrate a global commitment to sustainability. These innovations, which include removing obstacles to clean energy investment and turning waste aluminum into a clean energy source (Hydrova), show the way toward a more sustainable future. The collective emphasis on social and environmental responsibility, in spite of persistent obstacles, gives us hope that we can all work together to create a better future.
The stories have a strong connection to scholarly understanding of sustainability, especially in relation to the triple bottom line framework, which takes into account the effects on the environment, society, and economy. This holistic approach is essential for addressing pressing environmental and social challenges while ensuring long-term success and resilience in a rapidly changing world. They underscore the need for businesses to not only focus on profitability but also consider their environmental and social responsibilities. It also highlights the importance of ongoing learning and staying informed about various industries and their approaches to addressing global challenges. We’ve always known that businesses not only focus on maximizing profits in their practices but also consider people and the planet, so indeed, the stories have reinforced existing knowledge. Furthermore, they provided us with deeper insight on how businesses actually adopt the triple bottom line. These stories were surprising by showcasing innovative and unexpected solutions to complex sustainability challenges across diverse industries and how industries can embrace innovation, prioritize sustainability, and contribute to infrastructure development, thereby aligning with SDG 9 objectives despite initial assumptions about their environmental impact. The stories did not meet our assumptions of what businesses do/Should do, because the businesses adopted unique practices that we didn’t even know were possible. These stories collectively challenge assumptions about traditional business practices by highlighting the importance of sustainability, innovation, and collaboration in driving long-term success and positive societal impact.
We learned a lot about SDGs by doing this project, especially SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure). One thing that is also new for us was about appreciative inquiry, a method that encourages positive, strengths-based approaches to problem-solving and organizational development. This framework provided us with a fresh lens through which to view business challenges and opportunities, fostering a mindset of innovation and collaboration.. There were a lot of resources provided either by the professors or AIM2Flourish website. It broadens our knowledge and is also very eye opening. From now on, that business success is not solely measured by profit but also by our ability to positively impact our environment, support our communities, and contribute to societal well-being.
We think this project will change the way we will approach business in the future. We will be more focused on finding innovative solutions and working together with others to make a difference. It’s not just about the money anymore. It’s about making the world a better place while doing business. All the stories that we read including companies like Fundeen, INOXCRA, The Sustainable Green Company, Switcheko, Hydrova, Zerca, Rosatom, Faro Colombia, IMC Construction, and CalPortland Cement are successful because they were really passionate in implementing sustainable business. That was the proof that making the world a better place also leads us to success.
We were able to learn more about other countries, especially Indonesia, South Africa, and Canada as we discussed some aspects of business in each country. On the other hand, as we read the stories from Aim2Flourish, the companies were also from different countries. So it taught us about business strategy around the world. Reading stories from Aim2Flourish about companies from various countries demonstrates that core business strategies can be applied internationally, but often need adaptation. There might be universal concepts like marketing or sales, but the tactics used will likely vary depending on the specific market. To elaborate more, our lecturers also highlighted SDGs and we learn it deeper in these COIL activities. We understand the exact real world example of a successful and profitable business while doing a flourishing business that implements SDGs and are beneficials for the surroundings.
Our COIL program provides an exciting opportunity to apply the wealth of knowledge we’ve gained from our courses, particularly in terms of teamwork dynamics. Firstly, communication is the foundation of our collaborative efforts. As we interact with colleagues from various cultural backgrounds around the world, the knowledge we have gained from our research on cultural variations in communication styles will be especially useful. This awareness will enable us to navigate interactions with ease and create a peaceful, miscommunication-free team environment, whether it’s identifying the subtle differences between direct and indirect communication or understanding preferences regarding email versus video calls. Second, effective techniques for project management and task assignment have been covered in depth in our coursework. These are skills that will come in very useful when we start our COIL Program. We can apply our experience to improve teamwork processes by using messaging apps like Zoom and WhatsApp. We can ensure that our COIL initiative not only operates efficiently but also achieves its goals with care and efficiency by distributing responsibilities fairly, setting clear goals, and managing temporal divergences across multiple time zones. These skills will be essential for maximizing productivity and guaranteeing the successful completion of our collaborative projects. In essence, our COIL program provides an ideal platform for us to apply our theoretical knowledge, ultimately reinforcing our teamwork skills and then our results that reflect the breadth of our collaborative efforts. With the combined knowledge of our diverse team, we are prepared to set out on a journey of shared learning and accomplishment through proactive communication, skillful project management, and a dedication to conflict resolution.
Every week, we had a Zoom meeting to discuss the weekly task, and depending on the nature of the task, we divided the work among ourselves. The work was completed by sharing tasks among group members via Zoom meetings, during which we discussed responsibilities, deadlines, and progress updates. Each member took on specific tasks based on their strengths and expertise, ensuring that the project was completed efficiently and successfully. Some tasks required that we work in groups of at least two people. We usually divide the work among people from the same country to make it easier to complete the tasks on time, rather than pairing them with someone from a different time zone.
Ultimately, our weekly meetings were important to the success of the entire COIL activity because we would discuss the task and seek clarification from one another if we didn’t understand something. The WhatsApp group chat was also useful because most communication took place there, making it easier for us to discuss topics we didn’t have time to cover in our meetings. We also had regular updates and check-ins to help us stay on track and address any challenges that arose along the way. However, the time difference made things a little difficult. Additionally, technical or connectivity issues during Zoom meetings occasionally disrupted our workflow, causing delays.

Individual Reflections

Insanul Qisty A.D
Participating in the COIL program has provided an excellent opportunity to learn and connect. It has been both stimulating and challenging to collaborate on a project with classmates from Canada and South Africa. Through exchanging ideas and points of view across cultural boundaries, I have been able to learn about creative solutions from other nations as well as gain a deeper understanding of the problem we are trying to solve. Whether on Zoom or WhatsApp, the weekly conversations have been a real high point. It has been an honor to learn about and experience the cultures of my international peers. Even though balancing my coursework can be difficult, this program has given my schedule an encouragement of activity. For me, the most inspiring thing has been learning about the innovative and creative solutions businesses all over the world are putting into practice. I’m motivated and eager to see how our team can use our combined knowledge to overcome the project challenge after learning about these innovations.

Ayom Bening I. S.
It’s my second time participating in the COIL program, however it still feels exciting because I worked with new friends. Also the method on how we do our project is a little bit different this time. So it’s a new challenge. On my first COIL I was a little bit shy to share my ideas, but this time I am able to talk more with my teammates and I am so happy that they’re also very welcoming and active. It’s a great experience to learn new things with new friends. I get to learn from many perspectives that have expanded my world view. I am continuously reminded of the limitless opportunities for development and enlightenment that come from studying alongside others on our shared knowledge. I think a program like COIL will be very beneficial for us even in the future. I will keep in mind the knowledge I gained about sustainable business and implement it along my career path. Indeed, the lessons learned and bonds formed through COIL have the potential to shape not just our careers but also our lives.

Nokuthula (Thuli) Mabuza
Working on a coil task with students from Canada and Indonesia was an interesting, rewarding, and memorable experience that broadened my perspective on collaboration. It was inspiring to see how people from various cultural backgrounds could collaborate, communicate effectively, and succeed as a cohesive group. As the project progressed, I was able to learn and understand how to complete the tasks assigned to us with the assistance of my colleagues. My teammate interaction and unique approaches encouraged me to overcome my shyness and actively contribute to the task. Working on the coil task with my international colleague was more than just a professional activity; it was a journey of discovery and mutual learning. It reinforced the idea that diversity is not only beneficial, but also necessary for fostering creativity, innovation, and collaborative teamwork. Moving forward, I will carry with me the valuable lessons and insights I learned from this experience, knowing that diversity will continue to be a driving force for positive change in all aspects of my life and work.

Brian Liu
Working on this COIL assignment with members from Indonesia and South Africa was a very memorable experience. It was interesting to see how people from different backgrounds approach certain subjects and collaborate to achieve common goals. The diversity and new perspectives enriched our discussions and thinking processes. I found that our cultural differences sparked innovation and creativity, as we drew upon diverse experiences and ways of thinking to tackle our assignment. Overall, this assignment was not only a learning experience in terms of the subject but also a lesson in terms of collaboration and cultural understanding. It was a journey of discovery. We learned to navigate through differences of opinion, leveraging them as opportunities for growth. This experience has equipped me with valuable skills and perspectives that shaped the way I approach collaboration, communication, and engagement with individuals from different backgrounds. It has reinforced to me the importance of inclusivity, empathy, and open-mindedness in building meaningful connections.

Zach Schierau
Being part of this virtual team, tasked with analyzing how companies incorporate SDGs into their operations, was both challenging and rewarding. My engagement in this experiential activity sharpened my understanding of the pivotal role businesses play in achieving sustainability. While I was excited about the project’s potential impact, the cross-cultural dynamics of our team introduced an initial layer of complexity. This diversity, however, became one of our greatest assets, as it enriched our analysis with a wide array of insights on global sustainability practices. One of the most enlightening aspects of this activity was learning how to manage and value the different viewpoints within the team. By fostering an environment where everyone felt heard and valued, we were able to navigate our differences and leverage them to enhance our project. The experience has taught me the importance of patience, understanding, and the value of diverse perspectives in achieving a common goal. It has also highlighted the critical role that businesses can play in promoting sustainability, provided they genuinely integrate SDGs into their core strategies.

References
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(2017, November 9). YouTube: Home. Retrieved April 3, 2024, from http://aim2flourish.com/innovations/special-coffee-from-colombia-caf%C3%A9-especial-de-colombia
(2017, November 9). YouTube: Home. Retrieved April 3, 2024, from http://aim2flourish.com/innovations/building-for-people-and-the-planet
(2017, November 9). YouTube: Home. Retrieved April 3, 2024, from http://aim2flourish.com/innovations/cement-for-a-greener-future
Renewable Energies Investment Platform for Every Pocket. (n.d.). AIM2Flourish. Retrieved April 3, 2024, from http://aim2flourish.com/innovations/renewable-energies-investment-platform-for-every-pocket