28 SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities – Team 31

Team Reflection

Sustainable development goal 11 has provided us as a group a new perspective on how the act of sustainability can be enacted and displayed much closer to home than we had originally considered. With all of us being from urban areas, we initially considered the impact of sustainable action to be felt far away from us and those most positively affected to be strangers in rural areas half a world away. But, when researching SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and learning of the multitude of AIM2FLOURISH stories associated with said SDG, we realized how much these stories could be applicable and beneficial to our own communities. A particular benefit eminent within each story is that of the shared value created between business, society, and planet. Most stories associated with SDG 11 relate to the minimization of waste related to the production of a variety of products including clothing, food and drink, art, as well as waste, water, and energy infrastructure (Innovations: Browse Stories, n.d.). Such examples include Bandit, an Indian based company which repurpose common waste materials into new, high-quality products such as bags, jewelry, clocks, and watches (Bhattacharya, et. al, 2024). Bandit exemplifies the concept of shared value creation by providing a solution to a regional problem in a way that’s profitable for themselves and beneficial for regional ecosystems (Bhattacharya, et. al, 2024). An additional commonality between stories associated with SDG 11 that relates to a different facet of shared value creation is the empowerment and sustainable income of marginalized communities (ex. Women, indigenous populations) as well as impoverished, low-income communities, too. Indigenous Designs, for example, is an apparel company that produces organic, fair-trade, and eco-friendly clothing whose main employee base consists of Peruvian Indigenous women (Shea, 2024). Although the company clearly creates shared value through the relationship of profit and sustainable production practices, it can be considered that the greatest value it creates is that of the financial and societal strength it provides to a group and community that would otherwise live less security and, possibly, self-actualization (Porter & Kramer, 2011).

An additional aspect of these stories and its relation to SDG 11 and our curriculum is that nearly each firm highlighted in AIM2FLOURISH stories uses what’s known as a circular economy framework. A circular economy framework is a form of business operation and production that focuses on reintegrating organic components into the value chain as well as reusing or refurbishing inorganic goods (Burga, 2022). The main goal when using a circular economy framework is to limit and reduce total waste, whether that be in the production or consumption process (Burga, 2022). This ideology of sustainability demonstrates the social good businesses can provide society as whole. Rather than to consider society as something to profit from, sustainability provides a new perspective for businesses. A perspective that highlights society as something to nurture, protect, and take care of. Even though we all come from fairly drastic cultural backgrounds (Canadian, Spanish, South African) we all agree on the power and influence that local, national, and international firms alike have on society as a whole. As such, we are in agreement that firms have the power to drastically shift the status quo in terms of how we should expect firms to behave in relation to society as well as the accountability that businesses should uphold. Even with said differences (cultural, political, economical, etc.) we are also in agreement with the potential that the use of circular economy framework possesses. A potential world where not only monetary value is pursued and prized but also intrinsic value related to the greater good of many over few, where the well-being of vulnerable groups is just as prioritized as the financial well-being of a firm. Businesses, for the most part, have the means to make this potential world a reality.

The team’s multicultural background uncovered different views on sustainability and business methods from Canadian, Spanish, and South African heritage. They discovered how cultural factors affect views on sustainability and acknowledged the important social effects of companies. Examining companies operating in a circular economy demonstrated how businesses can impact society positively while also making a profit. Conversations pointed to a change in focus towards putting societal well-being before profit, underlining the opportunity for businesses to generate value beyond just making money. Even with diverse cultures, the team shared a common belief in the potential for businesses to bring about positive transformation. In general, their knowledge of sustainability and business ethics was expanded, highlighting how businesses can support sustainability and social causes by focusing on the welfare of at-risk populations.
Our coursework laid a strong groundwork for our team collaboration by giving us theoretical frameworks, critical thinking skills, and research methodologies. Sustainability, ethics in business, and the circular economy concepts were used as a shared language, enhancing communication and analysis. Moreover, our cross-cultural understanding training helped us navigate diversity within our team, enhancing our discussions with different viewpoints. We utilized ethical principles from our courses to evaluate the societal and environmental effects of businesses, leading our conversations on corporate responsibility and accountability. In general, the information and abilities acquired from our classes enhanced our collaborative efforts by equipping us with the means to analyze the meeting point of business and sustainability on a worldwide scale.

With each assigned activity, the majority of the work needed to be completed would simply be split up evenly between all 6 group members. In some instances, though, certain group members would have other commitments (ex. Holiday, other class assignments, work) that would interfere with their ability to complete their assigned aspect of an activity. When this would occur, other group members would be more than willing to fill in for their preoccupied group members in order to adequately complete our assignment to group standards. This was done knowing that said preoccupied group members would do the same should the roles be reversed which was a common occurrence as the COIL activity continued. As such, we believe that our strategy for delegating tasks was effective and efficient as exemplified by the strong marks we would consistently get with each week’s assignment.

A common hurdle that we as a group had to consistently face (as mentioned previously) is that of other commitments each group member had outside of the COIL activity. These commitments included work as well as other class assignments. It was because of these commitments that made it difficult to agree on a time in which we would all be available to meet. As such, it was common in our meetings that one or two group members wouldn’t be able to attend. An additional hurdle to attending group meetings was, of course, the difference in time zones we live in. Early on in the COIL project, we had minor difficulties in finding a consistent time range that worked for each individual at their associated time zones (what may have been the early afternoon for some group members was the early morning for others). What was our strength, though, as alluded to previously, is that we all had similar goals and attitude towards the total project with that being achieving a high grade. As such, we were all very dedicated to our work, always completing our tasks before the due dates and always willing to assist preoccupied members with their share of the work. We believe it’s this willingness, cooperation, and understanding that made us so successful as a group.

Individual Reflections

– Jack Kelly

The COIL activity was a fun and interactive way to become more accustomed to individuals our own age from different cultures around the world. It was very interesting to learn the differences in each group member’s given day based on where they lived. These differences also included the different structures, attitudes, and expectations that differing universities have in regard to schedules, teacher – student interactions, and what was emphasized in curriculums. What I found most insightful, though, was not the many differences that each group member possessed from one another but how much we all had in common. I certainly didn’t know what to expect working with individuals from Spain and South Africa, but I found that most conversations were similar to that of my friends and classmates here in Canada. These conversations would be about school, work opportunities, classmates, and professors.

In regard to the content of the COIL activity, in a world where varying news outlets are more inclined to promote and publish information about horrific global events and a bleak near-future, it was so refreshing to learn about endeavors happening all around the world that counteract said sentiments. Additionally, it was just as comforting to know that such endeavors didn’t happen because of the random sympathy of large conglomerates or wealthy individuals. Most of these sustainable businesses and actions that I learned from this activity was from the inspiration and initiative of those who would be the most affected by continued unsustainable business practices. It was inspiring to say the least. Individuals with minimal means compared to other larger firms were able to act against what has been considered an unstoppable cycle of production, consumption, and discarding of such.

– Mahlangu Hloniphile

Taking part in this coil activity was educational, fun and eye opening at the same time. Having an opportunity to engage with students across the globe gives one a chance to explore different backgrounds and cultures. COIL assisted me to up-skilling in listening, flexibility, effective communication, openness and patience. In each meeting I learned something new, it could be regarding the education systems, the SDG we were assigned to, the business world or even anything related to Spain or Canada.

Analyzing our SDGs not only in the context of South Africa enlighten me about the environmental, political and economic challenges facing our world. Through the activities we completed I gained a closer sight on challenges faced both by South Africa and other countries.

– Liam Ham

Taking part in the COIL activity was an enlightening experience that gave me priceless knowledge and abilities. We worked with colleagues from Canada, Spain, and South Africa to examine various projects related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and considered how they could be implemented in our own nations. Although facing obstacles related to time zones and cultural distinctions, our joint dedication and sincere willingness to learn established a cooperative atmosphere. I felt lucky to collaborate with driven individuals who had a shared passion for sustainability.

Through COIL, we not only increased our knowledge of worldwide sustainability efforts but also developed important skills like empathy, effective communication, creativity, and organization. Utilizing our diverse cultural backgrounds, we approached discussions with sensitivity and mutual respect, adopting an open mindset. The episode highlighted the importance of working together globally to solve difficult problems.

Additionally, COIL acted as a guiding light for international collaboration and eco-friendly progress, going beyond academic limits. It created a space for team members to engage in cross-cultural dialogue, promoting empathy and mutual understanding. Our collaborative endeavors helped progress the SDGs and also provided us with the essential skills for navigating a globally connected world.

Essentially, COIL represented the ability of collaboration to drive positive transformation. It motivated me to keep promoting sustainability at both local and global levels, acknowledging the significant influence of united effort in creating a fairer and more sustainable world for everyone.

References

Anonymous. (n.d.) Innovations: Browse Stories. AIM2FLOURISH. https://aim2flourish.com/innovations/p2

Bhattacharya, J., Sangoi, N., Paryani, P., Shah, N., & Patel. (2024).
Circular Innovation: Reimagining Waste. AIM2FLOURISH; Goa Institute of Management.
https://aim2flourish.com/innovations/circular-innovation-reimagining-waste

Burga, R. (2022). “The Integration of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability into Responsible Management”. Ruben Burga. https://books.lib.uoguelph.ca/mgmt-3020/

Porter, M.E. & Kramer, M.R. (2011). “Creating Shared Value: How to reinvent capitalism – and unleash a wave of innovation and growth”. Harvard Business Review, 62-77. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/866375/viewContent/3734247/View

Shea, K. (2024). Fashion for Good – The journey of Indigenous Designs and the Trailblazers of the Sustainable Fashion Industry. AIM2FLOURISH; Case Western Reserve University – Weatherhead School of Management. https://aim2flourish.com/innovations/fashion-for-good-the-journey-of-indigenous-designs-and-the-trailblazers-of-the-sustainable-fashion-industry