5 SDG 2 – Zero Hunger – Team 5

Team Reflection

In our AIM2Flourish stories, we explored two innovative businesses – SiembraCo and B12Give – that are making significant contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SiembraCo focuses on improving agricultural practices through technology, while B12Give addresses food waste and insecurity through a delivery app. As we delved into these stories, we noted several key points:

1. Innovative Solutions: Both SiembraCo and B12Give offer innovative solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. SiembraCo utilizes technology to optimize agricultural processes and improve productivity while promoting sustainability. On the other hand, B12Give leverages a delivery app to redistribute surplus food waste to those in need, addressing food insecurity and reducing environmental impact.

2. Personal Inspiration: The founders of both companies were personally inspired to address these issues. Camilo Ramos, the founder of SiembraCo, was motivated by the challenges facing farmers and the need for sustainable agricultural practices. Similarly, Tony Colley, the founder of B12Give, was driven by his experience with food insecurity and a desire to make a difference in his community.

3. Positive Impact: Both businesses are making a positive impact on society and the environment. SiembraCo’s initiatives contribute to food security, economic development of farmers, and environmental sustainability through reduced resource consumption and carbon footprint. Meanwhile, B12Give’s efforts to redistribute surplus food waste help alleviate hunger and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Exploring these AIM2Flourish stories deepened our understanding of the role of business in addressing social and environmental challenges. It reinforced the concept of the triple bottom line, highlighting how businesses can create values not only for shareholders but also for society and the planet. These stories challenged our assumptions about the limitations of traditional business models and showed us the potential for businesses to be agents of positive change.

Moreover, these stories underscored the interconnectedness of various SDGs and the importance of comprehensive approaches to sustainability. For example, SiembraCo’s focus on sustainable agriculture contributes not only to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) but also to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Similarly, B12Give’s efforts to address food waste align with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) while also supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2.

Furthermore, these stories challenged us to rethink traditional notions of success in business. While profit is important for sustainable growth, it should not come at the expense of social and environmental responsibility. SiembraCo and B12Give demonstrate that businesses can pursue profit while also creating meaningful impact and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Reflecting on these AIM2Flourish stories has inspired us to think differently about our future roles as business leaders. We recognize the importance of incorporating social and environmental considerations into business decision-making and aspire to build businesses that prioritize sustainability and social impact.

As future business professionals, we are committed to seeking innovative solutions to pressing global challenges and leveraging our skills and resources to create positive change. These stories have provided valuable insights and examples of how businesses can align their objectives with the SDGs and make a meaningful difference in the world.

Moving forward, we will strive to integrate the principles of sustainability and social responsibility into our future endeavors, whether it be through entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, or advocacy. We will advocate for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to business, driving positive change within our organizations and communities.

Lastly, exploring the AIM2Flourish stories has deepened our understanding of the potential for businesses to drive social and environmental impact. It has challenged our assumptions and inspired us to pursue careers that align with our values and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.

In our exploration of business innovations for sustainability, our team engaged in a cross-cultural learning experience that enriched our understanding of sustainable business practices. We integrated concepts learned in our courses with insights from AIM2Flourish stories to critically reflect on the role of business in addressing global challenges. Here’s a breakdown of our reflections:

1. Learning from Cross-Cultural Experience:
Our cross-cultural experience exposed us to diverse perspectives on sustainability and business innovation. We learned that sustainable business practices vary across cultures, influenced by factors such as social norms, economic conditions, and environmental considerations. For example, SiembraCo’s approach to sustainable agriculture in Colombia may differ from similar initiatives in other regions due to local agricultural practices and community dynamics. This experience emphasized the importance of understanding cultural contexts when designing sustainable business solutions.

2. Integration with Course Learnings:
The insights gained from our courses supplemented our understanding of sustainability and provided a theoretical framework for analyzing business innovations. Concepts such as the triple bottom line, stakeholder theory, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) helped us contextualize the impact of businesses like SiembraCo and B12Give within broader sustainability frameworks. Additionally, case studies and academic literature provided empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives that enriched our analysis of AIM2Flourish stories.

3. Teamwork and Task Sharing:
Our teamwork was conducted through collaborative discussions, task assignments, and shared document editing. We divided tasks based on individual strengths and interests, with each team member responsible for researching specific aspects of the reflection. Regular meetings allowed us to discuss progress, share findings, and brainstorm ideas collaboratively. By leveraging each member’s expertise and contributions, we were able to produce a comprehensive and cohesive reflection.

4. What Worked and What Did Not Work:
One aspect that worked well was our division of tasks based on individual expertise, which allowed us to conduct in-depth research and analysis within our respective areas. Additionally, regular communication and feedback sessions facilitated alignment and coordination throughout the process. However, one challenge we encountered was coordinating schedules and managing time effectively, especially when scheduling meetings and deadlines. Moving forward, we recognize the importance of better time management and communication to optimize teamwork efficiency.

5. Proofreading and Final Document Accuracy:
To ensure the accuracy and quality of our final document, each team member proofread the content independently before finalizing it collectively. This iterative process allowed us to identify and correct any errors or inconsistencies, ensuring that the reflection met academic standards and accurately represented our collective insights and learnings.

In conclusion, our experience in this COIL cross-cultural learning program on business innovations for sustainability provided valuable insights into the interconnectedness of sustainability, business, and culture. By integrating course learnings with real-world examples from AIM2Flourish stories, we gained a deeper understanding of the role of business in driving positive social and environmental change. Moving forward, we will continue to apply these insights in our academic and professional endeavors, advocating for sustainable business practices and contributing to a more equitable and sustainable world.

Individual Reflections

Ghaida Alsubaie 

Participating in this COIL experience focused on addressing businesses contributing towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with students from diverse countries and cultures was truly inspiring. Working with an incredible team that was dedicated and passionate about making a positive impact was a rewarding experience. Each week, we collaborated on assignments that required innovative thinking and a global perspective. Our discussions were enriched by the diverse viewpoints brought forth by team members from different backgrounds. It was fascinating to see how our cultural differences influenced our approaches to problem-solving and decision-making. However, one of the most significant challenges we faced was managing time effectively due to the varying time zones of team members. Coordinating meetings and ensuring everyone could participate proved to be a logistical hurdle. Despite this, our team remained resilient and adaptable, finding creative solutions to accommodate everyone’s schedules. Overall, the COIL experience not only enhanced my understanding of business concepts and the SDGs but also taught me the importance of collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and time management in a global context. It was an unforgettable journey that left a lasting impact on my personal and professional development.

Shelby McDowell 

As a member of team 5 for this Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experience, I found it very challenging, but quite an interesting learning practice. Participating in this virtual, global team had many difficulties mainly due to time zone restrictions, and with all of us being busy students. It was hard to coordinate meeting times to discuss our weekly tasks. All members tried their best to adapt to each other’s time zones, so were able to communicate effectively every week. We were able to submit our required work on time and it was well done. This experience was overall rewarding as we learned lots about the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger, and about unique growing businesses who are making a sustainable impact on our social and environmental world. Working with students from around the world was a very different and fun experience, as everyone brought in diverse backgrounds!

Wanja Mercy

The project is really awesome because it has helped me to be open minded and creative. It has also helped me to know the importance of sharing work and having group members or team players who you can associate with well and help each other. Through interaction with other members I have gained knowledge of what I did not know before and made me have a better understanding on some aspects. Being in a team with members from different nationalities and cultures made me realize how important it is to know about other cultures. Although it was a great experience we faced some challenges due to the members being from different countries and having different timeline, but we managed to get through this since my team members were working effectively and cooperating together. I am very glad and happy to be a part of this project and thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the COIL program.

References:

– Pietrangelo, S., Lang, K., & evans, M. (n.d.). The future Instacart of Surplus Food. Retrieved from https://aim2flourish.com/innovations/the-future-instacart-of-surplus-food
– Puerto, L., Casas, C., Parra, C., & Lengua, G. (n.d.). Harvest at a Click / Cosecha a UN CLIC. Retrieved from https://aim2flourish.com/innovations/harvest-at-a-click-cosecha-a-un-clic