Mexico City, March 31, 2023.- In order to generate a dialogue on issues of sustainability, business, governance and their social impact, the students of the Universidad PanamericanaCiudad Panamericana and Mixcoac, held the First Pan-American Environmental, Social and Governance Congress (ESG-UP).
Societal benefits of ESG
During the inauguration, Dr. Santiago García Álvarez, rector of Universidad Panamericana, campus Mexico, spoke about the social movements in favor of ecology and the prevention of climate change: "it has been a spontaneous movement of civil society; it started from the conscience, especially of the young generation, of that time that realized the problem and the need to do something to counteract it. This has generated a culture of care for the planet that has resulted in the need to work on public policies related to the issue".
He also said: "The ESG agenda is a long-term concept that implies having our own conviction of the environmental, social and governance benefits, generating transparency, trust and giving back to society a little of what we have received.
"We must be aware, convinced of the agenda, of its benefits and to apply them, so I am pleased that our Pan American university community is organizing and participating in the public discussion of ESG," he added.
Corporate governance from a social approach
During the panel discussion Corporate governance from a social approachRubén Barrera, CEO of Cesce Mexico and Javier Ibarrondo, CFO of the SAE Institute participated.
In his speech, Barrera emphasized: "The concept of the ESG agenda is a long-term concept that implies having our own conviction of the environmental, social and governance benefits, generating transparency and trust, and giving back to society a little of what we have received. We must be aware and convinced of this, of the agenda and its benefits, and of applying it".
For his part, Ibarrondo said: "It is necessary to transmit to young people that they understand the idea that the mission of Universidad Panamericana to seek the truth and commit to it is totally aligned with ESG principles. We have to transform society in these environmental, social and better corporate governance aspects".
Sustainable food
At the panel table To save the planet: sustainable food (eat or die)Tania Mijares Lizarraga, Panelist of Program 1.5° To save the planet; Alejandra Lizarraga Peña and Mariana Basurto, both ESDAI academics.
Lizarraga mentioned: "we are all part of the food system of this planet and, therefore, we are part of the generation of solutions to current problems, so I believe that the main thing is to feel part of the solution and seek to innovate through current problems".
While Basurto stated that the most important thing is that "we generate awareness of the food waste we all do and how we can make an impact to reduce it by looking for and having creativity and curiosity to do different things with a clear objective".
In turn, Mijares said: "the most important thing is to understand that food waste has a great impact on the environment through the generation of greenhouse gases in society, due to the loss of food, and obviously, having awareness and generating co-responsibility actions to combat it, will translate into a better economy, a better society and a better environment".
Decarbonization by 2030
Subsequently, Claudia Núñez, VP Supply Chain Mexico and LATAM of Unilever, took the podium to present the following speech Decarbonization towards 2030.
He added: "I think the effort made by Panamericana students to organize a congress on sustainability, governance, business and its social implications is extremely valuable. It is very important that the generations of professionals, who in a very short time will be in the labor market, have this as a priority".
He also stated: "Participating with you (Panamericana students) allows me to sow this seed in the future professionals that will be our country, our Latin America".
"At Unilever, sustainability is at the center, so it is something we do every day, an effort we make every day because each of our actions is focused and linked to building a better planet. We have a complete sustainability program that ranges from products suitable for these processes to the reduction of carbon emissions," he added.
Sustainability: in the UP DNA
Finally, Dr. Fernanda Llergo, Rector General of Universidad Panamericana and IPADE, highlighted: "Create, be part of the change, was the motto of the congress, and I dare to say that it is the first congress (of this type) to be held in private universities".
"This ESG vision is very much in line with the DNA of Universidad Panamericana. It is not only about helping companies to be sustainable or to develop social work, but much more. We are interested in the care of governance, financial health, the sustainability of the care of our planet and, of course, a job where people are fully happy," he concluded.
