Rising geopolitical tensions, the risk of an unorderly Brexit, a rapidly warming climate and risks of an economic slowdown mark the background of this autumn’s Tripartite Social Summit in Brussels. Within this context, President Ludger Ramme calls for decisive action for our continent to become more resilient, sustainable and competent.

Unfortunately, our industrial-age education system has partly failed to equip workers and managers with the necessary skills to transition to and build a sustainable economy. More than ever, systemic, social and emotional skills are required in leadership and beyond to make sense of a world characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA). A massive European re-education scheme is needed to support the just transition in an inclusive way – at all hierarchical levels. As highlighted in the #ManagersForFuture campaign, future leaders in business (and politics) should be equipped with the right skills to be able to operate within planetary boundaries and deliver on succeeding the sustainability revolution.

Read the full speech here.