The Duke of Edinburgh's Emerging Leaders' Dialogues Canada, President's Council Forum 2017

Creating Globally Connected Leaders; Sustainability, Sector Innovation and Opportunities

Held on April 12, 2017, at Marlborough House, London, U.K.

Introduction: Sir. Trevor Carmichael, KA, LVO, QC, Chairman, The Duke of Edinburgh's Emerging Leaders' Dialogues President's Council

Session 1: The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, will share her vision for the Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a family of 52 independent sovereign states, and home to 2.4 billion people. Building on the Commonwealth Advantage of shared inheritances, and similarities of law and administration, its members are committed to creating a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future for all.

The people and institutions of the Commonwealth work together through a broad range of intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organisations committed to sharing the values and principles of the Commonwealth Charter that cherish equality of opportunity and celebrate diversity.

The Commonwealth Secretariat works alongside member countries to promote democracy and good governance. Justice, with respect for human rights under rule of law, is understood as the foundation both for economic development with sustainable growth, trade and investment, and for inclusive social progress particularly through the empowerment of women and youth.

Session 2: Mr. John Bailey, Head of Sustainability, University of London

What will the world's most sustainable university look like in 2050?

Following on from COP21 in Paris, this session will look at energy use across UK university campuses and find out what it would take for universities to meet their needs in the future. In 2016, the progress is slow, the sector is on course to fail to meet its own targets but there are a few glimmers of progress that show the pathway to a sustainable 2050.

Session 3: Mr. Philip Jennings, General Secretary, UNI Global Union

How is a global union seeking to influence the future world of work?

Whilst technological change is nothing new, the speed and magnitude of change, especially in the work place, is creating stress on the work force, many of whom lack the requisite training.

Digitization reduces cycle times in business, meaning decisions must be made faster. It's erasing traditional structures and automating manual work. Increasingly organizations are taking advantage of the power of networks, and traditional middle management roles are outsourced to digital programs. In these times, trade unions have a key role to play in framing innovation and making sure corporations put people and planet over profits. Businesses need to implement a Just Transition to the new world of work.