In the panel entitled "Sustainability Practices of Companies and Tomorrow's Leaders" organized by Sabancı University Corporate Governance Forum, which hosts CDP Turkey, Business Against Domestic Violence, 30% Club Turkey, and the Independent Women Directors Project, attention was drawn to the importance of the concept of "sustainability" for the future of the world.
In the "Sustainability Practices of Companies and Tomorrow's Leaders" panel hosted by Sabancı University Corporate Governance Forum, the issue of "sustainability" was discussed in all its aspects. In the event held in the Sabancı University Tuzla Campus SUNUM foyer area, and the opening speeches of which were made by Sabancı Business School Dean Ayşegül Toker and HE Miles Armitage, Australia's Ambassador to Turkey, a panel themed "Sustainability Practices of Companies and Tomorrow's Leaders" was held, moderated by Sabancı University Corporate Governance Forum Director Ata Can Bertay. Migros Sustainability Management Group Manager Cansu Ergün, Sabancı Holding Sustainability Director Derya Sözcü Yalgı, Ford Otosan Sustainability Leader Dicle Kocaoğlu, and Garanti BBVA Sustainability Leader Seray İmer took part in the panel as speakers.
The Australian Ambassador to Türkiye HE Miles Armitage made the opening speech of the panel and said, “The Australian Embassy is proud to support this project, which aims to empower and inspire future business leaders through the promotion of gender equality and responsible environmental practices for more equitable and sustainable communities.”
Before the panel, CDP Turkey Country Programs Manager Mirhan Köroğlu Göğüş made a short presentation about CDP Turkey's activities, evolution and reports. Then, Forum Projects Manager and 30 Percent Club Turkey Coordinator Cemile Avşar touched upon the results of the Independent Directors Project, 30% Club and the 2023 Women Directors Report in Turkey. BADV Coordinator Esen Özdemir, who spoke last before the panel, gave information within the framework of the "Business Against Domestic Violence Project".
The panel started with the speech of Sabancı University Corporate Governance Forum Director Ata Can Bertay. In his speech, Bertay said, “At Sabancı University Corporate Governance Forum, we focus on critical areas such as nature and climate change, gender equality and combating domestic violence in our sustainability efforts. We consider environmental and social sustainability as a whole. We establish strong collaborations with the private sector, public, international organizations, and NGOs. At our event, we will introduce the Forum projects and listen to the personal and corporate stories of leading private sector representatives in the field. One of our most important goals here will be to bring together students, academics and sustainability leaders of the business world to discuss possible new projects. We believe that progress in sustainability can only be achieved with strong human resources and data-oriented management. With this principle and the Forum's experience of more than twenty years, we aim to guide sustainability efforts in Turkey and continue our leadership in this field.”
The panelists, who took the floor in the panel entitled "Sustainability Practices of Companies and Tomorrow's Leaders", which started after the opening speeches, first gave information about the sustainability policies and activities of their companies. They also gave real-life examples of their companies' sustainability practices. Sharing findings on how to achieve real impact in the field of sustainability, the panelists also made suggestions for students who are at the beginning of their careers and want to provide social benefit.
The event ended with the presentation of Dilek Beteş, Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center SUNUM’s Project Management Specialist, entitled "Value-Added Advanced Nanotechnological Materials and Systems for Sustainable Circular Economy" on the LignoNANO Platform.