The Challenges for Sustainability in a Polarized and Transactional World

➡️ About the workshop:

✅ How increasing nationalism, protectionism, and political divides are shaping global sustainability efforts

✅ The tension between short-term profitability and long-term environmental and social responsibility

✅ Why sustainability is becoming a political battleground-and how businesses can navigate the risks

✅ Strategies for embedding sustainability into economic decision-making despite investor pressure and shifting political landscapes

✅ The role of Al, technology, and regulatory frameworks in driving real change

Through real-world examples, interactive discussions, and thought-provoking insights, this lecture will challenge conventional thinking and offer solutions for a more sustainable future.

Come ready to reflect, debate, and rethink how sustainability can thrive in an increasingly divided world.

➡️ What to Expect:

📊 Interactive poll - How do students perceive sustainability in today's world?

📖 - Understanding the ESG landscape and the role of regulation

🎤 Practical strategies - How businesses, governments, and civil society can navigate these challenges

🤝 Q&A and discussion - Your chance to engage and share insights

🤔Who should attend? This lecture is relevant for students interested in sustainability, business, economics, politics, and international relations

➡️ About the Speaker:

• Paul earned a MBA Business Economics at the Erasmus University. During his Marketing Masters program, he attended the CBV Michigan State University MBA Summer Course (1983). While studying he was actively involved in various student organizations, serving as Chief Editor of Markeur and as Board Member of the Marketing Association EUR. He graduated in 1985 with his doctoral thesis: “Theatre Marketing: a challenge for artist and marketer”.

  
  

• After his military service he He began his career in 1986 at the Corporate & Investment Banking Group of Bank Mees & Hope. In 1995, he took on international assignments in Hong Kong, Shanghai, London, and Singapore. From 1998 to 2003, he served as Deputy General Manager of Fortis, Singapore Branch. In 2006, he was appointed Managing Director & Global Head of Commodities in Amsterdam, followed by his promotion to Senior Managing Director of Merchant Banking Asia Pacific in 2008. From November 2008 to July 2010, he was CEO Asia Pacific of Fortis Bank Nederland and Country Manager Singapore.

  
  

• On 1st July 2010 he was appointed as Country Execu\ve Singapore and Head of International Clients Asia and a member of the ABN AMRO Management Group. In March 2011 he was appointed as MD & Head of Corporate Banking International.

  
  

• Paul joined Rabobank on December 1, 2017, as Chief Executive Officer & Country Head for Rabobank India. On December 1, 2020, he became CEO of Rabobank China. Since February 2023, he has served as Rabobank’s delegate at the WBCSD as Special Advisor on Food Security. Aber 38 years in banking, he re\red from Rabobank at the end of 2023.

  
  

• He has also served as a board member of Fenedex, the Netherlands Council of Trade Promotion, and the International Chamber of Commerce Netherlands (ICC Nederland). Additionally, he was a member of the advisory board for the ESE Marketing Master Program. He has presented various marketing cases at the annual event Commercial Break and guest lectures at the EUR with a focus on marketing and sustainability.