A Visit to Cape Town: Exploring Insights on Ethics, Leadership and Sustainability
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2025 9:29 am
Every year, the Advanced Boardroom Program for Women – ABP-W classes have the privilege of participating in an optional international module, a partnership between Saint Paul and renowned institutions around the world. Recently, the students were in Cape Town to participate in this immersion in partnership with the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town. One month after the trip, they gathered at the “Download Cape Town” event, hosted and moderated by Christiane Aché, Director of ABP-W, to share their experiences and insights.
The event covered a range of relevant topics, from discussions on South Africa’s history and the legacy of Apartheid to affirmative action policies, linguistic diversity, business ethics and leadership. In addition to sharing their insights, participants also highlighted the importance of self-awareness, active listening, collective construction and integrity in decision-making.
Reflections on Apartheid and Affirmative Action
In the first presentation, Marcia Baena and Cristiane bolivia whatsapp data Fernandes shared their experiences and insights about South Africa, focusing on the Apartheid regime and its lasting legacy. Apartheid ended in 1994 and to this day South Africa suffers from its legacy: black people are the majority in the country, but this majority is poor. In Cape Town’s largest slum, Soweto, there are 1 million people, of which less than 0.5% are white. In addition, there is a city in South Africa, Orania, which still follows the rules of Apartheid.
The discussion extended to affirmative action policies implemented in the country, comparing them with those existing in Brazil. The importance of understanding and addressing systemic injustices and the need for cultural and mental change to promote equality and inclusion were highlighted. Reflection on these issues highlighted how public policies and private initiatives can collaborate to correct historical inequalities and build a more just society.
Linguistic Diversity and the Appreciation of Languages
Marcia and Cristiane continued their presentation by discussing linguistic diversity in South Africa, where several languages are official, and compared this reality with the situation in Brazil. The importance of valuing and preserving local and indigenous languages was a central point of discussion, along with the need to promote communication and mutual understanding between different cultural groups. The exchange of experiences showed how linguistic diversity can be a force for social cohesion and cultural development, if properly recognized and encouraged.
The event covered a range of relevant topics, from discussions on South Africa’s history and the legacy of Apartheid to affirmative action policies, linguistic diversity, business ethics and leadership. In addition to sharing their insights, participants also highlighted the importance of self-awareness, active listening, collective construction and integrity in decision-making.
Reflections on Apartheid and Affirmative Action
In the first presentation, Marcia Baena and Cristiane bolivia whatsapp data Fernandes shared their experiences and insights about South Africa, focusing on the Apartheid regime and its lasting legacy. Apartheid ended in 1994 and to this day South Africa suffers from its legacy: black people are the majority in the country, but this majority is poor. In Cape Town’s largest slum, Soweto, there are 1 million people, of which less than 0.5% are white. In addition, there is a city in South Africa, Orania, which still follows the rules of Apartheid.
The discussion extended to affirmative action policies implemented in the country, comparing them with those existing in Brazil. The importance of understanding and addressing systemic injustices and the need for cultural and mental change to promote equality and inclusion were highlighted. Reflection on these issues highlighted how public policies and private initiatives can collaborate to correct historical inequalities and build a more just society.
Linguistic Diversity and the Appreciation of Languages
Marcia and Cristiane continued their presentation by discussing linguistic diversity in South Africa, where several languages are official, and compared this reality with the situation in Brazil. The importance of valuing and preserving local and indigenous languages was a central point of discussion, along with the need to promote communication and mutual understanding between different cultural groups. The exchange of experiences showed how linguistic diversity can be a force for social cohesion and cultural development, if properly recognized and encouraged.