Friday 16-09-2016 - 16:18

Do you want an opportunity that could transform your life and the way you view business? We have two opportunities for Lancaster students to attend the prestigious World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Council Member meeting in Chennai, India. 

Successful applicants will not only take an active part in the process, but will also hear first-hand the views of experts from industry, thereby witnessing ideas put into action. Plus, you will have the chance to network with business leaders from companies such as Apple, Kellogg’s, BT, Siemens, Toyota and PWC, and act as an ambassador Lancaster University.

The opportunity:

This October we are supporting 11 Lancaster Management School students to travel to and contribute to the annual council meeting of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Last year we were privileged to be a part of their meeting in Paris and we are very excited to be able to continue our involvement this year as the council meeting moves to Chennai, India.

We have just this afternoon confirmed that we are able to offer an opportunity for two more students with media experience to join this trip and enjoy the following:

• Travel to India for a week with 11 other students and experience what it is like to live and work in what could be said to be the epicentre of the developing world.
• Contribute to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)’s 2016 Council Meeting – a prestigious event for the world’s business leaders and a major part of a positive future for our world: http://chennai2016.wbcsd.org/
• Hear about what the world’s leading companies are saying and doing about climate change, one year on from the Paris Agreement.

It doesn’t need pointing out how incredible this opportunity will be as an experience, both personally and professionally! All costs of the trip such as your flight, accommodation and food are covered – you just need to get yourself to Lancaster for the 26^th September.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for students who can help us to report on the week long meeting for members of the WBCSD. Your work will appear on the post-event microsite and will be credited to you directly. It may be used externally if it supports the work of WBCSD and can be use in the external marketing of their programs and activity.

The WBCSD are looking for students who are independent, creative, and energetic. You'll need to be able to manage a work program during the week that might have them doing a range of things including:

• Interviewing attendees (either written or by video) for their thoughts on WBCSD, the council meeting, the state of sustainability, hot topics, key issues, etc
• Doing a feature series on the ‘Future Leaders’ program that can be use in external marketing of the program - this will be a key output.
• Creative video and candid photography

The WBCSD are flexible to working with the skills of the students who take this opportunity up and are keen to hear from those of you who consider yourself writers, photographers, producers and more. We are hoping we might find two students whose skills complement each other to achieve all of the above.

The WBCSD are also keen to give you the opportunity to propose ideas for initiatives – i.e., what are your ideas about how to promote and communicate to our members? A podcast series? Recruit members to do some skits? Edit together a time-lapse video of the entire week that shows the highlights? How could you capture and showcase some of the emotional connections to sustainability issues? etc.

Commitment:

As mentioned above, all the core costs of this trip are covered. You would just need to pay for your transport to Lancaster and any activity you choose to opt into in your free time (NOT THAT YOU’LL HAVE MUCH OF THAT!). You are going to have to work hard out there! This couldn’t be further from a holiday and the expectations of everyone at the council meeting, including you, is the upmost professionalism and diligence.

You will be flying to India on the 30^th September and arriving back in Lancaster on the 8^th October. We will need you to be in Lancaster from the 26^th though for some pre-departure work and to meet the rest of the team. There will also be some work between now and then in the form of completing your visa and getting any vaccinations you are advised to get but we can help you through this.

How to apply:

We appreciate that this opportunity is being offered at very late notice so we are trying to keep the application process as simple as possible. Here’s what you’ll need to do to be in with a chance:

• Send us 500 words that:
  • Articulate why you want to take up this opportunity
  • Describe your relevant previous experience
  • Demonstrate your professionalism
• Attach or provide a link to an example of your previous work
• Provide an academic reference

The deadline for this is midday on Monday the 19^th. Please send your application to LUSU’s Student Engagement Manager: Joe Bourne

We will then invite the best of those who apply to interview (face to face or skype) on Tuesday afternoon.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail (address above) or call Joe on 01524592169.