Sustainability specialists will be converging at The ICC in Birmingham at 12 noon on Monday 15th September for an interactive debate. The focus of the debate will be looking at issues facing up and coming managers and future leaders in the development of green strategies in the work place. The event, organised by Birmingham City University, follows research into attitudes and influences in developing green policies, reviewing how individuals can proactively apply green lifestyle choices in the workplace.
The Big Debate will feature journalist & broadcaster, Lucy Siegle, leading blogger for treehugger.com, Leonora Oppenheim (expert in eco design) and Birmingham Post and Mail environmental correspondent Patrice John. The debate is supported by the Young Institute of Directors and Birmingham Future who, along with audience members, will be adding to the debate via live interactive pods. Panel members will be specifically commenting on how to engage new leaders with the green agenda, based on key research outcomes and also working with the audience to establish how to set a sustainable footprint for the future.
Joanna Birch, Head of Corporate Relations at Birmingham City University said, “Birmingham City University is working on over 20 specific projects looking at how businesses and the community can develop processes and thinking to make them more sustainable. Initial research has identified that one of the biggest challenges in effecting change is influencing minds throughout an organisation and empowering individuals to feel they can effect change. Birmingham City University’s mission is to drive and support economic prosperity in the city. The sustainability issue is of significance to all businesses, private and public and we feel that by reviewing attitudes amongst emerging managers and future leaders we can facilitate thinking for a new generation and add a new dimension to the green debate.
Lucy Siegle 
Adrian Gahan
Leonora Oppenheim 
Patrice John
Max Fraser 
