Shaping circular economy at the International Summer School, University of Ljubljana
In July, the International Summer School at the University of Ljubljana, School of Business and Economics, ran the first edition of the course Shaping circular economy developed and hosted by Ladeja Godina Košir and the Circular Change team, under the leadership of Dr. Maja Zalaznik.
SHAPING CIRCULAR ECONOMY, a three-week summer programme for the undergraduate students and young professionals at the start of their business or circular economy career, equipped the students with the skills and knowledge to understand international business environment, business models and marketing concepts with the focus on circular economy as a systemic, holistic, interdisciplinary approach towards the sustainable international market.
Besides increasing their circular economy knowledge through the expert led sessions and collaborative team projects, students engaged with leading circular economy practitioners and expanded their professional network.
Throughout the engaging, action-packed programme, the students explored different dimensions of shaping the circular economy from the climate, business and social impacts, innovation, design, circular thinking to policymaking, governance and other. Some of the activities the students got engaged with:
Climate fresk project by the French Institute Slovenia
Sustainable business hand in hand with responsible drinking – business case of Pivovarna Laško Union (Heineken group). Students were challenged to explore circular solutions for the beverage packaging.
Circular thinking and circular business models by Marco Segovia Bifarini and Ram Dušić Hren of Circular Change team
Circular economy fashion challenge by Thinkubator, Austria
Guided tours to Pivovarna Laško Union brewery, Aquafil Slovenia (circular nylon production), MAO Slovenija (architecture and design) extended and deepened our understanding of circular design and circular business.
Prof. Jacqueline Cramer, former Dutch minister of the Environment, Amsterdam economic board, addressed the students directly from Australia, on the role of transition brokers and network governance.
You can find out more about the Summer School Shaping circular economy programme here.
The main learning outcomes of the programme: • To understand the complexity of the international business environment with the focus on circular economy; • To learn how to analyze international markets and industries in perspective of competitive, sustainable and purpose driven organization; • To distinguish between different circular economy business models and understand which work when; • To understand the specifics of international marketing vis-à-vis domestic marketing, standardization/adaptation; • To understand how cross-cultural challenges impact international marketing decision in circular economy systems; • To understand principles of network governance and orchestration of different stakeholders; • To learn about key international marketing issues based on practical examples and case studies in circular economy.
We are looking forward to meeting the next group of students next summer and together embarking on our journey of cocreation, collective wisdom and shaping the circular economy!