Programme information

Corporate Affairs Leadership Programme (CALP)

This is the inaugural Corporate Affairs Leadership Programme delivered by CISL Africa and Wits School of Governance (WSG).

Overview

In an era defined by global uncertainty and shifting local realities – from geopolitical turbulence to rapidly evolving legal frameworks and intensifying stakeholder scrutiny and expectation – corporate affairs and sustainability professionals in Africa find themselves at the crossroads of navigating these complex forces shaping our world. They stand at the intersection of business strategy, public policy, and corporate reputation and must be equipped to advise CEOs, Boards, and Excos with clarity, ethics, and exceptional foresight.

The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and the Wits School of Governance (WSG) developed CALP to meet this growing demand.

Key Themes to be explored include:

Forces shaping the world: Climate science, geopolitics, and economic trends
AI and its opportunities for Africa and its impact on development
Regulatory shifts and implications for business strategy
Leadership, governance, and public diplomacy for systemic change
Social innovation and entrepreneurship, and competitive sustainability

Agenda

Day 1 : Tuesday 3 June

Forces shaping the world

08.00 – 08.30: Delegate arrival and registration - refreshments available
08.30 – 09.00: 1.0 Opening, welcome and context setting
09.00 – 09.30: 1.1 Roadmap for the Corporate Affairs Leadership Programme
09.30 – 10.30: 1.2 Forces shaping our world
10.30 – 11.00: Break
11.00 – 12.00: 1.3 Forces shaping the world: climate science
12.00 – 13.00: 1.4 Forces shaping the world : geopolitics poly-crisis
13.00 – 14.00: Lunch
14.00 – 15.00: 1.5 Forces shaping the world : economic poly-crisis and existential risk
15.00 – 16.30: 1.6 Afternoon syndicate groups – getting to know your peers and their context
16.30 – 17.30: Free Time
17.30 – 18.15: Walk from Moller Institute to punting
18.30 – 19.30: Punting - Traditional Punting Cambridge, Landing Stage, Thompsons Ln, Cambridge
19.30 – 20.30: Pub dinner - Anchor Cambridge, Silver Street, Cambridge

Evaluation Form - Day 1 Presentation - Day 1

Day 2 : Wednesday 4 June

The changing context for business and investment – risks and opportunities

09.00 – 10.00: 2.1 Morning syndicate groups/reflections – organisational focus
10.00 – 10.30: 2.2 Orientation: roadmap and reflections
10.30 – 11.30: 2.3 Artificial Intelligence and its likely impact on African business
11.30 – 11.50: Break
11.50 – 12.50: 2.4: Implications for business strategy and purpose: how some European and Asian businesses are responding to the poly-crisis.
12.50 – 13.50: 2.5 What’s the direction of the regulatory environment in Europe
13.50 – 14.50: Lunch
14.50 – 15.50: 2.6 Implications for leadership: Narrative and stakeholder engagement
15.50 – 16.50: 2.7 Social innovation and Entrepreneurship in Africa, a plan by Mastercard Foundation
Travel to Entopia, Regent Street
16.50 – 17.50: 2.8 The Cambridge innovation phenomenon at Entopia
17.50 – 18.30: 2.8 Evening syndicate – reflection
Aim: To reflect on the discussions of the day, share thinking and experiences and to probe on relevant leadership questions
19.00 – 19.30: Pre-dinner reception - OSRC Room, Queens College with speaker Prof Gerry Gilmore, Institute of Astronomy
19.30 – 20.30: Gala Dinner - Munro Room, Queens College, Cambridge

Evaluation Form - Day 2 Presentation - Day 2

Day 3 : Thursday 5 June

CSO Forum & CLG Anniversary Dinner

09.30 – 10.00: Tea & coffee on arrival
10.00 – 10.20: 1.0 Welcome and introductions
10.20 – 11.10: 2.0 Competing in the Age of Disruption: the case for competitive sustainability
11.10 – 12.00: 3.0 The Strategic Imperative – redefining value in a disrupted world
12.00 – 13.00: Lunch and clinic selection
13.00 – 14.00: 4.0 Clinic 1 - The Organisational Imperative: how business can drive market change
14.00 – 14.25: 4.1 Clinic 1 – Feedback in plenary
14.25 – 15.25: 5.0 Clinic 2 - The Organisational Imperative: how business can drive market change
15.25 – 15.50: 5.1 Clinic 2 - Plenary sharing
15.50 – 16.10: Break and networking
16.10 – 17.00: 6.0 The CSO as Architects of Transformation
17.00 – 17.20: 7.0 Conclusions & next steps
17.20 – 18.00: Break and transfer to the dinner venue (Entopia tour option)
18.00 – 21.30: CLG 20th Anniversary Celebratory Drinks and Dinner, Downing College

Evaluation Form - Day 3 Presentation - Day 3