Dr. Mirjana Stanišić

Mirjana Stanišić is project consultant and lecturer the Maastricht School of Management. Her area of expertise covers various capacity building projects especially targeting emerging economies, Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility. At this moment, she is closed to finishing her PhD degree in the field of “Natural Resource Governance and Climate Change”. Mirjana is involved in the MaastrichtMBA programme as instructor at the Online MBA course on Sustainability and Responsibility.

WHAT IS YOUR CONNECTION WITH MAASTRICHT?

For almost 15 years I am working at the Maastricht School of Management – as a project consultant in various capacity building projects especially targeting emerging economies, and in past 7 years as a lecturer in the field of Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO BECOME A LECTURER?

I believe that education is a gift. Being in a position to “unwrap” the gift together with the students, motivate them, share their enthusiasm and watching, in some cases, how they increase love for a subject during the discovery process is very rewarding.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE WITHIN THE ONLINE TRACK?

I am the instructor in Sustainability and Responsibility course.

YOU WILL BE THE INSTRUCTOR FOR THE NEXT ONLINE COURSE ON SUSTAINABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR LESSONS DURING THIS COURSE?

The topics of sustainability and responsibility is very challenging and complex. The world faces serious challenges such as climate change, demographic change, urbanisation, while our current ecological systems are being compromised. Businesses are expected to provide a solution to many problems, while staying competitive, balancing economic, social and environmental goals. One can ask a question on how are the business dealing with the current challenges, and how they are contributing to make a change and enhance sustainability.

SINCE THE CORONA OUTBREAK HAS LOCKED DOWN THE WORLD, ORGANISATIONS CHANGED RAPIDLY. HOW DO YOU THINK THIS NEW WORLD WILL BE FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS ON THE TOPIC OF SUSTAINABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY?

This crisis, although very alarming, provided a lot of change on personal and professional level in a short period of time, and made us think how we measure value and count value creation in our societies. The future is hard to predict, but I do hope that governments and society will use this crisis to rebuilt and make our world a better place. The business as usual already does not exist anymore for more than half a year. Integrating sustainability strategically into the business operations, paying attention to health and safety, developing partnerships and reinvention in the field of digital transformation could be some of the important elements of the new world.

WHAT ARE YOUR LESSONS LEARNED DURING THIS PANDEMIC CRISIS AND WHICH CHANCES DO YOU SEE THE NEAR FUTURE FOR REALISING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS?

It is to expect that pandemic crisis already influences achievement of the SDG targets in many countries – starting from negative impact on health, rise of poverty, loss of jobs, magnifying the impact of inequality.

Building resilience – ability to anticipate, deal with outbreaks and adapt is crucial for the future. I hope governments will use an opportunity to invest even more in development of green economies, restoring balance between people and planet. Actually providing us with the possibility to redesign the way we work.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY PROUD OF PROFESSIONALLY?

Getting to know that after learning about sustainability and responsibility, some students were motivated to pursue their carrier development in this direction.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE SOMETHING PERSONAL WITH THE READERS?

Since I am close to finishing my PhD, I am very busy in making plans for “what after” – seeing that quite some free time will become available. And what are the plans – still remains a secret.