EDINBURGH – Malaysia’s PETRA Group is one of only 71 companies around the world invited to participate in the recently concluded Vision 2045 Summit held here from November 8 to November 10.
Its chairman and chief executive Datuk (Dr) Vinod Sekhar shared his insights on sustainability and social capitalism in a panel discussion on “Quality Education”, which is anchored on the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He specifically expounded on SDG 4, which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
The SDGs are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
The summit was held here in conjunction with the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) occurring simultaneously in Glasgow, another major Scottish city.
It featured a series of roundtables and panel discussions, gathering leaders from both the public and private sectors, as well as journalists, government officials and UN representatives to share their sustainability practices and thoughts on addressing climate change.
Datin Winy Sekhar, chairman of Vinod Sekhar Foundation, and Datuk Seri Shaik Aqmal Allauddin, who is PETRA Group executive director, were also in attendance at the summit.
Vinod was also accompanied by PETRA Group chief sustainability officer Mooreyameen Mohamad, PETRA Eco Build managing director Rick Singh, and Good Capitalism Forum chief executive Prof Dr Graham Kendall.
“Corruption and the lack of education weaken societies,” Vinod said during the discussion.
“This is why education is important in creating awareness and lifting communities while enabling them to compete effectively in an economy.
The days of businesses steering away from community building are over. Businesses must be part of the process with or without government intervention.
“When businesses make profits out of an ecosystem or a community, they must make it a point to lift that ecosystem or community in order to create a life-cycle of profitability, which will benefit everyone,” he added.
The other panellists with Vinod were Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce sustainable advisory head Dominique Barker, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis sustainability director Jessica Davis, and Schumacher Packaging chief sustainability officer Jochen Drosel.
PETRA Group, a diversified global conglomerate with its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, is involved in sustainable technologies, manufacturing, infrastructure, media, entertainment, agriculture, lifestyle, consulting services, research and philanthropy. – The Vibes, November 13, 2021
