This fifth module of the programme was hosted by KPMG and facilitated by Sarah Denie and Damaris Matthijsen. With Sarah Denie we explored the field of complexity of economics and the dynamics of social change by discussing how inner values reflect outer patterns of behaviour and how the perception of the outer influences our inner believes at the same time.

Next, Damaris Matthijsen guided us in small groups to share our thoughts about the concepts of Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood. We started to visualize these concepts in our minds, shared our personal experiences with the group and took a group picture in a setting expressing our images (I level). Subsequently, we approached the concepts on a WE level, touching upon the human relations related to Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood. Then we analysed how society would look like (ALL level) if these three concepts where applied in an economic system (IT level).

Finally, we addressed the question of how change actually happens. Sarah Denie presented three possible paths for system change:
1) outside intervention,
2) through system dynamics and
3) by waves of change through the system as a whole.
Her presentation was followed by a lively group discussion and the main finding was that the dominant world view is still about intervention in the current (old) system. Vested interests within the system try to repair the old system. Nevertheless, what could we do with something that becomes obsolete? The ‘old economic system’ has already noticed a growing undercurrent that represents the need for change. In fact, change is a natural thing and therefore progressive minds should collaborate and facilitate people’s willingness to change. Hence, we have learned that future leaders face the challenge to encourage people to move towards sustainability. By means of passion and energy can we as future Leaders for Economic Change identify beacons on this journey to system change. Along the way society will experience elements of collapse and creative destruction but this will facilitate the creation of a more sustainable future.