In an effort to integrate theory and practice in a global context, 23 students from the Professional Master's in International Management (MPGI) at FGV EAESP participated in an immersive seminar on innovation and circular economy in Brazil. These students, from 13 nationalities and 16 different universities, spent a week exploring the circular value chain of the Brazilian packaging ecosystem.

Block Seminar: Focus on Circular Economy

Held from July 30 to August 2, this year's Block Seminar focused on "Innovation and Circular Economy for Social Impact" and was taught by professors Susana Pereira and Cristina Sartoretto. Over four days, students attended lectures by experts, visited companies, and faced a practical challenge. Among the speakers were Fabrício Soler, an environmental law specialist, and Gustavo Loiola, Head of Leadership Education at the UN Global Compact.

The students visited three companies to better understand the circular value chain of packaging in Brazil:

1. Cazoolo, Braskem's Circular Packaging Design Laboratory: At this innovation hub, students learned about sustainable packaging solutions and the impact of these innovations on the circular economy. Yuri Carvalho, Head of Cazoolo, explained how design is crucial for sustainability.
2. Natura & Co.: After visiting Natura’s factory in Cajamar, Sergio Talocchi, Manager of Sustainable Chains for Latin America, discussed how the company works to improve the circularity of its products and the challenges faced in this journey.
3. Ambipar Group: The group is a leader in environmental management, operating in multiples sectors, and the visit was essential for students to learn about and understand the Brazilian reality in the solid waste management chain. There, they could observe the realities of cooperatives and their implementation process. They also had the opportunity to visit the group's Research & Development laboratory and the training center, which focuses on occupational risk prevention and workplace safety.

The Practical Challenge

Students were divided into groups to tackle a challenge: "How to improve post-consumer waste management in Brazil with the participation of waste pickers and cooperatives?" With mentoring from program professors and Edy Merendino, a specialist in circular economy, the groups developed social impact initiatives, proposing new products, services, business models, or management practices.

Brazilian Context and Social Impact

For many of these international students, it was their first contact with the reality of waste pickers, a crucial figure in Brazil’s recycling process, but non-existent in many of their home countries. Immersion in the Brazilian context provided a deep understanding of the complexities of solid waste management, including legal, social, and technological aspects.

The Block Seminar not only provided in-depth knowledge about circular economy and sustainable innovation in Brazil but also challenged students to think critically and develop practical solutions for real problems. This experience, rich in learning and networking, highlighted the importance of international collaboration in the pursuit of a more sustainable future.

The participation of MPGI/CEMS students from FGV EAESP in the Block Seminar reinforces the relevance of academic programs that combine theoretical rigor with practical application, preparing global leaders to face complex challenges with innovative and socially responsible solutions.

More about the MPGI/CEMS Program Structure

The MPGI is part of the CEMS Alliance, which brings together 33 of the world’s best business schools. Students in this program attend up to two different universities during their master's, spending up to six months at each institution. In São Paulo, at FGV, the diverse group began their journey with the Block Seminar, an intensive and mandatory course that marks the first week at the university. 

For more information about MPGI, click here.