Working with diversity
ACCA sponsors student conference
14 Aug 2008
ACCA sponsored the recent Universitas 21 (U21) summer student conference. Hand-picked students from universities across the world met to discuss the opportunities and challenges diversity can offer.
Hosted by the University of Birmingham in the UK, the theme of the two-week conference was 'Embracing diversity through creativity, culture, and innovation'.
Students took part in a range of activities and workshops that addressed specific aspects of diversity, and how creativity, culture and innovation can be used to embrace the opportunities that arise from diversity.
Universitas 21 is an international network of 21 leading research-intensive universities in 14 countries - Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, the UK and US. Collectively, its members enrol over 650,000 students, employ over 130,000 staff and have over two million alumni. Sponsoring the conference gave ACCA the chance not only to support U21's work in a practical way, but also assist in the personal development of some of the brightest students around the world.
ACCA's involvement with U21 stems from closely shared core values and strategic aims. Both organisations are global entities, sharing a global focus and perspective, have a passionate interest in corporate responsibility, and are leaders and innovators in their respective fields.
The theme of the conference gave ACCA an opportunity to learn first-hand how graduates are developing skills to cope with an employment market that has become increasingly global. The interest U21 institutions have in ensuring students can engage with diverse cultures and citizens across the world mirrors ACCA's own commitment to offering qualifications that do not bind its members to business sectors or country-border constraints.