The University of the Philippines Open University-Faculty of Management and Development Studies (UPOU-FMDS) conducted lectures on Sustainability Governance and Sustainable Finance at the UPOU Audiovisual Room last 11 February 2025. These were held in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including Quality Education (SDG 4) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).
Dr. Eing-ming Wu, a visiting professor at the University of the Philippines – National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), discussed about sustainability and accountable governance highlighting five key topics including the role of government in governance, the role and ethics of civil servants, the importance of forward-thinking leadership and collaboration, governance, law, and policy as enablers, and the dynamics of society and governance.
Dr. Wu emphasized that governance should be a partnership between the government and the society, with the government acting as an enabler rather than the sole provider of solutions. He also highlighted the importance of integrating Filipino cultural values such as bayanihan (collaborative unity), utang na loob (accountability), industriousness, and excellence into public governance to improve administrative efficiency, responsiveness, and accountability.
By redefining utang na loob as a commitment to serve the public rather than personal interests, public servants could strengthen accountability. Dr. Wu also stressed the need to revive cultural values like hiya (propriety) and delicadeza (ethical leadership) to uphold integrity in governance. He also urged that malasakit (compassion) be extended beyond personal relationships to create a more people-centric, responsive, and inclusive government.
Dr. Wu concluded by challenging the audience to move beyond admiration of Filipino culture and instead use it to drive meaningful transformation in governance, creating a model of efficiency, effectiveness, accuracy, and accountability.
In the afternoon session, Dr. Urooj Malik, an Associate Professor at University Canada West and adjunct professor at UPOU, delved into the topic of “The Role of Sustainable Finance in Transforming Business Paradigms”. His talk explored the key drivers of sustainability, analyzed the main pillars of sustainable development, and illustrated the vital connection between finance and sustainability, including a case study that assessed the impact of sustainable outcomes.
Dr. Malik explained how sustainable finance plays a pivotal role in transforming the financial landscape to support sustainable development. He defined Sustainable Finance as the interaction between finance and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues.
He also highlighted the increasing global movement toward sustainable financing, noting that sustainable business strategies are unique to each organization and are tailored to their specific goals and values. This also emphasized how organizations must adapt to new business models that integrate finance and sustainability.
Bringing governance and finance together in the sustainability discourse, the event provided insights on how the integration of key cultural values, ethical leadership, and financial strategies can help address the world’s pressing challenges through the lens of sustainability.
This lecture series is part of UPOU’s ongoing efforts to engage academic and professional communities in discussions about the critical role of sustainable practices in governance and business. Through initiatives like these, UPOU-FMDS continues to contribute to global conversations on sustainability and sustainable development, empowering individuals and organizations to take meaningful action towards a more sustainable future.
Written by: Vanessa Autor and Anne Pauline Del Rosario • Edited by: Larry N. Cruz
Sustainable Development Goals
FMDS Socials