The 7th generation…

Ever since I worked at IKEA organizing an event with the theme Sustainability I have gained more knowledge and a better understanding but also a great interest of this special topic. I have had the pleasure to listen to several fantastic lecturers such as Sasja Beslik at Banco Fonder, he talks about Corporate Social Responsibility and ethical investments, Erland Källén who is professor in dynamic metrology at Stockholm University and Thomas Bergmark who is in charge of Sustainability affairs within IKEA Group to just mention a few!

Sustainability is very often misread as just environmental issues but it is so much more! It includes factors and directives on so many levels; social, ethical, economical and environmental. IKEA has something called IWAY which stands for The IKEA Way on Purchasing Home Furnishing Products. It is simply code of conduct. The company has also supplemented IWAY with a specific code of conduct for child labour – The IKEA Way on Preventing Child Labour. Other code of conducts is The IKEA Way on Distributing Home Furnishing Products and The IKEA Way on Purchasing Food. So Sustainability is here to stay, it is very clear that IKEA has incorporated it with the business idea and vision.

When I first heard the word I remembered a phrase from the Native Americans, the 7^th generation. This is a term used when making powerful decisions, to consider how the 7^th generation will be impacted of what you are about to do. To actually make a sustainable decision for future generations. Many Native Americans are organized in different groups that target this factor with a spiritual insight as they feel we are all connected.

So, on a personal note, if I consider the 7^th generation in my own personal life a lot of things just falls away, not that strange! Health, family and friends are key factors but if I would to apply the 7^th generation what would I have to change? Is it even possible? I think so! Because on a personal level it is not the big gestures, it is the conscious decisions that matters and that I make them on a daily basis. For instance my purchase patterns have changed, my view of things has changed and my perceptions have changed. It is a great start!

Academedia is organizing an inspirational event the 15^th of October this year and we are so happy to announce that Thomas Bergmark from IKEA is one the lectures! More information is coming up.

Donna