Workshop statement I

'We cannot be successful nor can we call ourselves successful in a society that fails'

With this in mind DSM is implementing an ambitious sustainability agenda. The present ecological and economical climate calls for effective solutions for:

- Health & wellness: addressing hidden hunger, in both developing and developed world, adding functionality to food;

- Functionality & performance: doing more (functionality) with less (material);

- Climate & energy: sustainable energy, alternative (bio-based) production processes, reducing fossil fuel dependency;

- Emerging economies: sustainable growth, assuring wealth creation for a growing world population.

Fokko Wientjes, Corporate Sustainable Development, DSM NV

Question: DSM is a company that develops products and technologies that touch all of our lives. They do so responsibly (see especially here). How does their decision to pursue responsible research, development and worldwide production affect you personally?

Are you doing "good work"?

According to author Howard Gardner, profiled in last week's NY Times, there are three questions you can ask yourself to see if you're doing "good work":
1) Does it fit your values?
2) Does it evoke excellence; are you highly competent and effective at what you do? and
3) Does it bring you that subjective barometer of engagement, joy?

Are you doing good work?