The “Future of Capitalism” course invites participants to explore how the role of business is being redefined amid rapid social and environmental transformation. Through interactive discussions with internationally renowned thinkers, the program examines the urgent questions facing capitalism today—its limitations, its evolving expectations, and the innovative approaches reshaping responsible leadership. From purpose-led management to the relationship between business and planetary well-being, the course encourages participants to consider new models that move beyond traditional paradigms.
This year’s program will feature dialogues with globally influential voices, including Paul Polman (Former CEO of Unilever), John Elkington (pioneer of the sustainability movement), and Roman Krznaric (author of The Good Ancestor). Each session delves into essential themes such as corporate governance, ESG, human rights, and the future of management education. Participants will be challenged to reflect on their responsibilities as leaders and envision how organizations can thrive while contributing positively to society and the planet.
By the end of the course, participants will gain fresh perspectives, practical tools, and a renewed sense of purpose to help shape a more sustainable and inclusive future for business.
Launched in 2021 by IESE Business School (Spain) and Shizenkan University (Japan), the Future of Capitalism (FoC) Project has grown into a global initiative dedicated to reimagining capitalism for the 21st century. The inaugural program—developed with Fundação Getulio Vargas (Brazil) and the School of Inspired Leadership (India)—has since expanded into a consortium of more than 20 leading institutions, including Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (UK); Seoul National University (South Korea); National University of Singapore; and IPADE Business School (Mexico).
For 2026, the program is opening general enrollment to MBA/EMBA students and recent graduates from any institution. Participants will study alongside MBA cohorts from 20+ partner schools worldwide and, upon meeting requirements, will receive a certificate of completion.
Overview
| Course name | The Future of Capitalism: Exploring the Roles and Responsibilities of Business Enterprises and Leaders |
| Course period | January 13th, 2026 – April 21st, 2026 |
| Number of sessions | 11 sessions of 2 hours and 15 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Format | Online |
| Application deadline | Sunday, December 21st, 2025 by 12:00pm (JST) |
| Selection period | Monday, December 22nd, 2025 – Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 |
| Fees | Free |
Class schedule (subject to change)
| Session 1 | Tuesday, January 13, 2025, 21:00-23:15 | Future of MBA Education: What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of Business Schools?
Welcome remarks from the project so-initiators: Prof. Franz Heukamp (Dean of IESE Business School, Spain) Prof. Tomo Noda (President and Chair, Shizenkan University, Japan) Speaker: Paul Polman (Business leader, investor, philanthropist; Former CEO, Unilever) Discussants: Prof. Franz Heukamp (Dean of IESE Business School, Spain) Prof. Jean-Francois Manzoni (Former President, Professor of Leadership and Organizational Development, IMD) Facilitator: Prof. Raj Sisodia (Distinguished Professor of Conscious Enterprise, EGADE Business School, Mexico) |
| Session 2 | Tuesday, January 20, 21:00-23:15 | Where Are the Capital Markets Heading (Including ESG and Impact Investment)? How Can We Tame the Capital Markets?
Speakers/Discussants: Matt Christensen (Global Head of Sustainable & Impact Investing, Allianz) Prof. Jesper Koll (Adjunct Professor, Shizenkan University; Global Ambassador, Monex Group, Inc.) Facilitator: Prof. Fabrizio Ferraro (Professor of Strategic Management, IESE Business School; Academic Director of Institute for Sustainability Leadership) |
| Session 3 | Tuesday, January 27, 21:00-23:15 | Where Are We Going? What Are the Challenges Facing Business Enterprises and Leaders at This Critical Time of Change in Capitalism?
Speakers/Discussants: To be announced Facilitator: Prof. Peter David Pedersen (Co-founder and Executive Director of NELIS – Next Leaders’ Initiative for Sustainability; Professor, Shizenkan University) |
| Session 4 | Tuesday, February 3, 21:00-23:15 | Exploring Purpose-Driven Management
Speaker: Prof. Colin Mayer (Emeritus Professor, Saïd Business School University of Oxford) Facilitator: Prof. Govert Vroom (Professor, Strategic Management Department, IESE) |
| Session 5 | Tuesday, February 10, 21:00-23:15 | What Is a Company, and What Is a Manager? Revisiting and Going Beyond Agency Theory
Speaker: Tomo Noda (President and Chair, Shizenkan University) Facilitator: Prof. Lawrence Loh (Professor and Director of Centre for Governance and Sustainability, National University of Singapore) |
| Session 6 | Tuesday, February 24, 21:00-23:15 | Examining the Relationship Between Companies and Society. Human Rights Issues
Speaker: To be announced Facilitator: Prof. Niloy Biswas (Professor of International Relations, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh) |
| Session 7 | Tuesday, March 3, 21:00-23:15 | What Are Employees for a Corporation? Considering the Relationship with Employees
Speakers: Hubert Joly (Former CEO, Best Buy) Discussant: Prof. Jean-Francois Manzoni (Former President, Professor of Leadership and Organizational Development, IMD) Facilitator: Mr. Anil Sachdev (Founder and Chairman, School of Inspired Leadership, India; Founder and Former CEO, Grow Talent) |
| Session 8 | Tuesday, March 24, 21:00-23:15 | Reflecting on the Relationship Between Companies and the Planet
Speakers: Mads Christensen (Executive Director, Greenpeace International) Discussant: John Elkington (Chief Pollinator, Volans; author of “Green Swans”) Facilitator: Prof. Edson Kenji Kondo (Dean, School of Public Policy and Government, Fundação Getulio Vargas, Brazil) |
| Session 9 | Tuesday, April 7, 20:00-22:15 | Circular Economy and Business Models: From Vision to Implementation
Speakers: Thomas Rau (Architect & Thought Leader) Sabine Oberhuber (Co-founder, Turntoo) Facilitator: Prof. Alon Rozen (Dean, CEO & Professor of Innovation, École des Ponts Business School) |
| Session 10 | Tuesday, April 14, 20:00-22:15 | Redefining and Measuring Corporate Value Creation
Speakers: Pavan Sukhdev (Founder & CEO, GIST Impact; Former President and Chair of WWF International) Fabio Barbosa (TBC) (Chairman of the Board, Natura) Facilitator: Prof. David Veredas (Professor of Finance and Associate Dean for Sustainability, Vlerick Business School, Belgium) |
| Session 11 | Tuesday, April 21, 20:00-22:15 | The Roles and Responsibilities of Business Leaders – Can We Become Good Ancestors?
Speakers: Roman Krznaric (Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University; author of “The Good Ancestor”) Prof. Raj Sisodia (Distinguished Professor of Conscious Enterprise, EGADE Business School, Mexico) Facilitator: Louise Kjellerup Roper (CEO, Volans; Board Member, ENSO Tyres) |
Participating schools 2026
- Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
- Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
- Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, USA
- École des Ponts Business School, France
- EGADE Business School, Mexico
- Fundação Getulio Vargas, Brazil
- Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
- IESE Business School, Spain
- Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, India
- IPADE Business School, Mexico
- IPB University School of Business, Indonesia
- Lagos Business School, Nigeria
- National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Next Leaders’ Initiative for Sustainability, Japan
- Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan
- Royal Roads University, Canada
- Said Business School, University of Oxford, UK
- School of Inspired Leadership, India
- Seoul National University, South Korea
- Shizenkan University, Japan
- Universiti Sains Malaysia Graduate School of Business, Malaysia
- University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Vlerick Business School, Belgium
Contact us
Future of Capitalism Project, Graduate School of Leadership and Innovation, Shizenkan University
Address: Nihonbashi Takashimaya Mitsui Building 17F
2-5-1 Nihonbashi Chuo-ku Tokyo 103-6117 Japan
E-mail: admissions@futureofcapitalism.net
*The Shizenkan University office will be closed for winter vacation from December 24 to January 4.
We will strive to respond to all urgent inquiries and emails once we resume regular operations on January 5, 2025 (Monday).