IE-MASTER IN MANAGEMENT APPLICATION

Yader Rosales Rodríguez

February 2015

Question G

• Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behavior that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved?

Agenda

1. Generalities of my city

2. Sustainable Development concept – Division in three main pillars

3. Economic growth

4. Environmental protection

5. Social equality

6. Opportunities for improvement

Managua Capital of Nicaragua, the land of lakes and

volcanoes Founded in 1819 Destroyed and rebuilt after a major earthquake in

1972 Over 2 million inhabitants in an area of 544 km2

Sustainable development

According to the International Institute for Sustainable

Development, the concept is quoted as “development that

meets the needs of the present without compromising the

ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Divided in three main pillars:Economic Growth

Environmental Protection

Social Equality

Economic growth Managua is also the economic capital of my country, and as

such its inhabitants are constantly involved in sectors such as

commerce, construction and tourism.

Many people move to my city from sorrounding rural areas

looking for better job opportunities, yet this situation creates an

uneven relationship between job availability and job seekers

ultimately raising the number of underpayed employees.

While some look for economic survival, most managuas are

constantly purchasing goods and services, thanks to

goverment-controlled prices of basic food products, which

stimulates high cash flow in a small economy and in turn

stimulates economic growth.

Environmental protection

Unfortunately, managuas are not profoundly conscientious in

regards of the environment, and it is common for people to

deposit garbage in the streets or waste water indiscriminately,

for example.

Although environmental awareness campaigns are conducted,

they have been insufficient and more support from all sectors

of society is required.

Social equality

Possitive aspects Negative aspects

Managua is the reflection of the 6th place earned by Nicaragua in the 2014 Global Gender Gap Index presented by the WEF out of 142 countries, where laws to empower women are enforced and female economic participation and opportunities are rising.

Despite the vast majority of the population being catholic, many other religious denominations coexist freely.

Ever-growing disparity in wealth between the richest and the poorest sectors of society.

The government bans most protests against it, which usually take place in Managua, negating the people’s rights of freedom of opinion and speech.

The society does not regard the inclusion of disabled people into economy as a prime necessity.

Opportunities for improvement

I believe raising the standards of public education will help people in my city and country develop empowering tools that will ultimately make them able to focus on sustainable development, rather than sacrificing tomorrow’s resources for today’s economic survival. The young are the future, and the best remedy for today’s and future problems is a solid and gratuitous education.

I regard creating decent jobs with adequate compensation as a motor of change in quality of life, which is what I expect to do in the medium term upon completing my master’s degree at IE.

Thank you!