School of System Change in Finance
Supporting a movement of people in finance to catalyse transformative change towards a resilient, just and regenerative economy.
fundamentals
School of System Change in Finance
2025
Join a movement for change
In the face of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss and rising inequalities, there is a need for deep transitions towards a resilient, just and regenerative economy. Finance is both part of the problem and a key part of the solution.
Unless and until the financial system is realigned with the Paris Agreement targets and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it seems unlikely that those globally agreed targets will be realised. The consequences of this will not only be catastrophic for people and the planet but will significantly threaten the future of the financial system as we know it. Therefore, it is in the self-interest of those in the financial services sector to fulfil their duties as active stewards to uphold market integrity and to scrutinise the macro-environment, particularly the existing international financial architecture that shapes financial decision making so that it serves long-term resilience and prosperity for all.
Macro stewardship involves actively engaging governments, policymakers, regulators and supervisors of finance, as well as non-governmental organisations, academics and other key influencers to correct material market failures connected to sustainability issues. It involves using the latent influence of the finance sector on sustainability issues, going beyond change within individual organisations to build the enabling conditions that can deliver the Paris Agreement targets and the SDGs. It means changing the finance system and its underpinnings. This ambition depends on a sufficient number of banks and insurers and investors stepping up to drive change. It requires action on multiple levers and will depend on mobilisation of diverse change actors playing complementary roles. But financial sector players are not generally well-tooled in systems change and how to drive it. We will need to think differently, work with complexity and learn fast.
We want to catalyse a movement for change with the power to deliver this ambition, and we are inviting you to be part of it!
What you'll learn
We are inviting you to participate in the third cohort of the School of System Change in Finance, launched by Aviva Investors in partnership with Forum for the Future, School of System Change, and Edge Effects. With a cohort of other ambitious changemakers in finance, this is an opportunity to:
- Develop your understanding of systems change and systems dynamics and how they apply to finance
- Learn a selection of system change tools and frameworks, and practise applying them to complex macro finance challenges
- Refine your own role as a changemaker, identifying where and how you and your organisation can exert influence for most impact
- Meet amazing participants and guest speakers, and seed a movement with the power to make change possible
Facilitators
Cohort
Is the course for me?
We are looking for inspired and ambitious leaders from across the finance system who are keen to contribute to wider change in the finance sector and to build their own capacity to drive deep change for sustainability. We seek a mixed cohort of players involved in finance - from banking, investment, insurance, regulation, policy, or advisory.
We expect you will have a strategic role with decision-making capacity within your organisation and professional context so that you are well placed to directly and promptly apply your learning, and to feasibly implement strategic changes and influence.
We assume a strong level of understanding of the finance system - you work in it or on it. And a good understanding of sustainability (defined broadly as social and environmental issues in today’s world), as we do not include any introduction or specific knowledge on this as part of the course. We expect that our participants will have varied backgrounds and contexts and this is fine (and in fact desired), while sharing a curiosity about how systems change and ambition to use your position to make a difference within the finance system.
You must have a strong command of the English language, written and spoken, to participate.
Equity & Diversity
We seek to create safe and brave spaces for participants from different backgrounds and lived experience to engage in learning together. We acknowledge the power and responsibility we hold in our role as a convenor and learning provider, placing multiple ways of knowing and awareness of difference as fundamental design principles in our programmes.
Read more about our commitment and journey around equity and difference here.
Accessibility needs
If you anticipate requiring additional support for your wellbeing, learning or access needs during the course, then please let the team know as soon as possible, so we can factor this into our session design. You can let us know in the application form or email us at [email protected]. We are happy to arrange a call to discuss how we can support your learning. The course producer will also be on hand throughout the course if you have any questions or concerns to raise.
Date & Time
Course dates & times
- Information session: Wednesday 6 November 2024, 14:30-15:15 GMT
- Application deadline: Thursday 21 November 2024, 13:00 GMT
First Intensive
- Mon 3 & Tue 4 February 2025 (Two full days, in person)
- Venue: The Royal Foundation of St Katharine, London (United Kingdom)
Online Sessions
All online sessions will take place 09:30-13:30 GMT/BST / 10:30-14:30 CE(S)T.
- Session 1: Mon 10 March 2025
- Session 2: Mon 14 April 2025
Closing Event
- Mon 19 May 2025 (Full day, in person)
- Venue TBC (London, United Kingdom)
You can join from anywhere in the world, so long as you can attend all the dates and times listed above - for both online and in-person sessions.
A note about sessions
To get the most out of this experience, we ask you to do everything you can to arrange your schedule so you can be fully present for all sessions. Please note that this is to support the learning experience of your fellow participants as well as your own. If it is impossible for you to join us for a part of or an entire session for any reason, please let the team know as soon as possible so that we can take this into account with our session design.
Info Session
Learn more about the course from Rachel and Raphaël at our 45-minute information session on Wednesday 6 November at 14:30 GMT / 15:30 CET.
Missed the info session? Watch the recording below.
Course Fees
The full cost to deliver the high-quality transformational learning experience, including a two-day in-person retreat in London and some coaching accompaniment, is £2600 per participant.
Our partner, Aviva Investors provides the financial support for the vast majority of the cost related to this programme. To enable a diverse cohort of participants, we ask for a suggested contribution of £600 from those who are from large or commercial organisations, which helps make the course financially viable and provide bursary positions for small organisations or not-for-profits who are not in a position to contribute to course costs. Please let us know if you need a bursary position or reduced fees. We do not want fees to be a barrier to entry.
Travel and accommodation are not included in the fees. We can share a list of other accommodation options including the retreat venue.
Apply
Complete our application form by Monday 25 November 2024 at 13:00 GMT. It usually takes about 20-25 minutes. You can save your progress as you go and will be emailed a copy of your answers at the end.
The School of System Change in Finance is a partnership between Aviva Investors, Forum for the Future, School of System Change, and Edge Effects.
Contact Us
Are you interested in speaking with one of our team to answer any specific questions you may have? Please use the button below or just shoot us an email at [email protected]. We're looking forward to hearing from you!