The first day of the 12th Responsible Management Education Research Conference (RMERC 2025), hosted at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, set the tone for three days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Under the autumn sun, participants engaged in creative and thought-provoking workshops designed to challenge conventional management education and inspire regenerative, inclusive approaches to teaching and leadership.
The morning began with the PRME i5 Pedagogy Workshop, a transformative introduction to the innovative i5 pedagogy developed within the PRME community. Led by Ms. Aurora Díaz-Soloaga (AlmaU) and Dr. Ekaterina Ivanova (HSE University), the workshop explored how educators can empower students to tackle global challenges and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through creative and responsible learning experiences.
Meanwhile, participants of the oikos International workshop “The End of the Race” examined the deep-rooted role of competition in management education and experimented with collaborative, regenerative approaches to learning. Through role play, improv, and embodied exercises, the session encouraged reflection on the hidden costs of competition and the power of cooperation in addressing complex global challenges.
At the same time, the Predator Games Simulation offered an experiential learning journey into moral dilemmas, collective action, and responsible citizenship. Set in a world of vampires, werewolves, and conspiracies, this interactive session challenged participants to confront issues of trust, division, and disinformation — followed by a reflective discussion on ethical leadership and critical thinking.
In the afternoon, the Post-Apocalyptic Simulation Workshop – “Divided Futures: Mars Exodus vs Earth Rebirth” immersed participants in a post-apocalyptic world of survival and decision-making. Through engaging storytelling and collaborative strategy exercises, attendees explored how creative problem-solving and teamwork can be cultivated through experiential pedagogy, even in crisis-driven scenarios.
The day culminated in the official opening ceremony and an inspiring keynote lecture, “Unlocking Value Creation: The Untapped Potential of a Just and Regenerative Mindset,” delivered by Gemma Bridgman, Principal Sustainability Strategist at Forum for the Future. Drawing on her extensive experience in sustainability at Unilever, Capgemini, Aviva, and The Crown Estate, Gemma shared powerful insights on how adopting regenerative mindsets can help organizations create multiple forms of value and address today’s most pressing global challenges.
The day concluded with a lively evening cocktail reception, where participants connected, shared reflections, and celebrated the inspiring start of RMERC 2025.