1. Why are we implementing a Values Statement? What are our goals? Where did the idea come from?

• As CEMS students, we stand for more than academic excellence and an international outlook: being part of the CEMS community implies upholding certain values and recognising the influence that we may have on those around us.
• Based on the student-initiated idea of implementing a CEMS-wide Commitment to professional and ethical conduct and respect towards each other and society, the concept of a Values Statement upon starting our professional lives arose.
• The CEMS MIM programme helps hundreds of students successfully launch their career every year, and CEMS values should not be forgotten upon graduation; on the contrary, graduands should be reminded of and challenged to uphold them throughout their professional lives.
• The statement will serve as a valuable link between graduation ceremonies from year to year and a manifestation of our commitment to being responsible leaders and Global Citizens.

2. Why should I sign a document when my actions speak louder than words? What are we actively doing to comply with these values?

• The CEMS Global Value Statement is intended as a public statement of intent to follow the spirit of CEMS and those values which unite our community.
• The principles outlined in the GVS should compliment an individual’s own values and should be seen as unifying principles among all CEMS students and graduates.

3. I never sign anything before reading it. Will I be able to read the Graduation Statement before the graduation? Where?

• The Statement is publicly available online (cems.org and social networking sites e.g. FaceBook, LinkedIn etc.). Additionally, the Statement will be explained again just before the Graduation Ceremony, and read out during proceedings, to ensure that everyone is aware of its wording and implications.

4. How does the signing of the GVS work in practice?

• When graduands register online for their Graduation Ceremony, they will be able to indicate whether or not they intend to sign the statement. The final decision, however, is up to each graduand on Graduation Day.
• The oath will be read out by a graduand during the Ceremony, after which all graduands will have the opportunity to sign the statement and receive a small copy of the GVS.
• The signed statements will be bound into a book and every cohort’s signed GVS book will be kept in the CEMS Head Office.

5. What about those graduands who are not present at the graduation ceremony? How will they be able to sign the statement?

• Those who are graduating in absentia may sign the GVS online in the cems.org private zone if they wish to do so.

6. I agree with CSR overall, but I don’t agree with some elements in the statement and therefore I want to change it / I want to sign only part of the statement. Can I?

• Unfortunately, a partial signing of the Statement is logistically impossible. The Statement is intended as a set of guiding principles which together form the fundamental values of Global Citizenship. Should you have serious concerns about the inclusion of any values or their formulation, please contact the Student Board.
• Again, the principles outlined in the GVS should compliment an individual’s own values and should be seen as unifying principles among all CEMS students and graduates.

7. I don’t want to sign this. Am I allowed not to sign it? Will I graduate if I don’t sign it?

• It is up to every graduand whether they would like to sign the Statement. Should they choose to refrain from doing so, they will of course graduate like everyone else provided that they have met the CEMS MIM academic requirements.

8. What is CEMS doing to promote similar principles from an institutional side?

• The CEMS Alliance will sign the UN Principles of Responsible Management Education (http://www.unprme.org/the-6-principles/index.php). More than half of CEMS member schools have already ratified the UN PRME, with the remaining currently being urged to consider doing so.
• Carefully selected Social Partners will form a new stakeholder group of the Alliance. These will be not-for-profit organisations (e.g. CARE and Max Havellar/Fairtrade) and will be incorporated into the alliance in the near future. It is hoped that CEMS students will be able to provide these organisations with their managerial knowledge through Business Projects and internships and that the non-profits will be able to raise awareness of their causes and activities through Skills Seminars and classroom workshops.

9. How does this fit with the overall CEMS Social Responsibility strategy?

• The Statement publicly shows the CEMS Alliance’s commitment to the values included and is closely linked to the overall Mission Statement of the CEMS Alliance.
• This means an explicit emphasis not only on professional and academic excellence but on personal qualities and the sense of responsibility of ‘future leaders’.

10. Why is this important and why do we devote our resources to this?

• As part of a global realisation that values extending beyond mere profit are integral, the Statement will serve us well and distinguish our community and its priorities.
• Being a member of the CEMS community implies upholding a definite set of values and principles and recognising the influence that we may have on those around us.