The HEC Imagine annual academy explores the nexus between development, humanitarian aid and finance

Bridging the gap between profit and peace: the latest HEC Imagine Academy just wrapped up its intensive three-week seminar. By engaging with world-class institutions like the World Bank, the OECD, and the AFD Group, students gained hands-on experience in navigating the complex tensions between international investment and humanitarian imperatives.

A Bridge Between Semesters: The Annual Gathering for M1 Students

Since 2024, the HEC Imagine program offers a dedicated Academy for M1 students. This seminar takes place in January each year and serves as a bridge between the Fall and Spring semesters. It is meant to provide students with a sector- or issue-specific deep dive. The HEC Imagine academy focuses on the relationship between business and peace, exploring under which circumstances economic activities contribute to the strengthening of peace within and between countries.

For this year’s edition, students were invited to scrutinize the role of three interconnected sectors: development aid, humanitarian action and impact finance. The academy was co-designed by Charles Autheman and Alexandre Chatillon who also teach elective courses on ‘business and human rights’ and ‘Hybrid frontiers: humanitarian, business and development in a world in crisis’.

Three Weeks of Immersion at the Heart of Peace and Finance

Over three weeks, students met over a dozen institutions and actors involved in different types of activities. They navigated the tensions between aid and investment, the basics of responsible business conduct in conflict affected areas or how blended finance works in practice to advance the much discussed just transition(s).

The first week of the academy was centred around foundational concepts and the critical role of the private sector, notably in conflict-affected areas. Activities were structured around different formats: a serious game on business and international humanitarian law (IHL), a simulation with Super Novea and guest lectures by institutions such as the Learning Planet Institute, Altai Consulting and Investisseurs et Partenaires.

The second week was co-organized with the Paris Peace Forum and involved a tour of different actors working in Paris on development affairs: AFD Group – including Proparco and Expertise France –, World Bank, OECD, International Chamber of Commerce, the Council of Europe Development Bank. Students were fortunate to meet with senior leadership from all these prestigious institutions and understand firsthand how development aid is being reshaped by ongoing global events.

The third and final week was structured around the final deliverable: group presentations on concrete case studies. Students rehearsed their presentations with the academy organizers and received some final advice from HEC alumnus Sofia Hmich and HEC Imagine fellow Behishta Nazir. Before presenting their group work, they also had the opportunity to discuss employment opportunities in the sector with Martin Fleury, founder of Red Mangrove Development Advisors, and hear from Bertrand Badie on the Art of Peace.

A Springboard for Impact-Driven Careers

At the end of the academy, most students expressed interest in pursuing a career in close connection with the topic of the seminar, whether in the public or private sector. Irrespective of their final career path, they have gained concrete skills, strengthened their academic profile and build precious connections with seasoned professionals.

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