LONDON — UK advisory firm One Question has formed a partnership with global communications agency MikeWorldWide and PRovoke Media, for its annual research initiative exploring key societal questions as they relate to business.

For 2022, One Question, MWW and PRovoke Media will explore the responsibility of business in educating society, through invite-only conversations of prominent business leaders and influencers in the US and the UK that address the question: “Is education the answer? What opportunity does the communications industry have to educate society?”

One Question, founded in 2016 by Sarah Parsonage, has become a standard bearer for open, intelligent discussion to tackle the convergence of humanity’s toughest issues and businesses’ biggest challenges. Previous years’ questions have explored the relationship between purpose and profit, and the impact of technology on the human experience.

Each year’s conversations across the US, UK and EMEA result in a published framework for closing the gap between societal and economic profitability by developing stronger ecosystems, better product innovation, fairer supply chains and more diverse teams, rooted in the sharing of knowledge and experience.

MikeWorldWide founder and CEO Michael Kempner told PRovoke Media the agency had decided to partner with One Question because the organisations’ values, including a focus on ‘caring’, aligned: “The communications industry globally has a responsibility to educate companies about ways to proactively support societal changes. Brand leaders want strategies and solutions that drive impact on their employees and customers, and now ultimately, society.”

He added: “This year’s One Question comes at a critical inflection point where cultural and technology shifts demand that business take a leading role in facilitating these conversations on a global scale. The role of the private sector educating society has never been more relevant at a time when the world is facing rising social inequality, economic turmoil, environmental crises, and racial inequity. And perhaps, most importantly, the continuing threat to the liberal world order and democracies around the world. These are far more than just uncertain times for individuals and brands to navigate.”

Parsonage said of the partnership: “Over the last few years, we have seen the ever-increasing shift in society looking to business to lead on societal issues alongside economic issues. It feels like the norm, but the speed of this shift puts both business and leaders under immense pressure, pressure that is arguably misplaced. As a result, never has it been more important to discuss the responsibility and opportunity industry has, or not, as the case may be.”

PRovoke Media CEO and editor-in-chief Arun Sudhaman added: “One Question’s focus on closing the gap between business and society is central to PRovoke Media’s mission. Accordingly, we can’t wait to see what we will learn from this year’s research initiative as it unfolds across the globe.”

For more details of the “Is education the answer?” events in London and New York, and to express interest in attending, email [email protected].