Purpose in Action

In September we returned to Madrid guiding around 1,400 IE business Master’s students to build a swathe of infrastructure for four not-for-profit organisations supporting disadvantaged communities in and around the city. 

The teams included students across various Master’s programmes including IMBA, Marcom, MSBT, MBDI, MSBT, MIM and MIF who each played an important part in supporting the work of the charities dedicated to improving life for those in need in the city. 

Concepcion Galdon, Vice Dean, Business with Purpose, IE Business School, said:

“IE’s Purpose in Action experience is a fundamental building block of our ‘purpose accelerator’ objective. 

“Business leaders have a huge role to play in building a better world, so it’s important that they connect with their values and understand how working with a purpose can make every day of their lives have meaning, not just for them, but for others.” 

Adriana Palomar Suarez, Executive Director, MIF programme, said:

“At IE our purpose is to focus on transformation through education, and we extend this commitment to our students, through this ‘purpose in action’ activity, where they build with their own hands.” 

As always, we consulted with all the charities to find out what they need to ensure the projects have maximum benefit.

The charities 

Association El Fanal, Cañada Real

Founded 18 years ago, the Fanal Association has two social education centres, one in the centre of Madrid and the other in Cañada Real, Europe’s largest shanty town. 

The association’s objective is the personal and social development of families at risk of exclusion.  

Its Cañada Real centre runs courses which are attended by around 60 mothers every morning, while their young children are cared for. There are also classes and activities for some 200 children between six and 18 years old including Spanish and computing. There is also a library and a Red Cross Centre providing medical care for the families. 

IMBA students transformed the centre’s outdoor area, constructing an outdoor classroom, sheltered seating, game elements including a play train, throwing games and Jenga, and a boundary fence for the activities area.

Secondary School Nicolás Copérnico 

The school supports students who require a wide range of educational and mobility needs. The Marcom students built a long walkway with plenty of sheltered seating, a large amphitheatre and planters.

Colegio Publico Miguel Hernandez 

The school supports low-income and disadvantaged families. MIF students built a growing garden, shaded seating and an outdoor classroom while MIM students are building a long walkway with outdoor classrooms, sheltered seating, a games area and assault course and a timber trail. 

UFIL Training Institute

The institute provides educational opportunities for students who come from disadvantaged social environments. 50 members of staff built a gravel walkway with a growing garden and two seating areas.