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Young Leaders Push Social Corporate Responsibility to the Forefront

17 March 2006

By TAHANI KARRAR

Kevin Mangan and Diane Mensah-Bonsu

A new generation of young leaders is seeking to make a real difference through business. Diane Mensah-Bonsu and Kevin Mangan are both young entrepreneurs who have dreams of setting up their own businesses and using part of the profits to help people in developing countries.

Diane Mensah-Bonsu, 23, is one of the founders of the up-and-coming quarterly magazine, Modern African Generation (MAG) that is aimed at the African Diaspora in the United Kingdom. She is originally from Ghana but grew up in the United Kingdom. She attended Waverley School before going on to study Philosophy and Politics at Exeter University and an MSC in Development Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

Kevin Mangan, 25, is a Corporate Finance & Advisory banker at Standard Chartered. He is originally Irish-American but was educated in the United Kingdom. He studied with Princes William and Harry at Eton College, before going on to study Chinese and Economics at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

In this interview Diane and Kevin speak to CYP on the importance of social corporate responsibility and how they plan to use business as a force for social change.

CYP: Which subjects did you study at university and why?

Diane: My first degree, Philosophy and Politics broadened my awareness of the disparity of wealth between the 'rich' North and the 'poor' South so I decided to seek answers by taking an MSc in Development Studies at SOAS.

Kevin: I did a Bachelors degree in Chinese and Economics because I always enjoyed languages and wanted to be a part of China's rapidly developing economy. I chose SOAS because it is a leading institution in the UK and was unique in offering the ability to study Chinese and Economics in a combined degree.

CYP: What experiences have you had of the developing world? What did you see or experience that made you want to make a real change?

Diane: I was born and grew up in Ghana - classified as a Third World or developing country. I do not come from a wealthy family - therefore I know what it is like to struggle. I was determined from the age of 11 when I came to the UK, that when I got older - and richer - I would do what I can in the fight to combat global poverty.

Kevin: I lived in Beijing for a year during my university course and I felt a real affinity with the Chinese people. They were very impressed that I had an interest in learning their language and were very welcoming. However, I also saw the extreme poverty and hardship of many Chinese people and in particular women and children. I felt that if international and local companies were committed, they could make a real difference to the local economies. I made a mental note that I would put social corporate responsibility high on the agenda of my future business.

 CYP: What was living abroad like for you?

Diane: It's been great, you see, as a child I was put in the situation that some children from developing countries face; my parents left me to come to the UK when I was a baby in order to work and send money home for my siblings and I. We stayed apart until I was 11 years old, so when I finally came to the UK, it was extremely exciting for me because I was living with my parents for the first time.

Kevin: I loved it, meeting different people and experiencing different cultures is always enriching. I made many friends that I am still in contact with now.

CYP: What sort of business would you like to set up? And why?

Diane: The Modern African Generation magazine (MAG) was founded just over a year ago to dispel the negative image of Africa and its youth portrayed in Western media. It was also set up to give young Africans living in the UK a platform and a voice to make their views/ ideas heard.

Kevin: I have a solid background in finance and an interest in emerging markets, particularly China. One day I would like to set up a business offering advice to companies who are interested in entering the Chinese market.

 CYP: How do you plan to go about it?

Kevin: I plan to gain experience by working in China for a number of years, to improve my business Chinese and to develop a good understanding of the Chinese financial markets. I also plan to build a solid network of business contacts.

CYP: Why do you feel social corporate responsibility is important these days?

Diane : In the age of high consumption and mass production, the rich seem to be getting richer and the poor, unfortunately, poorer. In light of the unequal world we live in, if the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are to be achieved by 2015, the corporate sector have a responsibility to ensure that they do their part in the elimination of poverty, by investing in local people and areas where they operate.

Kevin: Social corporate responsibility is important because companies have a duty to the economies and environments in which they operate. Also, it is through responsible business that companies can contribute to sustainable development.

 CYP: Do you think more companies should be socially responsible?

Diane: Certainly, I am happy to say that most companies are… especially big ones however the medium to small-size companies must also make more efforts. It is not only moral to be socially responsible but is also a win-win for both parties…it is beneficial for the company whose image is improved and the local people whose lives are enhanced.

Kevin: Yes, I truly feel if companies focus and work together to be socially responsible they can make a huge difference to the countries they operate in.

CYP: How would you like your company to be socially responsible?

Diane: MAG is a potentially powerful brand and many plans are being laid in how the brand can grow. When MAG increases in size and success, it will offer scholarships to bright children from poor families to attend university. It will provide funds for young ambitious Africans who want to set up businesses but cannot obtain the finance from elsewhere.

Kevin: The company I aim to set up will have a policy to give a percentage of its profits to education, gender discrimination and poverty in China and other developing countries.