Policy plan of Kofi Annan Business Schools Foundation*
Registered with the Chamber of Commerce The Hague, file number 27302421
RSIN number 8181.52.412
The Kofi Annan Business Schools Foundation (KABS) is a joint initiative of Hogeschool Utrecht
(HU) The Netherlands, Vlerick Management School (Vlerick), Belgium, and Public Advice
International (PA International), The Netherlands. During the past years, the European
School of Management and Technology (ESMT), Germany, Business School Lausanne (BSL),
Switzerland, and the Nova School of Business and Economics (NOVASBE), Portugal, joined as
members of the Foundation. At present Koç, Turkey, is also in the process of joining the Kofi
Annan Business Schools Foundation.
Established in 2007, with consent of former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi
Annan, this foundation aims to develop a new generation of innovative and socially
responsible entrepreneurs and business administrators in developing areas, to create an
effective catalyst for economic development, job creation and poverty alleviation. The Kofi
Annan Business Schools Foundation hereby actively contributes to the accomplishment of
the UN Millennium Development Goals, in particular goal 8: ‘develop a global partnership for
development’.
The Kofi Annan Business Schools Foundation focuses on three specific areas:
1) Individual Development
The associated business schools in Europe offer talented and motivated students - Kofi
Annan fellows - from developing countries, that do not belong to a privileged class and lack
sufficient financial means, the opportunity to study at, and obtain a bachelor or master
degree in business studies from one of the European business schools. After graduating,
these students return to their country of origin and contribute to local economic
development.
The Kofi Annan Business Schools Foundation itself does not engage in recruitment or funding
efforts for the educational terms of the fellows. The Kofi Annan Business Schools Foundation
does not aim to make a profit. It solely works by the policy of acting as the central
organization to which the schools compromise themselves in their policy concerning the
education of the fellows. Therefore, the recruitment and selection of prospective students is
a concern for all business schools associated within the Kofi Annan Business Schools
Foundation. Students that are selected for one of the bachelor or master programs receive a
full scholarship, including cost of living, housing, travel expenses, visa, and insurance. The
scholarships are funded by the associated business schools, as well as by donations from the
private sector and public sector institutions.
*in Dutch: Beleidsplan van de Stichting Kofi Annan Business Schools Foundation
1
Beleidsplan/Policy Plan KABS Foundation d.d. 1 October 2013
2) Institutional Development
Since 2010, the Kofi Annan Business Schools Foundation is actively expanding the number of
associated business schools in Europe, as well as of business schools in Africa, Asia, and Latin
America which participate in the programs. This expansion not only further increases the
outreach of the initiative by providing even more opportunities for talented students from
developing areas, it is also an essential prerequisite to meet the ambition of developing an
effective platform of knowledge on entrepreneurship.
Within this platform of knowledge, the associated business schools seek active cooperation
to exchange expertise and best practices in the area of business development among
themselves and with the participating schools abroad. This institutional cooperation, both in
education as well as research, contributes to local capacity building at business schools in
Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and further strengthens the entrepreneurial capacity and
capability of citizens and enterprises in developing areas.
3) Private Sector Development
Entrepreneurial activity can be found everywhere throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin
America, but its contribution to GDP generally is significantly lower than in other regions.
Starting up a business in developing areas often requires more creativity and greater
resilience, but it also offers huge economic potential. The market is generally not as
competitive, and there still is an unmet demand for many goods and services. Both
government and market deficiencies can serve as an incentive for disruptive innovations.
In cooperation with local business schools, local private sector, and public sector institutions
in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the associated business schools now also develop
initiatives to stimulate and support centers for entrepreneurship and business incubation
programs for young, innovative entrepreneurs in developing countries. The objective is to
create an environment where innovative entrepreneurship can flourish, which in turn can
generate local multiplier effects that promote potential demand for new firms.
Board:
The board of 2013 was formed by:
Prof. Dr. J.A. van Ginkel
Drs. G.T.C. Bonhof- van der Waals - (HU)
Prof. Dr. Ph. Haspeslagh - (Vlerick)
Prof. Dr. W. Plinke - (ESMT)
Dr. Katrin Muff - (BSL)
Dr. Catia Batista - (NOVASBE)
Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Member of the Board
Member of the Board
Member of the Board
Drs. M.J. van Breene
Executive Secretary
2
Beleidsplan/Policy Plan KABS Foundation d.d. 1 October 2013
The Board members have joint authority. Concerning bookkeeping on a day-to-day basis the
executive secretary is authorized to pay up to 2.500 euro but only after consulting the Chair.
For higher amounts the Chair can decide, and in case of considerable expenses, the treasurer
will be involved and other members will be sought for advice. See minutes from the board
meeting December 2008. This was reconfirmed in October 2011.
The Kofi Annan Business Schools Foundation explicitly does not aim to make a profit.
Since the start of the Kofi Annan Business School Foundation in 2007, considerable numbers
of companies, institutions, and organizations have contributed to the Foundation, both
financially and in kind. For instance for the academic year 2012-2013, the Kofi Annan
Business School Foundation was supported by the Gaia Foundation, K.F. Heinfonds, Noaber
Foundation, Rabobank Foundation, SSH, ESMT Gesellschaft der Freunde und Förderer e.V,
MAN Studienstiftung, Institute for Social Studies, Deloitte, Calculations, VU Talencentrum,
and Ontwerpwerk.
Expenses:
KABS has a lean but solid functioning base and infrastructure. The financial annual report
shows further details on this matter.
Personnel costs. Permanent staff of the foundation is consisting of
- Prof. dr. Hans van Ginkel, who is not rewarded financially in any way, solely
compensated for expenses made.
- The executive secretary is hired on a smallest as possible contract (O,1 fte) from the
Hogeschool Utrecht.
Expenses made are mostly in the field of accountability (Deloitte, Calculations,
Wereldadministratie), maintaining social media such as Website (Ontwerpwerk) and office
and operating costs. For the total overview of the expenses, see paragraph 2.2 in the
financial report.
Appendices:
- Statutes
- Financial annual report 2012
- Abstract of the Chamber of Commerce, The Hague
MB/17/09/13
3
Beleidsplan/Policy Plan KABS Foundation d.d. 1 October 2013