How business leaders can help fight inequality

Darren Walker, who has been the president of the Ford Foundation since 2013, is keen to address the question of poverty and inequality and what role businesses and non-profit organisations can play to reduce it.

The global economic system, he says, creates far too much wealth for far too few people. It also creates far too little for too many. This, according to him, is the root cause of inequality globally. He also notes that in places like Africa, where political strife is common, especially as a result of election disputes, conflict is partly responsible for perpetuating inequality.

As such, addressing the root causes of conflict can have the ripple effect of reducing inequality. He also challenges business leaders to seek partnerships and embrace practices that can help to reduce inequality.

Mr Walker was in Nairobi last week to review the progress of the programmes that the Ford Foundation and its partner organisations are undertaking to reduce inequality both in Kenya and East africa. He gave a public lecture at the University of Nairobi after which he sat down with the Business Daily for an interview. Excerpts.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FORD FOUNDATION AND WHAT IS THE WORK YOU INTEND TO DO ESPECIALLY IN KENYA AND ALSO IN EAST AFRICA?

The foundation's objectives are to support efforts that strengthen democracy and democratic practice while reducing inequality in the world. Specifically in Kenya and East Africa, our vision reflects the aspirations and desires of the Kenyan people and the people of East Africa. Our agenda is more shared prosperity, a corruption-free government and systems and a society that promote opportunity, mobility and security.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN REASONS BEHIND GROWING INEQUALITY BOTH LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY?

The trends are consistent both globally and locally. The economic systems are constructed in a way in which they produce far too much for far too few people and far too little for far too many. The economy is structured in a way that the average citizens do not share in the prosperity of the nations and the broader economy.

The political system is more responsive to the wealthy and the powerful. For those who are privileged, their privilege is compounded and those who are disadvantaged find their disadvantage compounded. The objective of the Ford Foundation is to support those people who are working to reverse these trends. These are authentic local people who care about their country and their region and who want to contribute to making it better.

LET US TALK ABOUT GENDER AND INEQUALITY OF INCOME AND OPPORTUNITY

We have to begin with an honest conversation about partriachy. That is a difficult subject but if we are to make progress on gender equality, we have to recognise that the root cause of gender inequality is patriachal systems that advantage men and are biased against women.

Fortunately, we are in a global #MeToo moment but this needs to be contextualised because a group of women in Hollywood don't represent the interests of a group of women in Nairobi.

However, the necessity of raising awareness globally about the rights of women, the asset that women represent to economic growth, prosperity and opportunity is infinite. It is limited only by patriachal systems that inhibit the full participation of women in society.

INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE UN HAVE CREATED EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH GENDERS. IS THIS A CONDITION YOU PLACE ON THE PARTNERS THE FORD FOUNDATION WORKS WITH?

Certainly, we at the Ford Foundation have a keen awareness about this issue and at every level of our organisation we embrace gender diversity. We also insist on gender diversity in the organisations we support. It is a prerequisite for us. If we are supporting you and you fall behind, you have to pledge to ensure that we will see improvement. This is something we have to be vigilant about. We can't take gender equality and participation of women and girls for granted.

WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON INEQUALITY BETWEEN THE GLOBAL NORTH AND GLOBAL SOUTH, WHICH HAS CAUSED ECONOMIC MIGRATION FROM AFRICA, FORCING PEOPLE TO MAKE PERLIOUS JOURNEYS TO EUROPE?

Part of the reason people are making the perilous journeys is because they have seen no economic opportunity in their home countries. It is incumbent on the global community to recommit to building economic growth in the global south, especially the sending countries.

Economics is part of the reason for this migration but also conflict. National governments, particularly in rich countries, have to recommit themselves to supporting interventions that help stabilise these countries and help stabilise their economies.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF BUSINESS LEADERS IN ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES POSED BY INEQUALITY?

Business is essential to making progress in reducing inequality. Business leaders have a unique and important role to play, first to use their businesses as a means of reducing inequality. By that I mean that businesses should pay their workers a living wage.

Executive pay should also be in line with appropriate guidelines. Business can play a role in partnering with government and civil society to ensure that their policies and practices help to reduce inequality.

WHAT ABOUT NON-PROFITS AND THEIR LEADERS?

Civil society is the voice of the people and represents the interests of citizens, particularly those who are vulnerable for any number of reasons. We won't see inequality reduced without an engaged and robust civil society. This is one of the reasons why support for civil society is a core mission of the Ford Foundation.

ANY OTHER THOUGHTS?

I have a tremendous amount of hope for the people of Kenya. That hope is not based on some romantic idea of East Africa.

It is based on the reality that this country has tremendous assets, most importantly the human capital. It is that basis of human capital that will provide Kenya with the skills, capabilities, energy and innovation that can transform this country and set it on a course for a great future. We are here to support that aspiration.

Mbugua is the Managing Editor, Business Daily.