CSR360

Posted: Monday 17 November 08, 9.21am GMT

Business in the Community supported the tailor-made Global Fellowship programme which is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and managed by the British Council.

100 outstanding 18 and 19 year olds, from diverse backgrounds and from all over England were chosen to be the first Global Fellows. They spent six weeks in China, India or Brazil on an innovative porgramme, which introduced them to the culture, education and business of the country. Business in the Community helped to select and support some of the best known corporate brand names to host the Fellows for two weeks of the trip giving them an insight into how Britain does business on a global stage – amongst them were Tesco, HSBC, Cadbury’s and KPMG.

KPMG are today hosting an event for the Global Fellows to give them the opportunity to meet with the corporate companies which hosted the fellows during their international visits. Philippa Foster Back, Director, Institute of Business Ethics will lead a discussion on ethics of operating in a global context.

The Global Fellows will also participate in the ‘big debate’ at today’s launch of the first Global Entrepreneurship Week, featuring Richard Lambert, Director-General of the CBI, and entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Peter Jones and James Caan as speakers.

The Fellows’ visit to No. 10 also coincides with International Education Week and the opening of applications for Prime Minister’s Global Fellowship 2009. Eligible young people can apply at www.global-fellowship.org

Commenting on the Global Fellowship, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said:

Now, more than ever we recognise how important it is for Britain’s young people to understand how the world is changing and how the new global economy will affect their future. In the years ahead this country will need people with the enterprising spirit and international outlook the Fellows have acquired through this scheme. I congratulate the outstanding young people from all over the country who have taken part; their experience will help shape their lives and benefit Britain too.

Mar Cullen, 18, from Durham, spent six weeks in China as part of the Global Fellowship programme and will be meeting the Prime Minister today, said:

The Prime Minister’s Global Fellowship increased my awareness of the issues surrounding globalisation and the challenges of living in an interdependent world, of needing to look outwards as well as inwards. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with the Prime Minister.

For more information on the Global Fellowship please visit www.global-fellowship.org