22 September :Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus described Bangladesh’s access to a larger and more prominent venue at the United Nations headquarters, instead of the small and cramped rooms previously used for such events, as a “major promotion”.
He made the light-hearted remark while speaking at the 11th edition of a UN side event titled “Social Business, Youth and Technology”.
The event, held on the opening day of the UN General Assembly, was attended by UN General Assembly President Dr Khalilur Rahman and Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, a longtime friend of Yunus. Brazilian Minister Wellington Dias and other world leaders also attended, contributing to a lively gathering.
Yunus said social-business events at the United Nations had previously been held in a small corner room where it was not possible to accommodate everyone. This time, however, the organisers were able to hold the event in a more appropriate venue with friends in attendance and significantly more space.
Looking at the large gathering, he jokingly described the change as a “big promotion”. He added that only time would tell whether they would eventually have to return to a corner room.
Welcoming Dr Khalilur Rahman’s assumption of the presidency of the UN General Assembly, Yunus said it was a special privilege to have him present throughout the opening session. He also expressed hope that people would receive a clear message of peace and justice, rather than the confusing language often used in international diplomacy.
During his speech, Yunus discussed the 50th anniversary of microcredit and the expansion of social businesses around the world. He highlighted the activities of Grameen America in New York and other parts of the United States. According to figures cited by Yunus, the organisation has provided more than $8 billion in loans to marginalised communities and has maintained a repayment rate of nearly 100 per cent.
He also highlighted examples of 153 healthcare centres, a telemedicine network and a self-sustaining eye hospital established under the social-business model in Bangladesh. Yunus said these institutions have been able to sustain their operations by reinvesting their profits.
At the conclusion of the event, Yunus announced that “Grameen University” would begin its journey next December. Moving beyond the conventional education model focused primarily on producing job seekers, the proposed university will place greater emphasis on developing young people as entrepreneurs rather than simply awarding academic certificates.
The university is being envisioned around the goals of zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero net carbon emissions.
Yunus called on the world leaders attending the event to support collective initiatives aimed at improving the lives of marginalised people around the world.