United News of Bangladesh

Emphasising the transformative power of social business and its strong way to make real and lasting positive changes, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday said they can create a “beautiful and better world” for everyone, breaking free from the current gloom and driving meaningful transformation through social business. “….and the gloomy picture of the world, which is gloomy, for no fault of ours, it is gloomy as some people created it for us. We are not responsible for creating this gloomy world. We want to create a beautiful world, and we can do that,” he said. The Nobel Laureate said social business can bring change not only in one country but in the whole world and whole civilization. “We can do it. Let's make it happen.” The Chief Adviser joined as the chief guest and keynote speaker at the 15th edition of Social Business Day amid a brief rich cultural show. In his powerful and emotional keynote speech, Prof Yunus reminded all that the world is on the wrong path and only through selflessness, imagination, and social business they can build a just and sustainable future. From championing "healthcare as a human right" to reimagining education that inspires "creators, not job seekers", he urged global changemakers to start small, dream big, and work together to build a world of three zeros - zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions. The 15th edition of Social Business Day, organised by the Yunus Centre and Grameen Group, is taking place at the Samajik Convention Centre in Zirabo in Savar. This year’s theme is: “Social Business is the Most Effective Way to Ensure Healthcare for All.” Highlighting the terrible things that the world witnessed this year, including wars involving India, Pakistan, Ukraine, Iran, Israel and Palestine, Prof Yunus said, “We want to dream. We don't give up dreams. We want to build a new world for ourselves. That's what human beings are all about - chasing dreams. So, we chase dreams. Imagination-- this is the core of the dream that we are talking about.” Prof Yunus joins 15th edition of Social Business Day Turning to the theme of the event, Prof Yunus said they are trying to struggle addressing healthcare issues like other countries in the world. “No country successfully has resolved that issue - healthcare for everybody. So, that's a challenging area that we have to tackle, and we can tackle,” he said.  

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday morning joined as the chief guest and keynote speaker at the 15th edition of Social Business Day amid brief rich cultural show. The 15th edition of Social Business Day, organised by the Yunus Centre and Grameen Group, is taking place at the Samajik Convention Centre in Zirabo in Savar. This year’s theme is: “Social Business is the Most Effective Way to Ensure Healthcare for All.” Former Vice President of the World Bank (1992–2000) Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Grameen Group Chairman Md. Ashraful Hassan and Relations Manager at Yunus Centre Zenaat Islam also spoke at the inaugural session. The event aims to be a global convergence of knowledge, experience, and innovation—addressing inequalities and limitations across healthcare and other sectors to build a sustainable, just and humane world. The two-day programme will feature five plenary sessions and eight breakout sessions focused on diverse perspectives and ideas. 15th edition of Social Business Day: Prof Yunus to join as chief guest Over a thousand participants, including more than 180 international delegates from 34 countries, are joining the event. Pominent speakers include Professor Md. Saidur Rahman, Health and Family Welfare assistant to the Chief Adviser, Omar Ishrak, former CEO & Chairman of Medtronic and former Chairman of the Board, Intel Corporation; Erik Solheim, former Executive Director of UN Environment and former Minister of Environment and Climate, Norway, are among the guests. Advisers of the interim government were also present. As part of the extended programme, a special Academia Dialogue will be held on June 29 in collaboration with North South University, engaging teachers, students and researchers to explore the role of social business in driving societal progress. Dr Yunus urges Sweden to invest in social businesses instead of providing grants Besides, the Three Zero Club Convention will take place, focusing on how to achieve zero carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration, and zero unemployment in the world. Advisers of the interim government were also present.  

The 15th Social Business Day will be held at the Samajik Convention Centre, Savar on June 27-28, organised by the Yunus Centre in collaboration with the Grameen Group. The conference will focus on the theme ‘Social Business is the most efficient path to ensure healthcare for all’. The conference will feature plenary sessions, breakout panels and interactive discussions, showcasing real-world social business solutions from across the globe. Nobel Laureate and renowned as the pioneer of social business and microcredit Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will join the global speakers at the conference. Social Business Day is an annual global gathering organised by the Yunus Centre to celebrate and share the accumulated experiences of social business leaders and entrepreneurs who are spearheading a new path towards a sustainable and just future for the world. 14th ‘Social Business Day’ hosted by Prof Yunus concludes in Manila Healthcare systems worldwide face inequities, inefficiencies and limited access, leaving marginalised communities underserved. Addressing these challenges requires a collective effort to reimagine healthcare systems, promote equitable access, prioritise preventive care and ensure ethical and responsible practices across all levels of society, said the organisers. The panels will explore social business models, technology integration, policy frameworks and partnerships to create inclusive, affordable and sustainable solutions. The event will guide a global dialogue among global leaders, social business practitioners, entrepreneurs, academics, and young change makers committed to building a world of Three Zeros: zero net carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration for ending poverty and zero unemployment by unleashing entrepreneurship in all.

The 12th Social Business Day, hosted by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, began on Monday with focus on healthcare, fighting unemployment, cross country collaboration in tackling climate change, 3Zero Clubs and all aspects of building a New Civilisation. A series of African universities such as Catholic University of Zimbabwe along with Kampala International University and Makerere University Business School, Uganda, Tangaza University College, Kenya, Abomey Calavi of Benin, CAM School of Business from Central African Republic have arranged the hybrid (both online and in person) event  to showcase all regional social business practitioners, academics, promoters, and friends. The four-day event will end on Thursday with a theme ‘Building a New Civilisation—Before the Current Civilisation Destroys Us,’ according to a press release issued by the Yunus Centre. Read: Yunus for creating social business pharm companies to bring vaccines, medicines to common people The current civilisation which is based on profit maximisation has set us on a suicidal path.  Global warming, wealth concentration, and unemployment caused by artificial intelligence are leading us to our ultimate extinction.  "Our window of opportunity to put humanity on a new path towards a new direction is getting smaller and smaller. We must prepare the seed-bed of a new civilisation before the opportunity slips away,” said the media release. Read Prof Yunus gets highest viewership in Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony, says Yunus Centre “The new civilisation has to be built on an economy based primarily on zero personal profit to solve the problems of the people and the planet. Social business presents this option. Social business aims at finding compassionate, practical, and long-lasting solutions to social issues while expanding opportunities for the people and the economy. The new civilisation will analyse the breakthroughs achieved while preparing for the next leg of our journey before our time runs out.” There will be 150+ speakers, which includes 30 globally prominent speakers, 14 country forums, 16 plenary sessions during the four days.  More than 700 registered participants from 66 countries are joining globally. Read: Grameen Yemen launches microcredit, Social Business in Yemen There will be keynote speeches from President José Ramos-Horta, 1996 Nobel Peace Laureate and President of East Timor, Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Chair, Nobel Women's Initiative, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE , founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, UNAIDS, Máiread Maguire, 1976 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Dr. Devi Shetty, Managing Director, Narayana Hrudayalaya. The event included the annual convention of the ‘3ZERO Clubs,’ a global initiative for the youth aimed at realising a World of 3ZEROS: zero net carbon emission, zero wealth concentration for ending poverty, and zero unemployment through entrepreneurship. This convention of the youths will give an opportunity to the members of senior generations to listen to the issues being discussed by the present day youth and catch any opportunity to build bridges among the generations. Read Grameen America Inc receives $25 million grant from MacKenzie Scott Besides, some sessions will be hosted in languages in Bengali, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, French and Portuguese; these sessions will be simultaneously presented during country-specific forums, the release added. Country Forums for countries and regions where the social business concept is in practical use are planned to be held.  Country Forums will be devoted to sharing experiences, exploring potential, and analysing the actual practice of social businesses within each country, or group of countries.  The discussion will take place in the language of that country, and will be headed by practitioners of these different countries. Read 74th UNGA side event on Social Business, Youth and Technology held Closing speeches will be presented by Marina Mahathir Writer, Human Rights Activist, Kerry Kennedy, President, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Andrea Jung, President and Chief Executive Officer, Grameen America, Dr. Antonella Mei-Pochtler, Special Advisor to the Federal Chancellor, Head of Strategy Unit – ThinkAustria, Forest Whitaker, UN SDG Advocate, Founder and CEO, Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative, Shirin Ebadi, 2003 Nobel Peace Laureate, Sharon Stone actor and activist and Zanele Mbeki Former First Lady of South Africa. Every year, Social Business Day is organised to discuss and celebrate the groundbreaking idea of social business.  This event also creates an opportunity for participants to engage in various interactive panel sessions and workshops to broaden their understanding in their specific areas of interest. Read Prof Yunus invited to join Padma Bridge inaugural programme Social Business Day is an annual event gathering that platforms the accumulated experiences of social business leaders and entrepreneurship to give shape to the future.