Prof Yunus tells Vienna Social Business Summit
Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday said the poor people of Bangladesh were like Bonsai, who have been stunted by oppression. But they have the ability to grow if they are given the opportunity.
He was addressing the concluding session of the third Global Social Business Summit, hosted by Germany-based Grameen Creative Lab at the Congress Centre in the capital of Austria.
Prof Yunus said the government’s job in a country is like that of the conductor of an orchestra. It will not play all the instruments alone, rather it will work with all.
But the governments in many countries are not following this. Instead, they are creating obstacles.
The government needs to decide what to do and what not to in ensuring that the orchestra plays well and produces great music, he added.
Over 800 representatives, including ministers from different countries, joined the conference.
Laszlo Andor, the European Union’s commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion, said the EU has included social business in its activities. It has also officially accepted the social business initiative and social responsibility.
At the event, it was announced that the EU would hold a conference on social business on Friday in Brussels.
Prof Yunus will deliver the keynote address at the conference. British Prime Minister David Cameron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and World Bank President Robert Zoellick will also attend the meeting.
-With The Daily Star input
