Prof Yunus calls for global action to build a better world
NN Online:
Nobel Laureate and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday called for urgent global action to overcome despair and reshape the world through the power of social business.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at the 15th Social Business Day, held at the Samajik Convention Centre in Zirabo, Prof Yunus said the current gloom engulfing the world is not inevitable, but a creation of a system driven by greed and selfishness.
“We are not responsible for this darkness,” he said. “We want to build a beautiful world, and we can do that.”
Emphasising the role of social business—enterprises driven by solving social problems rather than maximizing profit—Prof Yunus said such models can bring about lasting transformation not just in individual countries, but across civilizations.
In his impassioned address, Prof Yunus warned that the world is on the wrong path. “If we continue this way, disaster is unavoidable. But the good news is, there is another way—one that is within our reach,” he said.
He called on changemakers worldwide to rally around his vision of achieving three zeros: zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions.
“This year’s theme—‘Social Business is the Most Effective Way to Ensure Healthcare for All’—is not just a slogan,” he said. “Healthcare must be a human right. Education must empower creators, not just job seekers.”
Referring to the ongoing global conflicts—from Ukraine and Palestine to South Asia and the Middle East—Prof Yunus urged the audience to keep dreaming despite global turmoil.
“Dreaming and imagination are at the heart of human progress,” he said. “We must not abandon hope.”
The Yunus Centre and Grameen Group jointly organised the event, which brought together social business advocates and entrepreneurs from around the world.
Describing the annual gathering as a “reunion of family,” Prof Yunus said it serves as a time to reconnect, reflect, and reignite the spirit of change. “We meet not just to speak, but to inspire each other and recharge.”
He praised the role of young people in Bangladesh, highlighting their courage and leadership in challenging the status quo. “They said ‘enough is enough’ and moved the country from darkness into light. Their actions offer a message to the whole world,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Prof Yunus shared a vision of a new civilization built on the foundations of justice, sustainability, and selflessness.
“Bangladesh will be remembered not just in its own history, but in the history of the world,” he said. “We can create a new world—and we must.”