Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Saturday emphasized the transformative power of young people, stating that they have immense potential to change the world.
“We have the ability to transform the entire world in just a few years with the people present in this room.
This is not a difficult task,” he said while addressing the 9th Social Business Youth Summit at Hotel Intercontinental Dhaka, where representatives from 25 countries participated.
He noted that every long journey begins with a single step, and the key question is how to progress to the next step.
Reflecting on the sacrifices made by students and ordinary citizens during the July revolution to overthrow a fascist regime, he mentioned that over 1,000 young people laid down their lives, while many others were left with lifelong injuries, all in pursuit of building a new Bangladesh.
Describing the July revolution as a landmark movement, Dr. Yunus highlighted that the entire country now stands as a testament to this history, with the nation committed to fulfilling the aspirations of young people.
Welcoming the international representatives attending the summit, he invited them to witness the new Bangladesh, built on the sacrifices of its youth.
Encouraging the younger generation to think beyond boundaries, Dr. Yunus said, “Your participation in the 9th Social Business Youth Summit marks the first step. Now, the challenge is to enhance ourselves in the second step and build greater confidence in the third step.”
With these successive steps, he expressed confidence that the journey of a thousand miles would be accomplished.
“If you can imagine it, it will become reality. If you do not, it will remain a dream,” he asserted.
Recalling the early days of microcredit, he shared how they developed a formula for oral saline during a severe diarrhea outbreak and educated the public on its preparation to combat the crisis.
Discussing the concept of social business, Dr. Yunus described it as a straightforward yet profound idea.
“Business isn’t just about maximizing profit; there is also another kind of business-one that aims to solve social issues,” he explained.
He pointed out that while making money brings happiness, true fulfillment lies in bringing joy to others, which is why the concept of social business emerged.
Highlighting the role of social business in healthcare, he stressed that the pharmaceutical industry should be driven by a social mission, as it directly impacts human lives.
Encouraging young minds to integrate social business into their thought processes, he emphasized that people engage in it because solving others’ problems brings unparalleled joy.
Urging youths to harness the power of imagination, he called on them to create social business ventures.
“Charity serves a single purpose, but social business has an infinite impact. It allows money to continuously regenerate while addressing the same problems,” he explained.
“As we build a new Bangladesh, we also commit to shaping a new world,” Prof Yunus concluded.
