Yunus, Muhammad

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{{epname|Yunus, Muhammad}}
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| subject_name  = মুহাম্মদ ইউনূস<br>Muhammad Yunus
 
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| image_name    = Grameen Yunus Dec 04.jpg
 
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| image_size    = 150px
 
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| image_caption  =
 
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| date_of_birth  = [[June 28]] [[1940]]
 
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| place_of_birth = {{flagicon|Bangladesh}} [[Chittagong]], [[Bangladesh]]
 
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| date_of_death  =
 
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| place_of_death =
 
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| occupation    = Founder, [[Grameen Bank]]
 
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| spouse        = Afrozi Yunus
 
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| parents        =
 
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| children      =
 
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| nationality    = [[Bangladesh]]i
 
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| religion      = [[Islam]]
 
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}}
 
  
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'''Dr. Muhammad Yunus''' ({{lang-bn|মুহাম্মদ ইউনুস}}, pronounced {{lang|bn-Latn|''Muhammôd Iunus''}}) (born [[June 28]] [[1940]]) is a  [[Bangladesh]]i [[bank]]er and [[economist]]. He is famous for his successful application of the concept of [[microcredit]], the extension of small [[loan]]s to [[entrepreneur]]s too poor to qualify for traditional [[bank]] loans. Yunus is also the founder of [[Grameen Bank]]. In 2006, Yunus and the bank were jointly awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]], "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2006/press.html|title=The Nobel Peace Prize for 2006|author=|publisher=The Nobel Peace Prize for 2006|date=2006-10-13|accessdate=2006-10-13}}</ref> Yunus himself has received several other international honors, including the ITU World Information Society Award, [[Ramon Magsaysay]] Award, the [[World Food Prize]] and the [[Sydney Peace Prize]]. He is the author of ''[[Banker to the Poor]]'' and a founding board member of [[Grameen Foundation]]. Yunus recently launched a political party in Bangladesh, Nagorik Shakti (Citizen Power), and is [http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=348314&rel_no=1 rumoured to be standing for political office].
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[[Image:Grameen Yunus Dec 04.jpg|thumb|200px|Muhammad Yunus]]
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'''Dr. Muhammad Yunus''' ({{lang-bn|মুহাম্মদ ইউনুস}}, pronounced {{lang|bn-Latn|''Muhammôd Iunus''}}) (born June 28, 1940), is a  [[Bangladesh]]i [[bank]]er and [[economist]]. He is famous for his successful application of the concept of [[microcredit]], the extension of small [[loan]]s to [[entrepreneur]]s too poor to qualify for traditional bank loans. Yunus is also the founder of [[Grameen Bank]]. Known as the "banker to the poor" he is also director emeritus of the Grameen Foundation, which replicates the bank's micro-finance model around the globe. In 2006, Yunus and the bank were jointly awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]], "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below" recognizing the important link between [[poverty]] and peace. "Lasting peace can not be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty. Micro-credit is one such means," said the Chair of the Nobel Committee, and "Development from below …serves to advance democracy and human rights."<ref> Ole Danbolt Mjøshttp, [http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2006/press.html Presenting Speech: The Nobel Peace Prize, 2006]. December 10, 2006. Retrieved June 16, 2007.</ref> Yunus himself has received several other international honors, including the ITU World Information Society Award, [[Ramon Magsaysay]] Award, the [[World Food Prize]] and the [[Sydney Peace Prize]]. In March 2011, the Bangladesh government fired Yunus from his position at Grameen Bank, citing legal violations and an age limit on his position.
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Yunus launched a political party in Bangladesh, Nagorik Shakti (Citizen Power). His work has especially empowered women, who represent 95 percent of the bank's clientele. Professor of Economics at Chittagong University, Yunus was determined to make a difference, not just to theorize about poverty alleviation. A member of the board of the United Nations Foundation, founded by Ted Turner in 1997, Yunus collaborates closely with the [[United Nations]]. Between 1993 and 1995 he served on the International Advisory Group for the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing and from 1993-1995 on the Global Commission of Women's Health (1993-1995). He is convinced that poverty can be wiped off the face of the planet.
  
 
==Childhood and family==
 
==Childhood and family==
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Yunus was born in 1940 in the village of Bathua, in Hathazari, [[Chittagong District|Chittagong]], Bangladesh. His father's name is Hazi Dula Mia Shoudagar, and mother's name is Sofia Khatun. His early childhood years were spent in the village. In 1944, his family moved to the city of [[Chittagong]], where his father had a jewelery business.
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Yunus was born in 1940 in the village of Bathua, in Hathazari, [[Chittagong District|Chittagong]], Bangladesh. His father's name is Hazi Dula Mia Shoudagar, and mother's name is Sofia Khatun. His early childhood years were spent in the village. In 1944, his family moved to the city of [[Chittagong]], where his father had a jewelry business.  
  
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In 1967 while Yunus attended [[Vanderbilt University]], he met Vera Forostenko, a student of [[Russian literature]] at Vanderbilt University and daughter of [[Russia]]n immigrants to Trenton,[[New Jersey]], [[United States|USA]]. They were married in 1970. Yunus's marriage with Vera ended in 1977 within months of the birth of their baby girl, [[Monica Yunus]], as Vera returned to New Jersey claiming that Bangladesh was not a good place to raise a baby. Yunus later married Afrozi Yunus, who was then a researcher in physics at Manchester University. She was later appointed as a professor of [[physics]] at [[Jahangirnagar University]]. Their daughter Deena Afroz Yunus was born in 1986. His brothers are also active in academia. His brother Muhammad Ibrahim is a professor of physics at [[Dhaka University]] and the founder of The Center for Mass Education in Science (CMES), which brings science education to adolescent girls in villages. His younger brother Muhammad Jahangir is a popular television presenter.
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In 1967, Yunus met Vera Forostenko, a student of [[Russian literature]] at Vanderbilt University and daughter of [[Russia]]n immigrants to Trenton, [[New Jersey]], U.S.A. They were married in 1970. Yunus's marriage with Vera ended in 1977 within months of the birth of their baby girl, [[Monica Yunus]], as Vera returned to New Jersey claiming that Bangladesh was not a good place to raise a baby. Yunus later married Afrozi Yunus, who was then a researcher in physics at [[Manchester University]]. She was later appointed as a professor of [[physics]] at [[Jahangirnagar University]]. Their daughter Deena Afroz Yunus was born in 1986. His brothers are also active in academia. His brother Muhammad Ibrahim is a professor of physics at [[Dhaka University]] and the founder of The Center for Mass Education in Science (CMES), which brings science education to adolescent girls in villages. His younger brother Muhammad Jahangir is a popular television presenter.
  
 
==Education and early career==
 
==Education and early career==
  
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He studied at his village school in the early years. When his family moved to Chittagong, he enrolled in the Lamabazar Primary School. Later, he studied at [[Chittagong Collegiate School]] and passed the matriculation examination, in which he secured the 16th position among 39,000 students in [[East Pakistan]]. During his school years, he was active in the [[Scouting|Boy Scouts]], and traveled to West Pakistan and India in 1952. In 1955, he attended the World Scouts Jamboree in Canada as part of the Pakistan contingent. On the way back, he traveled through Europe and Asia by road. Next, Yunus enrolled into [[Chittagong College]] where he was active in cultural activities and got awards for acting in dramas.<ref name="Palo-interview" />
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He studied at his village school in the early years. When his family moved to Chittagong, he enrolled in the Lamabazar Primary School. Later, he studied at [[Chittagong Collegiate School]] and passed the matriculation examination, in which he secured the sixteenth position among 39,000 students in [[East Pakistan]]. During his school years, he was active in the [[Scouting|Boy Scouts]], and traveled to West Pakistan and India in 1952. In 1955, he attended the World Scouts Jamboree in Canada as part of the Pakistan contingent. On the way back, he traveled through Europe and Asia by road. Next, Yunus enrolled into [[Chittagong College]] where he was active in cultural activities and got awards for acting in dramas.  
  
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In 1957, he enrolled in the department of [[economics]] at [[Dhaka University]] and completed his [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in 1960 and [[Master of Arts (postgraduate)|MA]] in 1961. Following his graduation, Yunus joined the Bureau of Economics. There he worked as research assistant to the economical researches of [[Professor Nurul Islam]] and [[Rehman Sobhan]].<ref>[http://www.prothom-alo.org/archive/news_details_mcat.php?dt=2006-10-14&issue_id=48&cat_id=4&nid=NzUxOA==&mid=NA== An interview of Dr. Muhammad Yunus conducted by Matiur Rahman, Editor, the daily Prothom Alo-a Bangladeshi daily news paper, written in Bangla]</ref> Later he was appointed as a lecturer in economics in [[Chittagong College]] in 1961.<ref>[http://www.prothom-alo.org/archive/news_details_mcat.php?dt=2006-10-14&issue_id=48&cat_id=4&nid=NzUxOA==&mid=NA== An interview of Dr. Muhammad Yunus conducted by Matiur Rahman, Editor, the daily Prothom Alo-a Bangladeshi daily news paper, written in Bangla]</ref> He was offered a a [[Fulbright scholarship]] in 1965 to study in the [[United States]]. He obtained his [[Ph.D.]] in economics from [[Vanderbilt University]] in the [[United States]] in 1969. From 1969 to 1972, Yunus was an assistant professor of economics at [[Middle Tennessee State University]] in Murfreesboro, TN.  
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In 1957, he enrolled in the department of [[economics]] at [[Dhaka University]] and completed his [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in 1960 and [[Master of Arts (postgraduate)|MA]] in 1961. Following his graduation, Yunus joined the Bureau of Economics. There he worked as research assistant to the economical researches of [[Professor Nurul Islam]] and [[Rehman Sobhan]]. Later he was appointed as a lecturer in economics in [[Chittagong College]] in 1961. He was offered a [[Fulbright scholarship]] in 1965 to study in the [[United States]]. He obtained his Ph.D. in economics from [[Vanderbilt University]] in the United States in 1969. From 1969 to 1972, Yunus was an assistant professor of economics at [[Middle Tennessee State University]] in Murfreesboro, [[Tennessee]].
  
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==Yunus and Bangladesh Liberation War==
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==Yunus and the Bangladesh Liberation War==
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When the [[Liberation War of Bangladesh]] started in 1971 Yunus joined in the activities of raising support for the liberation war. With other Bangladeshis living in the [[United States]], he founded the [[Bangladesh League of America]] . He also published the ''Bangladesh Newsletter'' from his home in Nashville. After Bangladesh won the war of independence on December, 16, 1971, Yunus decided to move back to participate in the work of nation building. On his return he was appointed to the government's Planning Commission headed by [[Nurul Islam]]. He found the job boring and resigned to join [[Chittagong University]] as head of the Economics department <ref>Banker to the Poor, p. 20-29</ref>.
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When the [[Bangladesh War of Independence]] started in 1971 Yunus joined in the activities of raising support for the liberation war. With other Bangladeshis living in the [[United States]], he founded the [[Bangladesh League of America]]. He also published the ''Bangladesh Newsletter'' from his home in Nashville. After Bangladesh won the war of independence on December, 16, 1971, Yunus decided to move back to participate in the work of nation building. On his return he was appointed to the government's planning commission headed by [[Nurul Islam]]. He found the job boring and resigned to join [[Chittagong University]] as head of the Economics Department <ref>Muhammad Yunus, ''Banker to the Poor, or: Micro-lending and the battle against world poverty'' (NYL Public Affairs, 1997, ISBN 9781891620119), 20-29.</ref>
  
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== Yunus and Rural Development ==
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== Yunus and rural development ==
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Yunus first got involved in fighting poverty after observing the disastrous effects of the [[Bangladesh famine of 1974|famine of 1974]]. During this time, he established a rural economic program as a research project. In 1975, he developed a Nabajug (New Era) Tebhaga Khamar (three share farm) which the government adopted as the Packaged Input Programme.<ref name="Palo-interview" /> In order to make the project more effective, Yunus and his associates proposed another project called 'Gram Sarkar' (the village government).<ref>[http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Citation/CitationYunusMuh.htm Ramon Magsaysay Award Citation] </ref> The government adopted it in 1980, but the succeeding regime later lifted it away.
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Yunus first got involved in fighting poverty after observing the disastrous effects of the famine of 1974. During this time, he established a rural economic program as a research project. In 1975, he developed a Nabajug (New Era) Tebhaga Khamar (three share farm) which the government adopted as the Packaged Input Programme. In order to make the project more effective, Yunus and his associates proposed another project called '''Gram Sarkar''' (the village government).<ref name=citation/> The government adopted it in 1980, but the succeeding regime later lifted it.
  
 
==Founding of the Grameen Bank ==
 
==Founding of the Grameen Bank ==
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In 1976 during his visits to the poorest households in village of Jobra near the university he discovered that very small loans could make a disproportionate difference to a poor person. His first loan consisted of [[USD|US$]]27 from his own pocket, which he lent to 42 women in the village of Jobra — near Chittagong University — who made [[bamboo]] furniture. They had to take out usurious loans in order to buy bamboo. They then sold these items to the moneylenders to repay them. With a net profit of .50 [[Bangladeshi taka]] (.02 USD), the women were unable to support their families.
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In 1976 during his visits to the poorest households in the village of Jobra near the university he discovered that very small loans could make a disproportionate difference to a poor person. His first loan consisted of US$27 from his own pocket, which he lent to 42 women in the village of Jobra, near Chittagong University, who made [[bamboo]] furniture. Previously, they had to take out usurious loans in order to buy bamboo; they then sold these items to the moneylenders to repay them. With a net profit of about two cents, the women were unable to support their families.  
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He quickly realized that an institution needed to be created to lend to those who had nothing. <ref>Banker to the Poor, p. 46-49</ref> However, traditional banks were not interested in making tiny loans at more reasonable interest rates to poor people, who were considered repayment risks.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6047234.stm BBC report on Muhammad Yunus]</ref>.
 
  
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{{main|Grameen Bank}}
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He quickly realized that an institution needed to be created to lend to those who had nothing.<ref>Muhammad Yunus, ''Banker to the Poor'' (NYL Public Affairs, 1997, ISBN 9781891620119), 46-49.</ref> However, traditional banks were not interested in making tiny loans at more reasonable interest rates to poor people, who were considered repayment risks.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6047234.stm Profile: World Banker to the Poor] BBC, October 13, 2006. Retrieved June 16, 2007.</ref>
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In December of 1976 Yunus finally succeeded in securing a loan from the government Janata Bank to lend it to the poor in Jobra. The institution continued to operate by securing loans from other banks for its projects. By 1982, the bank had 28,000 members. On October 1, 1983 the pilot project began operations as a full-fledged bank and was renamed the [[Grameen Bank]] (Grameen means "of rural area", "of village") to make loans to poor Bangladeshis. The Grameen Bank has issued more than US$ 6 billion to 7 million borrowers. To ensure repayment, the bank uses a system of "solidarity groups". These small informal groups apply together for loans and its members act as co-guarantors of repayment and support one another's efforts at economic self-advancement.<ref>[http://rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Citation/CitationYunusMuh.htm Ramon Magsaysay Award Citation]</ref>
 
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As it has grown, the Grameen Bank has also developed other systems of alternate credit that serve the poor. In addition to microcredit, it offers education loans and housing loans as well as financing for fisheries and [[irrigation]] projects, [[venture capital]], [[textile]]s, and other activities, along with other banking services such as savings.
 
  
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The success of the Grameen model has inspired similar efforts throughout the developing world and even in industrialized nations, including the United States. The Grameen model of micro financing has been emulated in 23 countries. Many, but not all, microcredit projects also retain its emphasis on lending specifically to women. More than 96% of Grameen loans have gone to women, who suffer disproportionately from poverty and who are more likely than men to devote their earnings to their families.<ref>[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC online]]: ''[http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/stories/s400630.htm Foreign Correspondent - Interview with Prof. Muhammad Yunus]''</ref>  For his work with the Grameen Bank, Yunus was named an [[Ashoka: Innovators for the Public]] Global Academy Member in 2001.<ref>http://www.ashoka.org/node/3798</ref>
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In December of 1976 Yunus finally succeeded in securing a loan from the government Janata Bank to lend it to the poor in Jobra. The institution continued to operate by securing loans from other banks for its projects. By 1982, the bank had 28,000 members. On October 1, 1983 this pilot project began operations as a full-fledged bank and was renamed the [[Grameen Bank]] (''Grameen'' means "of rural area," "of village") to make loans to poor Bangladeshis. The Grameen Bank has issued more than US$6 billion to 7 million borrowers. To ensure repayment, the bank uses a system of "solidarity groups." These small informal groups apply together for loans and its members act as co-guarantors of repayment and support one another's efforts at economic self-advancement.<ref name=citation>"Citation for Mohammed Yunus,"  Ramon Magsaysay Award Citation. Ramon Magsaysay Foundation, 1984.</ref>
  
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==Nobel prize==
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As it has grown, the Grameen Bank has also developed other systems of alternate credit that serve the poor. In addition to microcredit, it offers education loans and housing loans as well as financing for fisheries and [[irrigation]] projects, [[venture capital]], [[textile]]s, and other activities, along with other banking services such as savings. As clients repay their smaller loans first, they become eligible for larger loans, with the house-loan at the maximum level. Loans are made against a business plan. Bank workers go to the villages and assist with the loan process. Clients do not have to visit the bank. The bank is itself governed by the poor, whose terms of office expire once they have achieved financial independence. About 94 percent of the bank is owned by its borrowers. The government of Bangladesh owns 6 percent.  
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Muhammad Yunus was awarded the 2006 [[Nobel Peace Prize]], along with Grameen Bank, for "their efforts to create economic and social development from below."
 
  
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==Nagorik Shakti==
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The success of the Grameen Bank model has inspired similar efforts throughout the developing world and even in industrialized nations, including the United States. The Grameen model of micro financing has been emulated in 23 countries. Many, but not all, microcredit projects also retain its emphasis on lending specifically to women. More than 96 percent of Grameen loans have gone to women, who suffer disproportionately from poverty and who are more likely than men to devote their earnings to their families.<ref>George Negus, [http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/stories/s400630.htm "Interview with Professor Muhammad Yunus." ] Australian Broadcasting Corporation ''World in Focus,'' March 25, 1997. Retrieved June 17, 2007.</ref>
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Recently, Prof. Yunus has declared that he will start his own political party named [[Nagorik Shakti]] (Citizens' Power). The name has not been finalized yet, but he stated this is the likely name. He wished to have candidates at all 300 seats of Bangladesh in the upcoming election.
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However, after much contemplation, Dr. Yunus has decided not to go forward with his political ambitions. He argued that while he received letters of support from people of many walks in life, many, including politicians, were not ready to publicly pledge support due to the precarious political situation of Bangladesh.[http://http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/05/04/d7050401129.htm Yunus writes letter to all]
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==Nobel Peace Prize==
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{{readout||right|250px|Yunus and [[Grameen Bank]] were awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] for the initiation of [[microcredit]]}}
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Muhammad Yunus was awarded the 2006 [[Nobel Peace Prize]], along with Grameen Bank, for "their efforts to create economic and social development from below." Some have suggested that Yunus could have been awarded the Nobel Economics Prize, which carries more weight in some circles as it lacks the political controversy that often clouds the Peace Prize. However, recognition that while millions in the world remain poor, just societies—which are the necessary foundation for peaceful societies—remain a dream in many parts of the world. Without access to adequate education, as well as freedom from poverty, the quality of civil society upon which democracy stands cannot be formed. Grameen Bank awards about 30,000 scholarships every year enabling children to attend school.
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The award of the Nobel Prize to Muhammad Yunus recognizes that until the world is also a just world, peace will prove difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. In awarding the prize, the Norwegian Committee also spoke of building bridges between the West and the Islamic world.
  
 
==Awards==
 
==Awards==
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* 1978—[[President's Award (Bangladesh)|President's Award]], [[Bangladesh]]
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* 1978 — [[President's Award (Bangladesh)|President's Award]], [[Bangladesh]]
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* 1984—[[Ramon Magsaysay Award]], [[Philippines]]
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* 1984 — [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]], [[Philippines]]
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* 1985—[[Bangladesh Bank Award]], [[Bangladesh]]
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* 1985 — [[Bangladesh Bank Award]], [[Bangladesh]]
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* 1987—[[Shwadhinota Dibosh Puroshkar]] (Independence Day Award), [[Bangladesh]]
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* 1987 — [[Shwadhinota Dibosh Puroshkar]] (Independence Day Award), [[Bangladesh]]
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* 1989—[[Aga Khan Award for Architecture]], [[Switzerland]]
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* 1989 — [[Aga Khan Award for Architecture]], [[Switzerland]]
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* 1993—[[CARE (relief)|CARE]] [[Humanitarian Service Medal|Humanitarian Award]]
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* 1993 — [[CARE (relief)|CARE]] [[Humanitarian Service Medal|Humanitarian Award]]
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* 1994—Winner of the [[World Food Prize]]
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* 1994 — Winner of the [[World Food Prize]]
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* 1995—Winner- The Freedom Prize from The Max Schmidheiny Foundation
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* 1995 — Winner<ref>[http://www.ms-foundation.org/awardees/1995/yunus.htm Dr. Muhammad Yunus, 1995]. The Freedom Prize[http://www.ms-foundation.org/the_freedom_prize_en.htm] from [http://www.ms-foundation.org/the_freedom_prize_en.htm The Max Schmidheiny Foundation].</ref> of the [[Max Schmidheiny Freedom Prize]]<ref>[http://www.ms-foundation.org/ The Max Schmidheiny Foundation]</ref>
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* 1996—Winner of the [[UNESCO]] [[Simón Bolívar Prize]]
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* 1996 — Winner of the [[UNESCO]] [[Simón Bolívar Prize]]
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* 1997—Received award from Strømme Foundation, [[Norway]]
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* 1997 — Received award<ref>http://www.stromme.org/?1=1 Help for SelfHelp Award</ref> from [[Strømme Foundation]],<ref>http://www.eu-cord.org/members/strommetxt.html</ref> Norway
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* 1998—Received [[Indira Gandhi Prize]]
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* 1998—Received [[Prince of Asturias Award]]
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* 1998—Winner of the [[Sydney Peace Prize]]
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* 2001—Named [[Ashoka: Innovators for the Public|Ashoka]] Global Academy Member
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* 2004—Winner of ''[[The Economist]]'' newspaper's [[Economist prize for social and economic innovation|Prize for social and economic innovation]].
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* 2006—[[Mother Teresa]] Award instituted by the Mother Teresa International and Millennium Award Committee (MTIMAC), Kolkata, India.
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* 2006 - "Freedom from want" Award, one of the Four Freedom Awards; Roosevelt Study Centre.
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* 2006—Eighth Seoul Peace Prize
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* 2006—'''[[Nobel Peace Prize]]''', shared with [[Grameen Bank]]
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* 2007 - Vanderbilt University Nichol's Chancellor Award
  
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{{Col-2-of-2}}
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Additionally, Yunus has been awarded 27 [[Honorary degree|honorary doctorate]] degrees (all but one a doctorate), and 15 special awards. The Grameen Bank website includes a<ref>[http://www.grameen-info.org/bank/Listofawards.html Awards Received by Grameen Bank]. Retrieved August 14, 2007.</ref> list of awards received by Professor Muhammad Yunus.  
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* 1998 — Received [[Indira Gandhi Prize]]
 
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* 1998 — Received [[Prince of Asturias Award]]
 
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* 1998 — Winner of the [[Sydney Peace Prize]]
 
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* 2001 — Named [[Ashoka: Innovators for the Public|Ashoka]] Global Academy Member
 
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* 2004 — Winner of ''[[The Economist]]'' newspaper's [[Economist prize for social and economic innovation|Prize for social and economic innovation]].
 
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* 2006 — [[Mother Teresa Award]] instituted by the Mother Teresa International and Millennium Award Committee (MTIMAC), Kolkata, India.
 
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* 2006 - "Freedom from want" Award, one of the Four Freedom Awards; [[Roosevelt Study Centre]].
 
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* 2006 — 8th [[Seoul Peace Prize]]
 
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* 2006 — '''[[Nobel Peace Prize]]''', shared with [[Grameen Bank]]
 
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* 2007 - Vanderbilt University Nichol's Chancellor Award
 
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* And 47 others, for a total of 62.
 
  
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{{Col-end}}
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Former [[United States|U.S.]] president [[William Jefferson Clinton|Bill Clinton]] was a vocal advocate for the awarding of the Nobel Prize to Muhammad Yunus, although he assumed it would be for economics, not peace.<ref>Jim Boulden, [http://edition.cnn.com/BUSINESS/programs/yourbusiness/stories2001/lending/ "The Birth of Micro-credit"]. CNN, March 29, 2001. Retrieved June 17, 2007.</ref><ref>Bill Clinton, ''My Life'' (NY: Random House, 1994, ISBN 9781400030033), 533.</ref> "Muhammad Yunus should have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics years ago." 
  
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Additionally, Prof. Yunus has been awarded 27 [[Honorary degree|honorary doctorate]] degrees (all but one a doctorate), and 15 special awards. The Grameen Bank website includes a [http://www.grameen-info.org/bank/Listofawards.html List of Awards Received by Professor Muhammad Yunus].
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In July 2007 in Johannesburg, [[South Africa]], [[Nelson Mandela]], his wife, and [[Desmond Tutu]] convened a group of world leaders to contribute their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity together to the world. Mandela announced the formation of this new group, The Global Elders, in a speech he delivered on his 89th birthday. Archbishop Tutu serves as the Chair of The Elders. The founding members of this group include Muhammad Yunus, [[Kofi Annan]], Ela Bhatt, Gro Harlem Brundtland, [[Jimmy Carter]], Li Zhaoxing, and Mary Robinson. The Elders are to be independently funded by a group of Founders.
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Former [[United States|U.S.]] president [[Bill Clinton]] was a vocal advocate for the awarding of the Nobel Prize to Muhammed Yunus. He expressed this in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/BUSINESS/programs/yourbusiness/stories2001/lending/ The birth of micro credit], ''CNN'', [[March 29]], [[2001]]</ref> as well as in his autobiography ''[[My Life (Bill Clinton autobiography)|My Life]].''<ref>[http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051002/asp/opinion/story_5294523.asp Left Behind - By Bangladesh: Bangladeshi girls have higher rates of school attendance than Indian girls] ''The Telegraph'', [[October 2]], [[2005]]</ref> In a speech given at [[University of California, Berkeley]] in 2002, President Clinton described Dr. Yunus as "a man who long ago should have won the Nobel Prize [and] I’ll keep saying that until they finally give it to him."<ref> [http://www.berkeley.edu/news/features/2002/clinton/clinton-transcript.html President Clinton's Talk at Zellerbach Hall, [[University of California, Berkeley|UC Berkeley]], CA, USA on [[January 29]], [[2002]]]</ref>
 
  
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Yunus was judged one among the ten most famous living [[Bengali people|Bengali]] personalities in a poll organized by ''Muktadhara New York''. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}
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Yunus was judged one among the ten most famous living [[Bengali people|Bengali]] personalities in a poll organized by ''Muktadhara New York.''
  
 
==Other Grameen initiatives==
 
==Other Grameen initiatives==
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;Grameen Phone — Pioneer of Telecommunication
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*Grameen Phone—Pioneer of Telecommunication
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The [[Grameen Phone]] [[telecommunication]] project has evolved to become Bangladesh's biggest private phone company. Grameen Phone is now the leading telecommunications service provider in the country with more than 10 million subscribers as of November 2006.[According to Grameen Phone official website]
+
The [[Grameen Phone]] [[telecommunication]] project has evolved to become Bangladesh's biggest private phone company. Grameen Phone is now the leading telecommunications service provider in the country with more than ten million subscribers as of November 2006, according to Grameen Phone website.
 +
*Village Phone
 +
The Grameen Phone ([[Village Phone]]) ({{lang|bn|পল্লি ফোন}}, {{lang|bn-Latn|''polli fon''}}) project is another brainchild of Dr. Yunus that aims to bring phone connectivity to the rural population of Bangladesh, and at the same time give [[entrepreneur]]al opportunities to rural women. Village Phone works by the basic idea of providing small amount loans to rural women to buy [[cellular telephone|cellular phones]] to set up "public call centers" at their homes. Income generated by the call centers is used to pay off the loans.
 +
*Grameen Star Education
 +
This was a project where students could take courses on currently needed sectors; they could also use this as a source. Grameen took this step to prevent foreign [[multi-level marketing]] (MLM) firms from rushing into Bangladesh.
 +
*"Grameen Check"
 +
To build on the tradition of self-sufficiency, Dr. Yunus started a trend to wear simple garments made from locally-handwoven cotton, modeled after Indian Madras plaid, known as "Grameen check." He also always wears [[Grameen Check]]. Not only is wearing this a popular trend spanning all classes of people of Bangladesh, especially in the capital [[Dhaka]], but export of Grameen Check has spread to other nations. There are dozens of Grameen-based showrooms all over the country.
  
−
;Village Phone
+
==Notes==
−
The Gramer Phone ([[Village Phone]]) ({{lang|bn|পল্লি ফোন}}, {{lang|bn-Latn|''polli fon''}}) project is another brainchild of Dr. Yunus that aims to bring phone connectivity to the rural population of Bangladesh, and at the same time give [[entrepreneur]]al opportunities to rural women. Village Phone works by the basic idea of providing small amount loans to rural women to buy [[cellular telephone|cellular phones]] to set up "public call centers" at their homes. Income generated by the call centers is used to pay off the loans.
+
<div class="references-small">
−
 
+
<references />
−
;Grameen Star Education
 
−
This was a project where students could take courses on currently needed sectors; they could  also use this as a {{abbrlink|MLM|Multi Level Marketing}} source. Grameen took this step to prevent foreign MLMs from rushing into Bangladesh.
 
  
−
;Grameen Check
+
==References==
−
For the moral of self-dependence, Dr. Yunus started a trend to wear simple local clothes and opened a small section for clothing. He also always wears [[Grameen Check]]. Now, it is one of the most popular trends among all classes of people of Bangladesh, especially in the capital [[Dhaka]]. There are dozens of Grameen-based showrooms all over the country.
 
  
−
==Political activity==
+
* Bornstein, Davi. ''The Price of a Dream: The Story of the Grameen Bank.'' Oxford: Oxford University Press, reissued with a new foreword, 2006. ISBN 9780684811918
−
 
+
* Clinton, Bill. ''My Life''. NY: Random House, 1994. ISBN 9781400030033
−
Yunus considered entering politics in late 2006.<ref>[http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/10/18/d6101801022.htm "Yunus not willing to be caretaker chief"], ''The Daily Star'', Vol. 5 Num 853, October 18, 2006.</ref>
+
* Holcombe, Susan. ''Managing to Empower: The Grameen Bank's Experience of Poverty Alleviation.'' Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Zed Books, 1995 ISBN 9781856493154
−
 
+
* Szpara, Michelle Yvonne, Iftikhar Ahmad, and Patricia Velde Pederson. "Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus: A Banker Who Believes Credit is a Human Right." ''Social Education'' 71(1) (2007): 9-14. ISSN 0037-7724
−
On [[February 11]], [[2007]], Yunus created a stir of interest among Bangladeshis living both abroad and in the country, after he wrote an open letter that was published in the Bangladeshi newspaper ''[[Daily Star (Bangladesh)|Daily Star]]''. In his letter, he asked citizens for views on his plan to float a political party to establish political goodwill, proper leadership and good governance and build a new Bangladesh. He observed that the current political climate seeks to destroy the potential of the country and so without a comprehensive change there, it would never be possible to take the nation "to the height it deserves."<sup>[http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/02/12/d7021201011.htm]</sup> In the letter, he called on everyone to briefly outline how he should go about the task and how they can contribute to it.<sup>[http://muhammadyunus.org/content/view/80/1/lang,en/]</sup>
+
* Yunus, Muhammad. ''Banker to the Poor: Micro-lending and the battle against world poverty.'' ''NYL Public Affairs'' 1997 ISBN 9781891620119
−
 
+
* Yunus, Muhammad. "Crossing the Digital Divide: Microcredit and IT for the Poor." ''New Perspectives Quarterly'' 18(1) (2001): 25-26. ISSN 0893-7850
−
Yunus finally announced the foundation of a new party called [[Citizens' Power]] (Nagorik Shakti) on [[February 18]], [[2007]].<sup>[http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006502326]</sup> He said, however, that this was not the final decision on the name of the party, and that the final decision would be taken by the end of February 2007.<sup>[http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_34138.shtml]</sup> His political party was intended to be totally different from traditional ones and democratic from the grassroots level.
+
* Yunus, Muhammad. "A Bank for the Poor." ''The Unesco Courier'' 50(1) (1997): 20. ISSN 0041-5278
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There was speculation that the army supported a move by Yunus into politics.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6530781.stm "Bangladesh at a crossroads"], BBC News, April 5, 2007.</ref> On [[May 3]], however, Yunus said that he had decided to abandon his political plans following a meeting with the head of the interim government, [[Fakhruddin Ahmed]].<ref>[http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E6E2375D-C914-49CC-9356-09D72BA2E02A.htm "Yunus drops plans to enter politics"], Al Jazeera, May 3, 2007.</ref>
 
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==See also==
 
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* [[Microfinance]]
 
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* [[Grameen Bank]]
 
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* [[Ashoka: Innovators for the Public]]
 
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* [[Balochistan]]
 
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==References ==
 
−
<div class="references-small">
 
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<references />
 
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* [http://www.grameen-info.org/book/index.htm Yunus's autobiography]
 
−
* The Price of a Dream: The Story of the [[Grameen Bank]], by [[David Bornstein]] (Oxford University Press, reissued with a new foreword 2006)
 
−
* [http://www.pbs.org/opb/thenewheroes/meet/yunus.html PBS Biography] An article on Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank.
 
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* [http://www.nndb.com/people/183/000049036/ A short biography]
 
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* Awardee Profile of [http://www.ms-foundation.org/awardees/1995/yunus.htm Max Schmidheiny Freedom Price]
 
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* Banker to the Poor: Micro-lending and the battle against world poverty, by [[Muhammad Yunus]] (Public Affairs, New York, 1997)
 
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* A Nobel Peace Prize for Neoliberalism? http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn10202006.html
 
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</div>
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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{{wikiquote}}
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All links retrieved November 10, 2022.
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* [http://www.grameen-info.org/ Grameen Bank] - Grameen Bank's Official Web Site
 
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* [http://www.muhammadyunus.org/ MuhammadYunus.org] - Website of Muhammad Yunus
 
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* [http://www.nagorik-shakti.net Campaign website] - 2007 campaign to elect Yunus prime minister of Bangladesh
 
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* [http://www.worldfoodprize.org/laureates/Past/1994.htm Muhammad Yunus Bio] - The World Food Prize
 
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* [http://www.scottlondon.com/photo/oslo2006/index.html Muhammad Yunus Receives the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize] - A Photo Essay by Scott London
 
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* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6047234.stm World Banker to the Poor] - A BBC Profile
 
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* [http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_52/b3965024.htm Microcredit Missionary] - A BusinessWeek Profile
 
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* [http://edition.cnn.com/BUSINESS/programs/yourbusiness/stories2001/lending/ The Birth of Micro Credit] - CNN Business Article
 
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* [http://modul.germandream.zdf.de/flash.php?id=55 Audio Interview with Muhammad Yunus] - By Wolfgang Blau (a.k.a. Harrer) and Alysa Selene, ZDF Germany
 
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*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6623341.stm Nobel laureate drops party hopes BBC May 4, 2007]
 
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===Videos===
 
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* [http://ethikana.com/video/yunus.htm A Collection of Video Documentaries about Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank]
 
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* [http://www.izzit.org "Pennies A Day" video featuring Muhammad Yunus]
 
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* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7311664220678511865&hl=en-GB International Forum Social Entrepreneurship Award: Honoring Muhammad Yunus — video]]
 
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{{Nobel Peace Prize Laureates 2001-2025}}
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* [http://www.grameen-info.org/ Grameen Bank] - Grameen Bank's Official Web Site.
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{{Persondata
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* [http://www.muhammadyunus.org/ Yunus Centre] - Yunus Centre Website web site.
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|NAME=Yunus, Muhammad
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* [http://www.scottlondon.com/photo/oslo2006/index.html Muhammad Yunus Receives the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize] - A Photo Essay by Scott London.
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|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Iunus, Muhammod (alternate transliteration); মুহাম্মদ ইউনুস (Bengali)
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* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6047234.stm World's Banker to the Poor] - A BBC Profile.
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|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Economist and banker
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* [http://www.grameenfoundation.org/ Grameen Foundation]
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|DATE OF BIRTH=[[June 28]] [[1940]]
 
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Latest revision as of 01:49, 11 March 2023

Muhammad Yunus

Dr. Muhammad Yunus (Bengali: মুহাম্মদ ইউনুস, pronounced Muhammôd Iunus) (born June 28, 1940), is a Bangladeshi banker and economist. He is famous for his successful application of the concept of microcredit, the extension of small loans to entrepreneurs too poor to qualify for traditional bank loans. Yunus is also the founder of Grameen Bank. Known as the "banker to the poor" he is also director emeritus of the Grameen Foundation, which replicates the bank's micro-finance model around the globe. In 2006, Yunus and the bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below" recognizing the important link between poverty and peace. "Lasting peace can not be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty. Micro-credit is one such means," said the Chair of the Nobel Committee, and "Development from below …serves to advance democracy and human rights."[1] Yunus himself has received several other international honors, including the ITU World Information Society Award, Ramon Magsaysay Award, the World Food Prize and the Sydney Peace Prize. In March 2011, the Bangladesh government fired Yunus from his position at Grameen Bank, citing legal violations and an age limit on his position.

Yunus launched a political party in Bangladesh, Nagorik Shakti (Citizen Power). His work has especially empowered women, who represent 95 percent of the bank's clientele. Professor of Economics at Chittagong University, Yunus was determined to make a difference, not just to theorize about poverty alleviation. A member of the board of the United Nations Foundation, founded by Ted Turner in 1997, Yunus collaborates closely with the United Nations. Between 1993 and 1995 he served on the International Advisory Group for the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing and from 1993-1995 on the Global Commission of Women's Health (1993-1995). He is convinced that poverty can be wiped off the face of the planet.

Childhood and family

Yunus was born in 1940 in the village of Bathua, in Hathazari, Chittagong, Bangladesh. His father's name is Hazi Dula Mia Shoudagar, and mother's name is Sofia Khatun. His early childhood years were spent in the village. In 1944, his family moved to the city of Chittagong, where his father had a jewelry business.

In 1967, Yunus met Vera Forostenko, a student of Russian literature at Vanderbilt University and daughter of Russian immigrants to Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.A. They were married in 1970. Yunus's marriage with Vera ended in 1977 within months of the birth of their baby girl, Monica Yunus, as Vera returned to New Jersey claiming that Bangladesh was not a good place to raise a baby. Yunus later married Afrozi Yunus, who was then a researcher in physics at Manchester University. She was later appointed as a professor of physics at Jahangirnagar University. Their daughter Deena Afroz Yunus was born in 1986. His brothers are also active in academia. His brother Muhammad Ibrahim is a professor of physics at Dhaka University and the founder of The Center for Mass Education in Science (CMES), which brings science education to adolescent girls in villages. His younger brother Muhammad Jahangir is a popular television presenter.

Education and early career

He studied at his village school in the early years. When his family moved to Chittagong, he enrolled in the Lamabazar Primary School. Later, he studied at Chittagong Collegiate School and passed the matriculation examination, in which he secured the sixteenth position among 39,000 students in East Pakistan. During his school years, he was active in the Boy Scouts, and traveled to West Pakistan and India in 1952. In 1955, he attended the World Scouts Jamboree in Canada as part of the Pakistan contingent. On the way back, he traveled through Europe and Asia by road. Next, Yunus enrolled into Chittagong College where he was active in cultural activities and got awards for acting in dramas.

In 1957, he enrolled in the department of economics at Dhaka University and completed his BA in 1960 and MA in 1961. Following his graduation, Yunus joined the Bureau of Economics. There he worked as research assistant to the economical researches of Professor Nurul Islam and Rehman Sobhan. Later he was appointed as a lecturer in economics in Chittagong College in 1961. He was offered a Fulbright scholarship in 1965 to study in the United States. He obtained his Ph.D. in economics from Vanderbilt University in the United States in 1969. From 1969 to 1972, Yunus was an assistant professor of economics at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Yunus and the Bangladesh Liberation War

When the Bangladesh War of Independence started in 1971 Yunus joined in the activities of raising support for the liberation war. With other Bangladeshis living in the United States, he founded the Bangladesh League of America. He also published the Bangladesh Newsletter from his home in Nashville. After Bangladesh won the war of independence on December, 16, 1971, Yunus decided to move back to participate in the work of nation building. On his return he was appointed to the government's planning commission headed by Nurul Islam. He found the job boring and resigned to join Chittagong University as head of the Economics Department [2]

Yunus and rural development

Yunus first got involved in fighting poverty after observing the disastrous effects of the famine of 1974. During this time, he established a rural economic program as a research project. In 1975, he developed a Nabajug (New Era) Tebhaga Khamar (three share farm) which the government adopted as the Packaged Input Programme. In order to make the project more effective, Yunus and his associates proposed another project called Gram Sarkar (the village government).[3] The government adopted it in 1980, but the succeeding regime later lifted it.

Founding of the Grameen Bank

In 1976 during his visits to the poorest households in the village of Jobra near the university he discovered that very small loans could make a disproportionate difference to a poor person. His first loan consisted of US$27 from his own pocket, which he lent to 42 women in the village of Jobra, near Chittagong University, who made bamboo furniture. Previously, they had to take out usurious loans in order to buy bamboo; they then sold these items to the moneylenders to repay them. With a net profit of about two cents, the women were unable to support their families.

He quickly realized that an institution needed to be created to lend to those who had nothing.[4] However, traditional banks were not interested in making tiny loans at more reasonable interest rates to poor people, who were considered repayment risks.[5]

In December of 1976 Yunus finally succeeded in securing a loan from the government Janata Bank to lend it to the poor in Jobra. The institution continued to operate by securing loans from other banks for its projects. By 1982, the bank had 28,000 members. On October 1, 1983 this pilot project began operations as a full-fledged bank and was renamed the Grameen Bank (Grameen means "of rural area," "of village") to make loans to poor Bangladeshis. The Grameen Bank has issued more than US$6 billion to 7 million borrowers. To ensure repayment, the bank uses a system of "solidarity groups." These small informal groups apply together for loans and its members act as co-guarantors of repayment and support one another's efforts at economic self-advancement.[3]

As it has grown, the Grameen Bank has also developed other systems of alternate credit that serve the poor. In addition to microcredit, it offers education loans and housing loans as well as financing for fisheries and irrigation projects, venture capital, textiles, and other activities, along with other banking services such as savings. As clients repay their smaller loans first, they become eligible for larger loans, with the house-loan at the maximum level. Loans are made against a business plan. Bank workers go to the villages and assist with the loan process. Clients do not have to visit the bank. The bank is itself governed by the poor, whose terms of office expire once they have achieved financial independence. About 94 percent of the bank is owned by its borrowers. The government of Bangladesh owns 6 percent.

The success of the Grameen Bank model has inspired similar efforts throughout the developing world and even in industrialized nations, including the United States. The Grameen model of micro financing has been emulated in 23 countries. Many, but not all, microcredit projects also retain its emphasis on lending specifically to women. More than 96 percent of Grameen loans have gone to women, who suffer disproportionately from poverty and who are more likely than men to devote their earnings to their families.[6]

Nobel Peace Prize

Did you know?
Yunus and Grameen Bank were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the initiation of microcredit

Muhammad Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Grameen Bank, for "their efforts to create economic and social development from below." Some have suggested that Yunus could have been awarded the Nobel Economics Prize, which carries more weight in some circles as it lacks the political controversy that often clouds the Peace Prize. However, recognition that while millions in the world remain poor, just societies—which are the necessary foundation for peaceful societies—remain a dream in many parts of the world. Without access to adequate education, as well as freedom from poverty, the quality of civil society upon which democracy stands cannot be formed. Grameen Bank awards about 30,000 scholarships every year enabling children to attend school.

The award of the Nobel Prize to Muhammad Yunus recognizes that until the world is also a just world, peace will prove difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. In awarding the prize, the Norwegian Committee also spoke of building bridges between the West and the Islamic world.

Awards

  • 1978—President's Award, Bangladesh
  • 1984—Ramon Magsaysay Award, Philippines
  • 1985—Bangladesh Bank Award, Bangladesh
  • 1987—Shwadhinota Dibosh Puroshkar (Independence Day Award), Bangladesh
  • 1989—Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Switzerland
  • 1993—CARE Humanitarian Award
  • 1994—Winner of the World Food Prize
  • 1995—Winner- The Freedom Prize from The Max Schmidheiny Foundation
  • 1996—Winner of the UNESCO Simón Bolívar Prize
  • 1997—Received award from Strømme Foundation, Norway
  • 1998—Received Indira Gandhi Prize
  • 1998—Received Prince of Asturias Award
  • 1998—Winner of the Sydney Peace Prize
  • 2001—Named Ashoka Global Academy Member
  • 2004—Winner of The Economist newspaper's Prize for social and economic innovation.
  • 2006—Mother Teresa Award instituted by the Mother Teresa International and Millennium Award Committee (MTIMAC), Kolkata, India.
  • 2006 - "Freedom from want" Award, one of the Four Freedom Awards; Roosevelt Study Centre.
  • 2006—Eighth Seoul Peace Prize
  • 2006—Nobel Peace Prize, shared with Grameen Bank
  • 2007 - Vanderbilt University Nichol's Chancellor Award

Additionally, Yunus has been awarded 27 honorary doctorate degrees (all but one a doctorate), and 15 special awards. The Grameen Bank website includes a[7] list of awards received by Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton was a vocal advocate for the awarding of the Nobel Prize to Muhammad Yunus, although he assumed it would be for economics, not peace.[8][9] "Muhammad Yunus should have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics years ago."

In July 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nelson Mandela, his wife, and Desmond Tutu convened a group of world leaders to contribute their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity together to the world. Mandela announced the formation of this new group, The Global Elders, in a speech he delivered on his 89th birthday. Archbishop Tutu serves as the Chair of The Elders. The founding members of this group include Muhammad Yunus, Kofi Annan, Ela Bhatt, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Jimmy Carter, Li Zhaoxing, and Mary Robinson. The Elders are to be independently funded by a group of Founders.

Yunus was judged one among the ten most famous living Bengali personalities in a poll organized by Muktadhara New York.

Other Grameen initiatives

  • Grameen Phone—Pioneer of Telecommunication

The Grameen Phone telecommunication project has evolved to become Bangladesh's biggest private phone company. Grameen Phone is now the leading telecommunications service provider in the country with more than ten million subscribers as of November 2006, according to Grameen Phone website.

  • Village Phone

The Grameen Phone (Village Phone) (পল্লি ফোন, polli fon) project is another brainchild of Dr. Yunus that aims to bring phone connectivity to the rural population of Bangladesh, and at the same time give entrepreneural opportunities to rural women. Village Phone works by the basic idea of providing small amount loans to rural women to buy cellular phones to set up "public call centers" at their homes. Income generated by the call centers is used to pay off the loans.

  • Grameen Star Education

This was a project where students could take courses on currently needed sectors; they could also use this as a source. Grameen took this step to prevent foreign multi-level marketing (MLM) firms from rushing into Bangladesh.

  • "Grameen Check"

To build on the tradition of self-sufficiency, Dr. Yunus started a trend to wear simple garments made from locally-handwoven cotton, modeled after Indian Madras plaid, known as "Grameen check." He also always wears Grameen Check. Not only is wearing this a popular trend spanning all classes of people of Bangladesh, especially in the capital Dhaka, but export of Grameen Check has spread to other nations. There are dozens of Grameen-based showrooms all over the country.

Notes

  1. ↑ Ole Danbolt Mjøshttp, Presenting Speech: The Nobel Peace Prize, 2006. December 10, 2006. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  2. ↑ Muhammad Yunus, Banker to the Poor, or: Micro-lending and the battle against world poverty (NYL Public Affairs, 1997, ISBN 9781891620119), 20-29.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Citation for Mohammed Yunus," Ramon Magsaysay Award Citation. Ramon Magsaysay Foundation, 1984.
  4. ↑ Muhammad Yunus, Banker to the Poor (NYL Public Affairs, 1997, ISBN 9781891620119), 46-49.
  5. ↑ Profile: World Banker to the Poor BBC, October 13, 2006. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  6. ↑ George Negus, "Interview with Professor Muhammad Yunus." Australian Broadcasting Corporation World in Focus, March 25, 1997. Retrieved June 17, 2007.
  7. ↑ Awards Received by Grameen Bank. Retrieved August 14, 2007.
  8. ↑ Jim Boulden, "The Birth of Micro-credit". CNN, March 29, 2001. Retrieved June 17, 2007.
  9. ↑ Bill Clinton, My Life (NY: Random House, 1994, ISBN 9781400030033), 533.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Bornstein, Davi. The Price of a Dream: The Story of the Grameen Bank. Oxford: Oxford University Press, reissued with a new foreword, 2006. ISBN 9780684811918
  • Clinton, Bill. My Life. NY: Random House, 1994. ISBN 9781400030033
  • Holcombe, Susan. Managing to Empower: The Grameen Bank's Experience of Poverty Alleviation. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Zed Books, 1995 ISBN 9781856493154
  • Szpara, Michelle Yvonne, Iftikhar Ahmad, and Patricia Velde Pederson. "Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus: A Banker Who Believes Credit is a Human Right." Social Education 71(1) (2007): 9-14. ISSN 0037-7724
  • Yunus, Muhammad. Banker to the Poor: Micro-lending and the battle against world poverty. NYL Public Affairs 1997 ISBN 9781891620119
  • Yunus, Muhammad. "Crossing the Digital Divide: Microcredit and IT for the Poor." New Perspectives Quarterly 18(1) (2001): 25-26. ISSN 0893-7850
  • Yunus, Muhammad. "A Bank for the Poor." The Unesco Courier 50(1) (1997): 20. ISSN 0041-5278

External links

All links retrieved November 10, 2022.

Nobel Peace Prize laureates

Kofi Annan / United Nations (2001) • Jimmy Carter (2002) • Shirin Ebadi (2003) • Wangari Maathai (2004) • International Atomic Energy Agency / Mohamed ElBaradei (2005) • Grameen Bank / Muhammad Yunus (2006) • Al Gore / Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007) • Martti Ahtisaari (2008) • Barack Obama (2009) • Liu Xiaobo (2010) • Ellen Johnson Sirleaf / Leymah Gbowee / Tawakkol Karman (2011) • European Union (2012) • Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (2013) • Kailash Satyarthi / Malala Yousafzai (2014) • Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet (2015) • Juan Manuel Santos (2016) • International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (2017) • Denis Mukwege / Nadia Murad (2018) • Abiy Ahmed (2019) • World Food Programme (2020) • Maria Ressa / Dmitry Muratov (2021) • Ales Bialiatski / Memorial / Centre for Civil Liberties (2022) • Narges Mohammadi (2023)

Complete roster: 1901–1925 · 1926–1950 · 1951–1975 · 1976–2000 · 2001–2025

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