Media In the Media Why I support Muhammed Yunus
| Why I support Muhammed Yunus |
| Feb 13 2011 |
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By Nick Stace Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Muhammed Yunus is being investigated for alleged corruption by Bangladesh's government. Nick Stace defends the man who has helped millions of the world's poorest people. A year ago, I along with other social enterprise leaders from around the world visited Nobel laureate Professor Yunus at his Grameen headquarters in Dhaka, Bangladesh. I'm lucky that through my work I get to meet some interesting people in life, but I have met few people who can match the Yunus magic - his charisma and vision has transformed the lives of some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. But ever since Professor Yunus received the Nobel Prize in 2006 for his amazing work on micro credit, and his stand against corruption in politics in 2007, he has been distrusted by the Bangladeshi government. This has now taken a sinister turn with Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladeshi prime minister, giving credence to unsubstantiated claims of corruption at Grameen. According to supporters of Yunus, this is a clumsy attempt to wrestle the world's leading social enterprise away from the poor.
At our first meeting in Dhaka, Professor Yunus used a vivid analogy to explain the problem that the poor face: "To me poor people are like Bonsai trees. When you plant the best seed of the tallest tree in a flower pot you get a replica of the tallest tree only inches tall. There is nothing wrong with the seed you planted - only the soil base is too inadequate. Poor people are Bonsai people. There is nothing wrong with their seeds, only society didn't give them the base to grow on." "Real" banks have never wanted to loan to the poor, only loan sharks do with business models that extract bone-crushing interest rates attached to violence and intimidation. Grameen in contrast provides loans at reasonable rates, in a supportive environment. It's inspiring stuff because it puts people at the heart of business solutions, and without political interference it will continue for the benefit of generations to come. There is no question that Professor Yunus is challenging to the world as we see it; he turns on its head conventional thinking, which of itself can allow the seeds of doubt and suspicion to fester in an insecure regime. It is of course a familiar story that people who suffer the most often live in parts of the world that experience higher than average levels of corruption. Transparency International confirmed in a recent report that Bangladesh is still extremely high on the world corruption league table. And as The Economist noted in 2007, "The problem is that the mafia in Bangladesh are the political parties." For that reason Professor Yunus embarked on a mission to clean up politics, a move The Economist says earned him "powerful enemies among Bangladesh's politicians". Yunus began forming a political party, then quickly dropped the plan - but that was enough to put the current prime minister on guard.The recent attacks on Yunus are over corruption allegations that were proven unfounded some years ago. In 1996 the Norwegian Development Agency thought the movement of $100 million in aid money from one Grameen entity to another was a violation of a clause in its aid contract. Grameen agreed to move the funds back and the matter was settled amicably. The Norwegian Finance Minister Erik Solheim declared that "according to the report, there is no indication that Norwegian funds have been used for unintended purposes, or that Grameen Bank has engaged in corrupt practices or embezzled funds". It is understandable why Yunus supporters see the attacks on him as politically motivated and fear that the government will not give up trying to ruin his reputation. According to Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times, "It may be that the government worries that Yunus will enter politics, or criticise politicians - and they may also be salivating at the prospect of gaining control over Grameen, which touches one person in three in Bangladesh." Whatever the reasons for the attack on Yunus - jealousy, personal gain, fear or loathing - if he goes under and the bank comes under government control, the big losers will be the poor of Bangladesh, as well as the micro credit movement around the world. It would be a tragedy of epic proportions affecting millions of the most vulnerable people globally. That's why I feel so passionate about standing up for Professor Yunus and why I've joined Liam Black, co-founder of Wavelength (a partner of Grameen) and Danone in supporting the birth of a new organisation called Friends of Grameen. Friends of Grameen has already attracted a unique coalition of social enterprise leaders, big corporations and political leaders from around the world. It will be chaired by Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland and I believe it can help build an unstoppable momentum in support of the global icon of the poor. Through Friends of Grameen we are putting pressure on every political leader from around the world who has basked in the Yunus glory, to now defend him in his hour of need. David Cameron met the Bangladeshi prime minister two weeks ago and through his advisors we encouraged him to raise widespread concerns about the way Yunus is being treated. In Australia the support of Kevin Rudd, the foreign affairs minister, is being sought. And Hilary Clinton, US secretary of state, has already declared her support.
Comments (13)
Khan A. hai
- GM, Family bank, Bahrain
February 22, 2011
After 35 years of operation now a section of people want to say microcredit can’t bring nothings, in the name of micro credit and poor people Professor Yunus has taken donor money and he became rich. How funny this initiative. As per Grameen website, Grameen have more than 8.00 million borrowers. Out of 8.00 million borrowers a certain percentages may not succeed and it is very natural. 100% success story never happened in the earth. Even in the Government some minister’s performance is very good, some are not, and in these circumstances can we say Government doing nothing? There are thousands of success stories of micro credit borrowers around the world; even if we visit the Grameen borrowers we can found many success stories. If we visit the website of the different micro credit providers around the world we will find lot of success stories and positive impact of micro credit. There are thousands of stories, videos on Grameen borrowers around the world, but the journalist and th...
Nava Thakuria
- gandhi of our time
February 19, 2011
Mahatma Gandhi, father of Indian nation, left us decades back. he had dreams and many of those been materalised by Prof Yunus in our time. he is Gandhi of todays. we must stand with him, not for him alone, but for hundred thousand deprived people in our society.
MD:MIZANUR RAHMAN
- STUDENT
February 17, 2011
There are very very few did for Bangladeshi, our great Dr:Yunus is top of them .Every Bangladeshi who love Bangladesh love him.We feel proud for him and whatever government trying to do against him he will live forever in the heart of middle class and poor people not only Bangladesh but all over the world.
Michael Zavala
- I support Yunus!
February 16, 2011
I believe in the vision of Muhammed Yunus. His book has inspired me to do something in my own city of Fresno California. It is because of his efforts that I have found purpose again in life and a cause to champion. My prayers are with you Dr. Yunus and those that support you.
"He who lends to the poor God himself shall repay him" The book Proverbs
Mostafa,K
- Let's support him
February 16, 2011
Bangladesh is now-a-days known by Dr.Yunus, because of his achievement in microfinancing. While the Prime minister of Bangladesh is inaugurating a national programme with a nobel prize winner from a neighbouring country, another nobel prize winner of the own soil is being vilified by her . What a tragedy for Bangladesh.
Nazrul Islam, Sydney
- President, Grameen Support Group Australia
February 15, 2011
It is utterly distressing that a person like Prof. Yunus who is the only present day Bangladeshi well known throughout the world for his unique contribution with proven results for poverty eradication not only from Bangladesh but from the entire world has been vilified by his own people who are professed to be country's leaders. It shows what sort of people we are dealing with. It is a shame for the whole nation.We should stand up to stop this nefarious activities.
Seraj Ahmed Syed
- Thanks
February 13, 2011
Dear Sir
Dr. Yunus is not only a dignitary in his own country, but also a dignitary in the whole world. The way he has been treated in his own country is really unfortunate and a matter of great shame. He has done a lot for the country, and he does not deserve to be treated in this way. Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh is an extremely vindictive and corrupted woman. She is getting jealous of Professor Yunus's success. I think every honest and educated people in the world should stand up against her. She should be sued for making such derogatory remarks about Dr. Yunus. That's why I am thankful to all the people who have extended their supports for Dr. Yunus. Thanks and regards Seraj
Peter Chemuigut
- Exit Poverty
February 13, 2011
We stand with you Prof, You attack is like attacking Roman catholic church by saying Mother Theresa was corrupt, they want to investigate corruption, tell them to come to Kenya Leading Donors, they are very corrupt, at-least in my opinion, You are the only one who cares about the poor more than anyone I know alive or death
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Yunus set up the Grameen Bank, which today is giving opportunities through small loans to 10 million of the world's poorest families in 73,000 villages, in 1983. But it didn't stop there. Through social business partnerships with global brands such as Adidas and Danone, Yunus is tackling underlying causes of poverty. These sustainable social businesses now employ over 30,000 people and deliver benefits to many millions of people.