Dhaka: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today called on the youths to build themselves as “three-zero persons” to protect the planet from destruction as he delivered a keynote speech at the BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit here. “If we want to provide service, we will have to go to a new civilisation of three zeros – zero carbon emission, zero waste and zero wealth concentration,” he told the forum this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Prof Yunus highlighted the urgent need to transition from old economic models that contribute to a self-destructive civilisation through carbon emissions, waste generation, and wealth concentration. Stressing the importance of protecting nature, he stated, “Unless your wealth is shared, you cannot sustain in the society.” Prof Yunus further emphasized that humans are inherently entrepreneurs, not meant to work under someone else, urging the young generation to embrace entrepreneurship.
The 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate described the current young generation as the most powerful ever, underscoring the necessity for creating a new civilisation of three zeros focused on preservation and protection. He elaborated on the concept of three-zero clubs, where once five individuals come together, they can form a club dedicated to not contributing to carbon emissions, waste generation, and wealth concentration, thus becoming three-zero persons. “You cannot change the world in a day…if you want to change, start from your village,” he advised the youth.
Reflecting on his experiences, Prof Yunus recounted the journey of Grameen Bank, which has lifted thousands of rural poor women out of poverty. He recalled the famine that struck Bangladesh in 1974, which motivated him to take action for a small village near Chittagong University, where he was a teacher. Despite initial challenges and suspicion surrounding Grameen Bank, his ability to speak the local dialect facilitated communication and trust-building.
Prof Yunus shared how he disbursed money equivalent to one dollar to a woman, marking the beginning of the Grameen Bank’s journey, which later established a village bank. He described the right to credit as a fundamental human right, asserting that its assurance can lead to the establishment of other rights. On social business, he remarked that it aims to solve social problems without accumulating wealth.
At the onset of his speech, Prof Yunus expressed deep condolences for the loss of lives in a recent earthquake that severely affected Myanmar.