Washington:Former chief adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has been awarded the prestigious 'Hillary Rodham Clinton Award'.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the award was presented by former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a grand ceremony at Georgetown University's Gaston Hall. The event was attended by around 400 guests, including ambassadors from approximately 25 countries, entrepreneurs, teachers, and researchers.
Dr. Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank, received a prolonged standing ovation from the audience as his name was announced. He was one of four honorees this year, alongside Reema Nanavaty, director of India's Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA), fashion designer Tory Burch, and Muna Sukhtian, board chair of Jordan's Microfund for Women. Muna also received the special 'Georgetown Ambassadors Award'.
During the ceremony, Hillary Clinton praised Dr. Yunus's work with Grameen Bank, highlighting its impact on women's self-reliance and empowerment. She noted that his efforts have extended beyond Bangladesh to influence women globally.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Yunus reflected on 50 years of his work, emphasizing the role of microcredit in poverty alleviation and women's empowerment. He remarked on the transformation of women into confident individuals who now own and run Grameen Bank.
Dr. Yunus also addressed the importance of social business, which focuses on solving problems rather than generating personal profit. Through these businesses, funds are used to establish healthcare facilities across the country, with any surplus reinvested in healthcare.
Criticizing the current education system for its focus on job-seeking, Dr. Yunus advocated for an education that develops creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. He announced plans to launch Grameen University by the end of the year, aiming to cultivate entrepreneurs rather than certificate seekers. The university will support students in starting businesses, contributing to a "Three Zeros" world vision and marking a new beginning in education.