Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Nobel laureate says global crisis a chance to change
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Nobel laureate says global crisis a chance to change
AFP - Sunday, November 8
Send
IM Story
Print
Nobel laureate says global crisis a chance to change
Slideshow: Full Photo Coverage: Business & Economy
WOLFSBURG, Germany (AFP) - – Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus calls the global economic crisis "an excellent opportunity to reflect and redesign" businesses, and devote creative ones to solving social problems.
Yunus, who with his Grameen Bank -- which gives tiny loans to the very poor to help start businesses -- won the 2006 Peace Prize, told media here on Saturday: "Any problem has a potential of being addressed with a social business."
"Social business being a business where you don't make money," he explained. "Zero profit for the investors."
The ground-breaking "microcredit" banker from Bangladesh is backed by corporations like food giant Danone, global water group Veolia, sportswear company Adidas, software pioneer SAP and academics at Kyushu University in Japan.
The first Global Grameen Meeting of companies, foundations, think-tanks, scientific experts and other institutions was hosted by Europe's largest carmaker Volkswagen at its headquarters in Wolfsburg, northern Germany.
Grameen is a Bengali word for village, and "was chosen to indicate that big projects may start small," a statement said.
The forum's ambitious goal is to eliminate poverty by 2030 in both the developing world and advanced economies.
Ideas that sprouted on the Indian sub-continent are being transplanted in Germany, Europe's biggest economy, and in France, where Danone will draw on its experience with Yunus in Bangladesh to launch a project for the poor in Paris.
"It's really a source of inspiration," Danone representative Emmanuel Faber told a press conference in the company of Yunus and the other groups.
He underscored the "new processes, new ideas, new ways of working that social business has driven into the mainstream way of Danone doing business."
The big group's have not decided to ditch profits altogether but are setting up subsidiaries to work on the social business model in addressing problems with the environment, health care, nutrition and unemployment.
"Each one is dedicated to solving a particular social problem," Yunus said.
Hans Reitz, co-founder with Yunus and director of the Grameen Creative Lab that brought together varied sectors to brainstorm for solutions, said his group would launch seven small companies in Germany with no more than five to seven employees.
"You can start small and give it a try, find out if it works or if it doesn't work," he said, and share the results across what Faber said was now "a global network of people thinking along these lines."
Faber quoted Danone founder Antoine Riboud as stressing "there could not be long-term wealth creation without social progress."
Peter Graf of SAP warned meanwhile that if they failed to act on global issues, there was "a danger of companies losing their social license to do business."
He called the threat "hugely underestimated as the public gets more and more aware of the crises that we are facing."
Danone plans to launch a project to have 300 people deliver fresh dairy products to Paris area shops on electric-powered tricycles.
The drivers would be ex-convicts or others faced with marginal living situations and the plan would cut carbon dioxide emissions from delivery vans withdrawn from circulation, he said.
In Germany, Reitz is experimenting with business loans to 15-year-old school children to show them they could later be self-employed.
Making cakes, candles and music CDs allowed German and immigrant youth to "start a small business and create an identity," he said.
"You can create a job for others, you don't have to wait to have a job," Reitz stressed as the eurozone struggles to reduce chronic unemployment.
Yunus believes social businesses can unite public sector and charity goals with the dynamics of an enterprise.
"If you can design businesses, bring the power of business, and the technology of businesses and the creativity of businesses to bear on a problem, maybe we can solve it," he said.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Dubai repays $1 bln aviation authority Islamic bond Reuters - 1 hour 27 minutes ago
Intel to open Jerusalem plant next week Reuters - 1 hour 59 minutes ago
D-Pharm in China stroke drug deal with Wanbang Reuters - Monday, November 9
GM Europe boss heads for Jaguar - paper Reuters - Monday, November 9
HIGHLIGHTS-Speakers at the World Economic Forum in India Reuters - Monday, November 9
News Search
Top Stories
Japan eyes solar station in space
Advertisers face resistance to on-line tracking
IMF says stimulus needed to aid 'nascent' recovery
Obama to push lawmakers on health care vote
Opel chief quits after GM decides to keep European unit
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Gold price hits record after 'Sri Lanka purchase'
US grieves after Muslim doctor kills 13 on army base
Obesity causes 100,000 US cancers every year: study
Opel chief quits after GM decides to keep European unit
10 percent jobless rate adds to pressure on Obama
More Most Viewed »
Somali centenarian weds 17-year-old
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents
Fibre may keep asthma, diabetes at bay, study finds
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Sunday, 8 November 2009 Two Britons Win $149 Million Lottery Jackpot
Escaped Circus Elephant Sideswipes Car
The Sky Is Falling: Mysterious Ice Chunks Hit Chicago Home
Japanese Gangster Opens Fire On Three Debt Collectors, Then Commits Suicide
New Mom Sarah Jessica Parker Relishes The Smell Of Dirty Diapers
Dartmouth Scientist Uses Modern Technology To Authenticate Iconic Oswald Photo
Atlanta Man Rescues One Dog, Ends Up With Ten
Iran to reject UN-brokered nuclear plan: leading MP
G20 wants 'ambitious' Copenhagen talks
G20 'agrees timetable' for monitoring economic policy
Obama to push lawmakers on health care vote
Lebanon's Hariri set to form government with Hezbollah
Honduran rivals signal new bid to solve crisis
| International
|
Study shows high cost of German reunification: report
| International
|
Iran releases 3 journalists jailed during rallies
British man provides photo for his own wanted poster
| International
|
Shortage of military therapists creates strain
China PM reaches out to Muslims in Cairo speech
Fort victims had different reasons for enlisting
To defang Taliban, some look to private schools
Pelosi: Obama visit inspired Democrats
Thousands throng Indian town for Dalai Lama visit
George W. Bush visits Fort Hood, wounded soldiers
Lawyer: Fla. office shooting suspect mentally ill
Afghan ministry: NATO strike kills Afghan soldiers
France asks Sri Lanka to end emergency laws
Another attack leaves US Muslims fearing backlash
Japan urges Myanmar to release Suu Kyi before poll
Ministry: NATO airstrike kills Afghan soldiers
Colo. man who threatened Obama makes weapons plea
Japan to increase aid to Myanmar: PM
Navy ship built with WTC steel goes into service
Prized mushroom collection returns to China
Muslim leader had troubling talks with suspect
Pohang beat Al Ittihad to win AFC Champions League
Obama to push lawmakers on health care vote
Police: LA celebrity burglaries led by 19-year-old
A Prophet nominated for six European film awards
| Entertainment
|
Sri Lanka buying gold 'to diversify reserves'
Police: LA celebrity burglaries led by 19-year-old
Advertisers face resistance to on-line tracking
In eastern Europe, people pine for socialism
| International
|
Advertisers face resistance to on-line tracking
IMF says stimulus needed to aid 'nascent' recovery
"Modern Warfare 2" strikes on Tuesday
Iran releases 3 journalists jailed during rallies
Award-winning Cuban blogger says she was beaten, detained
Dalai Lama begins visit to disputed India state
| International
|
Brazil blackouts result of cyber hacking: report
Families hold Rio memorial for doomed Air France flight
Market attack in NW Pakistan kills at least 8
| International
|
Yushchenko to blame for Russia-Ukraine spat: Medvedev
Saudi Arabia says regains area seized by Yemen rebels
| International
|
Haiti's new prime minister wins confirmation
| International
|
China's Wen seeks to boost blossoming Africa ties
| International
|
House Roll Call: How they voted on abortion issue
Dalai Lama visits town near Tibet, angering China
Market attack in NW Pakistan kills at least 8
Clinton leaves for Europe, Asia
Japanese FM says no base deal during Obama visit
House passes health care bill on close vote
Funeral services held for slain New Mexico nun
Police: Suicide bomb in northwest Pakistan kills 8
Report: NKorea's Kim Jong Il fires top TV official
US ship built from twin tower steel commissioned
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
US is helping Guyana track terror suspect: US official
Malaysia to charge Japanese woman over drug haul
House passes resolution honoring Fort Hood victims
Deans's joy as rugby slam bid starts with England win
Japanese protest over US base before Obama visit
U.S. House approves sweeping healthcare overhaul
Obama wraps up Afghan review, eyes final options
China's new Nasdaq-style board sees wild start
India's fast-growing telecom sector hits trouble
iPhone disappoints in China launch: analysts
SKorean workers march against labour law plan
Chinese premier: Africa trade push is 'selfless'
An east German stockbroker wrestles with his fate
Taiwan breeders see big profits in rare shrimps
Nepal emerges as 'poacher's paradise'
Hopper: All's 'good right now' despite cancer
Guests for the Sunday TV news shows
Japanese cellist wins world's top competition
Swiss less wary of foreigners than a decade ago: survey
Pope a fan of sports -- but not doping athletes
"A Prophet" nominated for six European film awards
Nabokov's unfinished -- and unburned -- novel reappears
Taiwan court to scrap 'unfair' law on prostitutes
European Court Ruling Against Classroom Crucifix Stirs Italy, Prompts Appeal
Netanyahu's Washington trip clouded by Abbas threat
Japan eyes solar station in space
Saudis claim gains from Yemen rebels
NATO, Afghanistan probe deadly 'friendly' strike
Thousands in West Bank urge Abbas not to quit
| International
|
Russia must keep promise to supply missiles: Iran
| International
|
17 rebels killed in Afghan battle: ministry
China to boost aid to Africa as ties blossom
| International
|
War support flagging as Britain remembers fallen
Hurricane Ida strengthens, 42 dead in Salvador
| International
|
Women fight new battle in Iraq's insurgent corner
| International
|
Congolese forces arrest 100 over police deaths
| International
|
AP NewsAlert
Police: 1 killed, 3 injured in shooting near Vail
Dalai Lama visits Indian state disputed by China
China to boost aid to Africa as ties blossom
Chinese premier pledges funds, aid to Africa
Murder case a glimpse into stresses of caretaking
Thaksin to visit Cambodia this week: PM
Malaysian lawmakers put marriages on line in oath
Fuel convoy hit in eastern Afghanistan
British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan
Jimmy Cobb still 'Kind of Blue' after 50 years
Communist consumer goods make comeback
US Bordeaux prices at risk of 'bloodbath', experts say
Kosher comics prove hit with Israel's Haredi Jews
India PM invites world to invest in economy
Football fever transforms 'Carmen' in SAfrica
Shakespeare's MacBeth meets Africa in Botswana's opera
Indian PM hopes for 7 percent growth next year
Taiwan, China to sign financial agreement: report
Nobel laureate says global crisis a chance to change
Hundreds join anti-corruption rally in Indonesia
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights