Provost Convocation Lecture

Social Business - Business to Make a Difference

Speaker: Professor Muhammad Yunus, Winner of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize
Founder and Managing Director of Grameen Bank, Bangladesh
Chairman, Yunus Centre

Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Book Signing: 9:00-9:30 p.m. (Books available for on-site purchase)
Location: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required. Ticket Policy is described below.

Description: Why have free markets failed so many people? How could the power of free markets be harnessed to solve social problems of poverty, hunger, inequality and the like?

The solution, according to Professor Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank, is recognizing the fact that human beings are inherently multi-dimensional in nature and may not solely be concerned with the pursuit of maximum profit.  They may also be interested in a new type of business, called social business, dedicated to solving social and environmental problems.

The idea of social business did not arise in a vacuum. It grew out of Professor Yunus’s  life-long experience on the frontlines of the battle against poverty, first in Bangladesh and later in countries around the world. Professor Yunus’s vision is to inspire young people all around the world and particularly in rich countries to make a difference by embracing the concept of social business.

Questions concerning the event should be directed to Dr. Mahua Barari Mitra, Provost Fellow for Public Affairs, (417) 836-5171 or Mary Ann Wood, Director of Public Affairs Support, (417) 836-5073.

Professor Muhammad Yunus established the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. His objective was to help poor people escape from poverty by providing loans without collateral to support income generating activities.  From Professor Yunus' personal loan of small amounts of money to destitute basket weavers in Bangladesh in the mid-70s, the Grameen Bank has advanced to the forefront of a burgeoning world movement toward eradicating poverty through micro-lending. Grameen Bank now has 8 million borrowers, 97% of whom are women, and has lent over $8.26 billion with a near 100% repayment rate.

Professor Yunus is the recipient of the World Food Prize (1994) and the Sydney Peace Prize (1998). In 2006, Professor Yunus received the Seoul Peace Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize. On August 12,  2009 Professor Yunus was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama  at a White House ceremony.
 
Important Video Links
 
Portrait of Professor Yunus (10 minutes)
 
Announcement of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize (3 minutes)
 
Medal of Freedom: President Obama and Professor Yunus (1:21 minutes) 

Other Relevant Links

My First Exposure to Grameen: Professor Yunus' Vision at work (PDF)-  by Mahua Barari Mitra, Provost Fellow for Public Affairs, 2009-2010

You need Adobe Reader to view and print this document.
 
6th Annual Public Affairs Conference Website

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Ticket policy for Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts Muhammad Yunus March 2 Event:

• Event is free, but requires a ticket. 
• Tickets will be available to MSU students, faculty and staff February 8 and 9. Tickets will be available to the general public starting February 10. 
• Tickets available at:
  
  •  MSU Ticket outlets (JQH Arena, Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, and the Plaster Student Union Ticket Office).
  • Tickets may be ordered through the ticket office (417-836-7678), but a $5 shipping and handling fee will apply.
  • Parking will be free, but attendees should plan to carpool if at all possible. Classes will be in session at Missouri State University this day.
• Tickets are for available seating
• Tickets must be picked up in advance as there will not be a Will Call window open for this event.

This event is sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Associate Provost for Student Development and Public Affairs.