NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO: 02 I MAY 2013
Social Business
Insights
Professor Yunus receives US Congressional Gold Medal
Inside Accolades (February-April-13) - Professor Yunus receives US Congressional Gold Medal
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- Professor Yunus Greeted by Grameen Family
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- Congratulations! Grameen Knitwear Ltd.
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- Graduates from GCCN
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- Top Graduates from GCCN get Scholarship
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Grameen Telecom Trust Brief - Meet the Practitioners
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- 10th Board Meeting
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- Inauguration of Social Business Learning Centre
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- Social Business Project Updates
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- Savar Tragedy
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“We will send poverty to the museums.�
House Speaker John Boehner hands Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus the Congressional Gold Medal as House Minority Leader and former speaker Nancy Pelosi watches during a ceremony in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC.
Grameen Bank founder Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus on 17 April, 2013 received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award of the United States, in recognition of his efforts toward combating global poverty. Former recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal include George Washington, Sir Winston Churchill, Elie Wiesel, Pope John Paul II, Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr, Coretta Scott King, Walt Disney and many other distinguished personalities.
Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus
Professor Yunus is the first Muslim and one of the seven individuals to have received the Nobel Peace Prize (2006), the US Presidential Continued on page 2...
Medal of Freedom (2009) and the US Congressional Gold Medal (announced in 2010 received in 2013). This achievement places him in the company of Norman Borlaug, Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela, Elie Wiesel, Aung San Suu Kyi and Mother Teresa.
American government was against Bangladesh, many members of the Congress and the American people were supporting the cause of an independent Bangladesh. The microcredit guru said all he ever wanted to do was to make himself useful to at least one person. “Poverty is not created by the poor people. Poverty is created by the system we have built. Nothing is wrong with the poor people. Each human being is packed with unlimited creative capacity.” He also said: “We have created a money-centric world. We became money-making robots. I say, human beings are not robots. We are multidimensional beings. We can change the banking system.”
Professor Yunus speaking after receiving the award.
The 75 minutes ceremony started with a short welcome speech by Speaker Boehner, after which the Armed Forces Color Guard presented their Colors, and the United States Marine Band, Brass Quintet, played the National Anthem. In the next hour and a quarter, Senators and Representatives of both parties highlighted and praised the deeds of the man they had come to honor. In the midst of it all Professor Yunus’s daughter, Soprano Monica Yunus, sang a song titled “Beautiful Dreamer” as a tribute to her father in an angelic voice. Eight members of the congress spoke on the occasion. House Speaker John Boehner said, “Professor Yunus set out to do what may be the biggest thing of all, and that is liberating people to seek a better life. And not just any people, but men and women who had only known misery, who had been told they were no good.” Members of both houses of the congress formally presented Professor Yunus with the Congressional Gold Medal, which was announced in 2010. Addressing the award ceremony in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington DC, Professor Yunus recounted the dark days of 1971, when he left his job at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, to lobby Senators and Congressmen for the creation of Bangladesh. “I came as a desperate young man because people were killed in our country. We declared our country as an independent country — Bangladesh.” Muhammad Yunus, known as the Banker to the Poor, said he was amazed to find that although the
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“We can change the world. Nobody should be a poor person. I am very happy, Congressmen and Senators, that leaders of both the parties have put those words in the medal that we can put poverty in the museum. That’s what those words say in the medal.” Today, microfinance providers have reached over 200 million clients globally. In Bangladesh, the Grameen Bank, the first bank in the world owned by poor women, has 8.4 million borrowers — 96 percent of whom are women. Professor Yunus has set up many other enterprises that offer an array of products and services to the poor, which have also burgeoning success. Grameen Solar home systems, products on health and nutrition have been addressing multi- dimensional poverty through social business in Bangladesh. In 2006, Professor Yunus and Grameen Bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The award ceremony was attended by Bangladeshis from around the world and from all over America. Friends, patrons and followers of microfinance and social business concept around the globe were there to show their solidarity for the cause of poverty eradication. Professor Yunus specially thanked former Mexican President Vicente Fox and Former South African First Lady, Mrs Mbeki for attending the ceremony. Professor Yunus dedicated the award saying “So, I am receiving this award on behalf of those millions of women in Bangladesh, and also on behalf of all the people of Bangladesh. Because it’s not only an honor personally for me, it’s also an honor for the whole of Bangladesh. The very hard working people of Bangladesh. ”
Professor Muhammad Yunus
Professor Yunus is being greeted by members of the Grameen Family.
greeted by the Grameen Family
Having received the Congressional Gold Medal on April 17, 2013, Professor Muhammad Yunus arrived in Dhaka on April 28, 2013. He was greeted at the airport by the Managing Directors of various Grameen companies. A convoy accompanied the Nobel Laureate to the Grameen Bank Complex, where a host of members from the Grameen family were waiting to receive him. Professor Yunus commenced his address to the crowd by observing a minute of silence for the tragedy that took place in Savar. He then went on to explain the background of the Congressional Gold Medal and shared various experiences from the ceremony to everyone gathered there. The crowd burst in to frequent cheers upon knowing that Professor Yunus was the first Muslim to have been bestowed this honor and is the seventh person in history to have received the gold medal in addition to the Nobel Peace Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Professor Yunus attributed this honor to all the members of Grameen Bank and other Grameen entities who have been working tirelessly to promote In 2012 Grameen Kintwear Ltd. was awarded in the category of Environmental Performance for efforts towards Green Initiative. This award was jointly provided by GIZ and Bangladesh Brand Forum.
Professor Yunus giving speech to the Grameen Families.
the concept of microfinance and social business for the last three decades. He dedicated this award to the whole nation. He said that this award is very crucial for the nation as it highlights the achievement of Bangladeshis to the entire world. Once again he expressed his deep sorrow over the unfolding tragedy caused by the building collapse in Savar and that everyone must work together to correct the flaws in the system to prevent any such tragedy in future.
Congratulations !
Grameen Knitwear Ltd.
Grameen Knitwear Limited (GKL) is a 100 percent export oriented company, located in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) near the vicinity of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The company has brand new state-of-the-art machinery and equipment and maintains strict quality control measures for attaining high standards in compliance with Oeko-Tex, ISO9001-2008 & WRAP. It also has a modern laboratory with data color spectro photometer and equipment to test and analyze color, dye recipe and a wide range of quality measurements of fabric. The company has installed the most modern Effluent Treatment Plant for safeguarding the environment and a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) for eliminating any harmful mineral contents. GKL has a highly skilled and professional work force. The company’s knit fabric and garment products are exported to USA, Canada, Australia and different countries of Europe.
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First batch graduates from
Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing (GCCN) Group picture of first batch Graduated with a Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery.
The first batch of 38 students who are daughters of Grameen Bank borrowers, recently graduated with a Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery from Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing (GCCN), Dhaka. Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) Professor Muhammad Yunus and Vice Chancellor, Ms. Pamela Gillies celebrated with students at the first graduation ceremony held on 02 March 2013 at the college. Also joining the students were GCU’s Professor Nicky James, Executive Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor of the School of Health and Life Sciences, Professor Barbara Parfitt, Principal of GCCN, British High Commissioner H.E. Robert Winnington Gibson, Dr MR Khan, National Professor of Bangladesh, Ms.
Soraya Begum, Registrar of the Bangladesh Nursing Council, Ms. Sarah Cooke of the Department for International Development, Mr. Robin Davies of the British Council, Mr. Assaduzzaman, Managing Director of Grameen Health Care Services, Mr. Md Imamus Sultan, Managing Director of Grameen Kalyan, Mr. Mohammad Shahjahan, Acting Managing Director of Grameen Bank, and representatives of the Bangladesh Nursing Council and the country’s Ministry of Health. The college was established in 2010. The top three students in the graduating class were awarded Principal’s Scholarships, which offer full financial support, including accommodation fees and a financial stipend, to allow them to study at GCU.
Top three GCCN
Professor Muhammad Yunus, Professor Barbara Parfitt and Professor Pamela Gillies with the top three students-from the left; Popi Rani Bhowmik, Satu Mondol and Rokeya Akter Bristy.
The top three graduates of Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing (GCCN), Rokeya Akter Bristy, Popi Rani Bhowmik and Satu Mondal have received full scholarships at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). In addition, there are other honors student who have had the unique opportunity of attending various global conferences and seminars. The stories of these brilliant individuals are shared below. Rokeya Akter Bristy, who stood first, comes from a low income rural family where both her parents work in low paid jobs at Dhamrai, Dhaka. She attained GPA
Graduate Students get GCU Scholarships
4.81 in her SSC exam and GPA 4.6(A) in HSC. She dreamt of working in the medical field since childhood. Without the financial backing of Grameen Bank and the opportunity to study at GCCN, this dream would have never come true. Bristy stated that winning the GCU Scholarship has dramatically changed her life. She wants to use this great opportunity to gain knowledge and develop skills to benefit the people of Bangladesh and to improve nursing standards. Continued on page 5...
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Popi Rani Bhowmik, who stood second, also comes from a low income rural family with her father being the only earning member at Palash, Narsingdi district. Her early academic result at GCCN was very good. She achieved GPA 5(A+) in her SSC exam and was awarded scholarships from Grameen Kalyan and Dutch Bangla Bank. She obtained GPA 4.8(A) in HSC. Initially she wanted to become a doctor. However, she explored other possibilities in the health sector and took admission at GCCN. The GCU Scholarship has transformed her ambitions for the future and she is now planning to pursue PhD in the relevant field. Satu Mondal, who stood third, hails from a very low income family at Lohajong, Munshiganj district. Her early academic result at GCCN was very good. She achieved GPA 4.56(A) in SSC and then 4.9(A) in HSC. She was supported by a Grameen Shikkha scholarship in recognition of her outstanding achievements. She stated that the scholarship is like a dream come true. She plans to attain experience, knowledge and further understanding from GCU and return to Bangladesh to reform healthcare in its villages. Her
ultimate plan is to set up a clinic in her village to improve conditions for pregnant women and newborns, as well as propagate for policy change. Another graduate of GCCN, Rafiqun Nesa has received full scholarship from Grameen America and hails from a low income rural family at Tabalchari, Rangamati district. Her early academic result at GCCN was very good. She achieved GPA 4.88(A) in SSC and then 4.50(A) in HSC exam. She always dreamt of working in the medical field. She got an opportunity to attend Global Business Summit on November 2012 which was held at Vienna, Austria. She stated that the scholarship will change her life. She wants to use this great opportunity to gain knowledge and develop skills to improve nursing standards across Bangladesh. Another 3rd year student of GCCN, Uhetuna Zakia who comes from Dinajpur district went to Washington, USA to attend the World Health Congress-2013.
Grameen Telecom Trust Brief The Managing Director of Grameen Telecom Trust, Ms. Parveen Mahmud FCA, attended ‘Meet the Practitioners’ session held at the Washington DC office of Grameen Foundation on 19th April 2013. This was a joint initiative of the Microcredit Summit Campaign and Grameen Foundation. The session was chaired by Mr. Alex Counts, President and CEO, Grameen Foundation. The session primarily focused on the future of microfinance and Social Business. Mr. Counts shed light on the way forward for the model to attain the goal of poverty alleviation. Ms. Parveen Mahmud discussed in great details about the activities of Grameen Telecom Trust and social business model for economic emancipation for the poor. The discussion was summarized by Mr. Larry Reed, Director of the Microcredit Summit Campaign.
“Meet the Practitioners” session in USA
Following the discussion, students who attended showed overwhelming interest with their questions. The interactive nature of the session made it very lively and vibrant.
Continued on page 6...
ISSUE NO: 02, MAY 2013
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10th Board Meeting of GTT held A view of 10th Board Meeting held at GTT premises.
The 10th Board Meeting of Grameen Telecom Trust (GTT) was held on February 18, 2013 at the GTT conference room. It was chaired by Honorable Chairman of GTT Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad
Yunus. Different departments informed the board of Trustees of various operational updates. After the presentations and discussions, the board took a number of decisions and set strategic action plan.
Inauguration of
Social Business Learning Centre (SBLC) Professor Muhammad Yunus inaugurating the SBLC.
After the 10th board meeting Honorable Chairman inaugurated the Social Business Learning Centre (SBLC) of GTT. The inauguration ceremony was attended by distinguished guests from Grameen Family of companies. Ms. Parveen Mahmud FCA, Managing Director of Grameen Telecom Trust spoke on the occasion. Activities of SBLC Through the SBLC GTT will work for promoting the dialogue, implementation and awareness relating to the concept of Social Business. The groups who SBLC aims to engage include, young entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs and leaders from business
associations/federations, business corporates, NGOs working towards setting up social businesses for socioeconomic development of Bangladesh. Since its inception the Social Business Learning Centre (SBLC) has been carrying out various activities. It has already hosted four training courses by Grameen Danone Foods Limited and several training workshops for GTT staff on social business. Also a Social Business Screening Exercise was held on 9th March 2013. Various project proposals were presented and analyzed so that they may be presented at the SB Design Lab in the Yunus Centre.
Grameen Telecom Trust team participated in the 3rd Social Business Design Lab held at Yunus Centre.
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Grameen Telecom Trust (GTT) has planned to commence various Social Business (SB) projects throughout rural Bangladesh to improve livelihood of people facing various adversities. In this regard a few organizations had approached GTT for partnering with them on implementing SB projects. Among the proposals, six projects were selected and presented at the 1st Project Screening Exercise of GTT. The projects are – Nowabenki Gonomukhi Foundation (NGF) SB Project, Grameen Krishok Shohayak Sangstha (GKSS) SB Project, Mukti Nari O Shishu Unnayan Sangstha (Mukti Nari) SB Project, Gram Unnayan Karma (GUK) SB Project, Nirvana Agro Limited (Nirvana Agro) SB Project and Jagoroni Chakra Foundation (JCF) SB Project.
Earlier, one project SDRS Social Business Project was finalized for implementation and another project titled SKS Social Business Project is in the process of being implemented (MOU to be signed).
SDRS Social Business Project
SKS Social Business Project
Social Business
Project Updates
This project will focus on Employment and Income Generation (EIG) through contract farming by sheep rearing in Gaibandha District. The implementation plan is undergoing final processing so that it may be implemented soon.
Projects in pipeline Ms Parveen Mahmud, MD of Grameen Telecom Trust and Mr. Md. Golam Mustafa, Executive Director of SDRS are exchanging signed copies of MoU.
One project that has recently progressed is the SDRS Social Business Project in Fulchari at Gaibandha. A MoU has already been signed by GTT and SDRS for implementation. The project focuses on enhancing income of poor women by ensuring they get the best price for producing caps that will be exported to Oman. Ms. Parveen Mahmud, Managing Director of GTT will be working as the Project Director and Mr. Md. Golam Mostofa, Executive Director of SDRS as the Chief Operating Officer (on a voluntary basis) of the project.
SDRS Project beneficiaries getting trained for making cap.
The project has 250 beneficiaries. Initially every month each beneficiary will approximately earn BDT 1600 only, which will increase gradually. The project has employed 9 staff. In total livelihood of about 2545 people are going to be improved through direct or indirect employment.
The NGF Social Business Project will focus on providing safe drinking water to poor people through the reverse osmosis process. Under the project, NGF will establish a water purifying plant using reverse osmosis process with certification from BSTI and testing by BUET. They will conduct a survey to ascertain poor households who will be willing to purchase purified water. Cards will be provided to these poor households so that they may purchase water at a subsidized rate. It will help prevent various waterborne diseases and create employment in the project area _ Nowabenki of Shyamnagar upazila under Satkhira district. The Nirvana Social Business Project will focus on developing a self-sustaining social business model which provides and ensures safe food for its customers and best price to its farmers. The project has been proposed by Nirvana Agro Ltd. (Nirvana). Under the project, Nirvana will produce organic food products in Sirajganj and market those in Dhaka city. Basket of products will be sold to the urban high income group through home delivery system. The targeted customer location: Uttara, Bashundhara, Baridhara, Gulshan, Banani & Mohakhali. The products may include various items such as eggs, banana, chicken, red meat & vegetable for different meals of the day. Continued on page 8...
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Other projects in the pipeline _ Mukti Nari Social Business Project _ has been proposed by Mukti Nari-O-Shishu Unnayan Sangstha of Kushtia. The goal of the project is to ensure rehabilitation of trafficked women and children by integrating them in to the handicraft and other productive businesses.
The worst industrial catastrophe in the history of the country took place through the collapse of Rana Plaza, a nine storied building housing multiple garment factories, on April 24, 2013 at Savar. 2,437 people have been rescued alive, more than 800 people lost their lives, while an unknown number of people are still missing. The impact of the tragic incident on the women is massive as most of the garment workers are women and, who are the bread earners of their families. As Professor Muhammad Yunus was abroad, he sent a condolence message. A team from Grameen Telecom and Grameen Kalyan visited the tragic site to assess the needs of the moment. In the first phase, Grameen family of Companies provided emergency drinking water, dry food and
‘Grameen Lobon’ (Grameen Salt). Under this social business project, salt farmers will be provided land to grow their product and assistance will be rendered so that they may get the best price for their salt. Through this a fair trade system will be instituted thereby abolishing the existing exploitative system controlled by middlemen.
Grameen Family stands by the victims of
Savar Tragedy medicines to Enam Medical Hospital. In the 2nd phase, Grameen Communications is preparing a database, while Rapid Needs Assessment is in process, to undertake a long term rehabilitation program by Grameen family of companies.
“I should never seek a job in my life, my mission in life is to create jobs. I am not a job seeker, I am a job giver.” Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus
SAVE THE DATES 2013 World Social Business Day 2013 June 28, 2013 in Dhaka, Bangladesh www.muhammadyunus.org
Published by Grameen Telecom Trust Corporate Office: House-132, Road-2 Block-A, Section-12, Pallabi Mirpur, Dhaka 1216 Tel: 88-02-8059934, 8059938, Fax: 88-02-8059921 Email: info@gtctrust.com, Website: www.gtctrust.com Follow us on www.facebook.com/gtlctrust
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Global Social Business Summit 2013 November 7-9, 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia www.gsbs2013.com
Grameen Telecom Trust KALEIDOSCOPE Advisor: Professor Muhammad Yunus Executive Editor: Parveen Mahmud FCA
Editorial Team: Manjur Ahmed Prometheus Siddiqui Mirza Tabassum Abu Md. Munayeem