Staff Reporter :
Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus recently visited Jakarta at the invitation of a leading social organization named ‘Synergy’ to address a youth camp in the camping ground of Jakarta.
This was the first time a youth camp around music and social mission was organized in Indonesia, according to a press release issued by Yunus Centre on Tuesday.
During his visit, Yunus has planned to create a ‘Social Business fund’ for Indonesia jointly with Yunus Centre. ‘Synergy’ announced to take the responsibility to promote and set up social businesses in Indonesia during the meeting with Yunus.
A microcredit program will also be launched in collaboration with Yunus Centre similar to Grameen America in the USA.
Professor Yunus was invited by the Vice President elect Jusuf Kalla, at his home to discuss the future policies of the new government on elimination of poverty from Indonesia.
They had discussed the future of microcredit in Indonesia, introduction of Social Business, and the appropriate role of government in poverty elimination and reducing income disparity which is growing steadily in Indonesia.
Yunus congratulated the newly elected President Joko Widodo, and Vice President Jusuf Kalla on behalf of the people of Bangladesh and expressed hope that both of their countries will work jointly to eliminate poverty, and unemployment, reduce income disparity, from their countries by 2030.
During the visit, Professor Yunus addressed meeting of social entrepreneurs, business leaders, bankers, NGO leaders, academics and women leaders to discuss the role of business in building a new society.
It was moderated by 91 year old, intellectually and physically fully active Professor Subroto who served as the Secretary-General of OPEC between 1988 and 1994; and as the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources between 1978 and 1987.
Professor Yunus delivered a public lecture at the University of Paramedina.
