Prometheus Siddiqui :
Mankind has been through endless struggles to enforce its right to persist – be it a war for freedom or one that ensures livelihood. Nonetheless, we all believe in the basic rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. One of the thirty articles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that a human has the right to a standard of living that ensures basic provisions such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care and security, and this is not only limited to the person but also members of the family. Unfortunately, this merely remains a promise and an unfulfilled commitment. Even today poverty runs rampant and humans are denied their basic rights. One of the key issues behind the status quo is failure to comprehend and acknowledge the different dimensions of poverty. A Professor of Economics from Bangladesh overcame this hurdle and addressed the problem at its very core when his nation needed it the most. His fight with poverty began from a small village called Jobra in a country that was ravaged by war, with a clear mission – end to financial apartheid. This lifelong mission led to the creation of one of the most unique and successful financial institutions of world that is owned by its clients – poor women seeking economic emancipation. In 2006, one of the many acknowledgements that came to this institution, Grameen Bank and its creator Professor Muhammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Professor Muhammad Yunus was relentless in challenging the ‘development models’ put forth by academics and backed by multilateral institutions. Just as he believed that the conventional banks were limited by their inherent incapacity to support every man, his firm conviction also lies in the ability of the existing unfettered capitalistic structure to deliver solutions to social and economic problems. To address the multiple dimensions of poverty, throughout the nineteen nineties different Grameen entities came in to being to further the cause of uplifting the quality of human lives.
Micro finance was the foremost tool that was successfully used to mitigate poverty. Given the Grameen model attained overwhelming response in Bangladesh, the world looked to replicate it. Grameen Trust was formed in 1989 and it was entrusted with the responsibility. Thus far it has worked in at least 30 countries and built-operated-transferred (BOT) projects using the Grameen Bank approach. However, access to finance was just one of the many challenges. There were other avenues that needed attention. Consequently, with a comprehensive and holistic approach the Grameen family forayed in to areas such as agriculture with the Grameen Agriculture Foundation and Grameen Fisheries and Livestock Foundation, promoting self-employment and local craftsmanship through Grameen Uddog and Grameen Shamogree, extending healthcare services with Grameen Kalyan, encouraging micro, small and medium enterprises through Grameen Fund (later adding Grameen Byabosha Bikash), making way for cleaner environment, affordable renewable energy and green technology products with Grameen Shakti, broaden access to technology through Grameen Telecom and Grameenphone, supporting education with Grameen Shikkha and taking technology solutions to business with Grameen Communications.
Many of these concerns established themselves as innovative and flagship enterprises in the relevant sectors. The agricultural foundation is responsible for handing out the very first micro loans to farmers in conjunction with extension services (such as introducing different types of crops in different regions). No one can forget the very first time that a Prime Minister of Bangladesh was able to speak to a person in a remote village via cell phone. The call came from Ms. Laily Begum, a Grameen Borrower. She was the very first telephone/mobile lady under the groundbreaking village phone program run by Grameen Telecom and Grameenphone. Grameen Shakti went on to light more than a million homes throughout the country with its solar homes systems, fetching national and international accolades.
The drive by Grameen did not end there. Professor Muhammad Yunus continued to divulge to ascertain a model that would incorporate, people, planet and profit. A sustainable solution had to be brought to problems that persisted in the society. Reflecting on his three decades of experience, he found that one way to resolve the existing issues within the market system was by addressing them in a business way. Thus came about the concept of social business. This was a significant paradigm shift from the tools that exist. Social business encompasses the solution to a social problem through a profitable business venture, where the promoter of the business commits to the cause by forgoing any personal benefit.
At the onset of the financial crisis that commenced from 2007, this new model by Professor Muhammad Yunus started attaining major repute. Thus began a new journey for the Grameen family to continue in its path of addressing humanity’s most pressing needs in a sustainable way.
Major corporations such as Danone came forth and extended their commitment. A new dimension was added to the sectoral approach of combating poverty. To solve the problem of malnutrition, Grameen Danone Foods Limited was formed and it introduced the affordable yet lucrative Shokti Doi. Intel Corporation partnered to establish Grameen Intel Social Business to provide innovative technological solutions in healthcare and agriculture. To promote medical education among daughters of Grameen Bank borrowers, Glasgow Caledonian University collaborated to institute the Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing. Grameen Veolia Water continues till date to promote safe drinking water. BASF Grameen has come up with a unique product to fight insect borne diseases. Grameen Healthcare Services Limited has partnered with many institutions to set up commercially successful and socially and economically inclusive eye care hospitals. Grameen Uniqlo established in partnership with Uniqlo of Japan and Grameen Healthcare Trust operates to provide low income people with affordable and safe clothing products. To ensure that social business products gain greater market access Grameen Distribution Limited has set up its Grameen Marketing Network; the network also enables poor women (Mobile Ladies) to add to their income. Grameen Telecom Trust is working throughout rural Bangladesh to establish innovative and scalable business models that uplift lives of the economically challenged.
The outreach of social business has transgressed boundaries long back. Yunus Centre and its international partners are working tirelessly in this regard. Starting from Argentina to Albania, from Haiti to Uganda, the tool is being adopted to deal with social and economic challenges worldwide. As 2015 draws near, many countries are yet to attain their Millennium Development goals. The strategic plans are being revisited to get as close to the target mark. Social business has been identified and endorsed as one of the models to meet the goals; it is also expected to be a crucial element even in the post MDG agenda.
Social business is not limiting itself to the big problems. To further the Grameen legacy, the next generation of Grameen entrepreneurs is now being brought to the forefront. The Nobin Udyokta (Young Entrepreneur) program has been rolled out to promote the children of Grameen Bank Borrowers as entrepreneurs. The Grameen family is encouraging them to be a part of the movement by creating successful businesses.
Success has been attained in creating a slavery free world, a polio-free world, an apartheid-free world. Over past four decades Professor Muhammad Yunus and thousands inspired by him have been putting forth their efforts in realizing a dream which will surpass all these – the dream of ‘Creating a Poverty-Free World’ – a world which we could all be proud to live in.
(Prometheus Siddiqui is a Social Business advocate and enthusiast and Graduate Student, Victoria University, Sydney, Australia. Email: prometheus.siddiqui @gmail.com )
