I thought it would be very hard for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony to live up to expectations, but it exceeded them. As Dr. Yunus’s motorcade approached (and was broadcast in the room), Oslo City Hall became electric with anticipation. After his entrance with Taslima Begum, a borrower who sits on Grameen Bank’s Board of Directors, the Norwegian royalty arrived and it was time to begin.
Nobel Committee Chairman Ole Danbolt Mjos delivered his speech, which was terrific in explaining and (to critics) defending their visionary choice. He said that the messages they wanted to convey with the prize were: (1) that it was critical to promote dialogue with the Islamic world and learn from it, (2) that empowering women was essential, and (3) that addressing the global poverty crisis should be an international priority. Amen to that!
Then Dr. Yunus and Taslima (on behalf of Grameen Bank) received their medals, which is when Taslima gave a very short, courageous and what appeared to be impromptu speech in Bengali. That’s when Susan started to cry; my moment came later. After the first of two wonderful Bengali dance performances, Dr. Yunus gave his Nobel lecture. It was an incredible moment, especially for those of us who have had the honor of being associated with him for many years. I will not summarize his speech here, though I encourage all to read it. It was striking when a couple behind us said that it would be viewed as “radical.” It sounded like inspired common sense to us, but in a world where common sense is in short supply, perhaps it was radical. Everyone should judge for themselves.
A woman who leads a Norwegian replication of Grameen Bank grabbed me as we collected our coats afterwards and said, “The world is going to change very fast now.” Indeed!
Alex
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December 10th, 2006 at 11:01 am
I woke up very early this morning to watch the live webcast.
Even with only 3 hours of sleep, I was glued to my computer monitor!
Dr. Yunus message was brilliant and imho, prophetic.
I was enthralled by the 2 very colorful dance numbers esp. the final one
when the Bengali woman holding a flower in the midst of the Bangladeshi
flag.
Wow!
Bangladesh, you must be proud of your son, Dr. Yunus and the people behind Grameen!
What an experience it was, watching a monumental moment in history!
It must have been surreal for you and Susan, and everyone else present during the ceremony, Alex.
I completely agree with the Norwegian woman who said:
“The world is going to change very fast now.”
Salamat at Mabuhay (Thank you and Long Live!)
Joel Christopher R.
http://www.JoelChristopher.com/blog
http://www.MasterListBuilder.com
December 11th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
Alex,
To those of us who have followed Professor Yunus’ work for several years — and especially to those of you who have worked so closely with him for so long — what he said about ending poverty is such a natural a continuation of his long string of successes that it can only seem like common sense.
To anyone new to the world of microcredit it must seem radical nearly to the point of unbelievability.
John S.
P.S. Enjoy the festivities. You deserve the celebration.
December 12th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
RESULTS, Whole Foods Market and Whole Planet Foundation held a Nobel peace prize watching party in Austin, Texas. Whole Food Market graciously hosted the event in their corporate headquarters. These organizations were very excited about Muhammad Yunus receiving the Nobel Peace Prize as they have worked with Yunus over the years and have been part of the success of microcredit. Sam Daley-Harris, founder of RESULTS, and John Mackey, founder of Whole Foods Market, were both personally in attendance in Oslo for the ceremony. The room was filled with 100-120 people, some currently involved directly, some investing in RESULTS or microcredit, and the rest… now inspired to join the movement.
Laura Zappi, Whole Foods’ marketing director, welcomed everyone and told how Whole Foods employees enjoyed the opportunity to participate in microcredit through contributions to the Whole Planet Foundation. Donnell Ocker, VP of Partnership Development for the Whole Planet Foundation, spoke about their work in Costa Rica and Guatemala to bring microcredit to the villages where they purchase products for the Whole Foods stores.
Jim Comer, Austin RESULTS partner, spoke about RESULTS’ work with the U.S. Congress to promote microcredit programs within the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Sarah Siddiqi, CEO of Experience Bangladesh, shared with us her experiences being an intern with Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank earlier this year. She told us about the empowering environment of the Grameen Bank where are all ideas are listened to and people are allowed to explore and act on them. She shared borrower successes stories.
Of course we watched the streaming video of the award ceremony. Yunus inspired and challenged us. He had been frustrated by the failures of economic theories in the face of crushing poverty and turned that into opportunity for millions. But not one to rest on his laurels, he challenged the world to embrace social businesses, to not accept poverty as a norm, and to join hands to make a difference in ending poverty.
Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank, the world salutes and thanks you.
http://www.wholeplanetfoundation.org/
http://www.wholefoods.com/
http://www.results.org/
http://home.austin.rr.com/resultstexas/