Today had a little bit of everything: a children’s performance honoring Dr. Yunus; a photo exhibition about Grameen Bank; and a luncheon for the Grameen delegation at an Italian restaurant owned by … a local Bangladeshi. But the highlight was the annual Nobel Peace Prize concert. Sharon Stone and Angelica Houston were the co-hosts. Performers included Simply Red, Rihanna, and Lionel Richie. Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens) played “Peace Train” which was a big hit with the huge crowd in the Spectrum in Oslo. Some said afterwards it may have been the first time he has played that song in decades.
But two moments during the concert were the most memorable for me. When Dr. Yunus spoke, he mentioned his colleagues from Grameen Bank and asked them all to stand. Emily and I were sitting amongst the biggest group of Grameen staff in the hall, and to see them stand and receive a huge ovation was a thrill. Microcredit is clearly a team effort and it was terrific to see this recognized and some of the most accomplished “foot soldiers” of the movement saluted. Second, Monica Yunus, Dr. Yunus’ daughter who is a highly regarded soprano, performed and in the process brought many to tears as her father looked on a few feet away on stage. A night to remember…
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December 13th, 2006 at 12:14 pm
These reports are so great. Very few of us have the opportunity to witness this incredible happening in Oslo and to live it vicariously through these accounts is meaningful. One can imagine the scene over there and it is such a cause for celebration to see the work of so many be rewarded and recognized.
December 15th, 2006 at 8:42 am
Dear Dr. Yunus,
Congratulations on getting your Message Heard
I’m sure President Clinton will give you all the Assistance he can Offer.
How about a Bonus? What if we added Jet Fuel to the Micro Loan Model?
What if we Restructured of US Foreign Financial Aid and Deposited a larger Chunk in the Micro Loan Offset Coffers?
What do I mean by “Offset Coffers”?
Trade is the Key to all Things considered Humanity. There (3) World Economic Levels at the Moment: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd World Developing Economies. Trading above your Level is Costly, trading below is Plundering in most Cases.
What if there were a Trade Equalizer between the Economic Levels? … Say, an Offset?
For example: a 1st World product could be delivered to a 3rd World producer at a Price that is Fair & Just by their Currency Standards.
o Producer qualifies for Farm Tractor Micro Loan
o Grameen Bank orders Farm tractor from John Deere
o Upon delivery of Farm tractor, GB issues Payment to John Deere by A/P Distribution: Deposit Cash from a) Micro Loan acct & b) Trade Offset acct.
Win-Win!!
1. Previously allocated US Foreign Aid is Distributed directly to the Population it is Intended for
2. US manufacture is rewarded and trade is balanced
3. the Debtor receives State-of-the-Art Equipment with Warranty and Productivity is Increased by (x)
4. Boost in Community Economic Health & Value
Please let me know where I may have gotten this Wrong???
Regards,
M