Nobel Laureate Professor Yunus addressed on May 23 the plenary of the 7th Astana Economic forum and 2nd World Anti-Crisis Conference on 23 May in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan. The Astana Economic Forum brings together world leaders, academic experts and high-level business representatives to find solutions to the greatest economic and social challenges of our time.The plenary session was addressed by President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, U.N. Economic and Social Council Chair Martin Sajdik. The session was moderated by former Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov.
Professor Yunus discussed the power of microcredit and social business in tackling social problems in the context of the existing capitalist system that excludes the poorest. He emphasized on the need to integrate women in entrepreneurial activitism, as this has a positive effect on the whole economy of a country. He also discussed about the power of technology in healthcare and medicine including the potential revolutionary role that cellphones are already playing in this regard.
In the same session, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev called for countries to unite to work to overcome the growing gap between rich and poor, stating that this problem is not just limited to developing countries but also developed countries like Germany and UK.
The U.N. Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, spoke with those attending the forum by means of a video conference, endorsing the idea of a crusade against poverty.
Later during the day, President of Kazakhstan had lunch with Nobel Prize winners Muhammad Yunus, former President of European Union Romano Prodi and President of the Islamic Development Bank.
Professor Yunus had a one-on-one dinner with the Prime Minister Kazakhstan Karim Masimov in his office at the parliament and discussed about social business. The Prime Minister will send two of his staff to the Annual Social Business Day 2014 on June 28, Dhaka to understand social business better.
During his stay in Kazakhstan, Professor Yunus visited Eurasia University and spoke to the students. The Vice Chancellor of the University in a formal ceremony made Professor Yunus an “Honorary Professor” of the university.
The seventh edition of the Astana Economic Forum brought together for three days upwards of 10,000 participants from more than 150 countries. – Yunus Centre Press release
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