Social Entrepreneurship For Everyone

Microcredit at the crossroads

This talk was given at the Calgary Microcredit Conference 2011 hosted by Rotary District 5360 Microcredit Task Force, Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit, and the Fig Tree Foundation. The theme of the conference was: "Microcredit & Beyond: The Emerging Wave of Social Business and Social Entrepreneurship."

.......

Good morning everyone. This projected image (gesturing toward a figure where social entrepreneurs are nested, like “Russian dolls”, within larger frameworks such as social enterprise and finally social innovation) tries to locate folks known as social entrepreneurs within a larger social and institutional “do good” context. This morning I will briefly discuss some of the characteristics which I feel exemplify social (and that includes environmental) entrepreneurs. But before I do that, I need to make an argument which will consider these folks to be the key to success for microcredit ( the reason we’re here today) and any other forms of “impact investment” which might claim to alleviate poverty in the world today.

Microcredit is a very hot topic of debate these days! Basically, microcredit involves providing small business loans to the poor who are traditionally marginalized by the usual banking institutions because they lack collateral, or the resources to in other ways pay back a loan should they default on their payments. In the eyes of Western banking, this lack of collateral makes the poor a high credit risk and, by definition, untrustworthy.  

By now most of the world knows what a certain professor of economics, Dr. Mohammed Yunus thought of this marginalization. So in 1976, he helped found the Grameen Bank. Would a poor single mother, eking out a meagre living as a seamstress, benefit her business, herself, her family, and community by being loaned enough money, at reasonable interest, to buy some vitally needed piece of equipment? A small loan of perhaps one hundred dollars might pave the way to a more successful business and a brighter future – with collateral being represented not by her few possessions but by her network of community supporters. 

By virtue of this compassionate form of banking, Grameen has gone on to successfully loan $7.6 billion to the poor as of 2008. Today Grameen Bank branches number in the thousands, and this remarkable institution is credited with inspiring similar projects in about 40 countries worldwide. In his 2006 Nobel Prize winning acceptance speech, Dr. Yunus could not contain his optimism: 

"I firmly believe that we can create a poverty-free world if we collectively believe in it. In a poverty-free world, the only place you would be able to see poverty is in the poverty museums." 

But that was then. This is now. Lately microcredit has been facing withering criticism. Documentary film maker Tom Heinemann alleges that microcredit institutions are causing remarkable suffering. He and others note that several poor microcredit borrowers have even been driven to suicide. Milford Bateman, considered by some to be a bit of a rogue economist, recently titled a blog with this challenging heading: "microcredit doesn't work – it's now official." Bateman claims: 

"Unfortunately, after nearly 30 years of global experience in the field, it is now quite clear that Dr. Yunus has turned out to be spectacularly wrong."

If you're like me, your curiosity and concern are more than a little piqued. What in the world is going on with microcredit? And as far as this conference and others like it are concerned, aren't we just wasting our time? Maybe we should be moving on to something else and tossing the whole idea of microcredit into the historical dustbin.

Well there's an old warning which apparently has been with us since at least 1512 – “don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!" Maybe that old warning should be our frame of reference for how we think about microcredit these days.

When we look more closely at the scandal surrounding microcredit an interesting pattern emerges not unlike the mortgage crisis which rattled the global economy just a short while ago. With the mortgage crisis, a laissez-faire profit maximization ethos saw housing loans made to folks who really couldn't afford to pay off those loans - and, ultimately, because the foundation was so flimsy, the whole house of cards had to fall. One could argue that this is what happens when greed is rampant in an economy and society. 

But Roger Martin (a world respected economist, dean of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and a professor of strategic management) in his new book "Fixing the Game" argues something a bit different. He believes that Western economies today are fundamentally and systematically flawed in the way they do business. 

The problem lies in a false economy which Martin calls the “expectancy” economy. As businesses become increasingly concerned with ratcheting up the scale of their operations in order to satisfy larger and larger markets, they often become more and more dependent on external investors to do so. The expectations and demands of these investors become of paramount importance; their voices trump everything else. 

A whole massive and powerful economy, primarily the stock market, develops around these expectations. Investor cries ultimately drive business and social practices on an enormous scale. Indeed, as investor sentiments and expectations go, so go whole sectors of societies. And, given the incredible volatility that we’re seeing in these investment markets these days, it is absolutely clear that the tail has come to wag the dog –  and none too gently!

We need to return to business fundamentals. Arianna Huffington, cofounder and Editor-in-Chief of The Huffington Post, put it this way in her review of Roger Martin’s book: 

“We’ve gone from an economy based on making things to one based on making things up. Wall Street has been remodeled as a casino in which the expectations market, reflected in stock prices, has become more important than the real market in which real factories are built, real products are developed and sold, and real dollars show up on the bottom line. Roger Martin offers a riveting account of how the expectations game is beginning to destroy the real game….”

In a very similar way, microcredit is being overrun by an expectancy market. Serving the poor in a humane way is no longer the first and foremost consideration. What matters most in many and very large MFIs or micro-finance institutions (excluding, of course, Yunus’ Grameen Bank, which remains a staunchly pro-social and pro-development business) is profit maximization for the purposes of meeting the expectations of major, external, and deeply-pocketed investors. In too many cases, meeting the needs of the poor has become distantly secondary. The poor have become objectified and commodified as just another source of maximized, investor driven profit. 

Intense pressures are being placed upon the poor to pay off their loans quickly at exorbitant interest rates and then to take on new and increasingly larger loans. In effect, the poor are being coerced into jumping on a lending and profit maximization treadmill. Unfortunately, through the workings of some powerful microcredit institutions, the poor have become grist for a vast economic grinder over which they have no control. 

Clearly, microcredit has morphed into a new version of “tied aid” neo-colonialism, with its very long and sticky fingers, where the poor gain access to scarce financial resources but not on their own terms. Historically, we have seen countless examples of how this mindset and practice fails and harms the “distant needy” in Global South countries.

Just as Western economies are at a crossroads and need to get back to the real business of business, which is meeting real human needs with innovative and practical solutions, so too is microcredit at the very same crossroads.

What is the solution?

If we are going to really make a positive difference in the lives of the poor, investment resources must either come from local communities (Grameen bank borrowers, for example, are also, largely, its shareholders) or outside investors must learn to become far more modest in their expectations for return. There may well be a continued need for external investment, but those investor expectations must take a back seat to an economic development which is catalyzed and driven by local demands and supplies and, in the final analysis, local human actors.

Now, finally we are at the point where we can talk about social entrepreneurs. Who are the local human actors I’ve just referred to who are the basis of any healthy democratic economy? They are entrepreneurs in the very largest sense – simply, “those who undertake” against the status quo, to bring about innovative and practical enterprise solutions. This expanded definition allows for the usual business oriented understanding of entrepreneurs as profit-for-profit’s sake motivated. But it goes far beyond that to also allow for entrepreneurs as those who emphasize a double or triple bottom line where producing a “sustaining” profit is returned to a more rightful and moral place as a means to the “enchanted” ends of social and environmental good – which is finally where real economic value lies. Here, profit can coexist within benefit corporations, within and with nonprofit organizations, cooperatives, voluntaristic mutual aid and open-source endeavors, and many hybrid forms. It’s here that social entrepreneurs are both revitalizing the civic sector and radically transforming capitalism. 

One prescription for what ails microcredit today might be: avoid, whenever possible, the false economy of external investor, expectancy-driven profit maximization lending to the poor, replacing it with something far more humanitarian; and second, foster, identify, encourage, and embrace lending to local social entrepreneurs of all stripes who intimately understand their local realities. 

In the end, these folks – who are socially elected, charismatic, transformative, other attentive and truly compassionate leaders – may need more time to repay loans – simply because they are not driven by profit maximization as the end itself. Nevertheless, the wait, for humanity, will be well worth it. I promise.

Thank you very much.

 

UK 50 percent carbon emission reduction pledge challenges social entrepreneurs

It will be interesting and vitally important to the rest of the world to see how social entrepreneurs within the UK as well as the European Union respond to the gauntlet thrown down by Britain’s Prime Minister this week.

Here’s the deal: Tuesday Britain unveiled its fourth carbon budget which pledges a 50% reduction in carbon emissions from 1990 levels by 2025. This legislation, Cameron promises, “is the right approach for Britain if we are to combat climate change, secure our energy supplies for the long-term and seize the economic opportunities that green industries hold." Along those lines, the head of the Committee on Climate Change, David Kennedy, envisioned that lower electricity prices would come from the promised shift to renewable forms of energy.

But there’s a caveat in all of this. Britain’s leadership is dependent on other European countries following suit. A government statement claims that a review of EU climate negotiations will take place in early 2014 and that if the EU is not keeping pace with the UK, then Britain will water down its own targets.

Clearly, then, it will be up to the civic sector in all EU countries – and social entrepreneurs and innovators especially – to make sure that Britain’s forward looking stance actually amounts to something! And the associated governments, at all levels, need to come forward very quickly indeed with supports that will promote and sustain, not hinder, those local efforts.

Vatican Endorses Climate Change Concerns

If you're interested in this noteworthy development, this Serious Search (www.irri-serioussearch.com) output should help you to more fully research and appreciate the story.

Your search has been for:

VATICAN CLIMATE CHANGE

(iResearch Reporter Advanced, User-defined URL links listing)

Jump to:
Key Topics || In-Depth || Possibly Useful || Selected Sources

KEY TOPICS

• A Vatican -appointed panel of scientists has reported what climate change experts have been warning for years: the Earth is getting.(More...)
  
  

A Vatican -appointed panel of scientists has reported what climate change experts have been warning for years: the Earth is getting. ^[14] When the Vatican released a report last week calling man-made climate change "serious and potentially irreversible" and. ^[14] I am wondering aloud what it will take for climate change. only then to clarify that it's not the Vatican but the PAS that issued the report? ^[14] "Perhaps the reality that the Vatican recognizes this fact, as the report indicates, is worth mentioning to those who remain unconvinced of human-induced climate change," Ekwurzel said in an email. ^[10]

COPENHAGEN-MIGLIORE Dec-3-2009 (350 words) xxxi Vatican delegation to join UN climate change conference By Gustavo Solis Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican's delegation to the U.N. climate summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, was being headed by an experienced diplomat and included experts on the environment. ^[30]

The Vatican Pontifical Academy of Sciences has just released a strongly worded report (PDF) on global climate change demanding in the strongest possible language that humans act decisively to avert a coming crisis. ^[46] The bold remarks came after the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS) presented new evidence on climate change to the Vatican ^[57]

At a Vatican conference on climate change, Pope Benedict urged bishops, scientists and politicians - including UK environment secretary David Miliband - to "respect creation" while "focusing on the needs of sustainable development". ^[32] The Vatican yesterday added its voice to a rising chorus of warnings from churches around the world that climate change and abuse of the environment is against God's will, and that the one billion-strong Catholic church must become far greener. ^[32] Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and the Vatican - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com Associated Content Home The world's largest source of community-created content. ^[27] At the Copenhagen Climate Change conference, President Obama is expected to urge the assembled delegates from nearly every country in the United Nations to follow a pattern similar to the actions already initiated by the Vatican City State. ^[27] The Vatican City State, a member of the United Nations and a participant at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, has already committed itself to be the first carbon-neutral state in the world and is well on its way to that goal. ^[27] A Vatican-appointed panel of scientists has reported what climate change experts have been warning for years: the Earth is getting warmer, glaciers are melting, and urgent measures are necessary to stem the damage. ^[10] "We appeal to all nations to develop and implement, without delay, effective and fair policies to reduce the causes and impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems, including mountain glaciers and their watersheds, aware that we all live in the same home," the report said. ^[10]

Joe Romm's Climate Progress has a post about the Report by the Working Group titled Vatican on climate: Pray for science (5-11-11). ^[39] The delegation included climate expert Marcus Wandinger, who has published numerous articles on environmental issues, and an official of the Vatican Secretariat of State, Paolo Conversi, who teaches human ecology at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University. ^[30]

Failure to mitigate climate change will violate our duty to the vulnerable of the Earth, including those dependent on the water supply of mountain glaciers,. ^[14] "The widespread loss of snow and ice in the mountain glaciers is one of the most visible changes attributable to global climate change. ^[14]

Its final report, dated May 5 and signed by independent glaciologists, climate scientists, meteorologists and chemists, was posted on the Vatican website Tuesday. ^[10] A scientific branch of the Vatican is touting a climate-change report that fears for the fate of the world's glaciers, appearing to support an erroneous conclusion from the United Nations ' climate panel that skeptics have loudly debunked. ^[13]

There have been plenty of warnings and pleas from religious and faith-based groups about climate change, but maybe none as dire and direct as these from Vatican. ^[28] Last Friday, the Pontifical Academy of Science, the Vatican's science panel, released a report call " Fate of Mountain Glaciers in the Anthropocene" ( PDF ), in which they call for urgent global action on climate change, saying that "humans must act decisively now to avert a coming crisis." ^[28]

The Pope's message follows a series of increasingly strong statements about climate change and the environment, including a warning earlier this year that "disregard for the environment always harms human coexistence, and vice versa". ^[32] The Vatican's authors are some of the same people responsible for the U.N. error, even including Rajendra Pachauri, the chairman of the U.N.' s climate group and the man behind the 2007 report that feared "the likelihood of disappearing by the year 2035 and perhaps sooner." ^[13] Neither did the climate group itself nor the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences return FoxNews.com requests. ^[13]

Its final report, dated May 5 and signed by a group of climate scientists, hydrologists, chemists, lawyers and mountaineers, was posted on the Vatican website Tuesday. ^[13]

The academy selected participants for the April 2-4 workshop at the Vatican to discuss the phenomena of melting mountain glaciers and to draw up recommendations in response to the risks and threats of climate change. ^[8] VATICAN-CLIMATE May-9-2011 (640 words) xxxi Vatican working group calls for concrete steps to combat climate change By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Nations and individuals have a duty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enact policies that mitigate global warming, said a Vatican-sponsored working group. ^[8] VATICAN CITY -- A Vatican-appointed panel of scientists has reported what climate change experts have been warning for years: the Earth is getting warmer, glaciers are melting, and urgent measures are necessary to stem the damage. ^[50] He has called for international climate change laws and has made the Vatican quite "green" by having solar cooling unit installed over the Cafeteria. ^[21] A report commissioned by the Vatican's Scientific Panel, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences doesn't mince words: it urges the world to act quickly and strongly to address climate change. ^[16]

A working group of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, one of the oldest scientific institutes in the world, has issued a sobering report on the retreat of mountain glaciers as a result of human activity leading to climate change, reports the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change. ^[17] Mr. Chairman, the question of energy is rapidly becoming one of the key questions of the entire international agenda, as all of us struggle to assemble a common, global, long-term energy strategy, capable of satisfying legitimate short- and medium-term energy requirements, ensuring energy security, protecting human health and the environment, and establishing precise commitments to address the question of climate change. ^[29] The working party added, "in particular, we call for a global capacity building initiative to assess the natural and social impacts of climate change in mountain systems and related watersheds." ^[17] The consequences of climate change are being felt not only in the environment, but in the entire socioeconomic system and, as seen in the findings of numerous reports already available, they will impact first and foremost the poorest and weakest who, even if they are among the least responsible for global warming, are the most vulnerable because they have limited resources or live in areas at greater risk. ^[29] The scientific evidence for global warming and for humanity's role in the increase of greenhouse gasses becomes ever more unimpeachable, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change findings are going to suggest; and such activity has a profound relevance, not just for the environment, but in ethical, economic, social and political terms as well. ^[29]

Reduce the concentrations of warming air pollutants (dark soot, methane, lower atmosphere ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons) by as much as 50 per cent, to slow down climate change during this century while preventing millions of premature deaths from respiratory disease and millions of tons of crop damages every year. ^[17] All nations must ensure that their actions are strong enough and prompt enough to address the increasing impacts and growing risk of climate change and to avoid catastrophic irreversible consequences. ^[17] In order to address the double challenge of climate change and the need for ever greater energy resources, we will have to change our present model from one of the heedless pursuit of economic growth in the name of development, toward a model which heeds the consequences of its actions and is more respectful toward the creation we hold in common, coupled with an integral human development for present and future generations. ^[29] Failure to mitigate climate change will violate our duty to the vulnerable of the Earth, including those dependent on the water supply of mountain glaciers, and those facing rising sea level and stronger storm surges. ^[17]

When the Vatican released a report last week calling man-made climate change "serious and potentially irreversible" and advocating aggressive action to curb emissions, it stirred up old divisions within the U.S. faith community over whether human activity can affect creation and what should be done about it. ^[18] The Vatican hosted a scientific conference last year on climate change and global warming and issued a set of suggestions this summer to travellers and tourist to minimize and offset environmental damage. ^[9] According to the cable, a U.S. embassy official held a separate meeting on climate change with Mgr Reinert, who reportedly confirmed the idea that "the profile of environmental issues in the Vatican is at an all-time high". ^[5] Pope Benedict XVI today launched a crusade against climate change in his own tiny country by holding his first "ecologically friendly" public gathering at a Vatican audience hall newly powered by solar panels. ^[9] The Vatican was committed to getting countries aligned with the Copenhagen Accord on climate change, according to the first Vatican cable to appear on the WikiLeaks website. ^[5]

Last Friday, the Pontifical Academy of Science, the Vatican's science panel, released a report call "Fate of Mountain Glaciers in the Anthropocene" (PDF), in which they call for urgent global action on climate change, saying that "humans must act decisively now to avert a coming crisis." ^[40] "all nations to develop and implement, without delay, effective and fair policies to reduce the causes and impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems, including mountain glaciers and their watersheds, aware that we all live in the same home." ^[22]

The report says climate change is already underway and that action is necessary as a matter of social justice, especially for the poor. ^[16] The committed warming is inferred from the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates of the greenhouse forcing and climate sensitivity. ^[51] You want the skeptics to convert to fearing climate change even if its for unscientific or even scientifically erroneous reasons, like the pope told them too or tornado struck near by. ^[22] The cost of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing reforestation, cutting air pollutants and helping poor regions adapt to climate change "pales in comparison to the price the world will pay if we fail to act now," it said. ^[8]

Vatican-appointed climate scientists, chemists, meteorologists and glaciologists was posted on the Vatican website, urging the world to take action. ^[21]

Who needs Revelation's seven bowls and seven seals? A new Vatican report on climate change goes into full-on apocalypse mode, demanding immediate global changes and adopting a new name for our era--the "Anthropocene." ^[34] In his address to diplomats from more than 170 nations accredited to the Vatican, Pope Benedict expressed concern about the failure to reach agreement on climate change at the Copenhagen summit last month. ^[41] VATICAN CITY - A Vatican-appointed panel of scientists has reported what climate change experts have been warning for years: the Earth is getting warmer, glaciers are melting, and urgent measures are necessary to stem the damage. ^[52] A panel of some of the world's leading climate and glacier scientists co-chaired by a Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego researcher issued a report today commissioned by the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences citing the moral imperative before society to properly address climate change. ^[15]

IN-DEPTH

Section Contents:

• A report by the National Research Council of the National Academies in the U.S. has noted how public misconceptions of climate change have thwarted urgently needed efforts to reduce emissions blamed for global warming, Bloomberg reports.(More...)
  
  
• The academy has just issued a report that declares, without qualification and with utmost urgency, that global climate change is occurring, that humans bear responsibility for it, and that it is our gravest moral imperative to reduce carbon emissions as quickly as possible.(More...)
  
  
• This 15-page Report by the Academy commissioned Working Group, posted on the Vatican website on May 10, declared: "We appeal to all nations to develop and implement, without delay, effective and fair policies to reduce the causes and impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems, including mountain glaciers and their watersheds, aware that we all live in the same home.(More...)
  
  
• It was "Global Warming," then "Climate Change" (as if climate does anything besides change) and lately it's "Global Climate Disruption."(More...)
  
  
• Monograph by Dessler and Parson entitled The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change: a Guide to the Debate, emphasizing the complexity of the issue.(More...)
  
  
• • Reduce concentrations of warming air pollutants (dark soot, methane, lower atmosphere ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons) by as much as 50%, to slow down climate change during this century while preventing millions of premature deaths from respiratory disease and millions of tons of crop damages every year.(More...)
  
  
• Now, the Vatican is stepping into the political controversy surrounding climate change by endorsing a study commissioned by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Vatican's non-denominational scientific arm, which makes the case for a strong policy response to the risks posed by the accumulation of greenhouse-gas emissions in the atmosphere.(More...)
  
  
• On May 5, a working group of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, one of the oldest scientific institutes in the world, issued a sobering report on the impacts for humankind as a result of the global retreat of mountain glaciers as a result of human activity leading to climate change.(More...)
  
  

A report by the National Research Council of the National Academies in the U.S. has noted how public misconceptions of climate change have thwarted urgently needed efforts to reduce emissions blamed for global warming, Bloomberg reports. ^[42] The council, which works under the auspices of the National Academy of Science, the National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine, said putting a price on CO2 emissions, either through a cap-and-trade program or a tax, is a critical step in addressing climate change. ^[42] We call for a global capacity-building initiative to assess the natural and social impacts of climate change in mountain systems and related watersheds. ^[43] The pope has shown concern for the issue of climate change linked to global warming for some time. ^[9] Climate change is a proven scientific issue, and it's great that others outside of politics, like the church, are starting to realize it. ^[40] Reduce the concentrations of warming air pollutants (darks soot, methane, lower atmosphere ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons) by as much as 50 percent to slow down climate change during this century while preventing millions of premature deaths from respiratory disease and millions of tons of crop damages every year. 3. ^[43] Richard Cizik, president of the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good and another supporter of curbs to climate emissions, said that one tool in convincing evangelicals and Catholics to lobby for climate change -- and Christian politicians to listen to them -- is to encourage them to think about judgment day. ^[18] Some, like the interfaith members of the National Religious Coalition on Creation Care who visited Capitol Hill last week to lobby for climate change legislation, believe that man-made greenhouse gases are an example of human activity threatening creation and unjustly subjecting the Earth's most vulnerable populations to climate-related privation and violence. ^[18] Climate change is an extremely complex issue that has exercised the minds of experts and policy makers with renewed urgency in recent years. ^[35] "I think the fear over job loss has sort of trumped the issue of climate change for a short time," he said. ^[18] Abstract The intensity of future climate change impacts is likely to increase current vulnerabilities and further reduce existing adaptive capacities in major urban areas of East Africa. ^[35]

The first saplings of oak, white willow, black poplar and wild fruit trees in the Vatican Climate Forest were planted this month in more than 600 acres of forests along the Tisza River. ^[9] Others -- often from relatively similar religious backgrounds -- point to scripture as the basis for their belief that only God can cause a destructive change in climate and that the poor are more likely to suffer from expensive energy than from weather disasters. ^[18]

The Vatican has increased its pressure on major global political players, including the United States, to take a firm stance on climate change policy. ^[11] I don't see a big problem with Catholic educational materials dealing with Climate Change, since it is well within the pale of Catholic variety of opinion. (Don't forget that the Vatican is the world's only carbon-neutral state and that they do take Climate Change seriously, as a matter of prudential judgment.) ^[1] Or, alternatively, it's there because some honest Catholics, having made an honest prudential judgment (like, you know, the Vatican has done), have decided that discussion of the Catholic doctrine of care for creation can include some mention of climate change and they have absolutely no intention whatever of engaging in a quasi-religion. ^[1] You say teaching climate change is not outside the scope of our Catholic faith, and that the Vatican is the only carbon-neutral country on the planet - clearly showing our Church's dedication to solving the climate change. ^[1] The Vatican and Holy Father (in addition to many, many reputable scientists) have spoken quite clearly about the facts of climate change and our obligation to take action in light of those facts. ^[1] Please realize, it's been said time and time again on this topic, the Vatican is the first carbon-neutral country on the planet, and the Pope has spoken numerous times, to children, about the dangers of climate change and our moral obligation to do something about it. ^[1] Former Vice President Al Gore and the Vatican agree: climate change is a problem. ^[44]



The academy has just issued a report that declares, without qualification and with utmost urgency, that global climate change is occurring, that humans bear responsibility for it, and that it is our gravest moral imperative to reduce carbon emissions as quickly as possible. ^[6] Pope Benedict XVI has been an ardent supporter for many years of recognizing the truth of climate change and the collective responsibility to reduce carbon emissions and preserve clean air and clean water. ^[6]

An international team of scientists has prepared a report on climate change for the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. ^[53] While the report is significant in its acknowledgment of climate change and insistence on the need for the global community to take responsibility, it is hardly surprising that Catholic leadership commissioned and supported these findings. ^[6] "The widespread loss of snow and ice in the mountain glaciers is one of the most visible changes attributable to global climate change. ^[15] The first scientific assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, issued in 1990, and the Second World Climate Conference, held later that year, laid the foundation for negotiating the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was completed in 1992 and came into effect in 1994. ^[4] Pope Benedict XVI sent a compelling message to those gathering at the 2009 Summit on Climate Change when he conveyed his "support to leaders of governments and international agencies who soon will meet at the United Nations to discuss the urgent issue of climate change. ^[45] She investigated the influence of factors such as scientific data, cost–benefit perception, political systems and poverty on the cooperative behavior of countries within the international climate change regime. ^[4] The post-Kyoto climate change mitigation regimes are evaluated based on their economical, environmental, social and political impact for different groups of countries. ^[4] Wide range of post-Kyoto climate change mitigation architectures have different impact on different groups of countries, therefore sustainability assessment is performed for four main group of countries: EU and other Annex-I countries, USA, Advanced Developing Countries and Least Developed Countries. ^[4]

 Five indicators that estimate whether and how fast countries have committed to the two climate change agreements (UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol) and whether and how effectively measures have been implemented in line with these agreements (reporting, financing, mitigation of emissions). ^[4] The threat to the ways of life of people dependent upon glaciers and snow packs for water supplies compels immediate action to mitigate the effects of climate change and to adapt to what changes are happening now and are projected to happen in the future. ^[15] Unmitigated climate change could generate social effects that would undermine human security in low-income countries. ^[4] We present a method how to estimate and compare the cooperative behavior of countries within the international climate change regime. ^[4] Two indicators measure whether and how fast countries have committed to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol (KP). ^[4]

The report says these developments provide "some of the clearest evidence we have for a change in the climate system." ^[6] The co-authors of "Fate of Mountain Glaciers in the Anthropocene" list numerous examples of glacial decline around the world and the evidence linking that decline to human-caused changes in climate and air pollution. ^[15] Abstract Global warming and the associated changes in the world climate pattern have been accepted world wide as the gravest threat to humanity in the 20th century. ^[4]



This 15-page Report by the Academy commissioned Working Group, posted on the Vatican website on May 10, declared: "We appeal to all nations to develop and implement, without delay, effective and fair policies to reduce the causes and impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems, including mountain glaciers and their watersheds, aware that we all live in the same home. ^[36] After taking measures to reduce energy used at the Vatican, including installing solar cooling units, this study shows his commitment to discovering the truth about climate change. ^[37] A spokesman for the Vatican says this does not mean that climate change prevention is a key teaching point of the Catholic Church, but that they do see it as an important problem that must be combated. ^[37] VATICAN LETTER Apr-27-2007 (960 words) Backgrounder. xxxi Mirroring wider debate, Vatican seminar on global warming gets heated By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Despite being held in a cool, climate-controlled conference room, some early discussions at a Vatican-sponsored seminar on global warming and climate change got pretty heated. ^[23]

Somehow, because the Holy Father and you are neither "climate change scientists" that some how frees all Catholics from obeying our Pope (after all - if you don't believe in anthropogenic climate change, why should you strive to become carbon neutral?). ^[1] Here's the confusing part (from the commenters attitudes): For "climate change", we can be a good Catholic even if we disagree with what the Pope and Church teach about our moral obligation to minimize if not stop climate change. ^[1] You say you don't even know if Lomborg believes in God, meanwhile our Pope has issued multiple calls-to-action to Catholics globally to address the impacts and causes of climate change. ^[1] We call for a global capacity building initiative to assess the natural and social impacts of climate change in mountain systems and related watersheds. ^[24] The Pontifical Academy of Sciences has released a report on the reality of climate change. ^[24] The disconnect is between the Pope calling for global justice and charity with regard to climate change, and you outright saying you think it's a bunch of "hype". ^[1] The pope has weighed in on several pressing matters of interest to the United States, from climate change to the Iraq war to domestic "culture war" issues like stem-cell research and abortion. ^[11] "Pope Benedict XVI has continually emphasized the moral dimensions of climate change and our responsibility to care for creation," and again, "The Catholic Church brings a distinct perspective to the debate about climate change by lifting up the moral dimensions of this issue and the needs of the most vulnerable among us. ^[1] There is no question, technology has made our lives better and can be used to serve God's will; however, the Pope calls us to action to stop climate change. ^[1] II. Reduce the concentrations of warming air pollutants (dark soot, methane,lower atmosphere ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons) by as much as 50%,to slow down climate change during this century while preventing millions of premature deaths from respiratory disease and millions of tons of crop damages every year. ^[24] That said, further inquiry into the intricacies of the matter, such as the climate scenarios posed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, would help to solidify the involvedness of global climate change but I believe it would only serve to stupefy readers. ^[1] I think he made a lot of good points in that book about the current thoughts on combating climate change do not constitute the best use of our global resources to help the most people. ^[1] Similar attention also needs to be paid to the world-wide problem of water and to the global water cycle system, which is of prime importance for life on earth and whose stability could be seriously jeopardized by climate change. ^[1] @Reality Check: Bjorn Lomborb is BALANCED. While he says that humans have an impact on the earth and that climate change is really happening, he also puts it in its rightful place. ^[1] Speak out for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable. ^[1] The Church has explicitly accepted the reality of anthropogenic climate change and called Catholics to address climate change in order to care for both God's good gift of Creation, as well as the poor who are most impacted by its adverse consequences. ^[1] @Kris - You miss the very first partner with the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change: The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. ^[1] There's a real danger in making Catechism classes extremely generic - all Christian faiths teach that Jesus loves; what makes the Catholics different? If kids' parents don't believe that birth control is wrong, or that climate change is a real problem, or that we must oppose threats to marriage - VBS/CCD/PSR are these kids' only way to learn about these issues. ^[1] I was on your site where people were discussing climate change, and I recently received some emails from some who expressed concern about a Catholic Vacation Bible School Program with a section on "climate change." ^[1] I know you and I have butted heads repeatedly about science, but I have to say, this is one post about Catholicism and Science that I agree with (well, except the details where you state why you doubt climate change :)). ^[1] You say VBS is just meant to introduce children to the love of Jesus; however, I'm not sure when (or if) you would say it is appropriate to bring up the every-day issues of things like abortion, poverty, social justice or even climate change. ^[1]

Whether the climate is changing on it's own or not,it is not debateable that man's impact from the use of fossil fuels is accelerating a "natural change" if that is happening or causing a change.Either way the negative sequelae are occuring and the POOR nations of the world will be most impacted.Remember:'we are our brother's keeper;and we are to be good stewards of God's creation." ^[1]

Significant changes were taking place within the church as the 1962-1965 Second Vatican Council modernized and freed up discourse within its rank and file. ^[11]

The seminar, sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, gathered some 80 experts representing the scientific, political, economic and spiritual sides of the climate-change debate at the Vatican April 26-27 to discuss "Climate Change and Development." ^[23] "The Vatican Pontifical Academy of Sciences has just released a strongly worded report (PDF) on global climate change demanding in the strongest possible language that humans act decisively to avert a coming crisis." ^[25] Vatican scientists have sparked a climate change row after backing a discredited UN report that claimed ice on the Himalays could melt by 2035. ^[19]



It was "Global Warming," then "Climate Change" (as if climate does anything besides change) and lately it's "Global Climate Disruption." ^[1] BUT - if any of you are concerned for your kids' participation- why not just approach the VBS coordinator/DRE? The key is since you honestly don't know what's included, just that the phrase "climate change" in a Catholic program makes you uncomfortable, approach in a low key and friendly way, and just ask to see the materials. ^[1] I agree with the person who asked the original question: What on earth is a VBS program doing talking about "climate change" at all? Having put on VBS programs for up to 150 kids at a time for more than a decade, I can tell you that I would stay far away from any program that talked about "climate change." ^[1] The emails expressed concern about teaching "Climate Change" (I am not sure why that would be introduced in a VBS Program - we have such little time to teach our faith). ^[1]



Monograph by Dessler and Parson entitled The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change: a Guide to the Debate, emphasizing the complexity of the issue. ^[20] The report serves as a clear document, to those who need one, as an update on what we now know about climate change and its causes and the impact on glacial melting. ^[37] The church can "provide motivation, inspiration, love for life itself and for the earth and all of creation, to genuinely love those things and care for them," he told CNS. Instead of letting disagreements in the global warming debate continue to stall decisive action, "we have a Christian duty to live simple, responsible lives whether climate change is happening or not," he said. ^[23] In the UK campaign group Camp for Climate Action aims to keep climate change on the political agenda, using direct action against major carbon emitters. ^[20] In 1998, the company started providing financial support to organizations and individuals who disagreed with the scientific consensus that human activities were contributing to climate change. ^[20]

This report is not quite the same as (and many people on the "other side" will likely point this out) the Pope himself, or the Vatican itself, clearly stating that Catholics have a moral responsibility to face and address climate change, to strive to ensure climate stability, to strive to ensure a just human sustainability, and so forth. ^[2] The Vatican supports the UN report on climate change, so that's the real Catholic position. ^[2]

If Gingrich claims to not believe in the reality of climate change, or to think that we shouldn't do anything about it, he (and voters) should understand that he's disagreeing with not only the vast majority of the Earth's scientists, but also with the Vatican. ^[2]

Bizarrely enough, the Vatican has also been extending an invitation to Professor Ronald Rychlak of the University of Mississippi, because he said nice things about Pope Pius XII. And Rychlak is (or was) a climate inactivist who spoke at one of the Heartland denier-fests ; he pioneered (?) the 'global temperature rise disappears if we change the axes scalings to something ridiculous' method of temperature trend misanalysis. ^[2]



• Reduce concentrations of warming air pollutants (dark soot, methane, lower atmosphere ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons) by as much as 50%, to slow down climate change during this century while preventing millions of premature deaths from respiratory disease and millions of tons of crop damages every year. ^[3] About the ONLY thing that will suit the global warmer climate change folks is for mankind to day off by the billions and that would seem to be against church teaching. or maybe it isnt any more. ^[3] It cites Pachauri's early controversial UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment report as evidence. ^[19] If impacts from climate change are catastrophic to humans then don't count on some natural earth process to recover things for you kids or grandkids. ^[25] This is the Climate Change that killed people, destroyed homes, further destroyed the economy that the Republican factories emissions caused so they could make profits by killing those people. ^[3]

"The widespread loss of glaciers, ice, and snow on the mountains of tropical, temperate, and polar regions is some of the clearest evidence we have for a change in the climate system which is taking place on a global scale at a rapid rate." ^[3] In contrast to natural climate and glacial changes the Earth has experienced throughout history, the papal scientists state." ^[3]



Now, the Vatican is stepping into the political controversy surrounding climate change by endorsing a study commissioned by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Vatican's non-denominational scientific arm, which makes the case for a strong policy response to the risks posed by the accumulation of greenhouse-gas emissions in the atmosphere. ^[31] U.S. church leaders lobby Bush on global warming John Vidal and Tom Kington in RomeFriday April 27, 2007 GuardianThe Vatican yesterday added its voice to a rising chorus of warnings from churches around the world that climate change and abuse of the environment is against God's will, and that the one billion-strong Catholic church must become far greener. ^[54] VATICAN CITY -- A Vatican-appointed panel of scientists has reported what climate change experts have been warning for years: the Earth is getting warmer, glaciers are melting. ^[55] VATICAN CITY (AP) -- A Vatican-appointed panel of scientists has reported what climate change experts have been warning for years: the Earth is getting warmer, glaciers are melting, and urgent measures are necessary to stem the damage. ^[56]

The study was prepared by an international team of scientists for the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Vatican's non-denominational scientific arm, and will be delivered to Pope Benedict XVI. The analysis focused heavily on the adverse impact of climate change on the world's most vulnerable regions and societies. ^[31]

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences accepts the science of climate change and has created a Working Group on the Fate of Mountain Glaciers in the Anthropocene. ^[2] The ability of the global community to cope with future climate change very much depends on a more comprehensive agreement involving all countries, especially the rapidly developing economies which will be responsible for the bulk of emissions in the coming years. ^[12] The late Pope John Paul and the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops have spoken on climate change for many years. ^[2] Regarding climate change, I fear Rome may be promoting one position for positive PR with the rest of the worldespecially the poor in the third world nations most likely to suffer first from Climate Changewhile the U.S. Catholic Bureaucracy plays both sides of the eco-fence to appease the pro-fossil fuel coalition: the GOP, Conservatives, and fossil fuel special interests. ^[2]

II. Reduce the concentrations of warming air pollutants (dark soot, methane, lower atmosphere ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons) by as much as 50%, to slow down climate change during this century while preventing millions of premature deaths from respiratory disease and millions of tons of crop damages every year. ^[2] Global climate models (GCMs) have become increasingly sophisticated and reliable and can now be downscaled by a variety of methods to aid management of future climate change impacts. ^[12] Abstract Global climate change poses pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges for the international community. ^[12] A method of prediction of expected part of global climate change caused by cosmic ray (CR) by forecasting of galactic cosmic ray intensity time variation in near future based on solar activity data prediction and determined parameters of convection-diffusion and drift mechanisms is presented. ^[12] Human caused climate change is a religious and spiritual issue as well a cause for scientific concern. ^[2] The ultimate effects of climate changes and the increased distribution of pathogens by international trade and travel will not be limited to infectious disease outbreaks in immunologically naïve populations but will also impact world food production and quality, air quality, drinking water availability and quality, immigration, urban relocation, and civil unrest. ^[12] International responses to the threat of climate change have been slow and individual countries have sought to protect national interests by remaining outside key agreements. ^[12]

We (people concerned about the climate) should be asking, requesting, pushing (whatever way you'd like to put it) for the Vatican to do just that. ^[2] One of the climate scientists in our book is a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and he was in charge of the recent Vatican workshop. ^[2] On the one hand the Vatican invites real climate scientists to summarize climate science, and on the other hand it invites someone who's been attacking climate scientists. ^[2]

If the past presages the future, the Vatican may play a critical role in shaping the ongoing debate over climate science and climate policy. ^[31] The report title refers to the term coined by Crutzen to describe what is considered a new geologic epoch that began when the impacts of mankind on the planet became a major factor in environmental and climate changes. ^[26] Though scientists usually refrain from proposing specific action, Professor Ramanathan from the Scripps Institution, at the University of California, San Diego, and one of the workshop co-chairs, said the circumstances of climate change warranted advancing suggestions from the working group. ^[26] This entry was posted in climate change and tagged climate change, global warming, Pope. ^[58] This is more than two and a half times higher than the 2007 projection of a half to two feet by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. ^[26] While some lawmakers and ideologues blithely challenge the world's leading scientists, along with a growing number of military leaders concerned about this issue as a global security risk, they also part company with the Catholic Church and Pope Benedict XVI. The Green Pope, as some have called Benedict, has frequently addressed climate change and care for the environment as profound moral issues. ^[59]

The Kyoto Protocol, agreed in 1997 under the auspices of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), set out specific commitments by individual developed countries to reduce emissions by an average of 5.2% below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. ^[47] Climate change has moved up the policy agenda for the majority of governments worldwide as they look to cut green house gas (GHG) emissions, reduce energy consumption and ensure security of supply in the face of increasing demand from both consumers and industry. ^[47]

Climate change is the new superstition and the Vatican wants a piece of the action. ^[7] The lead title "The Vatican gets involved in climate change," suggested one thing. ^[7]

"The widespread loss of ice and snow in the world's mountain glaciers is some of the clearest evidence we have for global changes in the climate system," concludes the analysis, which will be delivered to Pope Benedict XVI. It was assembled by an international team of experts at the behest of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Vatican's non-denominational scientific arm. ^[48]



On May 5, a working group of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, one of the oldest scientific institutes in the world, issued a sobering report on the impacts for humankind as a result of the global retreat of mountain glaciers as a result of human activity leading to climate change. ^[60] The New York Times has details : " Climate change is shrinking the world's mountain glaciers, whose retreat creates new risks for humans and sensitive ecosystems alike, warns a new report commissioned by the Roman Catholic Church. ^[48]

"The widespread loss of snow and ice in the mountain glaciers is one of the most visible changes attributable to global climate change. ^[7] "Glaciers are one of our most visible evidences of global climate change," added Thompson. ^[7] Reduce concentrations of warming air pollutants (dark soot, methane, lower atmosphere ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons) by as much as 50%, to slow down climate change during this century while preventing millions of premature deaths from respiratory disease and millions of tons of crop damages every year. ^[61] The authors recommend pursuit of three measures: immediate reduction of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, reduction of concentrations of warming air pollutants such as soot, ozone, methane and hydroflurocarbons by up to 50 percent, and preparation to adapt to climate changes that society will not be able to mitigate. ^[7] In an audiotape that surfaced on the al-Jazeera network, Osama bin Laden pronounced himself a believer in climate change and blamed America and other industrialised economies for failing to rein in greenhouse gas emissions warming the atmosphere. ^[62]

The co-authors of "Fate of Mountain Glaciers in the Anthropocene" list numerous examples of glacial decline around the world and the evidence linking that decline to human-caused changes in climate and air pollution. ^[7]

A panel of some of the world's leading climate and glacier scientists co-chaired by a Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego researcher issued a report today commissioned by the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences citing the moral imperative before society to properly address climate change." ^[7] Criticisms of the Church on this topic should be limited to what the Church has said about "Climate Change". ^[7] It does sound like the church's stance on eugenics has changed since its part of the "climate change" movement's core beliefs. ^[7]

POSSIBLY USEFUL

Section Contents:

• Brenda Ekwurzel, the assistant director of climate research and analysis at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a Cambridge, Massachusettss-based think tank, said the report was a "straightforward recap of major known findings about glaciers," that was penned by high-caliber scientists.(More...)
  
  
• Lexical carbon compounds are used here as indicators for observing how human symbolic cultures change and adapt in response to environmental threats and how symbolic innovation and transmission occurs.(More...)
  
  
• His current research interests are options for the global energy and climate system in the conflicting fields of climate protection, technological solutions and the political–economic boundary conditions, aiming to bridge the gap between natural and social sciences.(More...)
  
  
• As evidence continues to mount for impacts linked to a rapidly changing climate recent research shows stunted global crop yields and the expansion of species that pose health threats such as mosquitoes and brown recluse spiders, just to name a few examples the timing could not be better to rally the world's one billion Catholics for the cause of science.(More...)
  
  
• June 26, 2009: U.S. House of Representatives passes the American Clean Energy and Security Act, the "first time either house of Congress had approved a bill meant to curb the heat-trapping gases scientists have linked to climate change."(More...)
  
  
• I'm a clean-energy wonk at the Pace Energy and Climate Center, which is a veteran environmental and rate-payer advocate in deregulated power markets and operates the U.S. Department of Energy's Northeast Clean Energy Application Center.(More...)
  
  
• The executive director of a climate skeptic website is dismissing reports that claim a Vatican-appointed panel is warning about the effects of so-called "climate change."(More...)
  
  
  
  Brenda Ekwurzel, the assistant director of climate research and analysis at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a Cambridge, Massachusettss-based think tank, said the report was a "straightforward recap of major known findings about glaciers," that was penned by high-caliber scientists. ^[10] Caritas is bringing bishops and other representatives from 25 countries to encourage governments to seize the "once-in-a-generation chance to save the human family from a future of climate chaos." ^[30]
  
  We call on all people and nations to recognise the serious and potentially irreversible impacts of global warming caused by the anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, and by changes in forests, wetlands, grasslands, and other land uses. ^[39] The scientists called for urgent reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and reductions in methane and other pollutants that warm the air, and for improved observation of mountain glaciers to better track their changes. ^[10]
  
  A report by a scientific group sponsored by the Vatican blames man-made emissions for recent global warming and the retreat of. ^[14] The Pontifical Academy of Sciences, a Vatican advisory panel, hosted a conference last month on the causes and consequences of retreating mountain glaciers. ^[10] Benedict has been dubbed the "green pope" for his environmental concerns: In 2008, the Vatican installed photovoltaic cells on the roof of its main auditorium. ^[10] Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations, was to lead the five-person Vatican delegation at the Copenhagen conference, Vatican Radio reported. ^[30] The Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences this week issued a report that declares,. ^[14] My previous post described the history of the Vatican's Pontifical Academy, highlighted some of the Academicians, and touched on the research and impressive scientific credentials of the scientists who organized this workshop. ^[39]
  
  The report was not authored by the Pontifical Academy itself; rather, the Vatican convened a group of scientists with relevant experience, along with a few Nobel Prize winners. ^[46] The Pontifical Academy of Sciences, a Vatican advisory panel, was founded under a different name in Rome in 1603, and claims to be the first exclusively scientific academy in the world. ^[13] The new report, commissioned by the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences, notes that "thousands of small glaciers in the Hindukush-Himalayan-Tibetan region continue to disintegrate," and states that "robust scenario calculations clearly indicate that many mountain ranges worldwide could lose major parts of their glaciers within the coming decades." ^[13]
  
  Like his 2007 U.N. study, Pachauri's 2011 Vatican report, titled "Fate of Mountain Glaciers in the Anthropocene," again frets over the fate of the glaciers -- and it cites his U.N. report as evidence. ^[13] A million pilgrims gave the new Pope a warm homecoming, but Vatican analysts wonder if he has the charisma to clean up the church and kindle a Christian reawakening in Europe. ^[32] A reforestation firm is planting thousands of trees in a desolate area along a river in Hungary to compensate in carbon consumption what the Vatican emits in carbon gases each year. ^[27]
  
  The Vatican City State, though the smallest state in the U.N., uses huge amounts of energy as one of the most heavily visited tourist areas in the world. ^[27]
  
  Well-known climate scientist Michael Mann thought the report may indicate shifting beliefs within the church. ^[13]
  
  Reduce worldwide carbon dioxide emissions without delay, using all means possible to meet ambitious international global warming targets and ensure the long-term stability of the climate system. ^[17] A report by a scientific group sponsored by the Vatican blames man-made emissions for recent global warming and the retreat of mountain glaciers and calls for urgent action to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. ^[63] The report makes three general recommendations: That we reduce worldwide carbon dioxide emissions without delay, reduce the concentrations of warming air pollutants (dark soot, methane, lower atmosphere ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons) by as much as 50 percent, and prepare to adapt to the climatic changes that society will be unable to mitigate. ^[28]
  
  While geologists and others in the climate sciences have been using the term more frequently of late, it's powerful that a religious organization is recognizing that humans have so changed God's creation. ^[28]
  
  "The group's consensus statement is a warning to humanity and a call for fast action -- to mitigate global and regional warming, to protect mountain glaciers and other vulnerable ecosystems, to assess national and local climate risks, and to prepare to adapt to those climate impacts that cannot be mitigated," the report said. ^[8] That human activity could so drastically alter current and future climate conditions, the report said, warrants assigning a new name to the current geological period -- anthropocene -- a term coined by Nobel Prize-winning atmospheric chemist, Paul Crutzen, who was one of the working group's co-chairs. ^[8]
  
  Will the scientists and news editors see their day in court for knowingly leading us to a false war against a non existent enemy of CO2 for 25 years of needless and costly panic? Yes most certainly because meanwhile, the UN had allowed carbon trading to trump 3rd world fresh water relief, starvation rescue and 3rd world education for just over 25 years of climate control instead of needed population control. ^[22] The working group also said another major threat that humanity poses to the world's climate is "the threat of nuclear war, which can be lessened by rapid and large reductions in global nuclear arsenals." ^[8]
  
  "We call on all people and nations to recognize the serious and potentially irreversible impacts of global warming caused by the anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, and by changes in forests, wetlands, grasslands, and other land uses," it said. ^[8] There is no detectable change in the frequency or severity of hurricanes, with the global accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) currently at a 30 year low. ^[22]
  
  Vatican scientists echo the claims of Al Gore, touting the earth is getting warmer and the glaciers are melting and world-wide action is needed to reverse the trend. ^[21] Vatican scientists pump up the fear factor, agreeing with the United Nations that global warming is melting glaciers and a severe reduction in green house gases is necessary to stop it. ^[21]
  
  Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said in a written statement that while the report reflects the findings of the authors and is not "an act of the magisterium of the church," it is still "a significant scientific contribution to be valued in the context of the concerns about environmental problems often shown in recent magisterial documents and in the words of the Holy Father." ^[8] The Vatican commissioned the report to address the "causes and consequences" of the retreat of mountain glaciers. ^[16]
  
  Less than 16% of the nation is Roman Catholic So, yeah, Vatican involvement will probably have some influence, (and every bit helps), but of the top greenhouse gas producing nations, only the U.S. has a significant minority of Roman Catholics. (and the top five combined produce far more greenhouse gas than pretty much all other nations combined). ^[16] This is pretty good time for the Vatican, it took them 400 years to acknowledge Galileo was right, so 40 years to acknowledge global warming isn't bad. ^[16] Considering the Vatican delcared Galileo a heretic for refusing to believe the earth was the center of the Universe, they might want to get out of the science business. ^[21]
  
  If folks didn't know, one of the newer churches in Vatican City has a huge solar panel roof, so while this might be the first call for the rest of the Catholics to be good, they have been being pretty good about practicing some of what they preach. ^[16]
  
  I am not a climate scientist, therefore I rely on the scientific process to manage the debate on issues outside my area of expertise. ^[22]
  
  
  
  Lexical carbon compounds are used here as indicators for observing how human symbolic cultures change and adapt in response to environmental threats and how symbolic innovation and transmission occurs. ^[35] The Vatican has also been involved this year in a reforestation project in Hungary designed to offset its carbon emissions. ^[9] The cable, entitled "'Green' Pope supports U.S. path forward from Copenhagen", was based in part on discussions an embassy official had with Paolo Conversi, a Vatican official at the Secretariat of State, and with U.S. Mgr James Reinert of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. ^[5] The confidential cable claimed a Vatican official at the Secretariat of State would support U.S. government "efforts to have countries associate themselves with the Copenhagen Accord by the January 31 deadline" as well as "encourage other countries discreetly to associate themselves with the Accord as opportunities arise". ^[5] The cable, dated January 21, 2010, came from the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican and was sent to the U.S. government's Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science. ^[5] In a lengthy speech, he told ambassadors that have diplomatic relations with the Vatican, including U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Miguel Diaz, that he shared "the growing concern caused by economic and political resistance to combating the degradation of the environment". ^[5]
  
  Like the Vatican report ( ClimateWire, May 6), Hescox predicted that these would include famine, war, unrest and less access to water. ^[18] This was demonstrated by the fact that Vatican officials from the Secretariat of State were now representing the Vatican at international environmental meetings whereas in the past lower level officers from the justice and peace council "would have had the lead", the cable said. ^[5] Sources in Rome said 850 documents concern communications between the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican. ^[5]
  
  The solar panels will produce about 300,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy a year, offsetting the Vatican's annual Co2 production estimated at 10,000 tons. ^[9] The 2,400 solar panels placed on more than an acre of undulating roof of the Vatican's hall were officially activated today, providing the energy required by the the hall itself and the adjacent large buildings. ^[9] The system is part of the Vatican's commitment to using renewable energy for 20 percent of its needs by 2020, a goal most European Union countries are striving toward. ^[9] "Even more important than the Vatican's lobbying assistance, however, is the influence the Pope's guidance can have on public opinion in countries with large Catholic majorities and beyond," it said. ^[5]
  
  
  
  His current research interests are options for the global energy and climate system in the conflicting fields of climate protection, technological solutions and the political–economic boundary conditions, aiming to bridge the gap between natural and social sciences. ^[4] In the absence of specific additional climate policy measures, the EPPA reference projections of carbon emissions increase by 14% from 1990 levels. ^[4] Scripps Climate and Atmospheric Scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan co-chaired the working group with Nobel Laureate Paul Crutzen, formerly affiliated with Scripps and Lennart Bengtsson, former head of the European weather forecasting center. ^[15] Human action anywhere affects the climate and humans everywhere are affected by the climate. ^[4] How important it is then, that the international community and individual governments send the right signals to their citizens and succeed in countering harmful ways of treating the environment!The protection of the environment, and the safeguarding of resources and of the climate, oblige all leaders to act jointly, respecting the law and promoting solidarity with the weakest regions of the world" ( Caritas in Veritate, no. 50). ^[45]
  
  They recommend three main actions: "reduce worldwide carbon dioxide emissions without delay … reduce the concentrations of warming air pollutants … prepare to adapt to the climatic changes, both chronic and abrupt, that society will be unable to mitigate." ^[6] If they think global warming is a fake and that fixing it will just kill our economy, the pope isn't going to change their mind. ^[34]
  
  They will claim anyone using the Pope as a motive for action is "giving American sovereignty to the Vatican" or some such non-sense that amounts to "we don't have to listen to anybody." ^[34] Report authors met at the Vatican from April 2 to April 4, 2011 under the invitation of Chancellor Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo of the pontifical academy. ^[15] The report was issued by the Vatican today and will be presented to Pope Benedict XVI. ^[15] The Vatican even flirted with the idea of going completely carbon neutral by reforesting degraded land in Hungary to offset their emissions, though critics assailed the plan for its focus on offsets over efficiency improvements. ^[6] In 2008 the Vatican began installing 2,400 solar panels atop the pope's audience hall, which prevents 230 tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted annually. ^[6] Pope Benedict XVI focused his annual address to ambassadors accredited to the Vatican on the environment and the protection of creation. ^[41]
  
  We can now add to their voices those of a working group of scientists appointed by the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences, a nonsectarian organization presided over by Werner Arber, a Nobel laureate and a Protestant. ^[6] In a true example of "lived faith," the pope and his leadership spearheaded renewable energy projects right in Vatican City. ^[6]
  
  
  
  As evidence continues to mount for impacts linked to a rapidly changing climate recent research shows stunted global crop yields and the expansion of species that pose health threats such as mosquitoes and brown recluse spiders, just to name a few examples the timing could not be better to rally the world's one billion Catholics for the cause of science. ^[24] I. Reduce worldwide carbon dioxide emissions without delay, using all means possible to meet ambitious international global warming targets and ensure the long-term stability of the climate system. ^[24] You can definitely call me an Anthropogenic Global Warming/Climate Change/Global Climate Disruption skeptic. ^[1] I think some scientists and far too many activists and politicians have contributed to a complacency and lack of action given that overly dramatic announcements about 'tipping points', 'tens of millions of climate refugees by 2010", etc. ^[1] In a July 2009 meeting at the Vatican, the Pope and President Obama discussed a myriad of issues (Religious News Service), including the global food crisis, the Mideast peace process, and drug trafficking in Latin America, but the Pope also gave Obama a booklet condemning embryonic stem cell research and arbotion rights. ^[11]
  
  Some analysts say the Vatican has soured on several aspects of U.S. foreign policy, including the methodology the Bush administration used to pursue its "global war on terror." ^[11] Before the stem-cell decision, Obama upset the Vatican by rescinding the Mexico City Policy, a Reagan-era rule preventing humanitarian groups receiving U.S. funding from promoting or performing abortions. ^[11] The Vatican has released findings from its "working group" calling for immediate action. ^[44]
  
  I do not feel that the vatican being "carbon neutral" is enough leadership to tackle this moral issue. ^[1] Shortly after the 2008 presidential election, Pope Benedict spoke with Obama to make clear that the Vatican would oppose attempts to loosen policy ( Times Online ) on embryonic-stem-cell research; Vatican officials were quick to criticize Obama's move to end restrictions on stem-cell funding in March 2009. ^[11]
  
  Wilson Miscamble, a Catholic priest and professor of U.S. history at the University of Notre Dame, wrote in a pair of articles-- America (1979) and Diplomacy History (1980)--that until the early twentieth century the Vatican's involvement in foreign policy was "episodic and, in fact, largely limited to attempting to protect the interests of the institutional church in other lands." ^[11]
  
  
  
  June 26, 2009: U.S. House of Representatives passes the American Clean Energy and Security Act, the "first time either house of Congress had approved a bill meant to curb the heat-trapping gases scientists have linked to climate change." ^[20] ExxonMobil also helped create the " Global Climate Science Team " whose members were active climate contrarians. ^[20] July 19, 2006: In California, Gov. Schwarzenegger proposed forming the Climate Action Board, a new, centralized authority under his direct control that would be responsible for implementing one of the nation's most far-reaching initiatives to curb global warming. ^[20]
  
  The Vatican is reminding people that the environment and development cannot be helped by economics, science or politics alone, "that there are moral, ethical considerations" to take into account, said Silecchia. ^[23] By bringing the opposing sides together under the neutral roof of the Vatican, she said, the church is helping give a fresh approach to an issue mired in conflict, confusion and, often, inaction. ^[23]
  
  Pontifical Academy of Sciences, launched in 1603 and located in Vatican City, which includes many Nobel laureates with Werner Arber as President, claims to be the first exclusively scientific academy in the world. ^[36] Roman Catholic Church headquartered in Vatican City and headed by Pope is the largest of the Christian denominations. ^[36] Lead author, Rajendra Pachauri, based it upon his own 2007 UN climate panel report, which he later admitted had 'poorly substantiated estimates' following an international furore. ^[19] "Reduce worldwide carbon dioxide emissions without delay, using all means possible to meet ambitious international global warming targets and ensure the long-term stability of the climate system. ^[3]
  
  The earth will go in cycles argument is probably the single most misunderstood piece of info when it comes to climate science. ^[25] If you don't care about human's living on earth then yes, by all means look back at earlier times and earlier climates. ^[25]
  
  According to the papel scientific panel, climatic and ecological impacts of this "human interference" has resulted in worldwide Glacial retreat, "changes in the composition of the air and air quality that result in more than 2 million premature deaths worldwide every year and threaten water and food security." ^[3] I have seen numerous people (well respected) that have shown that the growth that would be possible by "ignoring" the issue would more than pay for the damages wrought by the global changes that were man-made. ^[25] "The recent changes observed in glacial behaviour are due to a complex mix of caus­al factors that include greenhouse gas forcing together with large scale emissions of dark soot particles and dust in "brown clouds", and the associated changes in regional atmospheric energy and moisture content, all of which result in significant warming at higher altitudes ^[3] By contrast, the observed human-induced changes in carbon dioxide, other greenhouse gases, and soot concentrations are taking place on 10-100 year timescales - at least 100 times as fast. ^[3]
  
  Although I am not a Catholic, I was among the many outside the Church who found Pope John to be an inspirational figure during his tragically short Vatican tenure in the early 1960s at the height of the Cold War. ^[64] Let us pray that the Vatican scientific panel does due diligence and get real perspective as any real Catholic would and avoid knee jerk responses a la chicken little. ^[3] What on earth is the Vatican employing scientists for, when the whole ideology of the Catholic Church disregards scientific facts and relies on supersticion, the supernatural and blind faith for its unscientific dogma. ^[19] The papal report could be a sign in a shifting of position by Vatican scientists. ^[19]
  
  TOO many people in too large cities may be a problem but 'doing something' suggests we allow some moronic world bureaucracy make decisions that will have unexpected consequences even the princes at the Vatican science panel didnt see. ^[3] Global warming is within normal range and the Vatican is sometimes wrong about science (see Galileo) Climatedebatedaily.com for the facts. ^[3]
  
  All our forests are removed, 70% drinking water contaminated, no breathable air in the cities,90% of our biodiversity gone, Sir, you mean there is no problem? I think Vatican must show us the path in this time of grave crisis. ^[3]
  
  Its final report, titled Fate of Mountain Glaciers in the Anthropocene, again frets over the fate of the ice, is signed by independent glaciologists, climate scientists, meteorologists and chemists. ^[19]
  
  Abstract There is now near-unanimous scientific agreement that greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activities have increased global temperatures and changed the earth's climate. ^[12] The French writer Montesquieu is famous for this latter approach, saying that the global north was prosperous because it was colder, compelling its inhabitants to work harder and avoid idleness in order to survive, while the warmer climates of the south encouraged people to lie around all day and bred laziness. ^[49]
  
  "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." ^[33] "Dubbed " climate -gate" by global warming sceptics, the most outrageous East Anglia email excerpts appear to suggest respected "scientists" misleadingly manipulated data and suppressed legitimate argument in peer-reviewed journals ^[33]
  
  If they were informed about climate science, they would know about the Pontifical Academy. ^[2] Some people like to dwell on the role of ideas and philosophies to history, whilst others will say that factors of land, production and climate are most important. ^[49] Many are the well-informed religious individuals and organizations (Interfaith Power and Light, Eco-Justice @ UCC, GreenFaith Fellowship, Earth Ministries, etc.) that are fighting for a livable climate and flourishing earth and yes, preaching from the pulpit! Like everyone else in this movement, it's hard to be heard when the media focuses on the more extreme and bizarre elements of religious opinion. ^[2]
  
  Even if the Vatican hesitates to take a strong stand on the science itself (which would be understandable, given its own role, lack of expertise, and etc.), it should do this: It should DEFER TO the scientists on the science itself, and then it should take a very strong stand on the moral implications and the moral call for action, which would be entirely consistent with both this report and what the Pope has already written in 'Caritas in Veritate'. ^[2] Bravo to this group of scientists, and Bravo to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and to the Vatican, for bringing them together and for publishing this report under the auspices of the Vatican. ^[2] You see, this recent report has been written by a group of scientists that was convened under the auspices of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and, thus ultimately, the Vatican. ^[2]
  
  The Vatican should say something like, "Given what the world's leading scientists are saying, we humans have a moral obligation to face and address the matter in order to." ^[2]
  
  Natural causes of change are now known to be the drivers of the glacial–interglacial oscillations of the past 2 million years, though human modification of the atmosphere is now overwhelmingly believed to be responsible for the rapid warming of the past century. ^[12] The downstream consequences include glacial lake outburst floods, disrupted availability of water for agriculture and human consumption, changes to mountain eco systems, increased frequency of forest fires, loss of habitat, and other potential catastrophes. ^[2]
  
  The matter was thus: The Vatican and a Church theology think tank ruled that Hurlbut's proposals failed to overcome Church objections to what constituted human life and when it began. ^[2] "The Vatican wants to play its small part in the elimination of CO2 emissions," commented Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, at the time. ^[33] Two years ago the Vatican began planting a forest in Hungary on land donated by well-wishers, which is intended to compensate for all the city state's carbon dioxide emissions. ^[33]
  
  (if you read the AP article) you'll see the somewhat ambiguous distancing of the report from what the Vatican is willing to call its "teachings". ^[2] I suppose it is an open question as to whether anybody who doesn't accept science presumably the same people who ignore what their medical doctors say will listen to the Vatican. ^[2] Humanity's conscious decision-in-the-making to ignore science and thereby needlessly ruin the lives of billions of people in the coming decades is certainly one of the greatest moral issues in history, so the Vatican's voice is certain welcome. ^[2]
  
  I would not be surprised if some Nobel-winning climate scientists, who are constantly hounded by the Denialist Party, are someday invited to become members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences because they aren't just outstanding scientists, they are outstanding defenders of God's creation. ^[2] Virginia's Attorney General Cuccinelli, who persecutes the climate scientist Dr. Michael Mann, cites a news article from the Kremlin's official press agency RIA Novosti in his attack on the EPA; but he doesn't consider the perspective of one of Russia's greatest scientists, Roald Sagdeev, the first Soviet scientist to be a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. ^[2]
  
  
  
  I'm a clean-energy wonk at the Pace Energy and Climate Center, which is a veteran environmental and rate-payer advocate in deregulated power markets and operates the U.S. Department of Energy's Northeast Clean Energy Application Center. ^[31] In addition to the global impacts, the increasing temperatures in the Arctic are expected to create fundamental changes in Arctic ecosystems, possibly erasing entire habitats. ^[26] The report was issued by the Vatican yesterday and will be presented to Pope Benedict XVI. ^[26]
  
  
  
  The executive director of a climate skeptic website is dismissing reports that claim a Vatican-appointed panel is warning about the effects of so-called "climate change." ^[65] The scientists called for obligatory rebate of CO dioxide emissions and reductions in methane and other pollutants that comfortable a air, and for softened regard of towering glaciers to improved lane their changes. ^[38] A Vatican-appointed row of scientists has reported what meridian change experts have been warning for years: a Earth is removing warmer, glaciers are melting, and obligatory measures are required to branch a damage. ^[38]
  

RANKED SELECTED SOURCES

(65 source documents arranged by frequency of occurrence in the above report)

1. (30)

What May Catholics Think About Climate Change? | Blogs | NCRegister.com

2. (25) Vatican on climate: Pray for science « Climate Progress

3. (13) Vatican Calls for Immediate Action on Climate Change

4. (12) ScienceDirect - Environmental Science & Policy : Measuring countries’ cooperation within the international climate change regime

5. (9) WikiLeaks: Vatican promised to lobby for climate change agreement | CatholicHerald.co.uk

6. (9) A Message from on High: The Vatican Urges People to Take Climate Science Seriously

7. (9) The Vatican gets involved in climate change | Watts Up With That?

8. (8) CNS STORY: Vatican working group calls for concrete steps to combat climate change

9. (8) The Vatican's Crusade on Climate Change - ABC News

10. (8) Vatican-appointed panel warns of climate change | THE LAITYTUDE

11. (8) U.S.-Vatican Relations - Council on Foreign Relations

12. (8) ScienceDirect - Advances in Space Research : Prediction of expected global climate change by forecasting of galactic cosmic ray intensity time variation in near future based on solar magnetic field data

13. (8) Green Smoke and Mirrors? Vatican Weighs in on Climate Change - FoxNews.com

14. (7) vatican climate change - Google Search

15. (7) domain-b.com : Vatican science panel calls attention to the threat of glacial melt

16. (6) Vatican Calls for Immediate Action on Climate Change - SLUniverse Forums

17. (6) Vatican issues major scientific report on climate change | Ekklesia

18. (6) Vatican Report Shines Light on Climate Change Divisions Within the U.S. Faith Community - NYTimes.com

19. (6) Now Vatican's scientists join calls for action over climate change | Mail Online

20. (6) Politics of global warming - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

21. (5) Vatican scientists: we need international climate laws now « News that matters

22. (5) Will the Vatican'''s declaration on global warming have an impact on the overall climate debate? | The Intersection | Discover Magazine

23. (5) CNS STORY: Mirroring wider debate, Vatican seminar on global warming gets heated

24. (5) The Vatican Urges Action on Climate Change

25. (5) We Must Ignite This Couch - The Vatican takes on climate change: its cheaper to fix now [Message Boards - The Soap Box]

26. (5) Dramatic Sea Level Rise Expected From Faster Melting of Arctic Snow and Ice | Environment/Nature |Axisoflogic.com

27. (5) Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and the Vatican - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com

28. (4) Vatican Climate Warning: "Humans Must Act Decisively Now to Avert a Coming Crisis" - Environment - GOOD

29. (4) Vatican's Address to U.N. on Climate Change - Featured Today - Catholic Online

30. (4) CNS STORY: Vatican delegation to join UN climate change conference

31. (4) Climate Change: Vatican Enters the Fray - William Pentland - Clean Beta - Forbes

32. (4) Pope issues new green message for world's Catholics | World news | The Guardian

33. (4) aus.invest - 25 new messages in 11 topics - digest - socialistas idiotas, manique''stas, nilistas, ortodoxos e retardados. | Google Groups

34. (3) The Vatican takes on climate change: it's cheaper to fix now - Ars Technica OpenForum

35. (3) ScienceDirect - Global Environmental Change : Compounds, creativity and complexity in climate change communication: The case of ‘carbon indulgences’

36. (3) Hindus back Pontifical Academy of Sciences' call to 'protect the habitat'

37. (3) Vatican Continues Speaking Out Against Climate Change

38. (3) Vatican-appointed panel warns of climate change - LiveNewsIndia.com

39. (3) The Legend of Pine Ridge: The Vatican's Pontifical Academy Reports: "Fate of Mountain Glaciers in the Anthropocene"

40. (2) Vatican Issues Climate Change Warning - 2CoolFishing

41. (2) Pope Denounces Failure of Copenhagen Climate Change Negotiations | News | English

42. (2) GREEN DEALS: BHPs energy test | Climate Spectator

43. (2) The Vatican takes on climate change: it's cheaper to fix now - alt.bible | Google Groups

44. (2) Vatican "Gore"-ish on the environment - phillyBurbs.com : Not The Average Joe

45. (2) Vatican Messages « Catholic Climate Covenant

46. (2) The Vatican Takes on Climate Change | Disinformation

47. (2) Government and industry are taking a more strategic approach to renewable energy technologies as they look to combat climate change

48. (2) Spring Fling! (remembering the "Fridley Tornado Outbreak" of '65) | StarTribune.com

49. (2) Unam Sanctam Catholicam: Catholic Historiography

50. (1) Portland View of All Things Spiritual: The Vatican and Climate Change

51. (1) On avoiding dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system: Formidable challenges ahead

52. (1) Vatican-appointed panel warns of climate change (AP) | Yahoo! Green

53. (1) Vatican science academy looks at climate change

54. (1) Protect God's creation: Vatican issues new green message for world's Catholics - USA Africa Dialogue Series | Google Groups

55. (1) Vatican-Appointed Panel Warns Of Climate Change | bFreeNews

56. (1) AP News | Richmond Times-Dispatch

57. (1) DeRosaWorld: What's A Good, Practicing Catholic To Do?. Follow The Beatitudes?. God Damn It!

58. (1) Vatican calls for international action on climate change | Alan Gregory's Conservation News

59. (1) Transition Vatican City, anyone? - transitionSF | Google Groups

60. (1) Vatican issues major report on science of climate change | National Catholic Reporter

61. (1) Angelqueen.org :: View topic - Vatican Calls for Immediate Action on Climate Change

62. (1) Bin Laden: the war in his words | World news | The Guardian

63. (1) On Our Radar: Vatican Panel Calls for Climate Change Action - NYTimes.com

64. (1) Edward Flattau: A Plea For Sainthood For Pope John XXIII

65. (1) Vatican on board with 'climate change'? (OneNewsNow.com)

Muhammad Yunus ousted from Grameen Bank!

Mohammad Yunus, Bangladesh's Nobel laureate, has stepped down from  his position as head of the pioneering microfinance Grameen Bank after a court upheld the Bangladeshi government's decision to remove him.

Here are the results of a search just conducted on the issue. We hope they contribute to a fruitful conversation over what is, to many, a perplexing development.

 

MUHAMMAD YUNUS BANGLADESH GOVERNMENT LEGAL GRAMEEN

(iResearch Reporter Advanced, User-defined URL links listing - for more information, see www.irri-serioussearch.com)

Jump to:
Key Topics || In-Depth || Possibly Useful || Selected Sources

 

KEY TOPICS

 

Section Contents:

• That, its not yesterday that Dr. Yunus turned over 60, as he is now more than 70 years of age, Factually, it's not true that Dr. Yunus is the founder of Grameen Bank, The government of Bangladesh is.(More...)
  
  
• It is interesting to note that the loanees or borrowers of Grameen Bank, in no area of Bangladesh, has so far brought out any demonstration in favour or Yunus and against the government decision to remove him from the post of Managing Director.(More...)
  
  
• Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus has left the pioneering microfinance bank he founded, days after a court upheld the Bangladeshi government's decision to remove him.(More...)
  
  
• The concerns brought up by Norad and the Norwegian government were treated with the utmost seriousness by Grameen Bank and Professor Yunus, and both sides worked to resolve the differing interpretation of a clause in their initial Agreement and arrive at a solution in a satisfactory manner.(More...)
  
  
• Analysts say Grameen's huge influence in Bangladesh and its move into solar panels, mobile phones and other consumer goods has also triggered the government's envy.(More...)
  
  

That, its not yesterday that Dr. Yunus turned over 60, as he is now more than 70 years of age, Factually, it's not true that Dr. Yunus is the founder of Grameen Bank, The government of Bangladesh is. ^[4] Bangladesh Bank, which is nominally independent from the government, fired Yunus as the central bank found that his 2000 appointment as the Grameen Bank's executive chief was faulty because the central bank"s mandatory approval was not obtained at that time. ^[23] DHAKA: The government in Bangladesh is seeking to reach an "honourable solution" to the unceremonious dismissal of Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus, amid stepped up pressure to end the row with the Nobel Laureate. ^[4] A woman official will be Grameen Bank's acting managing director, replacing Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladesh government announced Thursday. ^[40]

DHAKA, Bangladesh Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus filed an appeal Wednesday with Bangladesh's highest court in a final attempt to keep his job at the microfinance bank he founded. ^[4] Grameen founder loses last appeal - Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus loses his final appeal in Bangladesh s Supreme Court against his sacking from the Grameen. ^[4] Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has lost his final appeal in Bangladesh's Supreme Court against his sacking from the Grameen micro-finance bank he founded. ^[4]

Dhaka, Mar 9: A court in Bangladesh has on Mar 8 upheld an order to remove Muhammad Yunus as head of Grameen Bank, a micro-lending financial organisation. ^[23] Lamia Karim: The fall of Muhammad Yunus and its consequences for the women of Grameen Bank. - In 2006 the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh won the Nobel Peace Prize for its innovative microfinancing operations. ^[4]

The founder of the microcredit institution Grameen Bank, Muhammad Yunus, on Monday denounced a response "absurd" by the government. ^[4]

Nobel laureate Yunus quits bank after court rulingDHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) _ Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus said he has left Grameen Bank to prevent disruptions at the pioneering microlender he founded, days after a court upheld the Bangladeshi government's decision to remove him. ^[95] Bangladesh Bank, which is nominally independent from the government, fired Yunus as the central bank found that his 2000 appointment as the Grameen Bank"s executive chief was faulty because the central bank"s mandatory approval was not obtained at that time. ^[84]

In Bangladesh, the supreme court has dismissed a final attempt by microcredit pioneer Muhammad Yunus to challenge his sacking as head of Grameen Bank, which he founded three decades ago. ^[59] Muhammad Yunus has left as the head of Grameen Bank after a dispute with the Bangladeshi government.#15; Photograph: Strdel/AFP/Getty Images Fariha Karim The Guardian, Fri 13 May 2011 01.34 BST The Nobel laureate who founded a pioneering microfinance institution, the Grameen Bank, has quit as its head after a long dispute with Bangladesh's government. ^[28]

Bangladesh's Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear the plea of Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus challenging his removal from the managing director's post last month. ^[4]

It said the 70-year-old Yunus had no legal authority to act as the managing director, since its board had not obtained the Bangladesh Bank's sanction to re-appoint him beyond the bank's official retirement age. ^[40] Allies of Yunus, a Nobel Peace Laureate insist that the action was prompted by a government vendetta over his political aspirations.Bangladesh's central bank removed Yunus, 70 as the head of Grameen Bank saying that his staying as the Managing Director beyong the age of 60 was illegal. ^[23] The Bangladeshi Supreme Court will resume its hearing into whether microcredit pioneer Muhammad Yunus was fairly dismissed from Grameen Bank. ^[4] Dhaka, May 13 (PTI) Ending a standoff with the Bangladesh government, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has resigned as the managing director of Grameen Bank, saying the he is quiting to prevent "undue disruption" in the working of the pioneering micro-lending agency he founded. ^[84] Photo: Reuters Employees of Grameen Bank walk in front of a portrait of Nobel laureate and bank founder Mohammad Yunus, Dhaka, Bangladesh, March 8, 2011. ^[52] The Bangladesh central bank removed Prof Yunus from his post last March, saying his continuing role at Grameen Bank violated laws that state public servants must retire at the age of 60. ^[37] Yunus was relieved by the Bangladesh Bank (BB) March 2 from his position as the managing director in the Grameen Bank, with which he shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. ^[38]

It said Yunus, 70, had no legal authority to act as the managing director, since its Board had not obtained the Bangladesh Bank's sanction to re-appoint him beyond the bank's official retirement age. ^[26]

DHAKA, Bangladesh This was Yunus's last legal option to keep his job as managing director of Grameen Bank. ^[4] Yunus, 70, was removed as head of Grameen Bank by the Bangladesh central bank on March 2 but he defied the order, returning to work and lodging a legal case challenging the dismissal. ^[103] Yunus said he decided to resign "without prejudice" to the legal issues and to prevent "undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank and to ensure my colleagues and our 8 million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities". ^[23]

Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has said that he will fight attempts to remove him from the Grameen microfinance bank which he founded. ^[9] DESPITE THE supreme court had upheld Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus removal from the position of managing director of Grameen Bank by the central bank he is apparently not prepared to give in. ^[26] Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus stepped down as the Grameen Bank Managing Director Thursday night, Xinhua reported. ^[38]



It is interesting to note that the loanees or borrowers of Grameen Bank, in no area of Bangladesh, has so far brought out any demonstration in favour or Yunus and against the government decision to remove him from the post of Managing Director. ^[5] According to Bangladesh news reports, pro-government activists have attacked demonstrators, including Grameen Bank depositors and officials, who have been protesting Prof. Yunus' dismissal across the country. ^[4]

Events are being watched carefully as what happens to Prof Yunus and Grameen could have an impact on the microcredit industry outside Bangladesh as well. ^[9] Whatever the criticism of the U.S. stand in Bangladesh's political and social circles, analysts believe that it is a clear disapproval of the government action against Dr. Yunus, although the Grameen Bank is neither an NGO nor private bank. ^[14] "Grameen Bank is a fully government institution," Muhith said, adding that Yunus had never agreed with him on this point but that the bank would now be run accordingly. ^[15]



Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus has left the pioneering microfinance bank he founded, days after a court upheld the Bangladeshi government's decision to remove him. ^[52] Bangladesh Bank, which is nominally independent from the government, fired Yunus as the central bank found that his 2000 appointment as the Grameen Bank's executive chief was faulty because the central bank's mandatory approval was not obtained at that time. ^[72] The model has been copied in developing countries around the world.He is often referred to as "the world's banker to the poor".The Bangladesh central bank removed Prof Yunus from his post last March, saying his continuing role at Grameen Bank violated laws that state public servants must retire at the age of 60. ^[93] "Bangladesh Bank has relieved Yunus of his duties as managing director of the Grameen Bank," Muzammel Huq, the government-appointed chairman of Grameen Bank, said. ^[9]

After a brief hearing, a seven-member bench of the supreme court dismissed two petitions seeking to overturn the sacking of Muhammad Yunus as head of Grameen Bank. ^[59] BB in its letter said Yunus did not seek its approval when he was reappointed as the managing director of the bank in 2000, violating one of the statutes of the partly state-owned Grameen Bank in which the government has 25 percent share. ^[38] The government has dismissed concerns that Grameen Bank will be affected by the removal of Yunus. ^[59]

Yunus lost his final legal battle May 5 against the High Court judgment on his removal from Grameen Bank as the appellate division of Bangladeshi Supreme Court (SC) declined to recall its earlier order. ^[38]

Bangladesh Bank, the countrys central bank, said that Prof Yunus had violated the countrys retirement laws by staying on as Grameens head long past the mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[9] Prof. Yunus and the Grameen Bank have a positive reputation in the U.S. and among many Congressmen, members of the Bangladesh congressional caucus, President Obama and Secretary Clinton. ^[14]

Following the controversy, the Bangladesh government in January formed a committee to review the Grameen Bank's activities. ^[14]

Nobel laureate, and Grameen founder, Muhammad Yunus has been summoned appear in court on January 18 on charges of defamation. ^[10] "According to the banks legal advisers, the founder of Grameen Bank, Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, is accordingly continuing in his office," the statement said. ^[9] For decades, Muhammad Yunus has been synonymous with Grameen Bank and many people here are apprehensive that the ongoing tussle, possibly a long drawn-out court battle, will have a negative impact on the bank itself. ^[9]

The announcement by Muhammad Yunus that he is standing down as managing director is a watershed in the 28-year history of the bank, which is credited with lifting millions of the world's poorest people out of poverty. ^[28] Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus said he was relinquishing his post to prevent undue disruption of the banks work. ^[37]

A court in Bangladesh has upheld the government's dismissal of Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel prize-winning pioneer of microfinance, from the bank he founded nearly 30 years ago. ^[39] Dhaka: Ending a standoff with the Bangladesh government, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has resigned as the managing director of Grameen Bank, saying the he is quitting to prevent "undue disruption" in the working of the pioneering micro-lending agency he founded. ^[72] U.S. support for Muhammad Yunus is so strong that Dhaka may find a negotiated settlement to protect the Nobel Laureate's image and the independence of the Grameen Bank. ^[14] Founded in 1983 by Muhammad Yunus, the Grameen Bank (Grameen is Bangledeshi for "village") provides small loans to rural borrowers in. ^[10] A lawyer for Muhammad Yunus maintains that the sacked Grameen Bank managing director is still in office. ^[32]

DHAKA (AFP) - Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has stepped down from the pioneering microfinance lender he founded, a week after he lost a legal fight against his government-backed sacking, a statement said. ^[15]

The appeal is Yunus' last legal option in his bid to remain Grameen's managing director, a post he has held for nearly 30 years. ^[4]

It may be that the government worries that Yunus will enter politics, or criticize politicians--and they may also be salivating at the prospect of gaining control over Grameen, which touches one person in three in Bangladesh." ^[10] The Supreme Court ruled on May 2 that Grameen Bank was a government institution, not a private bank as Yunus and his lawyers maintained, meaning Yunus must abide by the state's mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[15] Staff and board members had also petitioned the government to appoint Yunus Grameen Bank chairman to ease the transition to new leadership, but Finance Minister A.M.A Muhith told reporters late Thursday this was "not acceptable". ^[15]

The government of Bangladesh appears to be mounting a concerted campaign to hinder and possibly take over the Grameen Bank. ^[10] The Norwegian government investigated and issued a report exonerating Grameen Bank and Yunus after their funds were transferred back. ^[10] In March 2011, after months of government scrutiny, the Bangladesh government fired Yunus from his position at Grameen Bank, citing legal violations and an age limit on his position. ^[2] Muhammad Yunus is now 70 years old, 10 years beyond the legal retirement age for banks in Bangladesh. ^[2]

Dhaka, 5 May : Bangladesh Supreme Court has dismissed the petition of Dr Muhammad Yunus for reversing an earlier verdict on his sacking from Grameen Bank. ^[80] Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus resigned as managing director of Bangladesh's Grameen Bank a week after the nation's Supreme Court dismissed his appeal to remain head of the microlender he founded. ^[94] Muhammad Yunus has shown himself to be a leader who has managed to translate visions into practical action for the benefit of millions of people, not only in Bangladesh, but also in many other countries. ^[6]

The government of Bangladesh did not snatch away Nobel Peace Prize from Dr. Muhammad Yunus which was bestowed on him by the imperialist powers, and in any case they have no power to do so. ^[5]

Recently, a lot of controversy and confusion have been created surrounding the removal of Dr. Yunus by Bangladesh Bank from the post of managing director of Grameen Bank. ^[47] Differences between Yunus, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for founding Grameen, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government surfaced in December when Norwegian television reported misuse of aid to the lender. ^[94] Muhammad Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Grameen Bank, for their efforts to create economic and social developments. ^[6] "According to the (Grameen) Bank's Legal Advisors, the founder of Grameen Bank, Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, is accordingly continuing in his office," the statement read. ^[16]

Nine elected representatives of the borrowers make up the board of Grameen, besides three top government officials (usually from the finance ministry) and the CEO. The board was chaired by the finance secretary to the Government of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996, and succeeded by Professor Rehman Sobhan, an internationally reputed economist, who is still the chairman. ^[81] May the truth, kind intention and positive vibration prevail at this testing time for Prof Yunus, all in Grameen, the people and government of Bangladesh. ^[20] On February 15, 2011, Prof. Yunus was summoned by a court in Pabna (in North Bangladesh) to appear on April 18 in a fraud case involving Grameen Phone. ^[2] In the latest move in an increasingly bitter battle which is worrying international aid donors and institutions, the Bangladesh high court in Dhaka dismissed an appeal by Yunus against an order delivered last week to leave his post as managing director of the Grameen Bank. ^[39]



The concerns brought up by Norad and the Norwegian government were treated with the utmost seriousness by Grameen Bank and Professor Yunus, and both sides worked to resolve the differing interpretation of a clause in their initial Agreement and arrive at a solution in a satisfactory manner. ^[10] In 2006 Doctor Yunus and other important people, such as Professor Rehman Sobhan, Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Doctor Kamal Hossain, Matiur Rahman, Mahfuz Anam and Debapriya Bhattchariya, tried to find good people to be elected for government. ^[6]

The said action of the government against Yunus was taken for certain irregularities committed by him and it is a domestic matter of Bangladesh. ^[5] Bangladesh Bank and the government of Bangladesh have removed Yunus from the post of Managing Director. ^[5]

The development came two days after the 70-year old Nobel Laureate apparently was exposed to a fresh trouble on retirement age issue as the central bank in a letter to the government reportedly said he was flouting Bangladesh retirement rules by serving as head of his Grameen Bank. ^[16] Nobel laureate Mohammed Younus, a celebrated pioneer of micro-finance was today forced out from the Grameen Bank, he founded nearly three decades ago, amid a growing spat with the Bangladesh government, officials said. ^[16]

Dhaka, May 13 (IANS) Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus stepped down as the Grameen Bank Managing Director Thursday night, Xinhua reported. ^[82] The Chairman of Grameen Bank has told the press today that the Central Bank has removed Professor Muhammad Yunus as Managing Director of Grameen Bank. ^[16]

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus said he has left Grameen Bank to prevent disruptions at the pioneering microlender he founded, days after a court upheld the Bangladeshi government's decision to remove him. ^[63]



Analysts say Grameen's huge influence in Bangladesh and its move into solar panels, mobile phones and other consumer goods has also triggered the government's envy. ^[15] The Nobel laureate who founded a pioneering microfinance institution, the Grameen Bank, has quit as its head after a long dispute with Bangladesh's government. ^[104] The Grameen Bank ( rural bank in Bengali), which Yunus has built over the last 20 years, is today the largest rural banbk in Bangladesh. ^[7] At frist salam to PROFESSOR MUHAMMAD YUNUS. he is the great man of Bangladesh but he is not exceptional man for our country law.Law is common for every man and women. ^[33] Bangladeshs Supreme Court today dismissed a final bid by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to overturn an order sacking him from the pioneering micro-finance bank he founded nearly three decades ago. ^[21] Cynics roll their eyes to the ceiling, but Muhammad Yunus, a 56-year-old banker from Bangladesh, is that rare thing: a bona fide visionary. ^[7] On March 3, 2011, Muhammad Yunus filed himself a writ at the High Court challenging the legality of the decision from the Bangladeshi Central Bank to remove him as Managing Director of Grameen Bank. ^[2] The allegations against Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank have been made in a context where some people have begun to question the effectiveness of microfinance, prompted by the actions of some for-profit MFIs in India and Mexico. ^[2] Muhammad Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Grameen Bank, for their efforts to create economic and social development. ^[2]

Many in the Bangladesh government do not seem to realise that Muhammad Yunus had flown out of their grasp long time ago. ^[17]

IN-DEPTH

Section Contents:

• The Grameen Bank contested the claim and said it was seeking legal advice and Yunus would continue to hold the post.(More...)
  
  
• Bangladesh's highest court on Thursday upheld the government's decision to remove Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus from his pioneering microfinance agency Grameen Bank.(More...)
  
  
• Ahmed alleged that the western countries were 'no longer ready to recognise Bangladesh as their friend for disgracing Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus', Bdnews24.com, a news website reported.(More...)
  
  
• This became quite obvious when he was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 2006, on the eve of military takeover of the Bangladesh government in which the U.S. and the Europeans had a hand.(More...)
  
  
• Professor Muhammad Yunus was chosen as the "Person of the Week" by American TV ABC's World News Tonight with Peter Jennings on September 15, 1995 at the conclusion of the World Summit on Women held in Beijing.(More...)
  
  
• I am sad to see how you are being treated by Bangladesh government recently!(More...)
  
  
• Talking to reporters, Rozina Begum, one of the directors, demanded that the government appoint Yunus as chairman of the board of directors of Grameen Bank.(More...)
  
  
• No justice to be had from the corrupt and inept government anyway. t ­he Bangladesh ­i people know very well that this is simply a political power-play and still support Dr. Yunus all the way.(More...)
  
  
• In its decision, the court rejected Yunus' claim that his sacking by the Bangladesh Bank, the financial sector regulator that is nominally independent from the government, was arbitrary and illegal.(More...)
  
  
• The grounds cited by Bangladesh Bank, related to the decision by the Board of Directors of Grameen Bank, the legally empowered body to superintend the organisation, to impose no age limit on the continuation of Yunus as its chief executive, that this "did not have the prior approval of the Bangladesh Bank."(More...)
  
  
• Prof Yunus working as the managing director of Grameen Bank beyond his retirement age is a legal issue, said Finance Minister Muhith.(More...)
  
  
• The Bangladesh Bank, during the tenure of three democratic governments, two caretaker governments and four governors who held office from 1999 to 2011, sent no further notices to Grameen Bank.(More...)
  
  
• DHAKA, 13 MAY: Nobel Laureate Mr Muhammad Yunus has stepped down as the managing director of Grameen Bank, a week after Bangladesh's Supreme Court dismissed his appeal to remain as head of the pioneering micro-lending agency he founded nearly three decades ago.(More...)
  
  
• Since the campaign to remove Mr Yunus turned serious late last year, Bangladesh's government has been lobbied by everyone from the American government to Mary Robinson and her group of eminent Friends of Grameen.(More...)
  
  
• The campaign to denigrate Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, whose system of microloans for small business startups have lifted millions out of poverty, has been capped by the country's Supreme Court.(More...)
  
  
• The U.S. and UK governments also made it clear to the Bangladesh government that they do not want to see the Nobel Peace Prize winner disgraced.(More...)
  
  
• K.M. Abdul Waddod, the general manager of the Bangladesh Central Bank's regulation and policy department, said his bank, the regulatory authority in the South Asian nation, had sent for a second time a letter to the Grameen Bank chairman, urging the ouster of Yunus from his post of managing director because he was past retirement age.(More...)
  
  
• What happened to Laxmi would no doubt have horrified the founder of the microfinance movement, the Nobel Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus.(More...)
  
  
• Yunus' supporters say the effort to remove him has little to do with age and much to do with the larger issue of microcredit and its primary vehicle in Bangladesh -- Grameen Bank.(More...)
  
  

The Grameen Bank contested the claim and said it was seeking legal advice and Yunus would continue to hold the post. ^[16] The Grameen Bank founder quit Thursday after losing a prolonged legal battle with the Hasina government. ^[83]



Bangladesh's highest court on Thursday upheld the government's decision to remove Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus from his pioneering microfinance agency Grameen Bank. ^[27] Bangladesh's central bank has removed the Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus from the post of managing director of the microfinance pioneer Grameen Bank, after allegations of "irregularities" in its operations. ^[34]

Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus is fighting a protracted political battle in his home country of Bangladesh, where the government recently ousted him from his post. ^[105]

One of the directors, Rozina Begum talking to reporters demanded that the government appoint Dr Yunus as chairman of the Board of Directors of Grameen Bank. ^[41] After the War, Yunus returned to Bangladesh and was appointed to the government's Planning Commission headed by Nurul Islam. ^[2]

Bangladesh's central bank removed Yunus, 71, as Grameen's chief executive earlier this year, saying he had violated retirement laws that bar officials from working after age 60 without special government approval. ^[27] The Bangladeshi government has a 25% stake in the Grameen, which lends to more than 8 million families in Bangladesh and is hugely popular. ^[34]



Ahmed alleged that the western countries were 'no longer ready to recognise Bangladesh as their friend for disgracing Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus', Bdnews24.com, a news website reported. ^[83] Muhammad Yunus was the first Bangladeshi and third Bengali to ever get a Nobel Prize. ^[6]

Yunus, 71, was fighting the legal battle since early March when the central bank dismissed him as Grameen Bank Managing director saying he has violated the organisation's retirement rules. ^[41] The Bangladesh Supreme Court has upheld the High Court's verdict that Professor Yunus's removal from Grameen Bank is legal. ^[17]

Regardless of what the government of Bangladesh does, Professor Muhammad Yunus's place in history as one of the greatest men of the last one hundred years is very secure. ^[17] DHAKA, Bangladesh -- Bangladesh's government ordered Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus from his post as head of his microfinance bank Wednesday - a humiliating blow for. ^[8]

Judges ruled that Grameen Bank was a government institution, not a private bank as Yunus and his legal team have maintained, meaning employees must abide by the states mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[21] Yunus said Monday and that his dismissal as head of the microfinancing bank he founded was political, as the government was trying to gain control of Grameen. ^[22] Grameen Bank employees on Thursday appealed to the government to reinstate Prof Muhammad Yunus as the managing director or appoint him as the chairman of the Nobel winning micro-lender. ^[24]

FILE - In this Wednesday, July 7, 2010 file photo Nobel Peace Prize winning Bangladeshi professor of economics and founder of Grameen Bank Muhammad Yunus speaks during a press conference in the Palace of Arts in Budapest. ^[27] The greatest recognition of the bank's achievements came on October 13, 2006, when the Nobel Committee awarded Grameen Bank and its founder, Muhammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below." ^[3]

Muhammad Yunus founded Grameen Bank, the world's first microfinance institution, in 1976. ^[56]

Back in March, Yunus was fired from his position as the Director of Grameen Bank by a central bank (government) order. ^[56]

Yunus, 70, was sacked as head of Grameen Bank by the Bangladesh central bank on March 2. ^[21] In its decision, the High Court had found that Yunus, 70, had no legal authority to act as the micro-lender's managing director, since its board had not obtained the Bangladesh Bank's sanction to re-appoint him beyond the bank's official retirement age of 60. ^[57]

DHAKA, Bangladesh -- Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus lost his final court appeal Tuesday to remain in control of the pioneering microlending bank he founded nearly three decades ago to lift Bangladeshis out of poverty. ^[8] Although others may say that the direction to to remove Dr. Yunus from the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank came from Bangladesh Bank (Central Bank), those who are reacting on this are presuming that this is the decision of the government. ^[42]



This became quite obvious when he was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 2006, on the eve of military takeover of the Bangladesh government in which the U.S. and the Europeans had a hand. ^[5] The U.S. had warned that its ties with Bangladesh could deteriorate unless government reached an amicable settlement with Yunus. ^[21] The United States warned last month that ties with Bangladesh could be affected if a solution was not found to the clash between the government and Yunus. ^[57]

The appellate division on April 5 dismissed petitions against an high court order that rejected his writ petition against a Bangladesh Bank decision to remove Yunus from Grameen Bank, which he founded in 1983. ^[21] Bangladesh's supreme court has dismissed Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus' appeal against a ruling that upheld his removal as managing director of Grameen Bank, the microlending institution he founded some 30 years ago. ^[64] The Supreme Court on May 5 dismissed two petitions filed in connection with Dr Muhammad Yunus' removal from the post of managing director at Grameen Bank. ^[41]

Prof Muhammad Yunus has stepped down as the managing director of Grameen Bank in order to prevent undue disruption in the activities of the microfinance institution, the Nobel laureate said yesterday. ^[43] The Supreme Court has adjourned hearing on a petition of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus urging withdrawal of a previous order on his sacking as Grameen Bank managing director. ^[57] Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi Nobel laureate sacked from his position as head of the pioneering Grameen Bank, will appeal to the Supreme Court against a court ruling that backed his removal, his lawyers said Tuesday. ^[22]

Muhammad Yunus, the winner of a Nobel peace prize for his pioneering work in microfinancing sacked from his position as head of the Grameen Bank, will appeal against a court ruling that backed his removal. ^[22] While imperialist funding agencies and think tanks are proudly celebrating the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank, progressive and democratic forces should not be oblivious to the deeper political and ideological underpinnings behind it as elucidated above. ^[12]

Microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus (C) emerges from the high court building to contest the decision to remove him from his post in Grameen Bank, in Dhaka on March 3, 2011. ^[22]

Despite a clean chit issued by Norwegian government, Bangladesh government in January this year formed a "review committee" to examine Grameen Bank transactions. ^[21] Yunus has been under attack from the government for alleged financial irregularities at Grameen. ^[22]

The campaign to get rid of Yunus gathered pace after claims were made in a Norwegian documentary about the bank's transfer of aid money from the Norwegian government between legal entities several years ago. ^[34]

If the government was smart, instead of hounding Professor Yunus, it would have appointed the Nobel Laureate Bangladesh's goodwill ambassador to the world and tapped into the enormous goodwill the world has for him. ^[17] Bangladesh government brought out a commemorative stamp to honor his Nobel Award. ^[2]

Even if Hasina gives Yunus time to leave the organisation, a likely stumbling block to any agreement, however, concerns the position of Muzammel Huq, the new chairperson of the Grameen Bank, appointed in January by the Bangladesh government. ^[65] A government committee two weeks ago had cleared Yunus of allegations of mishandling of a Norwegian fund for his Grameen Bank as it submitted its report to the government. ^[21]

Apart from the legal battle over the retirement age, a government investigation last month concluded that Grameen Bank violated its charter as a microlender by creating affiliates that became successful business entities and did not benefit the bank's shareholders. ^[27] Bangladesh's highest court has upheld the government's decision to remove the Nobel laureate from his pioneering small loan agency Grameen Bank. ^[27]



Professor Muhammad Yunus was chosen as the "Person of the Week" by American TV ABC's World News Tonight with Peter Jennings on September 15, 1995 at the conclusion of the World Summit on Women held in Beijing. ^[33] These latter investigations have fueled suspicion that many attacks might be politically orchestrated, related to difficult relations between Sheikh Hasina and Yunus that date to early 2007, when Muhammad Yunus created his own political party, an effort he dropped in May 2007. ^[2]

U.S. officials have told Sheikh Hasina that there will be no further high-level diplomatic interaction between the United States and Bangladesh until the harassment of Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank, ends. ^[65] Dhaka, May 5 (IANS) Bangladeshi Nobel laureate and Grameen Bank pioneer Muhammad Yunus Thursday lost a third consecutive appeal before the Supreme Court against his removal from the bank. ^[48]

On 2 March the Bangladesh Bank wrote a letter to the chairman of the Grameen Bank, informing him that Yunus should have retired at the age of 60 years. ^[85]



I am sad to see how you are being treated by Bangladesh government recently! Very unfortunate! But you know how to enlighten them. ^[33] Todays development came days after employees of the micro lending agency in a press conference demanded Yunus be appointed as the chairman of the institution by the government if he loses his legal fight in retaining his position as its executive chief. ^[21] "The relation between Dr Yunus and Grameen Bank is so deep that it can't be separated by legal loopholes," he said. ^[24] The legal action started in March after the banking regulator, the Bangladesh Bank, ruled that Yunus, who is 71, could not continue managing the Grameen Bank, whose rules specify a retirement age of 60. ^[66] A statement from the Grameen Bank said that one of its employees had been temporarily abducted and beaten up on Friday after speaking publicly in favor of Nobel Peace Prize-winner Muhammad Yunus and against his removal as managing director of the Bangladesh microlender, which he founded in the 1970s. ^[106]

For over 11 years the Bangladesh Bank annually and regularly approved Grameen Bank activities and operations, The orders challenged came after these 11 years of no questions being raised and no show cause notice having been issued on Professor Yunus. ^[20]

Judge Muhammad Mamtaj Uddin Ahmed said Tuesday: "Yunus has been continuing in his job with no legal basis. ^[22]

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has decided to sit with Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus within this week after it has found irregularities in his personal income tax file, officials said Monday. ^[96] The organization and its founder, Muhammad Yunus, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006; the organization's Low-cost Housing Program won a World Habitat Award in 1998. ^[3] What I really wanted to express is how sad it is that someone as authentic as Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner, societal game-changer, writer of the beautiful quote above, could be stripped of the very entity he built from the ground up. ^[56]



Talking to reporters, Rozina Begum, one of the directors, demanded that the government appoint Yunus as chairman of the board of directors of Grameen Bank. ^[48] Yunus, 71, has been fighting a legal battle since early March when the central bank dismissed him as Grameen Bank managing director saying he had violated the organisation's retirement rules. ^[48] He also warned Yunus that the way funds were 'diverted off Grameen Bank to Grameen Kalyan' in 1996 had no legal basis and that any new managing director would raise question about it'. ^[73]



No justice to be had from the corrupt and inept government anyway. t ­he Bangladesh ­i people know very well that this is simply a political power-play and still support Dr. Yunus all the way. ^[8] There is a real danger that what is in effect an attempted takeover by the Bangladesh government will do serious damage to Grameen and the people it helps. ^[42]



In its decision, the court rejected Yunus' claim that his sacking by the Bangladesh Bank, the financial sector regulator that is nominally independent from the government, was arbitrary and illegal. ^[22] DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) -- Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate who pioneered small loans for the poor, is flouting Bangladesh retirement rules by serving as head of microfinance lender Grameen Bank, the central bank said, as a campaign to remove him intensifies. ^[58] Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has said he wants a "graceful exit", as he launches a legal challenge to his sacking from the Grameen Bank. ^[49] Grameen boss fights to keep job: Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus lodges a final appeal against his sac. ^[8] This had set off a chain of events which triggered much controversy on microcredit and Bangladeshi Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus and resulted in the investigation of operations of Grameen Bank, which he founded. ^[42] He has won the battle of the rule book and the Supreme Court's sanction to oust Muhammad Yunus as managing director of Grameen Bank. ^[67]

The Bangladesh Bank's notice to Grameen Bank to remove Prof. Yunus as its Managing Director has shocked the nation and seriously disturbed its millions of low income owners. ^[1] The Grameen model has since been replicated around the world, including in the USA. In this process, particularly in the first two decades of building the organisation, Yunus traveled across the length and breadth of rural Bangladesh getting to know the millions of women who became the borrowers and owners of Grameen Bank, and learning of their myriad problems. ^[1]

While the investigation into Grameen Bank by the government has widely been criticized as politically motivated; Dr. Yunus has proven his preference for political solution of a legal matter. ^[13]

Yunus' supporters have called the legal saga an attempt by the Bangladeshi government to take over the microlending institution. ^[64]

"The decision of removing Muhammad Yunus will be suicidal for the microfinance institution," said Sagirul Rashid Chowdhury, a senior leader of the employees association. ^[24] Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel prizewinning economist and so-called father of microfinance, faces being ousted from the bank that he founded to help poor people in Bangladesh and across the developing world. ^[18] Dr Muhammad Yunus, the man who brought a Nobel Prize for Bangladesh, and the most celebrated living Bangladeshi around the globe, was unceremoniously relieved of his duties at Grameen Bank yesterday through a Bangladesh Bank letter. ^[13] Yunus chooses to stay in Bangladesh and lend his name to serve as a capital asset for the millions of women who own the Grameen Bank. ^[1] Squandering a corporate asset In resorting to a legal technicality to seek the removal of Prof. Muhammad Yunus, as the Managing Director of Grameen Bank, a successful and widely renowned organisation, the GoB appears to have given scant attention to the concerns or financial stake of the majority owners of this organisation, the 8 million women who actually own the Bank. ^[1]

Although Hasina has shown no signs of relenting, it is understood that discussions between Muhammad Yunus, the finance minister, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, and former Grameen Bank chairperson Rehman Sobhan, took place in Delhi over the last few days where they all attended the same conference. ^[65] The ruling capped a monthlong dispute between the government and Yunus - an outspoken government critic - over the right of the "banker to the poor" to continue as managing director of the Grameen Bank. ^[8] A senior western diplomat, with direct knowledge of these conversations, told New Age that Hasina was warned that her government must not force Yunus out of the Grameen bank and that he should be allowed to leave the bank gracefully and be given reasonable time to find a successor. ^[65]

The High Court upheld the order in a March 8 ruling, saying the dismissal was legal and that Yunus had also exceeded Grameen Bank's mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[44] Backed by international lobbying, Yunus has defied the sacking order by filing a legal appeal and continuing to work at Grameen Bank's Dhaka headquarters. ^[44]

While Prof. Yunus will not discuss the specifics of the ongoing legal case, his lawyers point out that a year ago he wrote to the Minister of Finance asking to work with him on a succession plan at Grameen. ^[11]



The grounds cited by Bangladesh Bank, related to the decision by the Board of Directors of Grameen Bank, the legally empowered body to superintend the organisation, to impose no age limit on the continuation of Yunus as its chief executive, that this "did not have the prior approval of the Bangladesh Bank." ^[1] Dhaka : Bangladesh's top court has dismissed a final attempt by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to overturn his sacking from the Grameen Bank he founded. ^[68] Muhammad Yunus, 70, who founded Grameen Bank to give micro loans to poor people in Bangladesh, is facing calls to relinquish his position as managing director. ^[18] Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has stepped down from the pioneering microfinance lender he founded, a week after he lost a legal fight against his government-backed sacking, a statement said.The 2006 Nobel winner said he was relinquishing the post of managing director at Grameen Bank and his deputy, Nurjahan Begum, would take over." ^[58] Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus unceremonious exit from the bank he founded for having no legal authority to act as the micro-lender's managing director, since its board had not obtained the Bangladesh Bank's sanction to re-appoint him beyond the bank's official retirement age of 60. ^[45]

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus filed an appeal Wednesday with Bangladesh's highest court in a final attempt to keep his job at the. ^[8] The fingers are pointing towards the government as the earlier reaction of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was a bit too harsh as she mentioned "in the name of poverty alleviation he (Yunus) is sucking blood from the poor". ^[42]

If, indeed, the only issue was the rule of law then the principal deviation from the law, as cited in the Bangladesh Bank order, was the failure of the Grameen Bank to seek prior approval of the Bangladesh Bank in their reappointment of Yunus as managing director in 1999. ^[1] The Bangladesh Bank could then have accorded its approval if it thought that Prof. Yunus was running the bank efficiently, based on positive reports of the Bangladesh Bank audits of Grameen Bank over the last 12 years. ^[1]

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith has said Dr Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace laureate and one of the microfinance pioneers, must leave the Grameen Bank he founded for lending to the poor against small income-generating trades. ^[13] In the latest--and boldest--move in the campaign against Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi government has issued an order removing him from his Nobel prize-winning Grameen Bank. ^[50] A court hearing into whether Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was illegally sacked from his microfinance bank adjourned Monday after his lawyers expressed doubts he would get a fair trial.Yunus, 70, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his pioneering concept of small cash loans to tackle poverty, was removed from Grameen Bank last week in what his supporters say was part of a political vendetta against him. ^[58]

DHAKA - A Bangladeshi probe has accused Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus of turning his pioneering microfinance bank into a "massive conglomerate" against its own rules, the chief investigator said Tuesday. ^[44]

The ruling Awami League and the main opposition BNP on Wednesday expressed opposite reactions as Prof Muhammad Yunus was removed from the post of managing director of Grameen Bank. ^[13] Even today, there was nothing to prevent the Governor of the Bangladesh Bank from sending such a notice to Grameen Bank before seeking to remove Yunus from office. ^[1] It has, thus, been argued that the government is asserting its powers, under the statutes governing Grameen Bank, in its actions against Yunus. ^[1]

The (central) Bangladesh Bank has relieved Yunus of his duties as the managing director of Grameen Bank with immediate effect," Muzammel Huq, Grameen Bank chairman, told AFP.Grameen Bank's deputy managing director Nurjhan Begum said the bank would issue a formal statement on Yunus's dismissal shortly. ^[58] Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been fired from the pioneering microfinance bank he founded, a Grameen Bank official told AFP on Wednesday, following months of political pressure." ^[58] Professor Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Movement and winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, is responsible for many innovative programs benefiting the rural poor. ^[107]

The High Court upheld the order in a March 8 ruling, with judge Muhammad Mamtaj Uddin Ahmed saying the sacking was legal and that Yunus had also exceeded Grameen Bank's mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[74] MALIBU, Calif., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In his only public appearance in the Los Angeles area, Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, will lecture on "Social Enterprise: Doing Well by Doing Good" at Pepperdine University School of Law from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, in the Caruso Auditorium on the Malibu campus. ^[29] Yunus, the managing director of the Grameen Bank, which has lent small sums to millions of deprived people to help them start or run their own businesses as a first step out of poverty since being created in 1983, has been caught in a bitter political battle in his homeland of Bangladesh. ^[18]

Yunus is also facing a defamation trial in Bangladesh, where many believe he was a supporter of the former military-backed interim government. ^[30] The government is using a special regulatory law created just for Grameen, which, it says, includes the power to fire Yunus as managing director of the pioneering microlending organization he founded in 1983. ^[50] Recently, in the wake of a Norwegian documentary that painted Grameen in a poor light, Hasina's government seized the opportunity and brought corruption and defamation cases against Yunus. ^[50]

At the end of 1996, nearly four years after I dreamt of bringing connectivity to rural Bangladesh, a nationwide cellular license was issued by the Government of Bangladesh to GrameenPhone, a company owned mainly by Grameen Telecom, a non-profit organization solely established by Grameen Bank to manage the Bank's interests in telecommunications, and Telenor AS, the primary telephone company in Norway. ^[19]



Prof Yunus working as the managing director of Grameen Bank beyond his retirement age is a legal issue, said Finance Minister Muhith. ^[13] The Grameen /Pepperdine partnership continued this past summer when the Palmer Center sent three students to Bangladesh to intern with Yunus. ^[29]

Nearly two and a half months after his sacking by the central bank, Muhammad Yunus has announced his 'resignation' from the Grameen Bank as managing director. ^[51] Although, at the time, modern telecommunication was far removed from the activities of the Bank or its borrowers, my proposal of income generation for the poor caught the attention of Muhammad Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank. ^[19]

In a communication on Mar 2, Bangladesh Bank said Yunus, 70, had no legal authority to act as the micro-lender's managing director, since its board had not obtained the Bangladesh Bank's sanction to re-appoint him beyond the bank's official retirement age. ^[51] Yunus then seek legal means, has appealed to the Bangladesh High Court and Supreme Governor of the Bank to maintain their positions in rural areas. ^[69]



The Bangladesh Bank, during the tenure of three democratic governments, two caretaker governments and four governors who held office from 1999 to 2011, sent no further notices to Grameen Bank. ^[1] If the Grameen Bank's reply was at all problematic for Bangladesh Bank or the GoB, the Bangladesh Bank could easily have sent further notices to the Grameen Bank to formally correct such a legal anomaly. ^[1]



DHAKA, 13 MAY: Nobel Laureate Mr Muhammad Yunus has stepped down as the managing director of Grameen Bank, a week after Bangladesh's Supreme Court dismissed his appeal to remain as head of the pioneering micro-lending agency he founded nearly three decades ago. ^[70] Nobel laureaute and Bangladesh's Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus lost a final appeal in the Supreme court on Thursday against his dismissal from the bank. ^[71]

The idea of microfinance came to Muhammad Yunus when, as a young economics professor during a famine in Bangladesh in the late 1970s, he came across rural women skilled in local handicrafts who owed so much to local moneylenders that they earned only pennies each day from hours of labour. ^[18]



Since the campaign to remove Mr Yunus turned serious late last year, Bangladesh's government has been lobbied by everyone from the American government to Mary Robinson and her group of eminent Friends of Grameen. ^[35] "Dr. James Wolfensohn and I pressed the government of Bangladesh to protect the integrity of civil society and the autonomy of the Grameen Bank, and I warned that a failure to find a compromise that respects Dr. Yunus' global stature and maintains the integrity and effectiveness of Grameen could affect our bilateral relations," Blake told the Congressional Committee. ^[45]

A bench of Justice Momtaz Uddin Ahmed and Justice Gobinda Chandra There has been widespread criticism in the country and abroad at the manner in which the government ousted Yunus, who founded the Grameen Bank in the mid 1970s to provide micro-credit to rural women in Bangladesh. ^[60]

This was disturbing particularly because it was a time when new forms of connectivity such as Internet and email were transforming even matured economies such as that of the USA. As a practical matter, I also learned in 1993, that the Government of Bangladesh would initiate a process to issue cellular licenses in 1994 meaning that I had a realistic window of opportunity from a legal point of view. ^[19]



The campaign to denigrate Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, whose system of microloans for small business startups have lifted millions out of poverty, has been capped by the country's Supreme Court. ^[66] The Supreme Court tomorrow will hear two petitions challenging Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus' removal from the post of managing director of Grameen Bank. ^[97]

Supporters of Yunus fear politicians want to bring Grameen under government control. ^[18] Akbar Ali Khan, a former adviser to the 2007 caretaker government said: "It (Yunus dismissal from Grameen) is not merely a legal issue, rather it is a matter of upholding the interest of the poor people. ^[36] Against the advice of banks and government, Dr. Yunus continued to give out "micro-loans" and in 1983 formed the Grameen Bank on principles of trust and solidarity. ^[29]

AN IMPRESSIVE international show of support for Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel prize-winning founder of Grameen Bank, failed to convince Bangladesh's highest court that he should be allowed to keep his job as managing director of the pioneering microlender. ^[35] Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has stepped down as the managing director of Grameen Bank, a week after Bangladesh's Supreme Court dismissed his appeal to remain as head of the pioneering microlending agency he founded nearly three decades ago. ^[53]

It also can be proud of its vibrant and innovative civil society, which has produced such outstanding global citizens as microcredit celebrity Muhammad Yunus, who's Grameen Bank, was a pioneer of the concept of "microcredit" - providing small loans to tens of millions of Bangladeshis, especially women, who possess little or no collateral. ^[45] Muhammad Yunus has resigned as managing director of the pioneering microlender that he founded, Grameen Bank, ending a bitter battle for control over the globally renowned Bangladeshi institution. ^[108]

A Bangladeshi court on Tuesday upheld an order removing Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus as head of the microlending bank he founded, a move his allies say was prompted by a government vendetta over his political ambitions. ^[36] It's not often that a Nobel Peace Prize laureate gets fired, but the Bangladeshi government said Wednesday it did just that in dismissing Muhammad Yunus from a top post in the pioneering bank he founded. ^[46]



The U.S. and UK governments also made it clear to the Bangladesh government that they do not want to see the Nobel Peace Prize winner disgraced. ^[13] The Bangladesh government denied claims of a political vendetta, but what is beyond doubt is the ferocity, and at times personal nature of the attacks. ^[13]



K.M. Abdul Waddod, the general manager of the Bangladesh Central Bank's regulation and policy department, said his bank, the regulatory authority in the South Asian nation, had sent for a second time a letter to the Grameen Bank chairman, urging the ouster of Yunus from his post of managing director because he was past retirement age. ^[46] The High Court yesterday upheld Bangladesh Bank's "removal" of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus from the post of Grameen Bank's Delivering the verdict, the court said the microcredit pioneer's posting as the MD of Grameen Bank since 1999 was illegal as he reached the age of 60 by then. ^[60] Nine directors of Grameen Bank on Thursday filed another writ petition with the High Court challenging the legality of Bangladesh Bank's decision to remove Dr Muhammad Yunus from the office of managing director of Grameen. ^[60]

BANGLADESH Govt Under Pressure After Sacking Yunus By Farid Ahmed DHAKA, Mar 4, 2011 (IPS) - The Bangladesh government is drawing flak from the international community for removing microcredit pioneer and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus from the Grameen Bank that he founded and led. ^[61]

Dhaka: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus said he has left Grameen Bank to prevent disruptions at the pioneering microlender he founded, days after a court upheld the Bangladeshi government's decision to remove him. ^[86]

I have gotten a special speech of a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate ( Muhammad Yunus ) from my camrades in South Korea and India. ^[31]

A SENIOR United States official once again warned that its bitter battle between Muhammad Yunus and the Bangladesh authority could dent diplomatic ties between two countries. ^[45] The current events have caused overwhelming public outrage in Bangladesh over the last week, as a Government takeover of the Bank would effectively result in the 8.35 million borrower owners (and their families) of the Grameen Bank -who own 97% of the shares of the Bank- being disenfranchised. ^[87] Finance Minister AMA Muhith last month said the government would be open to some compromise such as to allow Yunus to remain an emeritus fellow at Grameen but not, however, to his proposal that he should step aside as managing director and be made chairman instead. ^[45] The government, which has a 25% stake in Grameen, said that the bank's rules required Yunus to end his service when he turned 60. ^[25]

Yunus, 70, had been removed as head of Grameen Bank last week by the central bank at the government's behest on the grounds that he had stayed on past the legal retirement age of 60. ^[36] According to the bank's legal advisers, the founder of Grameen Bank, Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, is accordingly continuing in his office." ^[46]

"I am taking this step without prejudice to the legal issues raised before the Supreme Court," Yunus said in the statement, adding, "and in order to prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank and to ensure my colleagues and our 8 million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities." ^[25]

Assuming the court also rejected an appeal by a majority of Grameen's board against the dismissal, a verdict due tomorrow, the question will shift from whether Mr Yunus's job can be saved to whether the bank for the poor that he created will henceforth be susceptible to unwelcome meddling by Bangladesh's government. ^[35]

The Bangladesh government set up a committee in January to look into the allegations and submit a report in three months. ^[30] In 2007, while Bangladesh was ruled by an interim military government, Yunus tried to set up a political party, but later stepped back from the idea, saying it would not sit well with Bangladesh's traditional politics and cycles of unrest. ^[36] Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus says he is worried about the future of the pioneering microlending bank he founded now that Bangladesh's government has successfully ousted him as its head. ^[75] Two days ago, in what was broadly believed to be a politically motivated smear campaign against the microcredit veteran, the appellate division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court agreed to fire Yunus from his post as managing director of Grameen Bank, the founding institution of what is now a global MCE. ^[98] The Central Bank of Bangladesh on Wednesday removed Yunus, 70, from his post as the managing director of the Grameen Bank, stating that he had overstayed. ^[61]

His supporters believe that sacking of the 70-year old is politically motivated by the Bangladesh government as they want to bring Grameen under its control Yunus' lawyers laid out their case on Sunday before the court was adjourned. ^[60] The Grameen Bank ("rural bank" in Bengali), which Yunus has built over the last 20 years, is today the largest rural banbk in Bangladesh. ^[76]

Nearly two and a half moths after his sacking by the central bank, Muhammad Yunus has announced his 'resignation' from the Grameen Bank as managing director. ^[109] The government, which has a 25% stake in Grameen, said that by the bank's own rules, Yunus, now 70, was required to end his service when he turned 60. ^[46]



What happened to Laxmi would no doubt have horrified the founder of the microfinance movement, the Nobel Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus. ^[62] According to the Bank's legal advisors, the founder of Grameen Bank, Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, is accordingly continuing in his office," the statement added. ^[61] March 2011: A delegation from the United States Government led by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake begins negotiations with the Bangladesh Government on behalf of Yunus. ^[110]

The Bangladesh government set up a committee in January to look into the allegations. ^[54]



Yunus' supporters say the effort to remove him has little to do with age and much to do with the larger issue of microcredit and its primary vehicle in Bangladesh -- Grameen Bank. ^[46] "Institutions like the Grameen Bank make a significant contribution to Bangladesh's development and democracy, and Professor Yunus' life-long work to reduce poverty and empower women through microloans has deservedly received world-wide attention and respect." ^[25]

Dhaka : Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus stepped down as the Grameen Bank Managing Director Thursday night, Xinhua reported. ^[111] The Bangladeshi Supreme Court has adjourned for two weeks the hearing on an appeal by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus against a High Court decision to uphold his sacking from Grameen Bank. ^[60]

Yunus indicated he fears the government may seek to influence Grameen Bank's governing structure and its lending policies, which could destabilize the agency. ^[75] "And any attempt to shut down the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh is a travesty," he said, adding that the international community must distinguish between activists' legitimate critiques and rackets raised by corrupt governments for political manipulation. ^[98]

The government still has time to correct the steps it took against Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus and reach a respectable solution, observed speakers at a meeting yesterday. ^[112]

POSSIBLY USEFUL

Section Contents:

• The Bangladesh Supreme Court rejected a final appeal by Yunus last week to remain at the helm of the bank he founded to give loans to the poor.(More...)
  
  
• Dhaka, April 25: Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (April 25) formally launched e-book, a digitised compilation of primary and secondary textbooks, opening a new horizon of easy access to textbooks through the Internet.(More...)
  
  
• In neighboring India, local governments have accused some microcredit lenders of predatory practices aimed more at enriching investors than helping the poor.(More...)
  
  
• Using the theory of concertive control, we gained insight into why members and workers identify so strongly with the Grameen, how participation within this organization offers opportunities for empowerment, and how control systems operative within the bank account for its success.(More...)
  
  
• While natural disasters do wreak havoc among the poor in Bangladesh and many other developing nations all over the world, they do not cause poverty.(More...)
  
  
• Professor Yunus brother Muhammad Ibrahim is a professor of physics at Dhaka University and the founder of The Center for Mass Education in Science (CMES).(More...)
  
  
• Grameen's central focus is to help poor borrower move out of poverty, not making money.(More...)
  
  
• Hasina has accused the Grameen Bank and other microfinance institutions of charging high interest rates and "sucking blood from the poor borrowers".(More...)
  
  
• Bangladesh Supreme Court's Appellate Division, the highest appeal court, is currently facing acute shortage of judges and at the same time h.(More...)
  
  
• Analysts have suggested that microcredit can bring communities into debt from which they cannot escape, citing situations where microloans from the Grameen Bank were linked to exploitation and pressures on poor families to sell their belongings, leading in extreme cases to humiliation and ultimately suicides.(More...)
  
  
• Yunus filed the petition on Apr 5 when the top court had confirmed the High Court ruling, virtually putting to rest a bitter battle between Yunus and the government.(More...)
  
  
• A study by Khandker (Shahidur R. Khandker, Fighting Poverty with Microcredit: Experience in Bangladesh, New York, 1998) had shown that the high recovery rates on microcredit loans which attracted global attention was the outcome of centre and group pressure on members.(More...)
  
  
• After the apex court rejected two petitions, one by Yunus and the other by the bank's directors, their lawyers expressed dissatisfaction at the verdict and said they would appeal after studying the latest order.(More...)
  
  
• Grameen changed this dynamic by offering small loans that could realistica ­lly be repaid so the borrower could be build credit and reapply for a larger loan.(More...)
  
  
• He found little solace there; the rapidity, and surly language, of the court orders have many convinced Bangladesh's quasi-independent judiciary has been ordered to side with government.(More...)
  
  
• The High Court upheld his removal and he appealed then to the Supreme Court, his last legal option.(More...)
  
  
• The person who should initiate this constructive conclusion to this regrettable and damaging episode in our history should be none other than the prime minister, who could hardly be insensitive to the concerns of the millions of women who own Grameen Bank or to the political consequences of their alienation.(More...)
  
  
• Bangladesh's central bank ordered him out, arguing that he violated the country's retirement laws, A.F.M. Asaduzzaman, an official at Bangladesh Bank, told The Associated Press.(More...)
  
  
• Grameen's work cast a global spotlight on microcredit, a then-novel idea of making small loans to poor people who would not qualify for standard bank loans.(More...)
  
  
• The apex court on Monday confirmed the High Court ruling that backed the sacking of the Nobel Peace laureate from Grameen Bank as its managing director.(More...)
  
  
  
  The Bangladesh Supreme Court rejected a final appeal by Yunus last week to remain at the helm of the bank he founded to give loans to the poor. ^[52] Officials of Grameen, or village, Bank expressed disappointment over the high court dismissing Yunus from the position of managing director. ^[4] Grameen has been emulated in many countries, winning the bank and Yunus the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. ^[40]
  
  An outspoken government critic, Yunus has said his dismissal is illegal and alleged that the government is trying to take control of his bank. ^[4] A seven-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Yunus and nine board members of the micro finance bank March 9 filed two separate provisional leave-to-appeal petitions with the apex court, seeking a stay on the operation of the verdict and the Bangladesh Bank order. ^[4] Yunus responded with a statement alleging "political influence" and expressing concern about the "independence" of the bank. ^[40] In his ruling, the judge said Yunus was working long past the mandatory retirement age and that the founder of the bank had been improperly reappointed. ^[4] Bangladesh Bank, the country's central bank and financial sector regulator, removed Yunus as the micro-lender's managing director March 2 for flouting rules when he was reappointed in 1999. ^[40]
  
  The High Court Division bench of Bangladesh March 8 had dismissed the Nobel laureate's writ petition filed March 3 challenging the legality of the central bank order which had dispelled him from the post of Grameen Bank's managing director. ^[38] "I am today relinquishing the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank on the basis that the Deputy Managing Director Mrs Nurjahan Begum would hold charge until a Managing Director is appointed in accordance with the procedures under section 14 of the Grameen Bank," Yunus said in a statement issued last night. ^[23] Yunus was fired last month from his Grameen Bank on grounds that his appointment as managing director of the institution in 2000 was faulty. ^[4] That, its not yesterday that Dr. Yunus turned over 60, as he is now more than 70 years of age, then why this "sudden rush" of Another minor argument being put forward in defence of Dr. Yunus is, as founder of Grameen Bank, Yunus should be allowed the privilege to relinquish his position in a congenial manner of his liking. ^[4]
  
  In his talk he told the story of Grameen Bank a bank in Bangladesh that focuses on micro-loans to the poorest and most destitute members of society. ^[4] A Bangladesh Supreme Court ruling is expected Monday that could remove him from the bank. ^[4] Watching the thrilling finals of World Cup was a 'mesmerising' experience: President Gilani congratulates PM on the Indian cricket team's victory Srikkanth says India's World Cup triumph as a great team effort Bangladesh said Wednesday it was ready to compromise on Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus's controversial dismissal after a U.S. diplomat warned that the issue would affect bilateral ties. ^[4]
  
  The Grameen Bank has pioneered micro-lending to the poor by giving small loans to millions of borrowers.This was Professor Yunus's last legal option to keep his job as managing director of the Grameen Bank. ^[4]
  
  The bank and Prof Yunus were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for helping millions out of poverty with small loans. ^[37] Today, Yunus boast's that 32 percent of the Bangladesh population is below the poverty line. ^[26] The debate in Bangladesh is now moving to how the controversy will impact the work for which Yunus won international acclaim and a Nobel prize in 2006. ^[59]
  
  Yunus wanted to "ensure my colleagues and our 8 million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities". ^[28]
  
  Yunus said he has gone to the court repeatedly to question the legality of the order removing him. ^[40] Deputy Managing Director Nurjahan Begum will take over from Yunus until the board names a chief. ^[23] Yunus lost the battle with the high court and then the supreme court rejected his appeals thrice. ^[40]
  
  He and his Grameen bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for helping millions out of poverty with small loans. ^[23] Defense lawyers Tuesday evening told local TV networks said they would appeal the verdict Wednesday. the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2006 with Grameen Bank, which he founded. ^[4]
  
  Yunus has criticised the proposals and said in his resignation letter that he hoped "Grameen Bank will continue to operate maintaining its independence and character". ^[15] Citing the central bank order, the senior lawyer said: "Bangladesh Bank in its letter relieved Yunus and asked the board of directors to take further steps." ^[32]
  
  Yunus had sought withdrawal of the SC order April 5 that dismissed his leave-to-appeal petition filed against the High Court verdict April 3 upholding the Bangladesh Bank order removing him from the post. ^[38] "I am today (Thursday) relinquishing the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank," said Yunus in a statement. ^[38] Prof Yunus, 71, launched the Grameen Bank in the late 1970s to offer microcredit to the poor. ^[37]
  
  In December, a war of words broke out as she accused Yunus of "sucking blood from the poor borrowers" through the bank's allegedly exorbitant interest rates, calling for the government to launch an inquiry into claims of misappropriation. ^[28] The government fired Yunus as the microlender's managing director in March, saying he overstayed the official retirement age of 60. ^[52]
  
  It also ends a protracted legal wrangle with the Bangladeshi government over control of the bank. ^[28] Although Yunus was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing in an investigation by the Norwegian government, his already fractious relationship with the Bangladeshi government reached breaking point, with claims that he had tarnished his country's reputation. ^[28] An outspoken government critic, Yunus has had an acrimonious relationship with the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, who is reportedly angry over his attempt to form a political party in 2007. ^[28]
  
  Yunus debated that some dubbed Grameen Bank he founded is a non-governmental organization. ^[26] Yunus said in a statement Thursday that he was stepping down to "prevent undue disruption " to Grameen Bank. ^[52]
  
  A lengthy legal row ended at the Supreme Court on 5 May, but in a statement on Thursday Prof Yunus said he had still not received the full court order and was relinquishing the post of managing director. ^[37] Despite a series of legal battles that reached the supreme court, Yunus failed to overturn the judges' decision to oust him as managing director. ^[28]
  
  Supporters say Yunus -- known as "the banker to the poor" -- has been victimised by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whom he crossed in 2007 when he briefly set up a political party during a period of military rule. ^[15] Yunus"s experiment of poor men"s banking earned Bangladesh the repute of being the home of microcredit. ^[23] The idea was visibly unwelcome by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her arch-rival Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). ^[23]
  
  Yunus"s resignation came as he lost his final legal battle in the apex court to thwart a Bangladesh Bank decision removing him from the position on Mar 2. ^[23]
  
  Finance Minister A.M.A. Muhith said Nurjahan Begum, currently the deputy managing director, will act as the managing director and the government will find a new managing director within the next three months, news website bdnews24.com reported. ^[40]
  
  The saddest aspect of Yunus's departure is that it says much more about the government of Bangladesh than about microfinance and its leading light. ^[55] Yunus' concept of microfinance is credited with helping millions of poor people in Bangladesh and other parts of the world. ^[52]
  
  Yunus and the nine directors filed separate petitions challenging the legality of his removal, but the higher court in its verdict on Mar. 8 dismissed the petitions. ^[26]
  
  The court upheld the decision by the central bank to remove him from office.The bank said Professor Yunus had been improperly appointed while past retirement age.But Professor Yunus said the attempt to remove him from the bank had been politically motivated. ^[4] Yunus said he hoped his departure would "ensure my colleagues and our eight million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities", he wrote. ^[15] Supporters of Prof Yunus warn that savers and borrowers might get the wrong idea - and that some people might withdraw their savings from the bank. ^[9] Several microfinance industry experts around the world, including Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times, are saying these actions amount to a move by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed to wrest control of the bank from Yunus. ^[10] They stem from allegations that, in 200,7 Yunus essentially said politicians in Bangladesh pursue only money. ^[10]
  
  The consternation in the imperialist circles after the removal of Yunus from the position of Managing Director of the Bank and the lining up of the NGOs and the gentlemen of the Bangladesh civil society behind him has completely exposed the true character of Yunus. ^[5] The Grameen ("rural") Bank organizes grassroots micro-enterprises for productive self-employment and social change among the poorest of the poor in Bangladesh. ^[88]
  
  Grameen Bank is not a government owned bank, nor is it a NGO. Micro-lender Grameen Bank is a non-formal bank owned by the poor people, created by a special law. ^[26] Of course, we can't assume that the government would be so rational as to appoint someone with years of experience at the Grameen Bank, someone who could bring a mix of continuity, managerial competence, and fresh thinking, thus at least a prayer of saving the Bank as an independent institution. ^[55] The founder of the pioneering Bangladeshi micro-lending Grameen Bank is standing down as its head after a long-running row with the government. ^[37] If the women continue to resist, then the government will find it easier to do an end run around them by pushing a new Grameen Bank law through parliament, where it does have a majority. ^[55] Those nine women are now the main barrier to government control of the Grameen Bank. ^[55]
  
  The interest rates on the bank loans are the lowest in the Bangladesh's microfinance sector. ^[26] Earlier this year, the High Court of Bangladesh had given him marching orders. http://m.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/13/nobel-laureate- muhammad -yun. ^[28]
  
  Barua was born in Jobra, where Yunus made his first loans, and worked under Yunus all those years until early 2010. ^[55] Analysts say Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fell out with Mr Yunus in 2007 when he tried to set up his own political party. ^[37] Earlier this month the Bangladeshi Supreme Court dismissed a final appeal by Mr Yunus to overturn his sacking. ^[37]
  
  That work has won Yunus international acclaim and the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. ^[52]
  
  As the issue deepened, Finance Minister A.M.A. Muhith argued that the 70-year-old Yunus should hand over the bank to others as, according to the country's banking rules, the retirement age for executives in private banks was 65. ^[14] The former World Bank president, James Wolfensohn, was also in Dhaka to back Dr. Yunus, who has strong admirers in the West. ^[14] The Bangladesh Bank on Mar 2 removed Yunus as the micro-lender's managing director for allegedly flouting rules when he was reappointed in 1999 beyond the bank's official retirement age. ^[32] Mr Huq also said that Prof Yunus had not received the required approval from Bangladesh Bank when he was appointed managing director in 1999. ^[9]
  
  "Grameen Bank by-laws clearly state that the managing director should be appointed by the board with the prior approval of the Bangladesh Bank," he said. ^[9]
  
  
  
  Dhaka, April 25: Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (April 25) formally launched e-book, a digitised compilation of primary and secondary textbooks, opening a new horizon of easy access to textbooks through the Internet. ^[23] His concept of microfinance is credited with helping millions of poor people in Bangladesh and other parts of the world. ^[59] Nine elected members of the Board of Directors of Grameen Bank also felt the same. ^[26] The High Court bench said the micro-credit pioneer's serving as the Managing Director of the Grameen Bank since 1999 was illegal as he was then beyond 60 years old. ^[38] "I am taking this step. in order to prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank and to ensure my colleagues and our eight million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities," his statement said. ^[37] People have the impression that the interest rates on loans from Grameen Bank are very high. ^[26] The importance is to save the future of Grameen Bank and also to protect the hopes and dreams of the over 8 million borrowers. ^[26]
  
  Currently, borrowers own the majority of the Grameen Bank, with Yunus acting as managing director. ^[10] In December, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused Prof Yunus of treating Grameen Bank as his "personal property" and claimed that it was "sucking blood from the poor". ^[9] Yunus and Grameen Bank jointly won the Nobel peace prize in 2006 for creating "economic and social development from below". ^[15]
  
  In December 1976 the government bank Janata Bank gave Yunus a loan that he could use to make lots of small loans to very poor people. ^[6] After being told of the important award, Yunus said that he would use part of his share of the $1.4 million award money to create a company that makes good food that the poor can afford and the rest would go toward starting an eye hospital for the poor in Bangladesh. ^[6] During the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971, Yunus and other people from Bangladesh living in the United States started a citizens committee and controlled the Bangladesh Information Center to find help for the war. ^[6] In 2007 Yunus planned to start a political group called Nagorik Shakti ("Citizen Power") in Bangladesh, but he has chosen not to start this group. ^[6]
  
  "Though Yunus has challenged the Bangladesh Bank letter, the letter was actually addressed to the governing body." ^[32] Mr Huq said a letter from the central bank ordering the removal of Prof Yunus had been sent to Grameen Bank. ^[9]
  
  Every microlender will suffer if Bangladesh nationalizes (again) the Grameen Bank in a hostile takeover. ^[10]
  
  The government owns a 25% stake in Grameen, which pioneered the microfinance concept of lending small amounts of money to the poor which has been replicated worldwide. ^[9] The government already has 25 percent of the board, and can legally control up to 25 percent of the bank, though, as Kristof notes, borrowers have paid in more capital and, as of 2009, the government stake was down to 3.4 percent. ^[10] The Bangladeshi government set up a review committee the following month to look into the banks affairs amid reports that it could take it over. ^[9]
  
  Prof Yunus pioneered micro-lending to the poor but has been under pressure from the government to step down. ^[9] The government says it is simply implementing the rules and Prof Yunus should have retired years ago. ^[9] If The Economist, Kristof, and others are right and the government wants to increase their stake to a controlling share with a majority on the board, Yunus would almost certainly be voted out. ^[10] The BBCs Anbarasan Ethirajan in Dhaka says that the effort to remove Prof Yunus is the culmination of a long-running feud with the government, which has been taking a series of measures in recent months to remove him. ^[9] During a period governed by a military-backed caretaker government, Yunus began forming a political party, then quickly dropped the plan. ^[10]
  
  A lengthy legal row ended at the Supreme Court on 5 May, but in a statement on Thursday Prof Yunus said he had still not received the full court order and was relinquishing the post of managing director." ^[93] The senior member of Yunus' legal team made the remarks a day after the Supreme Court rejected their petition to overturn an order sacking the Nobel laureate from the bank. ^[32]
  
  
  
  In neighboring India, local governments have accused some microcredit lenders of predatory practices aimed more at enriching investors than helping the poor. ^[59] Not surprisingly, the government appears intent on reconstituting the board, so that elected members no longer hold the majority. ^[55]
  
  Earlier this year,the Bangladeshi Central Bank made a legal challenge against the 70-year-old, claiming he had violated retirement laws by failing to relinquish control at 60. ^[28] Literally meaning "village bank", the institution offers tiny loans to would-be entrepreneurs who would otherwise be refused conventional loans, and his microcredit scheme has been replicated across the world, and has been hailed as being the most effective way of defeating poverty.The bank has nearly 9 million borrowers in Bangladesh; 97% of them are women. ^[77] After the War, Yunus returned to Bangladesh and was given a job with the governments' Planning Commission which was controlled by Nurul Islam. ^[6] We as a nation are forever indebted to Yunus (no pun intended) for his achievement and for giving us one of the most cherished causes of celebration in the history of Bangladesh. ^[47]
  
  In 2006, Yunus and the bank together, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below." ^[6]
  
  He was asked to comment on the attorney general's remarks that after the court threw out the recall petition Yunus can no longer stay as managing director. ^[32] Mrs Robinson said in February that some highly visible private microcredit experiences had been set up around the world because of the pioneering work of Prof Yunus to provide loans to the poor. ^[9] Dr. Yunus defied the order but the High Court rejected his writ petitions challenging the legality of the central bank's action. ^[14] Amid a mounting debate for and against Dr. Yunus, Bangladesh's central bank on March 2 ordered his removal as Managing Director on the ground that he had crossed the retirement age. ^[14] FAG YAHOO Sat May 07, 2011 06:46 am PDT Report Abuse Yunus is a complete cheater, blood sucker of poor people. ^[15]
  
  In the lengthy rejoinder posted on Grameen's website, the bank points out that board of directors was fully informed and approved the transfer. ^[10]
  
  His group got more loans from other banks and by 1982, 28,000 people had jobs with Grameen. ^[6] Yunus and his workers were threatened and women were told they would not have a Muslim burial if they borrowed money from the Grameen Bank, but they have given many, many loans to poor people. ^[6] Deputy Managing Director Nurjahan Begum will take over from Yunus until the board names a chief, Dhaka-based Grameen Bank said in an e-mailed statement today. ^[89]
  
  A politically motivated, shaky legal attack on Yunus is no way to foster any kind of improvement in microfinance. ^[10] Sa-dhan (the association of Community Development Finance Institutions consisting of over a hundred microfinance practitioners and experts of India) has also lent full support to Dr. Yunus. ^[14] Yunus, 70, was removed as head of the microlender on March 2 by the central bank for exceeding the mandatory retirement age. ^[15] Prof Yunus fell out with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2007 when he was trying to set up a new party. ^[9]
  
  The investigation announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed last month, follows questions raised in the Norwegian television documentary program Brennpunkt about a $100 million transfer of Norwegian aid money from one Grameen entity to another back in 1996. ^[10] It ruled that Grameen Bank was a government institution, which means employees must abide by the state's mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[32] The West's support to him is so loud that, it appears, even if the final court verdict goes against him, a negotiated settlement may be found so that the Nobel Laureate's image and his contribution to the institution are well protected, and the independence and smooth functioning of the Grameen Bank remains undisturbed. ^[14] The 2006 Nobel winner said he was relinquishing the post of managing director at Grameen Bank and his deputy, Nurjahan Begum, would take over. ^[15] A Grameen Bank statement later on Wednesday said that the matter was now "a legal issue" and that the bank had complied with "all applicable laws in respect of appointment of the managing director". ^[9] "I am taking this step without prejudice to the legal issues raised before the Supreme Court, and in order to prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank," he said in a letter released late Thursday. ^[15]
  
  "Or he will be in office until the Grameen Bank board of directors takes any other measure," he added. ^[32] He disputes the Supreme Court ruling that the government was right to remove him as he passed the retirement age of 60 and insists only Grameen's board of directors has the power to remove him. ^[95]
  
  It also ends a protracted legal wrangle with the Bangladeshi government over control of the bank.Yunus wanted to "ensure my colleagues and our 8 million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities". ^[77] A cyclone at 235 kilometers per hour or a tidal surge of 12 to 18 feet in a country where people are wealthy enough to build stable homes, and governments resourceful enough to build protective systems and strong embankments, will not cause human misery on the magnitude seen in Bangladesh. ^[90] On 11 February 2007, Yunus wrote a letter, published in the Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star, and he asked what people thought of creating a good government. ^[6] Option 1 The tenure of the chairman of Grameen Bank which was due to expire on 26 April, 2010, can be extended till 31st December of 2010 and once he would retire, Dr. Yunus can be appointed as the chairman so that the continuity is maintained and the people who work for Grameen Bank do not get depressed by the sudden change in leadership. ^[47] From modest beginnings three decades ago, Yunus has, first and foremost through Grameen Bank, developed micro-credit into an ever more important instrument in the struggle against poverty. ^[6] For his work with the Grameen Bank, Yunus was named an Ashoka: Innovators for the Public Global Academy Member in 2001. ^[6] In this regard Grameen Bank, Dr. Yunus, and his supporters/friends have adopted a tactic of creating confusion (which is evidently the dominant PR strategy of Dr. Yunus that this article is expected to reveal) among the citizens of the country by orchestrating an aggressive PR campaign both home and abroad. ^[47]
  
  Lists of his awards are found at Grameen Bank website, his personal website, and his profile at Bangladesh News website. ^[6]
  
  Following the ruling, which cannot be appealed, Grameen Bank staff and board members have said they have been beaten or threatened to stop them campaigning for Yunus's reinstatement. ^[15] The fact is the present government is not very appreciative of Dr. Yunus' contribution to poverty alleviation through the microfinance model, although Sheikh Hasina in her first tenure attended the world microcredit summit at the United Nations where he got the world body's support. ^[14] Across the border in India, the government of Andhra Pradesh is encouraging borrowers not to pay back their loans. ^[10] That's relevant because three of the 12 board members, including the chair, are appointed by the government. ^[10] Despite the controversies, many analysts are of the opinion that the Hasina government may take the U.S. stand seriously but it will, for sure, find it difficult to come to an amicable solution since the Supreme Court verdict is awaited. ^[14]
  
  Secretary of State Hilary Clinton personally communicated her concern to the Bangladesh Prime Minister and talked to the embattled microcredit pioneer, who is a close friend of the Clinton family. ^[14] Yunus"s resignation came as he lost his final legal battle in the apex court to thwart a Bangladesh Bank decision removing him from the position on March 2. ^[84]
  
  He took the step "without prejudice" to outstanding legal issues.His deputy, Nurjahan Begum, has been appointed as interim managing director.Yunus was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 2006 jointly with the bank. ^[77] Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith earlier today said the government will form a panel to find a replacement for Yunus. ^[89] Hailed as the saviour of the poor and the pioneer of rural women empowerment, the praise and adulation that Yunus has received over last two and half decades by both Western and local elite dwarfs the admiration received by all other Nobel laureates combined. ^[47] "Muhammad Yunus should have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics years ago." ^[6] March 7, 2011 Dubbed the messiah of microcredit, Dr. Yunus has been (perhaps wrongly) credited with a unique innovation in banking; i.e. banking for the poor. ^[47]
  
  The reaction of these forces which include imperialist countries like the U.S., France, Britain, Germany and others of Europe and elsewhere and their lackeys and flunkeys in countries like Bangladesh is a clear indication of the interest which Dr. Yunus serves. ^[5] 'I am today (Thursday) relinquishing the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank,' said Yunus in a statement. ^[82]
  
  What actually may happen after his removal is a series of reforms in Grameen Bank's operational practice which will bring some relief to the borrowers and reduce the profit of the Bank. ^[5]
  
  Here there is no scope for elaborating this point but it is necessary to mention that the greatest noise is made for the Grameen Bank and its so-called mission for eradicating poverty by those who are the recognised enemies of the poor working people of the world including the people of Bangladesh. ^[5]
  
  "Until the bank's board takes any steps in line with the Bangladesh Bank order he will be in office, despite the Supreme Court's dismissal of our (recall) petition," barrister Rokan Uddin Mahmud said at a press briefing at his Gulshan residence on Friday. ^[32] Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus's three-decades-long journey with microfinance was laborious. ^[14]
  
  
  
  Using the theory of concertive control, we gained insight into why members and workers identify so strongly with the Grameen, how participation within this organization offers opportunities for empowerment, and how control systems operative within the bank account for its success. ^[88] More than 94% of Grameen loans have been given to women, who have less money and give more to their families. ^[6] If it is the Grameen Bank board who can decide who would be the MD of the bank without prior approval of Bangladesh Bank, (though according to Section. ^[47] On 2 August 2005, after a petition by the Bangladesh Legal Aids and Services Trust (BLAST) the High Court had declared Gram Sarkar illegal and unconstitutional. ^[6]
  
  Former U.S. president Bill Clinton was one of the people who said the Nobel Prize should go to Muhammed Yunus. ^[6] On 1 October 1983, Grameen was made a full bank and renamed the Grameen Bank ( Village Bank ) to give loans to poor Bangladeshis. ^[6]
  
  Assuming that each borrower has six dependents, it is possible that 10 per cent of the population of Bangladesh (or 12 million people) now live directly from the benefit of Grameen loans. ^[7] Yunus finally succeeded in securing a loan from the government Janata Bank to lend it to the poor in Jobra in December 1976. ^[2] Yunus said last week he was worried about the future of the bank and its nearly 9 million borrowers, nearly all of them poor Bangladeshi women. ^[63] After receiving the news of the important award, Yunus announced that he would use part of his share of the $1.4 million award money to create a company to make low-cost, high-nutrition food for the poor; while the rest would go toward setting up an eye hospital for the poor in Bangladesh. ^[2] During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, Yunus founded a citizen's committee and ran the Bangladesh Information Center, with other Bangladeshis living in the United States, to raise support for liberation. ^[2] Bill Clinton said i n his last election campaign that Yunus deserved a Nobel Peace Prize and cit ed his experiment in Bangladesh as a model for rebuilding the inner cities of America. ^[7]
  
  Yunus was relieved of his duties as Managing Director of the Grameen Bank, a central bank official told PTI. ^[16] They eulogise the achievements of Dr. Yunus in order of protect his position in the Grameen Bank. ^[5]
  
  According to media reports Bangladesh Bank in a letter to the finance ministry had said that Yunus had passed the retirement age of 60. ^[16] "We have sent a letter to him (Yunus) containing the Bangladesh Bank decision." he said. ^[16]
  
  Dhaka, May 13 (IANS) A senior leader of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has said that India was 'the only friend' of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government. ^[83] It is insane to think that against whose removal from the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank the imperialist powers are raising a hue and cry can, by any stretch of imagination, be a friend of the poor in any country and who can lead a programme for eradicating or even alleviating poverty of those who are subjected to the worst kind of exploitation by local ruling classes, governments and imperialist powers. ^[5] Yunus himself was never found to protest against any kind of repressions on the people which are perpetuated by government agencies and other predator social forces. ^[5] The merit of this action was examined by the High Court, where Yunus filed a case appealing against the government decision. ^[5] We find that those imperialist powers, particularly the U.S. government and the Clinton clique, who manipulated the Nobel Prize for Yunus, have very sharply and bitterly reacted against this decision of the government. ^[5]
  
  
  
  While natural disasters do wreak havoc among the poor in Bangladesh and many other developing nations all over the world, they do not cause poverty. ^[90] He worked with poverty reduction after he saw the Bangladesh famine of 1974, and started a research project to help people who lived in the countryside. ^[6]
  
  This is significant, because in l995, for the first time in i ts existence, Grameen finally made enough profit to operate on a fully commercial basis without the need for any more preferential loans (which i t has received in the past from Bangladesh s Central Bank and sympathetic banks in the West), or grants from charitable trusts such as the Ford Foundation. ^[7] Grameen has reached 2 million of them, our copycats service another 1.5 million in Bangladesh. ^[7]
  
  Independent studies by the World Bank and others indicate that within five years, about half Grameen s 2 million borrowers manage to pull themselves up over the poverty line, while a further quarter hover near the line. ^[7] Yunus and Grameen pioneered the idea of issuing small loans to the poor as a way to lift people out of poverty. ^[63] While traditional banks were not interested in making tiny loans at reasonable interest rates to the poor due to high repayment risks, Yunus believed that given the chance the poor will repay the borrowed money and hence microcredit could be a viable business model. ^[2]
  
  The Central Bank of Bangladesh, the nation's financial regulatory authority, said Yunus, 70, was working in violation of the country's statutory retirement age of 60 as its assent had not been sought for his continuing tenure. ^[39] In Bangladesh, thousands of people protested and formed human chains on March 5, 2011 to support Yunus. ^[2] In early 2007 Yunus showed interest in launching a political party in Bangladesh named Nagorik Shakti (Citizen Power), but later discarded the plan. ^[2] Yunus's marriage with Vera ended within months of the birth of their baby girl, Monica Yunus (b. 1979 Chittagong), as Vera returned to New Jersey claiming that Bangladesh was not a good place to raise a baby. ^[2] Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan, founder of the Pakistan Academy for Rural Development (now Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development ), is credited alongside Yunus for pioneering the idea. ^[2] The third of nine children, Yunus was born on 28 June 1940 to a Muslim family in the village of Bathua, by the Boxirhat Road in Hathazari, Chittagong, then in Bengal Province of British India (now in Bangladesh). ^[2]
  
  Yunus s answer is simple: if anyone can run a bank for the poor and charge less, please go ahead and do so. ^[7] Immediately, Yunus saw the impracticality of carrying on in this way, and tried to interest banks in institutionalising his gesture by lending to th e poorest, with no collateral -- Bankers laughed at him, insisting that the poor are not creditworthy. ^[7]
  
  On March 8, 2011, the Bangladeshi Court finally confirmed the dismissal of Yunus as Grameen Bank Managing Director. ^[2]
  
  The government-appointed titular chairman of the Bank and former employee of the Bank Muzamel Huq earlier acknowledged the central bank decision saying Bangladesh Bank relieved him of his duties as the managing director of Grameen Bank with immediate effect. ^[16]
  
  Supporters of the pioneering development economist, who conceived the idea for a bank lending very small sums to the very deprived, to enable them to take a first step out of poverty, during a famine in Bangladesh in the late 1970s, say that the government now wants to take total control of what would be a major political asset. ^[34] Of the total equity of the bank, the borrowers own 94%, and the remaining 6% is owned by the Government of Bangladesh. ^[3] The bonds are implicitly subsidised as they are guaranteed by the Government of Bangladesh and still they are sold above the bank rate. ^[3]
  
  Grameen claims that more than half of its borrowers in Bangladesh (close to 50 million) have risen out of acute poverty thanks to their loan, as measured by such standards as having all children of school age in school, all household members eating three meals a day, a sanitary toilet, a rainproof house, clean drinking water and the ability to repay a 300 taka -a-week (around 4 USD) loan. ^[3] Over time, the Grameen initiative has grown into a multi-faceted group of profitable and non-profit ventures, including major projects like Grameen Trust and Grameen Fund, which runs equity projects like Grameen Software Limited, Grameen CyberNet Limited, and Grameen Knitwear Limited, as well as Grameen Telecom, which has a stake in Grameenphone (GP), biggest private sector phone company in Bangladesh. ^[2] Founder and Chairman, Grameen Uddog, a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to promote the interest of the handloom-weavers of Bangladesh. ^[33] This yogurt is produced by Grameen Danone, a social business joint venture between Danone and Grameen Bank that works to alleviate poverty by providing opportunities for street vendors to sell the yogurt and to improve nutrition among the poor by providing micronutrient-fortified yogurts to children in Bangladesh. ^[2]
  
  The Fu ll Circle Fund, a Grameen clone created by the city s South Shore Bank, has operated there for 10 years. ^[7]
  
  Now Grameen generates enough savings, mostly from its borrowers, to repay its loans and finance its future growth. ^[81] The NGO's and the Grameen Bank were launched by the imperialists with the active help and co-operation of the government not for alleviating or eradicating poverty. ^[5] In all regards, the rules of Grameen Bank were extraordinary and the concessions granted to it by the government in conducting its affairs was in contradiction with all banking practices followed in this country. ^[5]
  
  They simply have removed him from his post of managing director of Grameen Bank on legal grounds. ^[5]
  
  
  
  Professor Yunus brother Muhammad Ibrahim is a professor of physics at Dhaka University and the founder of The Center for Mass Education in Science (CMES). ^[6] Hasina and Yunus recently had a verbal dual when the micro-financier suggested that he should form his own political party. ^[16] Following this tiff, Hasina accused the Nobel laureate of treating the Grameen Bank as his personal property and claimed that the group "was sucking blood from the poor". ^[16] The Grameen Bank undoubtedly is a successful operator of small loans to rural poor like many NGOs, and has established a record in this which is far better than the ordinary commercial banks. ^[5] For this achievement the Grameen Bank may be awarded an international award for its success in managing small loans. ^[5] Even a modest survey of the situation on the ground in the rural areas reveals to any one that there has not been any perceptible poverty alleviation through disbursement of rural credit by the Grameen Bank or any other NGOs, though there may be some exceptional cases where some loanees have been able to improve their financial situation by making clever use of such loans. ^[5]
  
  He claims that by extending loan to the poor, he has been successful in alleviating poverty in Bangladesh to a large extent and by 2030 he would send poverty to the museum as a relic of the past. ^[5]
  
  It will dishearten the shareholders of the bank, the poor women of Bangladesh, who will see their bank deteriorate into an average bank of Bangladesh, rather than remaining a Nobel Prize winning institution it is. ^[17] Yunus sought withdrawal of the SC order on April 5 that dismissed his leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court verdict upholding the Bangladesh Bank order removing him from the post. ^[41] The order came following conclusion of hearing on the two petitions -- one filed by Yunus and another by nine directors of Grameen Bank on Tuesday. ^[41] Yunus and his colleagues encountered everything from violent radical leftists to the conservative clergy who told women that they would be denied a Muslim burial if they borrowed money from the Grameen Bank. ^[2]
  
  Over recent months, the Bangladeshi government, under the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has clashed repeatedly with Yunus. ^[39] Ninety-nine percent of expatriate Bangladeshis in America believe that the government of Bangladesh has abused the nation's only Nobel Laureate. ^[17]
  
  And, since 92 per cent of its share s are owned by the borrowers themselves (the balance is owned by the government ), it truly is a bank for, and of, the poor. ^[7]
  
  Yunus has alleged that the government is trying to take control of the bank, which pioneered the practice of giving small loans to alleviate poverty. ^[27] Yunus believed that making such loans available to a wide population would have a positive impact on the rampant rural poverty in Bangladesh. ^[3]
  
  Yunus's experiment of poor men's banking earned Bangladesh the repute of being the home of microcredit. ^[72] In spite of this he was awarded Nobel Prize for peace by the imperialist cliques to promote their political and other interests in Bangladesh. ^[5]
  
  A Central Bank official said, he had been stripped off his position as his appointment violated the Grameen Bank Ordinance 1983 that stipulates a Managing Director must be appointed with prior approval of the central bank. ^[16] He said he took the step to 'prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank and to ensure my colleagues and our eight million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities ^[82]
  
  Women in Bangladesh are subjected to various kinds of exploitations and repressions all over the country, particularly in the rural areas. ^[5] Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina meets visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at her office. ^[80]
  
  Yunus's resignation came as he lost his final legal battle in the apex court to thwart a Bangladesh Bank decision removing him from the position on March 2. ^[72]
  
  PTI, New Delhi, 5 May : As a mark of respect to Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu who died in a chopper crash near Tawang, all Central government offices in the state will remain closed tomorrow. ^[80] The micro-financiers firing caps a running battle with the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in recent months, during which he has faced a defamation suit by a local politician alleging that he misappropriated Norwegian development funds and accusations that he was overage. ^[16]
  
  The government of Bangladesh had garnered the goodwill of the world and America over the last two years for the way it conducted its domestic and foreign policies. ^[17] Government of Bangladesh adopted the concept and introduced it in the country under the name of "Packaged Input Programme" (PIP) in 1977. ^[33]
  
  His best work is done in a two-bedroom apartment at the bank s headquarters in Bangladesh s capital, Dhaka, where he lives with his wife and 10-year-old daughter, Deena. ^[7] It briefly explains the structure of government, and profiles the major development ngo s, in Bangladesh. ^[99] In order to make the project more effective, Yunus and his associates proposed the Gram Sarkar (the village government) programme. ^[2] On 3 May, however, Yunus declared that he had decided to abandon his political plans following a meeting with the head of the interim government, Fakhruddin Ahmed. ^[2]
  
  He indicated he fears the government may seek to influence Grameen Bank's governing structure and its lending policies, which could destabilize the agency. ^[63]
  
  On December 10, 2006, Mosammat Taslima Begum, who used her first 16-euro (20-dollar) loan from the bank in 1992 to buy a goat and subsequently became a successful entrepreneur and one of the elected board members of the bank, accepted the Nobel Prize on behalf of Grameen Bank's investors and borrowers at the prize awarding ceremony held at Oslo City Hall. ^[3] In a country in which few women may take out loans from large commercial banks, Grameen has focused on women borrowers as 97% of its members are women. ^[3]
  
  This is especially crucial as Yunus claims that in 2004, women still have difficulty getting loans as it represented less than 1 percent of borrowers from commercial banks (Yunus 2004). ^[3] The Mises Institute's Jeffrey Tucker suggests that microcredit banks depend on subsidies in order to operate, thus essentially becoming another example of welfare, whereas Yunus believes that he is working against the subsidized economy, giving borrowers the opportunity to create businesses. ^[3] The bank began as a research project by Yunus and the Rural Economics Project at Bangladesh's University of Chittagong to test his method for providing credit and banking services to the rural poor. ^[3]
  
  The Economist stated explicitly that Yunus was a poor choice for the award, stating: ". the Nobel committee could have made a braver, more difficult, choice by declaring that there would be no recipient at all." ^[2] Why does micro-credit work? What theoretical framework does it rely on? Yunus avoids jargon and graphs; instead, he states simply: Poverty covers people in a thick crust and makes the poor appear stupid and without initiative. ^[7] In early 2006 Yunus, along with other members of the civil society including Professor Rehman Sobhan, Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Dr Kamal Hossain, Matiur Rahman, Mahfuz Anam and Debapriya Bhattchariya, participated in a campaign for honest and clean candidates in national elections. ^[2] Yunus called the order illegal and went to the High Court which ruled against him upholding the central bank's order. ^[41] Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud, another counsel for Dr Yunus, said they will file a review petition with the apex court against its order after obtaining the copy of the order. ^[41] In 1976, during visits to the poorest households in the village of Jobra near Chittagong University, Yunus discovered that very small loans could make a disproportionate difference to a poor person. ^[2] Yunus answers this last point with the observation that any institution f or the poor that is not self-sufficient is bound to be hurt by reliance on donors: It is like telling a patient that he can breathe by himself for 2 3 hours a day, and the balance of the time the govemment will provide the oxygen. That means you are at their mercy. ^[7] In July 2009, Yunus became a member of the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation International Advisory Board to support the organisation's poverty reduction work. ^[2]
  
  One quarter of Grameen borrowers do not manage to repay their loans and remain trapped in poverty, often -- like the woman I met recently who had been featured four years ago on an American television programme as a Grameen success story -- because they are too sick or infirm. ^[7] More than 94% of Grameen loans have gone to women, who suffer disproportionately from poverty and who are more likely than men to devote their earnings to their families. ^[2] He has visited China, where Grameen loans have helped starving peasants who have too little to keep wa rm in winter; he has travelled to South Africa and met with the poor who jump at the chance to start their own car repair workshop or timber-sawing business, or plant wheat. ^[7] He is the author of Banker to the Poor and a founding board member of Grameen America and Grameen Foundation. ^[2]
  
  
  
  Grameen's central focus is to help poor borrower move out of poverty, not making money. ^[81]
  
  All that an assetless and landless person must do in order to be eligible for a loan is to prove tha t they understand how Grameen works. ^[7] All loan disbursements and repayments ar e made publicly in centre meetings (in front of eight or 10 groups) on a weekly basis. in a country steeped in corruption at all levels of administration, Grameen prides itself on being as transparent and open as possible. ^[7]
  
  Grameen was incorporated as a separate legal institution in 1983, and since then it has moved fast -- some would say too fast -- to expand its operations. ^[7] When opponents try to prevent Grameen from entering a village, his staff have orders to remain outside, avoiding confrontation, and wait for the women to come to them. ^[7]
  
  Grameen Bank staff and supporters surround its head office in Dhaka after a court upheld Muhammad Yunus's dismissal from the bank he founded almost three decades ago. ^[39] His younger brother Muhammad Jahangir is a popular television presenter and a well known social activist in Bangladesh. ^[2] On 2 August 2005, in response to a petition filed by Bangladesh Legal Aids and Services Trust (BLAST) the High Court had declared Gram Sarkar illegal and unconstitutional. ^[2]
  
  There are no telephones in its branches, no typewriters or carpets -- most borrowers are visited by Yunus s staff in their villages -- and no loan agreements. ^[7] Yunus soon discovered that lendin g to women, who traditionally have the least economic opportunity in Bangladeshi society, was much more beneficial to whole families; and that women were more careful about their debts. ^[7] On 11 February 2007, Yunus wrote an open letter, published in the Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star, where he asked citizens for views on his plan to float a political party to establish political goodwill, proper leadership and good governance. ^[2]
  
  Yunus has said he wants to step down from his position but at a time of his choosing to ensure a smooth transition for what he calls an institution "of the people". ^[39]
  
  Grameen distinguishes itself from such institutions by converting deposits made in villages into loans for the more needy in the villages (Yunus and Jolis 1998). ^[3] "GRAMEEN BANK Profit and Loss Account, for the year ended 31 December 2006" (PDF). ^[3]
  
  Maulana Ibrahim, a reactionary imam in Bangladesh, spoke out against the Grameen Bank in 1993 for fostering "un-Islamic ways", alleging (referring to the lenders' pledge) that women were taking a vow not to obey their husbands and not to live in poverty anymore. ^[3] Despite the success (let alone social impact) of Grameen Bank, Bangladesh continues to be a nation consumed by hunger, disease, and extreme poverty. ^[56]
  
  The bank currently has about 9 million borrowers in Bangladesh, 97 percent of whom are women. ^[27] Among many different applications of microcredit by the bank, one is the Village Phone program, through which women entrepreneurs can start a business providing wireless payphone service in rural areas of Bangladesh. ^[3]
  
  
  
  Hasina has accused the Grameen Bank and other microfinance institutions of charging high interest rates and "sucking blood from the poor borrowers". ^[39] On 1 October 1983 the pilot project began operations as a full-fledged bank and was renamed the Grameen Bank ( Village Bank ) to make loans to poor Bangladeshis. ^[2] Loans to around 8 million people have also made the Grameen Bank a potent political asset. ^[39] Awarded Aga Khan Award For Architecture, 1989 by Geneva based Aga Khan Foundation for designing and operating Grameen Bank Housing Programme for the poor, which helped poor members of Grameen Bank to construct 60,000 housing units by 1989, each costing on an average $ 300. ^[33] Professor Yunus has been permanently removed as the managing director of his brainchild, Grameen Bank. ^[17] Deputy Managing Director Nurjahan Begum will take over from Yunus until the board names a chief, Dhaka-based Grameen Bank said in an e-mailed statement yesterday. ^[91] Yunus, 70, founded the Grameen Bank almost 30 years ago and has been lauded in his homeland and elsewhere as one of the most innovative and effective campaigners against poverty. ^[34]
  
  Founded by Yunus 34 years ago, Grameen has about $955 million in outstanding loans to about 8.3 million borrowers, mostly poor women, according to the Financial Times. ^[22] Replying to a query, the minister said Prof Yunus is the founder of the bank and the government never exerted any control over him. ^[43] The full court of the Appellate Division, which simultaneously heard another petition filed by nine directors of the bank against the High Court order that backed Yunus removal, on Monday adjourned the hearing until Tuesday. ^[57]
  
  
  
  Bangladesh Supreme Court's Appellate Division, the highest appeal court, is currently facing acute shortage of judges and at the same time h. ^[41] It will provide telephone service in the rural areas of Bangladesh primarily through the poor women in rural areas. ^[33] Member of the National Debt Settlement Board headed by the President of Bangladesh (1989-90). ^[33]
  
  As of July 2007, Grameen Bank has issued US$ 6.38 billion to 7.4 million borrowers. ^[2] Awarded 1994 Pfeffer Peace Prize by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, U.S. for his vision of non collateral lending through the Grameen Bank and the courage of persevere in the concept that credit is a human right. ^[33]
  
  Grameen Bank received several prestigious awards including the highest civilian award in Bangladesh, the Independence Day Award, in 1994. ^[3] In 2003, Grameen Bank started a new program, different from its traditional group-based lending, exclusively targeted to the beggars in Bangladesh. ^[3]
  
  By a Bangladeshi government ordinance on October 2, 1983, the project was transformed into an independent bank. ^[3] Over recent months, the government of Sheikh Hasina has mounted an increasingly aggressive campaign against Yunus. ^[34] Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith yesterday said the government will form a panel to find a replacement for Yunus. ^[91]
  
  There is a dichotomy in the way the Bangladeshi government and the rest of the world view Professor Yunus. ^[17] If, after hounding Professor Yunus for over two years, the best the government can come up with is a "technicality," it vividly demonstrates not only how irrational and hollow the government's misguided pursuit has been, but also how scrupulously clean Professor Yunus is. ^[17]
  
  When Professor Yunus visits Mexico, poor peasants rush to touch him! He transcended his Bangladeshi credentials long ago and has become an iconic figure of the world. ^[17]
  
  Yunus' pioneering idea of giving loans to the poor without any collateral encouraged a boom in such lending across the developing world, earning him and the bank the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. ^[27] Grameen has offered credit to many poor, women, illiterate and unemployed people. ^[3] Grameen Foundation, which has an A-rating from Charity Watch, not only provides microloans in the USA itself (the only developed country where this is done), but also supports microfinance institutions worldwide with loan guarantees, training, and technology transfer. ^[3]
  
  Before Grameen started in 1970s, Bangladesh ­'s banks would not loan money to the country's poor. ^[8] Statement by Alex Counts, President of Grameen Foundation, another funding agency situated in USA, who spent six years in Bangladesh, initially as a Fulbright Scholar is relevant to quote here. ^[12] The Grameen Cybernet Ltd, which is the leading internet service provider in Bangladesh has its chief executive office in America, that too working on a commercial basis. ^[12]
  
  At the same time drawing both inspiration and practical lessons from the Grameen, the World Bank, USAID and other international funding agencies, have replicated Grameen type microcredit operations in 101 poor countries of the world. ^[12] Based on the Grameen model, in 1993 the World Bank took the initiative in establishing the Grameen Trust for encouraging microcredit operations at a global level. ^[12]
  
  Grameen Bank is a unique institution, and one which we are proud to say is owned almost wholly by poor women from across rural Bangladesh, who have changed their lives and those of their children and communities. ^[20] In the statement, Prof Yunus also said he has still not received the copy of the Supreme Court's full order that rejected appeals he and nine directors of Grameen Bank filed, challenging the central bank's order removing him as Grameen managing director. ^[43] Soon after the apex court decision, lawyers of Yunus and nine directors of the Grameen Bank submitted identical prayers seeking to recall the verdict saying they had more points to argue as the judges were yet to sign their order. ^[21]
  
  In fact China has already invited Yunus to inaugurate the Grameen International Conference on Microcredit in Beijing on October 22, 2006. ^[12] Although Yunus claims so, as is evident from the website of the American based Grameen Foudation (http://www.grameenfoundation.org) in which Yunus himself was a founder member, a number of leading international funding agencies still continue to finance the Grameen. ^[12]
  
  The Grameen model has been replicated in many countries, winning Yunus and the bank the joint Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. ^[48]
  
  To the capitalist and socialist world, and everything in between, Professor Yunus, through pioneering microcredit for the poor is a champion of the poor. ^[17] His brother Muhammad Ibrahim is a professor of physics at Dhaka University and the founder of The Center for Mass Education in Science (CMES), which brings science education to adolescent girls in villages. ^[2] She was reportedly angered by Yunus' 2007 attempt to form his own political party backed by the powerful army when the country was under a state of emergency and Hasina herself was behind bars. ^[63] Do not be surprised if somewhere down the line Professor Yunus becomes the only person ever to win the Nobel Prize for Peace twice. ^[17]
  
  On March 2, Bangladesh Bank through a letter removed the Nobel Prize winner from the post of managing director, on claims that Yunus was holding on to his post way past his retirement age. ^[43] The Bangladesh Bank fired Yunus as the GB chief executive on March 2 in a move, his supporters said, was politically motivated and part of a smear campaign against the 2006 Nobel Peace laureate. ^[24]
  
  Yunus encourages all borrowers to eventually become savers so that their local capital can be converted into new loans. ^[3] The failed bid to dismiss Yunus earlier this week was based on the claim that the globally famous development economist had broken local laws demanding mandatory retirement at the age of 60. ^[34] The cited ground for the attempted dismissal appeared to be the age of Yunus, whom Bangladesh's finance minister recently accused of being "too old". ^[34]
  
  Since 1995, Grameen has funded 90 percent of its loans with interest income and deposits collected, hence aligning the interests of its new borrowers and depositor-shareholders. ^[3] The accusation is based on the unauthorised transfer of aproximately 100 million USD donated by The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) from one Grameen entity to another 'Grameen Kalyan' in 1996, before the expiry of the Grameen bank's tax exemption. ^[3] Grameen has created a new class of women entrepreneurs who have raised themselves from poverty. ^[3] One unusual feature of the Grameen Bank is that it is owned by the poor borrowers of the bank, most of whom are women. ^[3] "As Managing Director (MD) of Grameen Bank all his income, whether earned in the country or abroad, is taxable," said a senior revenue board official. ^[96]
  
  The Grameen Bank board in 2000 reappointed Yunus as managing director for an indefinite period, despite his exceeding the usual retirement age of 60-65. ^[22] The Supreme Court dismissed two petitions filed in connection with Yunus removal from the post of managing director at Grameen Bank. ^[21] Before Prof Yunus made his resignation public, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said the deputy managing director of Grameen Bank is to act as the managing director until a committee finds his successor. ^[43] Other officials said Yunus had wanted to retire voluntarily from his Grameen Bank several times in the past, but the bank's board requested him to stay on only for the sake of the institution. ^[24] Yunus should have rejected this appointment when the Grameen Bank board made it," Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said, according to the Bangkok Post. ^[22]
  
  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused Yunus, who briefly set up his own political party in 2007 during the military-run caretaker government, of using 'tricks' to avoid taxes and'sucking blood of the poor' with his bank's loans. ^[57] "We humbly request the Prime Minister to consider our appeal," he said and also urged the government not to appoint any controversial people to the senior posts of the bank. ^[24]
  
  Today the Bank has over 6.6 million members, 96 percent of them being women and covering 71371 Bangladesh villages with 2226 branches. ^[12] Experience from Bangladesh points to widespread practices on the part of commercial banks exploiting the concept of microcredit, which is safer by substituting it for rural and agricultural loans, which are risky. ^[12]
  
  
  
  Analysts have suggested that microcredit can bring communities into debt from which they cannot escape, citing situations where microloans from the Grameen Bank were linked to exploitation and pressures on poor families to sell their belongings, leading in extreme cases to humiliation and ultimately suicides. ^[3] There is no legal instrument (no written contract) between Grameen Bank and its borrowers, the system works based on trust. ^[3] One of the first mutual funds of its kind, GMFO will allow the over four million Grameen bank members, as well as non-members, to buy into Bangladesh's capital markets. ^[3] On Monday an attempt to oust him was defeated at an acrimonious board meeting of the Grameen Bank in Dhaka, the capital. ^[34]
  
  The Government has provided organizations with opportunities; we have made use of these opportunities with aim of benefitting our shareholders who are the rural poor women of Bangladesh.' The matter has since been resolved. ^[3] The bank's repayment rate was hit following the 1998 flood of Bangladesh before recovering again in subsequent years. ^[3] He has created systemic change in his home country of Bangladesh and is a global leader in poverty reduction. ^[56]
  
  Of the total equity of the bank, the borrowers own 94%, and the remaining 6% is owned by the Government of Bangladesh ­. he is being attacked by the govt b/c he wants to set up a new political party, fighting against corruption ­, fighting for women's rights and fighting for the poor. ^[8] This model works and in fact has significan ­tly given the poor in Bangladesh an opportunit ­y to attain prosperity without relying on the government and mainstream banks. ^[8]
  
  
  
  Yunus filed the petition on Apr 5 when the top court had confirmed the High Court ruling, virtually putting to rest a bitter battle between Yunus and the government. ^[57] Yunus -- awarded the 2006 peace prize for his work with microfinancing -- defied the order by returning to work at Grameen's headquarters in Dhaka and lodged a court appeal contesting his sacking. ^[22] The high court on Tuesday rejected an appeal by Yunus, 70, awarded the 2006 Nobel peace prize for tackling poverty through his "microfinance" cash loans to small farmers and villagers, challenging his dismissal last week. ^[22] "Both the leave petitions are dismissed," chief justice ABM Khairul Haque pronounced as the seven-member apex court rejected the petitions by Yunus and nine directors of the pioneering micro lending agency after three days of hearing. ^[21] Yunus filed the appeal with the country's supreme court after a high court backed the central bank order that ousted him. ^[64] The central bank argued in its memo that the 70-year-old Yunus violated the country's rule on mandatory retirement at the age of 60. ^[64] Association president Md Shamsul Alam said if Yunus cannot be allowed to continue as the managing director for age limit, he should be appointed as the chairman for a smooth transition. ^[24]
  
  While managing this family of enterprises, the Grameen Bank finances almost a million micro projects and in terms of the extent of its operations and political and economic clout it is somewhat like a parallel government. ^[12] Borrowers of Grameen Bank at present reportedly own 94 per cent of its total equity; remaining 6 percent is owned by the government. ^[12] After questions were raised about the use of a Norwegian fund by Grameen Bank, the government formed the review committee led by Prof AK Monowar Uddin Ahmed of Dhaka University Economics Department on January 11. ^[43]
  
  The methodology created by Grameen which individualizes the cause and solution for poverty thereby negating the crucial question relating to social and political mobilization as well as the need for fundamental change in social, political and economic structures has been readily acceptable to imperialists. ^[12]
  
  Employees Association leaders told a press briefing they feared the micro-lender could be hit by a bank run and it's anti-poverty programmes fall in place if uncertainty over Professor Yunus continues to affect the institution. ^[24] Yunus allegedly earned the ire of Bangladeshi politicians, particularly Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, after he formed his own a political party in 2007. ^[64] Founding president of the association BM Barkat Ullah said Yunus pioneered micro-loan as an effective weapon against poverty and his name is now synonymous with micro-lending in the country. ^[24] Microcredit or microfinance had been an obscure concept to development theorists when Yunus started it in 1976. ^[12] The finance minister said they respect and honour Prof Yunus like all others in the country. ^[43] Now, the Nobel Prize for Peace (and not for Economics) is awarded to the economist Yunus for translating this academic theory of Sen into a postmodern development paradigm itself. ^[12]
  
  We have come to Court today on behalf of 9 of the Elected Directors of Grameen Bank, and for Professor Yunus, whose vision gave the Bank its shape and form. ^[20] Nine of the Directors of Grameen Bank also challenged the validity of the Central Bank's authority to remove Professor Yunus from his rightfully appointed position. ^[20] In 1999, when Professor Yunus was about to reach the age of 60, the age limit as contained in the Service Regulations of Grameen Bank of 1993 for Grameen Bank employees, the Board unanimously decided that this limit should not apply to the Managing Director. ^[20]
  
  These troubles burst into public view last fall, when a documentary on Norwegian television alleged Prof. Yunus had, in his role as managing director, improperly transferred funds loaned to the bank by the Norwegian national aid agency to Grameen Kalyan, a separate not-for-profit entity. ^[11]
  
  A seven-member Supreme Court panel led by the chief justice announced it had dismissed Yunus' appeal to remain the bank's managing director. ^[27] I really didn't intend this post to focus on ways of ending global poverty; I just happened to come across these words on the same day I planned to express my thoughts on Yunus' current legal battle, and felt compelled to share this paradox. ^[56] She was reportedly angered by Yunus' 2007 attempt to form his own political party backed by the powerful army when the country was under a state of emergency and Hasina was behind bars. ^[27]
  
  The Bank was immensely successful and the project, with support from the central Bangladesh Bank, was introduced in 1979 to the Tangail District (to the north of the capital, Dhaka ). ^[3]
  
  The Grameen Bank responded to these queries, and Bangladesh Bank raised no further objection. ^[20] Later in 1999, the Bangladesh Bank queried the issue of whether Grameen Bank had obtained further approval. ^[20]
  
  Professor Yunus has helped to change the face of Bangladesh, and to change millions of lives for the better. ^[20] In addition to the above, the Finance Minister said today that the Board of Directors, which includes three government appointees - one of them the Chairman- decided to waive the retirement age limit for Professor Yunus once he reached the age of 60. ^[20]
  
  In rapid succession, the government ordered a review of the bank's affairs; declared that Prof. Yunus was a "public servant" because the state owns a small share of the bank; and ruled that he was 10 years past the mandatory age of retirement (the finance minister who delivered that news is himself 77, while Sheikh Hasina is 63). ^[11] The bank is still awaiting a final decision on a separate government claim that Yunus was illegally reappointed managing director, with the Supreme Court due to review an order for his dismissal early next month. ^[44] Yunus has said the dismissal was illegal and alleged that the government was trying to take control of his bank, which pioneered the practice of giving tiny loans to alleviate poverty. ^[8]
  
  Khondker Mozammel Haque, now the Bank's chairman, in a strongly worded letter on Jan 1, 2000 raised the alarm and urged Yunus to intervene to save the micro-lender from impending disaster, according to the inquiry committee report on the Grameen operations. ^[73] Mohammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank and a winner of the Nobel peace prize, is currently under threat of being sacked from his post as managing director of Grameen. ^[85] Until Hasina and Shantu Larma get their Nobel Peace Prizes and revoke Yunus ', Hasina will be relentless against Grameen Bank and Yunus. ^[85]
  
  Bangladesh Bank, the country's central bank, had issued an order removing Yunus saying the rules governing the banking sector in the country require the CEO to retire at 60. ^[48] Yunus had sought withdrawal of the apex court's April 5 order that dismissed his leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court verdict upholding the Bangladesh Bank order removing him from the post. ^[48]
  
  
  
  A study by Khandker (Shahidur R. Khandker, Fighting Poverty with Microcredit: Experience in Bangladesh, New York, 1998) had shown that the high recovery rates on microcredit loans which attracted global attention was the outcome of centre and group pressure on members. ^[12] I am taking this step without prejudice to the legal issues raised before the Supreme Court, and in order to prevent undue disruption in the activities of Grameen Bank and to ensure that my colleagues and our 80 lakh members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities. ^[43] These nine Directors represent the borrowers of Grameen Bank, who are also the majority owners of the Bank. ^[20]
  
  The 71-year-old economist, who founded the micro-financier in 1982 with 25 per cent equity from the government, had earlier filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the central bank decision. ^[24] Attorney general Mahbubey Alam told newsmen that the apex court verdict meant the Nobel laureate could no more cling to his position as he lost his "last legal battle". ^[21]
  
  
  
  After the apex court rejected two petitions, one by Yunus and the other by the bank's directors, their lawyers expressed dissatisfaction at the verdict and said they would appeal after studying the latest order. ^[48] The Yunus underling in that letter expressed grave concerns over the low rate of loan recovery, growing frustration among the staff and gross irregularities in management and promotion, saying the embarrassing blunders were blighting careers of many young people. ^[73]
  
  Last month Robert Blake, assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs, visited Yunus during a trip to Bangladesh, told reporters the U.S. was "deeply troubled" by the situation and said that if no compromise was reached "I think it will have an effect on our bilateral relations." ^[8] Muhith and company may not like it, but Yunus is the biggest reason, after Sheikh Mujib and the 1971 war of independence, why the world pays Bangladesh any attention and still keeps for that country a special place in its heart. ^[67] "I think Prof. Yunus forgot that Nobel Prize or not he has to live in Bangladesh and by the codes of Bangladesh society." ^[11]
  
  Yunus wanted to "ensure my colleagues and our eight million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities". ^[78] Prof Yunus said he was happy to step down but he wanted to secure the future of the microfinance bank he founded. ^[49] The finance minister also appointed a new chair of the board, a former Grameen employee with an open dislike of Prof. Yunus, who quickly moved to dismiss him as managing director. ^[11] The Grameen legend goes like this: in the early 1970s, when Mohammed Yunus was a mild-mannered professor of economics working far from the centre of things in Chittagong, he made a personal loan of $27 to 42 village families. ^[11] "Remember that in 2013 the country will again have elections this is a way to send a message not just to Yunus but to anyone else who might be considering politics," said Lamia Karim, a Bangladeshi native who teaches at the University of Oregon and has long studied Grameen. ^[11]
  
  The association said they have signatures of more than 20,000 GB employees and 3.7 million citizens across the country who seek reinstatement of Professor Yunus as the managing director of the micro-lender. ^[24] Professor Yunus is an extraordinary visionary whose unshakeable belief in the power of people to help themselves escape poverty has become a rallying call across the globe. ^[12] The Bangladesh Bank has a very limited role to play, which is to accord prior approval to the appointment of the MD. In the case of Professor Yunus, the Bangladesh Bank had given such approval long ago in 1990. ^[20]
  
  Formerly, the general manager of the bank, Muzammel was fired by Yunus more than 10 years ago. ^[65] Prof. Yunus has groomed no obvious successor, and many potential candidates have left the bank in recent years on acrimonious terms. ^[11]
  
  In a latest development of this saga, the central bank ordered the removal of Yunus (70) on the grounds that he had overstayed as head of Grameen operations violating the law (the retirement age in commercial bank is 60). ^[42] The other charge against Yunus is that Grameen hasn't really helped reduce poverty. ^[67] To the world, Yunus will still be a visionary and a pioneer, but Grameen without Yunus will be just another micro-lending institution, confined within a bureaucratic straitjacket. ^[67] "If there is any lack of confidence over Grameen Bank and if people have lack of trust over the institution, then the Grameen Bank will be a shaky institution," Prof Yunus said after the court hearing. ^[49] Yunus was last month fired by a central bank order, which claimed he failed to seek the bank's approval when he was reappointed managing director of Grameen Bank indefinitely in 1999. ^[44]
  
  "Grameen Bank has become a person-oriented organization, not a rules or system-based organization," the report said, calling for an overhaul of the board structure and the restructuring of some sister companies. ^[44] The Grameen Bank in Bangladesh has become an international model for microcredit as a poverty alleviation strategy. ^[79] The purpose of this paper is twofold: to evaluate the Grameen Bank as a strategy for empowering and improving the socioeconomic status of women in Bangladesh, and to identify lessons from the Grameen Bank experience that can inform development policy more generally. ^[79]
  
  The bank has nearly nine million borrowers in Bangladesh; 97% of them are women. ^[78] The microlending bank currently has nearly 9 million borrowers in Bangladesh, 97 percent of whom are women. ^[8] In December, Ms Hasina accused Prof Yunus of treating Grameen Bank as his "personal property" and claimed that it was "sucking blood from the poor". ^[49] Prof Yunus argues that he has special dispensation to stay in charge of the Grameen Bank - which he heads after establishing it in 1983 - beyond retirement age. ^[49]
  
  The bank has huge influence in Bangladesh, and its sister companies have moved into solar panels, mobile phones and other consumer goods, but this expansion did not adhere to the original Grameen Bank law, the probe said. ^[44] Control of the bank would be a considerable political asset, and a significant help in the battle for power in Bangladesh. ^[78] Please keep the blame on Bangladesh ­'s corrupt and petty government ­, not its people. t ­he people still ADORE this great man. ^[8] I looked at the video and it does not show tons of nobel laureates in Bangladesh waiting to take his place now that the government has shut him down. ^[8]
  
  Meanwhile the bank long the most powerful civil institution in the country has had an increasingly uncomfortable relationship with government as the country moves out of decades of dictatorship. ^[11] Not only was there no response, lawyer Sara Hossein said, but the governor of the central bank and other senior government figures who sit on the bank board went on regularly dealing with Prof. Yunus on bank affairs. ^[11] In building a commercial bank for the resourceless rather than an NGO, Yunus took the initiative to involve the government in the hope that the government would become stakeholders in serving the resourceless. ^[1] Prof Yunus says his dismissal is part of a government plan to take full control of the bank. ^[68]
  
  Within such a spirit of reconciliation, the prime minister should perceive Yunus not as her adversary, which he obviously cannot be as she is the democratically elected leader of the country, but as an asset in the building of a din bodol where poverty and injustice can be banished from Bangladesh. ^[1] Yunus not only brought a Nobel Prize for Bangladesh, but also received almost all the most known prestigious recognitions, including the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, the King Abdul Aziz Medal, and the Ramon Magsaysay Award. ^[13]
  
  Yunus had started his lone campaign to provide loans to the poor, who had always been overlooked by the traditional banks, from his home village of Jobra in Chittagong. ^[13] In this task Yunus initially received enlightened and active cooperation from A.M.A. Muhith, who was then the finance minister, who enacted a unique Ordnance which set up a commercial bank, partly owned by its resource poor clients, who could thereby borrow without collateral from such an organisation. ^[1]
  
  She said the government has a 25 percent stake in Grameen, but it seems that this bank is solely owned by one person. ^[13]
  
  Yunus said the step was taken to 'prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank' and to ensure that his colleagues and eight million members of the bank 'are not subjected to any difficulty'. ^[51] As Grameen points out, it is owned by its 8 million or so borrowers, most of them relatively poor women. ^[42] He is also the father of Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the woman who leads Bangladesh today and whose government now seems hell bent on using every possible instrument at its disposal to discredit its most prominent citizen. ^[11] The government owns a 25% stake in Grameen Bank, which pioneered the microfinance concept of lending small amounts of money to the poor which has been replicated worldwide. ^[49]
  
  Supporters of Yunus, who has also been vilified in the Bangladeshi press, say his legal woes stem from a fallout with Hasina in 2007 over his short-lived attempt to found a political party. ^[44] Bangladesh's central bank removed the 71-year-old Yunus from the post last month, saying he violated the bank's retirement rule. ^[8] Dr. Yunus is challenging this in court and thousands of supporters protested across the country against his removal. ^[42] At the center of the court case was whether Yunus was exempt from a banking law setting the retirement age at 60. ^[8] The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize citation said Prof. Yunus had "shown himself to be a leader who has managed to translate visions into practical action for the benefit of millions of people." ^[11] Bloggers like Ichcha Manab thinks that this sudden decision to remove Yunus from the board is a disrespect to the Nobel Laureate and is a dent to the country's image. ^[42]
  
  It would have been an act of monumental corporate unwisdom and fiduciary irresponsibility for the Board to have liquidated such an asset by permitting Yunus to retire as if he were some common or garden bank employee. ^[1] A no less relevant consideration for the Board was the international persona of Prof. Yunus and its value to the Bank. ^[1]
  
  With his sheer energy, international repute and style, Yunus managed to raise Grameen, that started with two staff, to a level where it now has 20,000 employees and 83.5 lakh borrowers. ^[13] It was, at that time, clear to all members on the Board that Grameen Bank was no ordinary bank and Prof. Yunus was no ordinary chief executive in the mould of the managing directors of other state owned banks. ^[1] Nor did they enquire as to why the Board of Grameen Bank, in 1999, took the decision to request Prof. Yunus to continue as Managing Director for as long as he was capable of discharging this responsibility. ^[1] On Thursday the court upheld a High Court ruling that Yunus must be dismissed as managing director of the Grameen Bank he founded three decades ago. ^[66] The central bank said Yunus failed to seek its approval when he was reappointed as the managing director in 2000, violating one of the statutes of the partly state-owned (25 percent) Grameen Bank. ^[13] The country's central bank removed Prof Yunus, 71, from his post last March, saying his continuing work at Grameen Bank violated laws that state public servants must retire at the age of 60. ^[68] In order not to shake the confidence of the members in the continuity of the organisation and to retain the presence of their most valuable capital asset with the Bank, ideally Prof. Yunus should be invited to assume the Chairmanship of the Board of Grameen Bank. ^[1] About the last thing anyone with the best interests of the Bank and its 8 million members in mind, would want is the "exit," graceful or otherwise, of Yunus from Grameen Bank. ^[1] In point of fact, Yunus himself, has declared that he is no longer interested in managing the day to day affairs of an organisation as large as Grameen Bank. ^[1]
  
  
  
  Grameen changed this dynamic by offering small loans that could realistica ­lly be repaid so the borrower could be build credit and reapply for a larger loan. ^[8] High rates are as true of Grameen as of all microfinance institutions all over the world, and how to deal with the issue is now the subject of a major debate in the entire micro-financing community. ^[67] Hasina has accused Grameen Bank and other microfinance institutions of charging high interest rates and "sucking blood from the poor borrowers." ^[8]
  
  Having seen this dynamic in action in Bangladesh ­, I am heartbroke ­n that Sheikh Hasina has put holding onto her power above the wellbeing of so many desperatel ­y poor people in her country. ^[8] Beyond the borders of Bangladesh the professor tends to be seen as a naive champion of the poor, persecuted by a jealous Prime Minister. ^[11]
  
  He lodged a case challenging his dismissal in Bangladeshs High Court but he made it clear that he is happy to leave his post as managing director as long as there is a stable handover to his successor. ^[49]
  
  Prof Yunus filed one of the petitions with the SC on April 5 for the withdrawal of its order that dismissed his leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court verdict upholding the Bangladesh Bank's order to remove him from the post. ^[97] Today, Grameen Bank gives loans to nearly 7.0 million poor people, 97 per cent of whom are women, in 73,000 villages in Bangladesh. ^[31] The rural connectivity program of GrameenPhone is such an instance whereby the entrepreneurs energized by Grameen Bank's microcredit bring a powerful economic force to rural Bangladesh in addition to uplifting themselves. ^[19]
  
  The government owns a 25 percent stake in Grameen, while the remainder of the bank is owned by its borrowers. ^[30]
  
  For the government to assume the posture of an all powerful state which can treat the opinions and concerns of these millions of women, who today contribute 96% of the equity of this bank, with such contempt is neither sensible corporate or democratic governance. ^[1] Let us see the result of hitches among a Nobel laureate, a democratic government, USA and the people of Bangladesh. ^[13] The government has privatised several nationalised banks while the remaining commercial banks, such as Sonali and Janata Bank, still under government ownership, are under orders to sell their shares in the stock market to private buyers. ^[1] Nor has the government received any complaints from the majority owners of the Bank or its borrowers that the bank was being mismanaged or that their resources were being misused. ^[1] This may be contrasted with the thousands of crores, drawn from tax payers' revenues, which the government was compelled to inject into the state owned banks to rebuild their capital base, depleted by the massive defaults of their elite class of borrowers. ^[1]
  
  A decade later, with a Nobel Prize for himself and the Grameen Bank, a widely acclaimed and replicated institution around the world, Yunus enjoys access to every president and prime minister in the developed world and most such leaders in the developing world extending across China, India, South Africa, Brazil, Vietnam and even Venezuela. ^[1] The prime minister should then personally invite Prof. Yunus to assume the Chair of the Board of Grameen Bank and for them to open a new chapter in the relations between the state and Grameen Bank. ^[1] Way back in 1976 Grameen Bank had been conceived as a unique idea by Yunus, then a Professor of Economics at Chittagong University, built upon the principle of collateral free banking to serve the resourceless. ^[1] This may be done through an invitation to Prof. Yunus to meet with her and the finance minister, where all the misgivings she may have accumulated about Grameen Bank and Prof. Yunus should be discussed in a spirit of constructive engagement. ^[1] From the inception of this experiment and extending over the next quarter of a century, Yunus has laboured day and night, assisted by a team of dedicated associates, to transform Grameen Bank into the biggest and most famous organisation of its kind in the world, culminating in the award of the Nobel Prize to him and the Bank. ^[1]
  
  The regulatory action against Yunus, whose innovation of giving small loans to poor people, mostly women, to start small businesses has been adopted worldwide and won him the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, has been accompanied by a slew of allegations of improper dealings, all of which have been disproven or found to be inconsequential. ^[66] From confrontation to statesmanship The spokespersons for the government, in their recent public pronouncements, have stated that the government has no political quarrel with Yunus. ^[1] Many observers say Yunus attracted the ire of Awami League and other political parties when he made a failed attempt to float a political party during the military-backed caretaker government, at a time when political leaders were being arrested wholesale and put in jail. ^[13]
  
  
  
  He found little solace there; the rapidity, and surly language, of the court orders have many convinced Bangladesh's quasi-independent judiciary has been ordered to side with government. ^[11] Prof. Yunus's model was formalized as a bank in 1983; today the Grameen Bank has 8.2 million borrowers, and lends $125-million a month. ^[11] The conclusions that are drawn from this evaluation are that Grameen Bank is not a panacea for poverty alleviation and improving women's lives, that it has increased the income of borrowers, has led to improvements in specific aspects of their lives, and that it has potential if used in conjunction with other progressive social and economic policies to contribute to long-term, sustainable, progressive social change. ^[79]
  
  Agreed retirement rules sometimes have their benefits, but might I point out that the current President of Bangladesh is freaking 82 years old. in this case, the"retire ­ment rule" is clearly a joke. ^[8] It's a story about what Bangladesh is today: a newly vibrant secular democracy with a booming economy but also, it seems, a country that has not yet shed all the baggage of its messy political past. ^[11] Sheikh Hasina has been jailed for alleged bribery and organizing political violence; when she was in power in the 1990s Bangladesh earned Transparency International's title of "most corrupt nation." ^[11]
  
  This idea, which began in Jobra, a small village in Bangladesh, has spread around the world and there are now Grameen type programs in almost every country. ^[31] In a statement from the bank on Thursday, he stated, "I am today relinquishing the post of managing director of Grameen Bank." ^[51] Grameen Telecom, the Grameen Bank's arm for administering the village phone operators, typically selects women by their past borrowing records with the Bank. ^[19]
  
  Yunus has been mired in controversy after revelations of an unauthorized bank transfer and as the microfinance industry comes under attack for placing onerous conditions on borrowers that led to suicides in India's Andhra Pradesh state last year. ^[30] Yunus was appointed managing director of the bank for an indefinite period in 2000 when he reached 60, the bank says. ^[30] Yunus is "continuing his work as the managing director of the bank," said the brief statement signed by Jannat-e-Quanine, general manager of the bank. ^[30]
  
  A local politician in northern Bangladesh accused Yunus in 2007 of defaming him in an interview in which Yunus said politicians were only motivated by money. ^[30] Yunus, a man of extraordinary visions, quickly appreciated all the arguments I made in favor of a connectivity program for rural Bangladesh. ^[19]
  
  The innovation won Yunus the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, which he shared with the bank itself. ^[30]
  
  "Yunus said 'I went to court to seek justice, but now I have received the verdict and it is my time to leave Grameen Bank,'" bank official Amimul Islam said. ^[74]
  
  This sustained silence by the Bangladesh Bank was quite reasonably interpreted by Grameen Bank as the acceptance of their response to Bangladesh Bank's audit report and the validation of the Board's decision on their continuation of Yunus's appointment as managing director. ^[1] The act has also become global news and is exposing the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) to much adverse commentary across the world, which has hardly served to enhance our image. ^[1] I am afraid, his decision to go court now is merely the curtain raiser of a legal battle for justice and rights; rather it is a smokescreen for U.S. economic and political invasion of Bangladesh. ^[13]
  
  Yunus lodged an fresh appeal after the court in April upheld the decision by the central bank to remove him. ^[68] For these millions of borrowers Yunus, in his person, was their security blanket, in this alien world of institutional finance. ^[1] Such access is a bankable asset for which any of these Fortune 500 companies would pay Yunus millions of dollars to sit on their Board. ^[1]
  
  In such circumstances its remains inexplicable as to why, after 30 years of interacting with the Grameen Bank as a minority and sleeping shareholder, the government should now wake up to assume a proprietary role over this organisation. ^[1] Over these years the Grameen Bank has, thus, required no government bailouts or even interventions in soliciting external resources. ^[1] Why has the government taken such an extreme step without even waiting for the outcome of the report of a Review Committee on Grameen Bank set up by the finance minister? The grounds for Yunus's removal did not relate to his efficiency as a manager or the quality of performance of the Bank under his stewardship in the last three decades. ^[1]
  
  The Grameen Bank has pioneered micro-lending to the poor by giving small loans to millions of borrowers. ^[68] The borrowers of Grameen Bank, mostly poor women, who own 75% of the shares, have continued to increase their subscription to the capital base of the Bank, drawing on their meager savings and have gradually enhanced it to Tk.53 crores. ^[1]
  
  The Bangladesh Bank raised this issue in its Annual Audit Report of Grameen Bank, which gave a full reply to the queries in the Report. ^[1]
  
  For sound reasons or not, it is widely believed in Bangladesh Yunus' problems began in 2007 when he started, but then folded, a new political party to oppose the country's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. ^[66]
  
  
  
  The High Court upheld his removal and he appealed then to the Supreme Court, his last legal option. ^[8] Following this, Yunus and nine Grameen Bank directors filed separate petitions challenging the legality of his removal, but the High Court in its verdict on Mar 8 dismissed the petitions. ^[51] Illustrated by the author's personal communication experience and the potential that good communication connections have, in enabling development, the paper describes an initiative in Bangladesh that within a few years will bring cellular phones into the 35,000 villages covered by the Grameen Bank. ^[19] According to established data (World Bank 1999) including those by International Telecommunication Union, an arm of the United Nations (Kayani and Dymond 1997), a poor economy like Bangladesh would grow by $4,000 annually in GNP due to one additional phone that, it turns out, would cost only a $1,000. ^[19]
  
  Its overall poverty meant that the Government could not ignore reform prescriptions from outsiders such as the World Bank. ^[19] The minister said Yunus is a pride of the nation and the government wants to ensure a respectable departure for him. ^[51]
  
  In March, the Bangladeshi government forced him to step down as head of Grameen, the pioneering microfinance bank he created. ^[62] The government owns a 25% stake in Grameen, while the remainder of the bank is owned by its borrowers. ^[54]
  
  Unofficially, he has become a political threat to the ruling party in Bangladesh, which sees Grameen and microfinance as "bleeding the poor". ^[62] Recognizing his work in helping to eradicate poverty worldwide, representatives of Pepperdine University's Geoffrey H. Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law traveled to Dhaka, Bangladesh, in January of this year to present Yunus with the Palmer Center's Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award. ^[29] Friends and admirers of Yunus believe politicians have been looking for an opportunity to oust him since the economist tried to establish a political party several years ago to fight corruption, an endemic problem in Bangladesh. ^[18]
  
  Yunus founded the bank three decades ago, pioneering the concept of reducing poverty by making tiny loans to the poor. ^[54]
  
  
  
  The person who should initiate this constructive conclusion to this regrettable and damaging episode in our history should be none other than the prime minister, who could hardly be insensitive to the concerns of the millions of women who own Grameen Bank or to the political consequences of their alienation. ^[1] The prime minister as well as the leader of the opposition have led their respective parties for 3 decades, longer than Yunus's tenure as Managing Director of Grameen Bank. ^[1]
  
  Even if he were to withdraw completely from Grameen Bank, he chairs a variety of Grameen branded institutions dedicated to serve the resource poor. ^[1] Such a run on Grameen Bank could have a contagion effect which could jeopardise the financial stability of other micro-finance institutions across the country. ^[1]
  
  In the process he established a personalised relationship of trust with the Bank's women owners, which earned their confidence in doing business with Grameen Bank. ^[1]
  
  According to Grameen Bank's iternal survey, 58 per cent of our borrowers have crossed the poverty line. ^[31] Yunus is arguably Bangladesh's most famous man and sitting at the helm of an organization with more than 8 million loyal borrowers, they worried he could shake up Bangladeshi politics as he shook up microfinance. ^[50] The official reasoning for the order is that Yunus, at 70, is too old for the post, citing a provision of the law that sets a mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[50] The quick version is that Yunus made a powerful enemy of Hasina when he announced he might start a political party shortly after a 2007 military coup. ^[50]
  
  Yunus was appointed managing director of the bank for an indefinite period in 2000, when he reached 60, the bank says. ^[54] Yunus created a bank that would lend small sums to such clients, filling the gap that traditional banks had left and cutting out local loan sharks. ^[18] In December, the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, accused Yunus of treating Grameen as his personal property and claimed the group was "sucking blood from the poor". ^[18]
  
  "It is vital that Grameen Bank remains an independent financial resource for the poor of rural Bangladesh," Black said. ^[18]
  
  Grameen Bank gives collateral-free income generating, housing, student and micro-enterprise loans to the poor families and offers a host of attractive savings, pension funds and insurance products for its members. ^[31] Even a relatively rich person in the village is walking up to a poor woman's home for a service he needs. The phone service being retailed in these villages almost exclusively by women, a situation due to the fact that 94% of borrowers of the Grameen Bank are women, is turning out to be another good thing. ^[19] More importantly, following the Grameen Bank theme of promoting self-employment, I proposed that a cellular phone can be a means for income generation for the poor, i.e., a telephone could be a 'cow' as well, at least from the perspective of the Bank's borrowers. ^[19] Since the Nobel Peace Prize was announced, I have received endless messages from around the world, but what moves me most are the calls I get almost daily, from the borrowers of Grameen Bank in remote Bangladeshi villages, who just want to say how proud they are to have received this recognition. ^[31] I am taking this step without prejudice to the legal issues raised before the Supreme Court, and in order to prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank," he said in a letter released late Thursday. ^[58]
  
  The Nobel laureate echoed Muhith, adding that Nurjahan would hold charge until a managing director is appointed in accordance with the Grameen Bank ordinance. ^[51] Nine elected representatives of the 7 million borrowers-cum- owners of Grameen Bank have accompanied me all the way to Oslo to receive the prize. ^[31] I express thanks on their behalf to the Norwegian Nobel Committee for choosing Grameen Bank for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. ^[31]
  
  Thanks to your prize, nine proud women from the villages of Bangladesh are at the ceremony today as Nobel laureates, giving an altogether new meaning to the Nobel Peace Prize. ^[31]
  
  Annual audits commissioned by the Bangladesh Bank have indicated that it is well managed and its financial dealings are in good order and above board. ^[1] In Bangladesh 80 percent of the poor families have already been reached with microcredit. ^[31] Using data from a recent ethnographic study in rural Bangladesh to explore relationships between men's violence against women in the home, women's economic and social dependence on men, and microcredit programmes, this paper suggests that microcredit programmes have a varied effect on men's violence against women. ^[100] How was my native Bangladesh doing in 1993 on this front of its battle against poverty? Research made me rediscover that Bangladesh chugged along mostly without phones and I wondered how much human energy was wasted in an unconnected nation of 120 million. ^[19] Suppressed demand due to artificially high price and statistics from India, a country with economic conditions comparable with Bangladesh, but five times as many phones on a per-capita basis, convinced me that the problem in Bangladesh was probably more the lack of initiatives than its economic poverty. ^[19]
  
  At the time of the remarks, Bangladesh was under a state of emergency and many politicians, including current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, were behind bars on charges of corruption. ^[30]
  
  That's a debate that should be had, and is happening, but this move by the Bangladeshi government isn't helping sort out the best way to combat poverty. ^[50]
  
  He came under attack last year after a Norwegian documentary alleged the bank had dodged funds and grants provided by the Norwegian government. ^[71] "The bullying and insulting of Yunus as a 'blood sucker' and the pathetic attempts by the government to remove him on grounds of his age must stop." ^[18] The central bank, which is nominally independent from the government, removed Yunus on March 2 on the grounds that he had failed to seek its approval when he was reappointed indefinitely in 1999. ^[74]
  
  Yunus is now beginning a new mission: Grameen America, the first Grameen Bank style microcredit program in the United States. ^[29] In 1976, Yunus founded Grameen Bank with a mere $27 dollars from his own pocket. ^[29]
  
  Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for pioneering microcredit -- using collateral-free loans of small amounts to help millions of families out of poverty. ^[29]
  
  It is by virtue of small rural banks credit to millions of shanghai escorts poor people to create opportunities for economic and social development, rural banks and Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. ^[69] October that year, Yunus won several state-owned bank loans, began to try in the country regions in southeastern Chittagong microfinance projects. ^[69] Nobel Laureate Prof Yunus who proved to the word that poors can also be credit-worthy; the Grameen Bank - the unique institution that he had developed over the last few decades; about a billion dollar of assets that Grameen had accumulated over the years; all the 83 million borrowers and the depositors of the bank; the women who have been empowered by GB; the poors who could now dream of coming out of the cycle of poverty. ^[35] May 5, Bangladesh Supreme Court of Appeal made a final ruling rejected Yunus's appeal, which declared the law Yunus lost the final battle. ^[69]
  
  The charge was later cleared by the Norwegian government itself but was not taken light in Bangladesh where the government initiated a probe that too cleared charges against him last month. ^[71] Pressure by the Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka resulted in the funds being transferred back in 1998, and the Norwegian government has said there was no indication Grameen was engaged in corruption or embezzlement. ^[54] Grameen America will focus on savings and credit establishment and providing loans and savings programs to foster entrepreneurship among the poor throughout the nation. ^[29] He has also had to answer claims made in a Norwegian television documentary last year that Grameen transferred funds from Norway's aid agency in the 1990s from one legal entity to another for tax purposes. ^[18]
  
  Yunus, who was the bank's founder, managing director and the virtual face for over three decades, has lost the battle owing to the country's archaic banking regulations stipulating the retirement age at 60. ^[71] The campaign to remove Yunus, mounted mainly by politicians, is to intensify this week ahead of a key board meeting next Monday, which his supporters believe will involve an attempt to force the 70-year-old to quit as managing director. ^[18] Deputy managing director Mrs Nurjahan Begum will take over from Mr Yunus until the board names a chief. ^[70]
  
  Renowned as "banker to the poor", Yunus received the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2006. ^[71] Dr Yunus has argued that access to loans should be considered a "human right", as without credit it is impossible to earn one's way out of poverty. ^[62] Finance minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith told reporters he had received a letter from the central bank accusing Yunus of flouting the retirement rules. ^[54] Yunus ' lecture at Pepperdine caps a week at the School of Law which features a book signing on Tuesday, Oct. 16, by Edward J. Larson, Pepperdine's Hugh and Hazel Darling Professor of Law and winner of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize in History. ^[29] Supporters of microfinance, including Dr Yunus, have been content to let equally misleading myths about their work go unchallenged for years. ^[62] Mr Yunus, 70, said he was relinquishing his post to prevent undue disruption of the bank's work. ^[70] Supporters have branded the claim as grotesque, especially as Yunus has won a Nobel prize for his work on reducing poverty. ^[18] Supporters say Yunus has been victimised by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who he crossed in 2007 when he set up a political party during a period of military rule. ^[74]
  
  
  
  Bangladesh's central bank ordered him out, arguing that he violated the country's retirement laws, A.F.M. Asaduzzaman, an official at Bangladesh Bank, told The Associated Press. ^[30] Some of the accusations made against microfinance are unfair, exaggerated and bear little relation to how small loans actually affect the poor in Bangladesh and India. ^[62] Mr Yunus's experiment of poor men's banking earned Bangladesh the repute of being the home of microcredit. ^[70]
  
  Today, Grameen Bank has made a total of $6.44 billion in loans to 7.27 million borrowers and almost 99 percent of the loans have been repaid. ^[29]
  
  "I am today relinquishing the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank on the basis that the Deputy Managing Director Mrs Nurjahan Begum would hold charge until a Managing Director is appointed in accordance with the procedures under section 14 of the Grameen Bank," Dr. Yunus said in a statement issued last night. ^[53] Yunus, who founded the Grameen Bank three decades ago in what he said was an effort to alleviate poverty, announced his resignation in a statement Thursday. ^[25] "I hope Grameen Bank will continue to operate maintaining its independence and character. and move towards even greater success," Yunus said. ^[25]
  
  "This is a bank owned by poor women and that's right now under threat because our government somehow feels. that they would like to take control of the bank," Yunus said by videolink to a panel on microfinance in Washington. ^[36] On the eve of Tuesday's court ruling, Yunus said his dismissal had been staged by Hasina's government as part of its drive to take over the bank. ^[36]
  
  Yunus said last week he was worried about the future of the bank and its nearly nine million borrowers, nearly all of them poor Bangladeshi women. ^[86]
  
  Lawmakers in the United States, and in other countries, have asked the Bangladeshi government to find a compromise to the situation with Yunus' role at the bank. ^[25] Mr. Muhith, who apparently tried to defend Dr. Yunus earlier during his dispute with the government, however, called Dr. Yunus "the pride of the country" and said the government still wanted a "respectable transition of leadership to the new managing director". ^[53] Ashraful Islam, general secretary of the ruling Awami League party, told reporters in March that the government wanted to resolve the issue "sympathetically," but Yunus had obstructed the process by going to the court. ^[25]
  
  Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder of BRAC, the second largest microfinance organization in Bangladesh, has also voiced its backing of the Grameen Bank. ^[87] The age issue is minor matter as there are many CEO's of banks, insurance companies etc in Bangladesh who have passed 70 and are still installed in their position. ^[35] Bangladesh Finance Minister Mu Xisi 12 announcement, Rural Bank Vice President Nuer Jia Khan Beigu Mu was appointed President on behalf of the rural banks. ^[69]
  
  At the time of the remarks, Bangladesh was under a state of emergency and many politicians, including Hasina, the current prime minister, were behind bars on charges of corruption. ^[54] Mr Yunus's resignation came as he lost his final legal battle in the SC to thwart a Bangladesh Bank decision removing him from the position on 2 March. ^[70]
  
  
  
  Grameen's work cast a global spotlight on microcredit, a then-novel idea of making small loans to poor people who would not qualify for standard bank loans. ^[25] On April 5th the court ruled that Mr Yunus, aged 70, was required by law to step down as managing director when he turned 60, and the belated enforcement of that requirement late last year was legally valid. ^[35] Deputy Managing Director Nurjahan Begum will take over from Mr. Yunus until the board names a chief. ^[53] Dr. Yunus, 70, said he was relinquishing his post to prevent undue disruption of the bank's work. ^[53]
  
  Yunus set up Grameen, which means village in Bengali, and has been its managing director since 2000. ^[36] Yunus pioneered microcredit financing and founded Grameen Bank nearly three decades ago in an effort to alleviate poverty by lending to the poor, who could not otherwise qualify for bank loans. ^[46] If you think that politicians are actually interested in alleviating poverty, rather than utilising it as a method of getting votes, then read the story of how the politicians are deliberately trying to screw over both Yunus and Grameen Bank. ^[101]
  
  
  
  The apex court on Monday confirmed the High Court ruling that backed the sacking of the Nobel Peace laureate from Grameen Bank as its managing director. ^[45] Last month, the central bank of Bangladesh -- the regulatory authority in the South Asian nation -- cited the 70-year-old's age in explaining his removal as managing director. ^[25] As a democratic and moderate Sunni Muslim majority nation of 165 million people, the U.S. State Department official said Bangladesh is a country with which the United States has a vested interest in maintaining close relations. ^[45] Dr. Yunus's experiment of poor men's banking earned Bangladesh the repute of being the home of microcredit. ^[53] Despite success in economic growth and outmatched U.S. trade with Bangladesh in recent years, but he said country still remains among the poorest countries in Asia. ^[45]
  
  Dr. Yunus's resignation came as he lost his final legal battle in the apex court to thwart a Bangladesh Bank decision removing him from the position on March 2. ^[53]
  
  BancoSol from Bolivia serves as a case study of a sustainable MFI. Grameen Bank from Bangladesh represents a charitable MFI. The case studies confirm both the theoretical arguments for sustainable MFIs promoted by the institutionist approach to microfinance and the arguments for charitable MFIs advocated by the welfarist approach. ^[92] La Bancosol de Bolivie repr sente un exemple d'IMF durable (sustainable MFI) et la Grameen bank du Bangladesh un exemple d'IMF caritative (charitable MFI). ^[92]
  
  Lauded abroad by politicians and financiers, he has been under attack by the government since late last year, after a Norwegian documentary alleged the bank was dodging taxes. ^[36] Prof Yunus quit as the chief of the bank fter officials said that at 70, he was past the mandatory retirement age.His supporters say it is related to his attempt to enter politics three years ago, a charge the government denies. ^[60] Yunus alleges that the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's administration is trying to take control of the bank, but the government says the bank's progress will continue. ^[75]
  
  Bill Clinton said in his last election campaign that Yunus deserved a Nobel Peace Prize and cited his experiment in Bangladesh as a model for rebuilding the inner cities of America. ^[76] Bangladesh Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith met foreign diplomats on Thursday to explain the rationale for the action against Yunus. ^[61]
  
  Yunus whose idea has been replicated across the developing world, earning him and the bank 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, says he will continue to fight against poverty in a different way. ^[75] The model was replicated across the world as an anti-poverty measure, earning Yunus and the bank the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. ^[61]
  
  Immediately, Yunus saw the impracticality of carrying on in this way, and tried to interest banks in institutionalising his gesture by lending to the poorest, with no collateral -- Bankers laughed at him, insisting that the poor are not "creditworthy". ^[76]
  
  It is very evident that Sheikh Hasina is determined to get rid of Professor Yunus because he is seen as a political threat, after his unsuccessful efforts to form a new political party during the interim government. ^[35] Yunus' supporters say he has been under fire for criticizing politicians and trying to form his own political party four years ago during an interim, unelected, military-backed government. ^[25]
  
  At the end of the day the Bangladeshi government has shot itself in the foot on this one and the Bangladeshi people will sadly be the losers. ^[35] Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister and now opposition leader in parliament, lashed out at the government for going after the nation's only Nobel laureate. ^[25] Loser will be the present political party that runs the government when it fails to win in the next general election in two years time (if that election materializes at all) and so many others associated with this whole ridiculous and childish episode. ^[35]
  
  Throughout this battle with the government, he has refused to resign from the bank that won him a Nobel prize in 2006. ^[46] He indicated he fears the government may seek to influence Grameen Bank's governing structure and its lending policies, which could destabilise the agency. ^[86] According to Grameen Bank's internal survey, 58 per cent of our borrowers have crossed the poverty line. ^[102]
  
  He said the deputy managing director of the bank will take over until Yunus' post can be filled. ^[46] Though Yunus was unlikely to pose a threat to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, his proposed party could well have challenged the prime minister's party because of his popularity among poor voters. ^[36]
  
  Professor Yunus' lawyers have announced that they will now appeal to the Supreme Court, as the High Court decision is blatantly politically oriented and without legal grounds. ^[87] "Grameen Bank is taking legal advice," the bank stated on its website on Wednesday, adding that the institution has been complying with all applicable laws. ^[61] The Full Circle Fund, a Grameen clone created by the city's South Shore Bank, has operated there for 10 years. ^[76]
  

RANKED SELECTED SOURCES

(112 source documents arranged by frequency of occurrence in the above report)

1. (46)

Prof. Rehman Sobhan on Grameen Bank - Bangladeshi-Americans Living in New England | Google Groups

2. (36) Muhammad Yunus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

3. (31) Grameen Bank - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

4. (24) Grameen Founder Yunus Loses Final Dismissal Appeal - Toteo Forum

5. (23) The Story of Dr. Yunus And Grameen Bank - KBK O TABLE, citizen's collective for a better and different KBK | Google Groups

6. (23) Muhammad Yunus - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

7. (22) FW: Muhammad Yunus - soc.culture.nigeria | Google Groups

8. (21) Muhammad Yunus, Bangladeshi Nobel Laureate, Loses Court Battle To Keep Banking Job

9. (19) BBC News - Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus disputes Grameen sacking

10. (18) Grameen Bank's Muhammad Yunus Summoned to Court by Bangladesh Government - Business - GOOD

11. (17) Bangladesh Watchdog: Muhammad Yunus: banker to the people, bother to the state

12. (16) [ Marumozhi Mail 10-09-2007 17:49:16 ] - ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' | Google Groups

13. (15) Yunus removed from Grameen Bank | PRIYO

14. (14) Bangladesh: crisis of the Grameen Bank - The Moderates | Google Groups

15. (14) Bangladesh's Yunus resigns from microlender - Yahoo! News

16. (13) news.outlookindia.com | Muhammad Yunus Fired From Grameen Bank

17. (13) Yunus' place in history is secure

18. (13) Microfinance guru Muhammad Yunus faces removal from Grameen Bank | World news | The Guardian

19. (13) Connecting Bangladeshi Villages

20. (12) Yunus Centre :: Statement by Grameen Bank: Legal Challenge to Professor Yunus' "Removal" From Grameen Bank

21. (12) Muhammad Yunus loses final attempt to remain Grameen Bank chief

22. (12) Grameen Bank | Muhammad Yunus

23. (11) Yunus quits Grameen Bank after tiff with Bangladesh govt

24. (11) Reinstate Yunus or make him chairman

25. (11) Microcredit Pioneer Leaves Bangladeshi Bank - Money News Story - WSB Atlanta

26. (10) Saleem Samad: Nobel laureate Yunus says his removal was politically-influenced

27. (10) Nobel laureate loses last appeal to stay at bank | The Associated Press | News | San Francisco Examiner

28. (10) Mohd. Yunus bids adieu to Grameen Bank - CLAT 11 | Google Groups

29. (10) Bangladesh Nobel Laqureate to Speak at Pepperdine - soc.culture.indian | Google Groups

30. (10) Nobel winner forced from own micro-bank - Business - CBC News

31. (10) Nobel Peace Prize Speech of Muhammad Yunus, Founder of Grameen Bank - Master of Art in Development Studies-Batch 1 | Google Groups

32. (9) Entertainment: Yunus is still MD: Rokan

33. (9) Yunus Centre :: CV of Professor Muhammad Yunus

34. (9) Nobel prize winner Muhammad Yunus ousted from Bangladesh people's bank | World news | guardian.co.uk

35. (9) Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh: Forced out | The Economist

36. (9) Bangladesh court upholds removing Yunus as Grameen head

37. (9) BBC News - Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus quits top post

38. (8) Bangladesh's Grameen bank chief Yunus steps down

39. (8) Muhammad Yunus loses appeal against Grameen Bank dismissal | World news | The Guardian

40. (8) Bangladesh government announces new Grameen Bank chief

41. (8) Bangladesh Law House: SC dismisses Yunus petition

42. (8) Protests Against Removal of Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus From Grameen Bank | Government In The Lab

43. (8) Prof Yunus resigns : Microfinance Africa

44. (8) Bangladesh says Yunus's Grameen 'flouting' rules

45. (8) Saleem Samad: Bitter battle of microcredit celebrity likely to strain US-Bangladesh ties

46. (8) Bangladesh tries again to oust Nobel laureate from bank post - CNN

47. (7) Fwd: Grameen: Zafar Sobhan responds to Nayeemul Islam Khan - CEC_Adda | Google Groups

48. (7) Bangladesh apex court dismisses Grameen, Yunus appeals

49. (7) BBC News - Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus eyes graceful Grameen exit

50. (7) Muhammad Yunus, Grameen Bank Founder and Father of Microfinance, Ousted by Bangladeshi Government - Business - GOOD

51. (7) Muhammad Yunus bows out | Bangladesh | bdnews24.com

52. (7) Bangladesh's Yunus Resigns From Pioneering Microlender | South Asia | English

53. (7) The Hindu : News / International : Muhammad Yunus resigns from Grameen Bank

54. (7) Bangladesh govt tells Yunus to quit as Grameen Bank Managing Director | OneWorldConvention

55. (6) After the Fall, Resignation Edition | David Roodmans Microfinance Open Book Blog

56. (6) The Kaizen Crossroad: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

57. (6) Entertainment: hering on yunus plea adjourned/ Bangladesh

58. (6) Nobel laureate Yunus resigns post at Grameen microlending bank | www.bullfax.com

59. (6) Yunus Loses Final Legal Battle to Challenge Sacking from Grameen Bank | South Asia | English

60. (6) Bangladesh Court Adjourns Microcredit Pioneers Appeal - Toteo Forum

61. (6) BANGLADESH: Govt Under Pressure After Sacking Yunus - IPS ipsnews.net

62. (6) Why the dream of microfinance is turning sour - Asia, World - The Independent

63. (5) Nobel laureate Yunus quits bank after court ruling (AP) | WorldNews

64. (5) International Development - Bangladeshi Court Rejects Muhammad Yunus' Appeal Over Removal From Grameen Bank

65. (5) Fwd: Hillary Clinton - Sheikh Hasina tele-conversation - DExSA (Dhanmondi Govt. Boys' High School Ex-Students' Association) | Google Groups

66. (5) Briefings

67. (5) Barun Roy: Exit, pursued by bureaucracy

68. (5) The News Tribe Court upholds dismissal of Grameen founder Muhammad Yunus

69. (5) Bangladesh Nobel Peace Prize owner just quit | Shanghai Escort

70. (5) Yunus resigns from Grameen Bank

71. (5) Muhammad Yunus looses final appeal to retain Grameen Bank post | MF Monitor

72. (4) Yunus quits Grameen Bank after tiff with govt - World News - IBNLive

73. (4) Entertainment: Yunus was warned of Grameen troubles

74. (4) News Paper Headlines: Bangladesh's Yunus loses battle against sacking

75. (4) Yunus fears political influence over Grameen | The Associated Press | News | Washington Examiner

76. (4) The Nepal Digest - March 13, 1997 (29 Falgun 2053 BkSm) - soc.culture.nepal | Google Groups

77. (3) Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus leaves microfinance bank (Guardian)

78. (3) Nobel laureate Yunus leaves microfinance bank - News - Mail & Guardian Online

79. (3) SpringerLink - International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society, Volume 16, Number 3

80. (3) BENGAL NEWZ: High voltage campaign for 7 May fifth phase WB poll ends today

81. (3) Grameen Bank, Micro-Credit & the Wall Street Journal - soc.culture.pakistan | Google Groups

82. (3) Bangladeshs Grameen bank chief Yunus steps down | ATN - Asia Times News

83. (3) India only friend of Hasina government: Opposition leader

84. (3) Yunus quits Grameen Bank after tiff with B''desh government - Yahoo! News

85. (3) Probe finds no '''irregularities''' by Grameen in Norad fund transactions - Bangladeshi-Americans Living in New England | Google Groups

86. (3) Nobel laureate Yunus quits bank after court ruling

87. (3) Fwd: Urging Action On Behalf of Grameen Bank and Muhammad Yunus - Mangluoi-M7 | Google Groups

88. (2) Organizing for social change within concertive control systems: Member identification, empowerment, and the masking of discipline - Communication Monographs

89. (2) Nobel Laureate Yunus Resigns at Grameen Bank

90. (2) Poverty Alleviation: Is Economics Any Help? Lessons From The Grameen Bank Experience - Research and Read Books, Journals, Articles at Questia Online Library

91. (2) Nobel Laureate Yunus Resigns at Grameen - Bloomberg

92. (2) Developmental Impact and Coexistence of Sustainable and Charitable Microfinance Institutions: Analysing BancoSol and Grameen Bank - The European Journal of Development Research

93. (2) Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus quits top post | Times of Pakistan

94. (2) Business news in brief | Philadelphia Inquirer | 05/13/2011

95. (2) AP Business NewsBrief at 7:50 a.m. EDT

96. (2) NBR to take up personal tax 'evasion' issue with Dr Yunus

97. (2) Hearing tomorrow

98. (2) Can Microcredit Reclaim Its Visionary Mission? - IPS ipsnews.net

99. (1) The Changing Balance of Power Between the Government and NGOS in Bangladesh

100. (1) Men's violence against women in rural Bangladesh: Undermined or exacerbated by microcredit programmes? - Development in Practice

101. (1) If you're successful the politicians will hate you

102. (1) Bangladesh Nobel Laureate's Speech at Nobel Ceremony - soc.culture.bangladesh | Google Groups

103. (1) Bangladesh'''s Yunus loses final legal battle | Times of Pakistan

104. (1) Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus leaves microfinance bank | World news | The Guardian

105. (1) World Bank Vet Seeks $60 Million To Back Entrepreneurs - Helen Coster - Good Work - Forbes

106. (1) South Asia's Microcredit Crisis Drags On - India Real Time - WSJ

107. (1) Patti Villacorta's Blog: Lawyers Needed ASAP; Tim Wirth Lauds Obama's Intention to Seek 2nd Term on UN Human Rights Council

108. (1) FT.com / Asia-Pacific - Yunus steps down from Grameen Bank

109. (1) Muhammad Yunus bows out | Business | biz.bdnews24.com

110. (1) CGAP>Grameen Bank and Mohammed Yunus: A Timeline

111. (1) Bangladeshs Grameen bank chief Yunus steps down | TwoCircles.net

112. (1) Govt still has time to reach respectable solution

 

Muhammad Yunus ousted from Grameen Bank!

Mohammad Yunus, Bangladesh's Nobel laureate, has stepped down from  his position as head of the pioneering microfinance Grameen Bank after a court upheld the Bangladeshi government's decision to remove him.

Here are the results of a search just conducted on the issue. We hope they contribute to a fruitful conversation over what is, to many, a perplexing development.

 

MUHAMMAD YUNUS BANGLADESH GOVERNMENT LEGAL GRAMEEN

(iResearch Reporter Advanced, User-defined URL links listing - for more information, see www.irri-serioussearch.com)

Jump to:
Key Topics || In-Depth || Possibly Useful || Selected Sources

 

KEY TOPICS

 

Section Contents:

• That, its not yesterday that Dr. Yunus turned over 60, as he is now more than 70 years of age, Factually, it's not true that Dr. Yunus is the founder of Grameen Bank, The government of Bangladesh is.(More...)
  
  
• It is interesting to note that the loanees or borrowers of Grameen Bank, in no area of Bangladesh, has so far brought out any demonstration in favour or Yunus and against the government decision to remove him from the post of Managing Director.(More...)
  
  
• Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus has left the pioneering microfinance bank he founded, days after a court upheld the Bangladeshi government's decision to remove him.(More...)
  
  
• The concerns brought up by Norad and the Norwegian government were treated with the utmost seriousness by Grameen Bank and Professor Yunus, and both sides worked to resolve the differing interpretation of a clause in their initial Agreement and arrive at a solution in a satisfactory manner.(More...)
  
  
• Analysts say Grameen's huge influence in Bangladesh and its move into solar panels, mobile phones and other consumer goods has also triggered the government's envy.(More...)
  
  

That, its not yesterday that Dr. Yunus turned over 60, as he is now more than 70 years of age, Factually, it's not true that Dr. Yunus is the founder of Grameen Bank, The government of Bangladesh is. ^[4] Bangladesh Bank, which is nominally independent from the government, fired Yunus as the central bank found that his 2000 appointment as the Grameen Bank's executive chief was faulty because the central bank"s mandatory approval was not obtained at that time. ^[23] DHAKA: The government in Bangladesh is seeking to reach an "honourable solution" to the unceremonious dismissal of Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus, amid stepped up pressure to end the row with the Nobel Laureate. ^[4] A woman official will be Grameen Bank's acting managing director, replacing Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladesh government announced Thursday. ^[40]

DHAKA, Bangladesh Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus filed an appeal Wednesday with Bangladesh's highest court in a final attempt to keep his job at the microfinance bank he founded. ^[4] Grameen founder loses last appeal - Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus loses his final appeal in Bangladesh s Supreme Court against his sacking from the Grameen. ^[4] Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has lost his final appeal in Bangladesh's Supreme Court against his sacking from the Grameen micro-finance bank he founded. ^[4]

Dhaka, Mar 9: A court in Bangladesh has on Mar 8 upheld an order to remove Muhammad Yunus as head of Grameen Bank, a micro-lending financial organisation. ^[23] Lamia Karim: The fall of Muhammad Yunus and its consequences for the women of Grameen Bank. - In 2006 the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh won the Nobel Peace Prize for its innovative microfinancing operations. ^[4]

The founder of the microcredit institution Grameen Bank, Muhammad Yunus, on Monday denounced a response "absurd" by the government. ^[4]

Nobel laureate Yunus quits bank after court rulingDHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) _ Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus said he has left Grameen Bank to prevent disruptions at the pioneering microlender he founded, days after a court upheld the Bangladeshi government's decision to remove him. ^[95] Bangladesh Bank, which is nominally independent from the government, fired Yunus as the central bank found that his 2000 appointment as the Grameen Bank"s executive chief was faulty because the central bank"s mandatory approval was not obtained at that time. ^[84]

In Bangladesh, the supreme court has dismissed a final attempt by microcredit pioneer Muhammad Yunus to challenge his sacking as head of Grameen Bank, which he founded three decades ago. ^[59] Muhammad Yunus has left as the head of Grameen Bank after a dispute with the Bangladeshi government.#15; Photograph: Strdel/AFP/Getty Images Fariha Karim The Guardian, Fri 13 May 2011 01.34 BST The Nobel laureate who founded a pioneering microfinance institution, the Grameen Bank, has quit as its head after a long dispute with Bangladesh's government. ^[28]

Bangladesh's Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear the plea of Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus challenging his removal from the managing director's post last month. ^[4]

It said the 70-year-old Yunus had no legal authority to act as the managing director, since its board had not obtained the Bangladesh Bank's sanction to re-appoint him beyond the bank's official retirement age. ^[40] Allies of Yunus, a Nobel Peace Laureate insist that the action was prompted by a government vendetta over his political aspirations.Bangladesh's central bank removed Yunus, 70 as the head of Grameen Bank saying that his staying as the Managing Director beyong the age of 60 was illegal. ^[23] The Bangladeshi Supreme Court will resume its hearing into whether microcredit pioneer Muhammad Yunus was fairly dismissed from Grameen Bank. ^[4] Dhaka, May 13 (PTI) Ending a standoff with the Bangladesh government, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has resigned as the managing director of Grameen Bank, saying the he is quiting to prevent "undue disruption" in the working of the pioneering micro-lending agency he founded. ^[84] Photo: Reuters Employees of Grameen Bank walk in front of a portrait of Nobel laureate and bank founder Mohammad Yunus, Dhaka, Bangladesh, March 8, 2011. ^[52] The Bangladesh central bank removed Prof Yunus from his post last March, saying his continuing role at Grameen Bank violated laws that state public servants must retire at the age of 60. ^[37] Yunus was relieved by the Bangladesh Bank (BB) March 2 from his position as the managing director in the Grameen Bank, with which he shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. ^[38]

It said Yunus, 70, had no legal authority to act as the managing director, since its Board had not obtained the Bangladesh Bank's sanction to re-appoint him beyond the bank's official retirement age. ^[26]

DHAKA, Bangladesh This was Yunus's last legal option to keep his job as managing director of Grameen Bank. ^[4] Yunus, 70, was removed as head of Grameen Bank by the Bangladesh central bank on March 2 but he defied the order, returning to work and lodging a legal case challenging the dismissal. ^[103] Yunus said he decided to resign "without prejudice" to the legal issues and to prevent "undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank and to ensure my colleagues and our 8 million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities". ^[23]

Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has said that he will fight attempts to remove him from the Grameen microfinance bank which he founded. ^[9] DESPITE THE supreme court had upheld Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus removal from the position of managing director of Grameen Bank by the central bank he is apparently not prepared to give in. ^[26] Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus stepped down as the Grameen Bank Managing Director Thursday night, Xinhua reported. ^[38]



It is interesting to note that the loanees or borrowers of Grameen Bank, in no area of Bangladesh, has so far brought out any demonstration in favour or Yunus and against the government decision to remove him from the post of Managing Director. ^[5] According to Bangladesh news reports, pro-government activists have attacked demonstrators, including Grameen Bank depositors and officials, who have been protesting Prof. Yunus' dismissal across the country. ^[4]

Events are being watched carefully as what happens to Prof Yunus and Grameen could have an impact on the microcredit industry outside Bangladesh as well. ^[9] Whatever the criticism of the U.S. stand in Bangladesh's political and social circles, analysts believe that it is a clear disapproval of the government action against Dr. Yunus, although the Grameen Bank is neither an NGO nor private bank. ^[14] "Grameen Bank is a fully government institution," Muhith said, adding that Yunus had never agreed with him on this point but that the bank would now be run accordingly. ^[15]



Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus has left the pioneering microfinance bank he founded, days after a court upheld the Bangladeshi government's decision to remove him. ^[52] Bangladesh Bank, which is nominally independent from the government, fired Yunus as the central bank found that his 2000 appointment as the Grameen Bank's executive chief was faulty because the central bank's mandatory approval was not obtained at that time. ^[72] The model has been copied in developing countries around the world.He is often referred to as "the world's banker to the poor".The Bangladesh central bank removed Prof Yunus from his post last March, saying his continuing role at Grameen Bank violated laws that state public servants must retire at the age of 60. ^[93] "Bangladesh Bank has relieved Yunus of his duties as managing director of the Grameen Bank," Muzammel Huq, the government-appointed chairman of Grameen Bank, said. ^[9]

After a brief hearing, a seven-member bench of the supreme court dismissed two petitions seeking to overturn the sacking of Muhammad Yunus as head of Grameen Bank. ^[59] BB in its letter said Yunus did not seek its approval when he was reappointed as the managing director of the bank in 2000, violating one of the statutes of the partly state-owned Grameen Bank in which the government has 25 percent share. ^[38] The government has dismissed concerns that Grameen Bank will be affected by the removal of Yunus. ^[59]

Yunus lost his final legal battle May 5 against the High Court judgment on his removal from Grameen Bank as the appellate division of Bangladeshi Supreme Court (SC) declined to recall its earlier order. ^[38]

Bangladesh Bank, the countrys central bank, said that Prof Yunus had violated the countrys retirement laws by staying on as Grameens head long past the mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[9] Prof. Yunus and the Grameen Bank have a positive reputation in the U.S. and among many Congressmen, members of the Bangladesh congressional caucus, President Obama and Secretary Clinton. ^[14]

Following the controversy, the Bangladesh government in January formed a committee to review the Grameen Bank's activities. ^[14]

Nobel laureate, and Grameen founder, Muhammad Yunus has been summoned appear in court on January 18 on charges of defamation. ^[10] "According to the banks legal advisers, the founder of Grameen Bank, Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, is accordingly continuing in his office," the statement said. ^[9] For decades, Muhammad Yunus has been synonymous with Grameen Bank and many people here are apprehensive that the ongoing tussle, possibly a long drawn-out court battle, will have a negative impact on the bank itself. ^[9]

The announcement by Muhammad Yunus that he is standing down as managing director is a watershed in the 28-year history of the bank, which is credited with lifting millions of the world's poorest people out of poverty. ^[28] Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus said he was relinquishing his post to prevent undue disruption of the banks work. ^[37]

A court in Bangladesh has upheld the government's dismissal of Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel prize-winning pioneer of microfinance, from the bank he founded nearly 30 years ago. ^[39] Dhaka: Ending a standoff with the Bangladesh government, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has resigned as the managing director of Grameen Bank, saying the he is quitting to prevent "undue disruption" in the working of the pioneering micro-lending agency he founded. ^[72] U.S. support for Muhammad Yunus is so strong that Dhaka may find a negotiated settlement to protect the Nobel Laureate's image and the independence of the Grameen Bank. ^[14] Founded in 1983 by Muhammad Yunus, the Grameen Bank (Grameen is Bangledeshi for "village") provides small loans to rural borrowers in. ^[10] A lawyer for Muhammad Yunus maintains that the sacked Grameen Bank managing director is still in office. ^[32]

DHAKA (AFP) - Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has stepped down from the pioneering microfinance lender he founded, a week after he lost a legal fight against his government-backed sacking, a statement said. ^[15]

The appeal is Yunus' last legal option in his bid to remain Grameen's managing director, a post he has held for nearly 30 years. ^[4]

It may be that the government worries that Yunus will enter politics, or criticize politicians--and they may also be salivating at the prospect of gaining control over Grameen, which touches one person in three in Bangladesh." ^[10] The Supreme Court ruled on May 2 that Grameen Bank was a government institution, not a private bank as Yunus and his lawyers maintained, meaning Yunus must abide by the state's mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[15] Staff and board members had also petitioned the government to appoint Yunus Grameen Bank chairman to ease the transition to new leadership, but Finance Minister A.M.A Muhith told reporters late Thursday this was "not acceptable". ^[15]

The government of Bangladesh appears to be mounting a concerted campaign to hinder and possibly take over the Grameen Bank. ^[10] The Norwegian government investigated and issued a report exonerating Grameen Bank and Yunus after their funds were transferred back. ^[10] In March 2011, after months of government scrutiny, the Bangladesh government fired Yunus from his position at Grameen Bank, citing legal violations and an age limit on his position. ^[2] Muhammad Yunus is now 70 years old, 10 years beyond the legal retirement age for banks in Bangladesh. ^[2]

Dhaka, 5 May : Bangladesh Supreme Court has dismissed the petition of Dr Muhammad Yunus for reversing an earlier verdict on his sacking from Grameen Bank. ^[80] Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus resigned as managing director of Bangladesh's Grameen Bank a week after the nation's Supreme Court dismissed his appeal to remain head of the microlender he founded. ^[94] Muhammad Yunus has shown himself to be a leader who has managed to translate visions into practical action for the benefit of millions of people, not only in Bangladesh, but also in many other countries. ^[6]

The government of Bangladesh did not snatch away Nobel Peace Prize from Dr. Muhammad Yunus which was bestowed on him by the imperialist powers, and in any case they have no power to do so. ^[5]

Recently, a lot of controversy and confusion have been created surrounding the removal of Dr. Yunus by Bangladesh Bank from the post of managing director of Grameen Bank. ^[47] Differences between Yunus, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for founding Grameen, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government surfaced in December when Norwegian television reported misuse of aid to the lender. ^[94] Muhammad Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Grameen Bank, for their efforts to create economic and social developments. ^[6] "According to the (Grameen) Bank's Legal Advisors, the founder of Grameen Bank, Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, is accordingly continuing in his office," the statement read. ^[16]

Nine elected representatives of the borrowers make up the board of Grameen, besides three top government officials (usually from the finance ministry) and the CEO. The board was chaired by the finance secretary to the Government of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996, and succeeded by Professor Rehman Sobhan, an internationally reputed economist, who is still the chairman. ^[81] May the truth, kind intention and positive vibration prevail at this testing time for Prof Yunus, all in Grameen, the people and government of Bangladesh. ^[20] On February 15, 2011, Prof. Yunus was summoned by a court in Pabna (in North Bangladesh) to appear on April 18 in a fraud case involving Grameen Phone. ^[2] In the latest move in an increasingly bitter battle which is worrying international aid donors and institutions, the Bangladesh high court in Dhaka dismissed an appeal by Yunus against an order delivered last week to leave his post as managing director of the Grameen Bank. ^[39]



The concerns brought up by Norad and the Norwegian government were treated with the utmost seriousness by Grameen Bank and Professor Yunus, and both sides worked to resolve the differing interpretation of a clause in their initial Agreement and arrive at a solution in a satisfactory manner. ^[10] In 2006 Doctor Yunus and other important people, such as Professor Rehman Sobhan, Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Doctor Kamal Hossain, Matiur Rahman, Mahfuz Anam and Debapriya Bhattchariya, tried to find good people to be elected for government. ^[6]

The said action of the government against Yunus was taken for certain irregularities committed by him and it is a domestic matter of Bangladesh. ^[5] Bangladesh Bank and the government of Bangladesh have removed Yunus from the post of Managing Director. ^[5]

The development came two days after the 70-year old Nobel Laureate apparently was exposed to a fresh trouble on retirement age issue as the central bank in a letter to the government reportedly said he was flouting Bangladesh retirement rules by serving as head of his Grameen Bank. ^[16] Nobel laureate Mohammed Younus, a celebrated pioneer of micro-finance was today forced out from the Grameen Bank, he founded nearly three decades ago, amid a growing spat with the Bangladesh government, officials said. ^[16]

Dhaka, May 13 (IANS) Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus stepped down as the Grameen Bank Managing Director Thursday night, Xinhua reported. ^[82] The Chairman of Grameen Bank has told the press today that the Central Bank has removed Professor Muhammad Yunus as Managing Director of Grameen Bank. ^[16]

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus said he has left Grameen Bank to prevent disruptions at the pioneering microlender he founded, days after a court upheld the Bangladeshi government's decision to remove him. ^[63]



Analysts say Grameen's huge influence in Bangladesh and its move into solar panels, mobile phones and other consumer goods has also triggered the government's envy. ^[15] The Nobel laureate who founded a pioneering microfinance institution, the Grameen Bank, has quit as its head after a long dispute with Bangladesh's government. ^[104] The Grameen Bank ( rural bank in Bengali), which Yunus has built over the last 20 years, is today the largest rural banbk in Bangladesh. ^[7] At frist salam to PROFESSOR MUHAMMAD YUNUS. he is the great man of Bangladesh but he is not exceptional man for our country law.Law is common for every man and women. ^[33] Bangladeshs Supreme Court today dismissed a final bid by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to overturn an order sacking him from the pioneering micro-finance bank he founded nearly three decades ago. ^[21] Cynics roll their eyes to the ceiling, but Muhammad Yunus, a 56-year-old banker from Bangladesh, is that rare thing: a bona fide visionary. ^[7] On March 3, 2011, Muhammad Yunus filed himself a writ at the High Court challenging the legality of the decision from the Bangladeshi Central Bank to remove him as Managing Director of Grameen Bank. ^[2] The allegations against Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank have been made in a context where some people have begun to question the effectiveness of microfinance, prompted by the actions of some for-profit MFIs in India and Mexico. ^[2] Muhammad Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Grameen Bank, for their efforts to create economic and social development. ^[2]

Many in the Bangladesh government do not seem to realise that Muhammad Yunus had flown out of their grasp long time ago. ^[17]

IN-DEPTH

Section Contents:

• The Grameen Bank contested the claim and said it was seeking legal advice and Yunus would continue to hold the post.(More...)
  
  
• Bangladesh's highest court on Thursday upheld the government's decision to remove Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus from his pioneering microfinance agency Grameen Bank.(More...)
  
  
• Ahmed alleged that the western countries were 'no longer ready to recognise Bangladesh as their friend for disgracing Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus', Bdnews24.com, a news website reported.(More...)
  
  
• This became quite obvious when he was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 2006, on the eve of military takeover of the Bangladesh government in which the U.S. and the Europeans had a hand.(More...)
  
  
• Professor Muhammad Yunus was chosen as the "Person of the Week" by American TV ABC's World News Tonight with Peter Jennings on September 15, 1995 at the conclusion of the World Summit on Women held in Beijing.(More...)
  
  
• I am sad to see how you are being treated by Bangladesh government recently!(More...)
  
  
• Talking to reporters, Rozina Begum, one of the directors, demanded that the government appoint Yunus as chairman of the board of directors of Grameen Bank.(More...)
  
  
• No justice to be had from the corrupt and inept government anyway. t ­he Bangladesh ­i people know very well that this is simply a political power-play and still support Dr. Yunus all the way.(More...)
  
  
• In its decision, the court rejected Yunus' claim that his sacking by the Bangladesh Bank, the financial sector regulator that is nominally independent from the government, was arbitrary and illegal.(More...)
  
  
• The grounds cited by Bangladesh Bank, related to the decision by the Board of Directors of Grameen Bank, the legally empowered body to superintend the organisation, to impose no age limit on the continuation of Yunus as its chief executive, that this "did not have the prior approval of the Bangladesh Bank."(More...)
  
  
• Prof Yunus working as the managing director of Grameen Bank beyond his retirement age is a legal issue, said Finance Minister Muhith.(More...)
  
  
• The Bangladesh Bank, during the tenure of three democratic governments, two caretaker governments and four governors who held office from 1999 to 2011, sent no further notices to Grameen Bank.(More...)
  
  
• DHAKA, 13 MAY: Nobel Laureate Mr Muhammad Yunus has stepped down as the managing director of Grameen Bank, a week after Bangladesh's Supreme Court dismissed his appeal to remain as head of the pioneering micro-lending agency he founded nearly three decades ago.(More...)
  
  
• Since the campaign to remove Mr Yunus turned serious late last year, Bangladesh's government has been lobbied by everyone from the American government to Mary Robinson and her group of eminent Friends of Grameen.(More...)
  
  
• The campaign to denigrate Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, whose system of microloans for small business startups have lifted millions out of poverty, has been capped by the country's Supreme Court.(More...)
  
  
• The U.S. and UK governments also made it clear to the Bangladesh government that they do not want to see the Nobel Peace Prize winner disgraced.(More...)
  
  
• K.M. Abdul Waddod, the general manager of the Bangladesh Central Bank's regulation and policy department, said his bank, the regulatory authority in the South Asian nation, had sent for a second time a letter to the Grameen Bank chairman, urging the ouster of Yunus from his post of managing director because he was past retirement age.(More...)
  
  
• What happened to Laxmi would no doubt have horrified the founder of the microfinance movement, the Nobel Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus.(More...)
  
  
• Yunus' supporters say the effort to remove him has little to do with age and much to do with the larger issue of microcredit and its primary vehicle in Bangladesh -- Grameen Bank.(More...)
  
  

The Grameen Bank contested the claim and said it was seeking legal advice and Yunus would continue to hold the post. ^[16] The Grameen Bank founder quit Thursday after losing a prolonged legal battle with the Hasina government. ^[83]



Bangladesh's highest court on Thursday upheld the government's decision to remove Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus from his pioneering microfinance agency Grameen Bank. ^[27] Bangladesh's central bank has removed the Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus from the post of managing director of the microfinance pioneer Grameen Bank, after allegations of "irregularities" in its operations. ^[34]

Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus is fighting a protracted political battle in his home country of Bangladesh, where the government recently ousted him from his post. ^[105]

One of the directors, Rozina Begum talking to reporters demanded that the government appoint Dr Yunus as chairman of the Board of Directors of Grameen Bank. ^[41] After the War, Yunus returned to Bangladesh and was appointed to the government's Planning Commission headed by Nurul Islam. ^[2]

Bangladesh's central bank removed Yunus, 71, as Grameen's chief executive earlier this year, saying he had violated retirement laws that bar officials from working after age 60 without special government approval. ^[27] The Bangladeshi government has a 25% stake in the Grameen, which lends to more than 8 million families in Bangladesh and is hugely popular. ^[34]



Ahmed alleged that the western countries were 'no longer ready to recognise Bangladesh as their friend for disgracing Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus', Bdnews24.com, a news website reported. ^[83] Muhammad Yunus was the first Bangladeshi and third Bengali to ever get a Nobel Prize. ^[6]

Yunus, 71, was fighting the legal battle since early March when the central bank dismissed him as Grameen Bank Managing director saying he has violated the organisation's retirement rules. ^[41] The Bangladesh Supreme Court has upheld the High Court's verdict that Professor Yunus's removal from Grameen Bank is legal. ^[17]

Regardless of what the government of Bangladesh does, Professor Muhammad Yunus's place in history as one of the greatest men of the last one hundred years is very secure. ^[17] DHAKA, Bangladesh -- Bangladesh's government ordered Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus from his post as head of his microfinance bank Wednesday - a humiliating blow for. ^[8]

Judges ruled that Grameen Bank was a government institution, not a private bank as Yunus and his legal team have maintained, meaning employees must abide by the states mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[21] Yunus said Monday and that his dismissal as head of the microfinancing bank he founded was political, as the government was trying to gain control of Grameen. ^[22] Grameen Bank employees on Thursday appealed to the government to reinstate Prof Muhammad Yunus as the managing director or appoint him as the chairman of the Nobel winning micro-lender. ^[24]

FILE - In this Wednesday, July 7, 2010 file photo Nobel Peace Prize winning Bangladeshi professor of economics and founder of Grameen Bank Muhammad Yunus speaks during a press conference in the Palace of Arts in Budapest. ^[27] The greatest recognition of the bank's achievements came on October 13, 2006, when the Nobel Committee awarded Grameen Bank and its founder, Muhammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below." ^[3]

Muhammad Yunus founded Grameen Bank, the world's first microfinance institution, in 1976. ^[56]

Back in March, Yunus was fired from his position as the Director of Grameen Bank by a central bank (government) order. ^[56]

Yunus, 70, was sacked as head of Grameen Bank by the Bangladesh central bank on March 2. ^[21] In its decision, the High Court had found that Yunus, 70, had no legal authority to act as the micro-lender's managing director, since its board had not obtained the Bangladesh Bank's sanction to re-appoint him beyond the bank's official retirement age of 60. ^[57]

DHAKA, Bangladesh -- Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus lost his final court appeal Tuesday to remain in control of the pioneering microlending bank he founded nearly three decades ago to lift Bangladeshis out of poverty. ^[8] Although others may say that the direction to to remove Dr. Yunus from the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank came from Bangladesh Bank (Central Bank), those who are reacting on this are presuming that this is the decision of the government. ^[42]



This became quite obvious when he was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 2006, on the eve of military takeover of the Bangladesh government in which the U.S. and the Europeans had a hand. ^[5] The U.S. had warned that its ties with Bangladesh could deteriorate unless government reached an amicable settlement with Yunus. ^[21] The United States warned last month that ties with Bangladesh could be affected if a solution was not found to the clash between the government and Yunus. ^[57]

The appellate division on April 5 dismissed petitions against an high court order that rejected his writ petition against a Bangladesh Bank decision to remove Yunus from Grameen Bank, which he founded in 1983. ^[21] Bangladesh's supreme court has dismissed Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus' appeal against a ruling that upheld his removal as managing director of Grameen Bank, the microlending institution he founded some 30 years ago. ^[64] The Supreme Court on May 5 dismissed two petitions filed in connection with Dr Muhammad Yunus' removal from the post of managing director at Grameen Bank. ^[41]

Prof Muhammad Yunus has stepped down as the managing director of Grameen Bank in order to prevent undue disruption in the activities of the microfinance institution, the Nobel laureate said yesterday. ^[43] The Supreme Court has adjourned hearing on a petition of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus urging withdrawal of a previous order on his sacking as Grameen Bank managing director. ^[57] Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi Nobel laureate sacked from his position as head of the pioneering Grameen Bank, will appeal to the Supreme Court against a court ruling that backed his removal, his lawyers said Tuesday. ^[22]

Muhammad Yunus, the winner of a Nobel peace prize for his pioneering work in microfinancing sacked from his position as head of the Grameen Bank, will appeal against a court ruling that backed his removal. ^[22] While imperialist funding agencies and think tanks are proudly celebrating the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank, progressive and democratic forces should not be oblivious to the deeper political and ideological underpinnings behind it as elucidated above. ^[12]

Microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus (C) emerges from the high court building to contest the decision to remove him from his post in Grameen Bank, in Dhaka on March 3, 2011. ^[22]

Despite a clean chit issued by Norwegian government, Bangladesh government in January this year formed a "review committee" to examine Grameen Bank transactions. ^[21] Yunus has been under attack from the government for alleged financial irregularities at Grameen. ^[22]

The campaign to get rid of Yunus gathered pace after claims were made in a Norwegian documentary about the bank's transfer of aid money from the Norwegian government between legal entities several years ago. ^[34]

If the government was smart, instead of hounding Professor Yunus, it would have appointed the Nobel Laureate Bangladesh's goodwill ambassador to the world and tapped into the enormous goodwill the world has for him. ^[17] Bangladesh government brought out a commemorative stamp to honor his Nobel Award. ^[2]

Even if Hasina gives Yunus time to leave the organisation, a likely stumbling block to any agreement, however, concerns the position of Muzammel Huq, the new chairperson of the Grameen Bank, appointed in January by the Bangladesh government. ^[65] A government committee two weeks ago had cleared Yunus of allegations of mishandling of a Norwegian fund for his Grameen Bank as it submitted its report to the government. ^[21]

Apart from the legal battle over the retirement age, a government investigation last month concluded that Grameen Bank violated its charter as a microlender by creating affiliates that became successful business entities and did not benefit the bank's shareholders. ^[27] Bangladesh's highest court has upheld the government's decision to remove the Nobel laureate from his pioneering small loan agency Grameen Bank. ^[27]



Professor Muhammad Yunus was chosen as the "Person of the Week" by American TV ABC's World News Tonight with Peter Jennings on September 15, 1995 at the conclusion of the World Summit on Women held in Beijing. ^[33] These latter investigations have fueled suspicion that many attacks might be politically orchestrated, related to difficult relations between Sheikh Hasina and Yunus that date to early 2007, when Muhammad Yunus created his own political party, an effort he dropped in May 2007. ^[2]

U.S. officials have told Sheikh Hasina that there will be no further high-level diplomatic interaction between the United States and Bangladesh until the harassment of Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank, ends. ^[65] Dhaka, May 5 (IANS) Bangladeshi Nobel laureate and Grameen Bank pioneer Muhammad Yunus Thursday lost a third consecutive appeal before the Supreme Court against his removal from the bank. ^[48]

On 2 March the Bangladesh Bank wrote a letter to the chairman of the Grameen Bank, informing him that Yunus should have retired at the age of 60 years. ^[85]



I am sad to see how you are being treated by Bangladesh government recently! Very unfortunate! But you know how to enlighten them. ^[33] Todays development came days after employees of the micro lending agency in a press conference demanded Yunus be appointed as the chairman of the institution by the government if he loses his legal fight in retaining his position as its executive chief. ^[21] "The relation between Dr Yunus and Grameen Bank is so deep that it can't be separated by legal loopholes," he said. ^[24] The legal action started in March after the banking regulator, the Bangladesh Bank, ruled that Yunus, who is 71, could not continue managing the Grameen Bank, whose rules specify a retirement age of 60. ^[66] A statement from the Grameen Bank said that one of its employees had been temporarily abducted and beaten up on Friday after speaking publicly in favor of Nobel Peace Prize-winner Muhammad Yunus and against his removal as managing director of the Bangladesh microlender, which he founded in the 1970s. ^[106]

For over 11 years the Bangladesh Bank annually and regularly approved Grameen Bank activities and operations, The orders challenged came after these 11 years of no questions being raised and no show cause notice having been issued on Professor Yunus. ^[20]

Judge Muhammad Mamtaj Uddin Ahmed said Tuesday: "Yunus has been continuing in his job with no legal basis. ^[22]

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has decided to sit with Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus within this week after it has found irregularities in his personal income tax file, officials said Monday. ^[96] The organization and its founder, Muhammad Yunus, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006; the organization's Low-cost Housing Program won a World Habitat Award in 1998. ^[3] What I really wanted to express is how sad it is that someone as authentic as Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner, societal game-changer, writer of the beautiful quote above, could be stripped of the very entity he built from the ground up. ^[56]



Talking to reporters, Rozina Begum, one of the directors, demanded that the government appoint Yunus as chairman of the board of directors of Grameen Bank. ^[48] Yunus, 71, has been fighting a legal battle since early March when the central bank dismissed him as Grameen Bank managing director saying he had violated the organisation's retirement rules. ^[48] He also warned Yunus that the way funds were 'diverted off Grameen Bank to Grameen Kalyan' in 1996 had no legal basis and that any new managing director would raise question about it'. ^[73]



No justice to be had from the corrupt and inept government anyway. t ­he Bangladesh ­i people know very well that this is simply a political power-play and still support Dr. Yunus all the way. ^[8] There is a real danger that what is in effect an attempted takeover by the Bangladesh government will do serious damage to Grameen and the people it helps. ^[42]



In its decision, the court rejected Yunus' claim that his sacking by the Bangladesh Bank, the financial sector regulator that is nominally independent from the government, was arbitrary and illegal. ^[22] DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) -- Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate who pioneered small loans for the poor, is flouting Bangladesh retirement rules by serving as head of microfinance lender Grameen Bank, the central bank said, as a campaign to remove him intensifies. ^[58] Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has said he wants a "graceful exit", as he launches a legal challenge to his sacking from the Grameen Bank. ^[49] Grameen boss fights to keep job: Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus lodges a final appeal against his sac. ^[8] This had set off a chain of events which triggered much controversy on microcredit and Bangladeshi Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus and resulted in the investigation of operations of Grameen Bank, which he founded. ^[42] He has won the battle of the rule book and the Supreme Court's sanction to oust Muhammad Yunus as managing director of Grameen Bank. ^[67]

The Bangladesh Bank's notice to Grameen Bank to remove Prof. Yunus as its Managing Director has shocked the nation and seriously disturbed its millions of low income owners. ^[1] The Grameen model has since been replicated around the world, including in the USA. In this process, particularly in the first two decades of building the organisation, Yunus traveled across the length and breadth of rural Bangladesh getting to know the millions of women who became the borrowers and owners of Grameen Bank, and learning of their myriad problems. ^[1]

While the investigation into Grameen Bank by the government has widely been criticized as politically motivated; Dr. Yunus has proven his preference for political solution of a legal matter. ^[13]

Yunus' supporters have called the legal saga an attempt by the Bangladeshi government to take over the microlending institution. ^[64]

"The decision of removing Muhammad Yunus will be suicidal for the microfinance institution," said Sagirul Rashid Chowdhury, a senior leader of the employees association. ^[24] Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel prizewinning economist and so-called father of microfinance, faces being ousted from the bank that he founded to help poor people in Bangladesh and across the developing world. ^[18] Dr Muhammad Yunus, the man who brought a Nobel Prize for Bangladesh, and the most celebrated living Bangladeshi around the globe, was unceremoniously relieved of his duties at Grameen Bank yesterday through a Bangladesh Bank letter. ^[13] Yunus chooses to stay in Bangladesh and lend his name to serve as a capital asset for the millions of women who own the Grameen Bank. ^[1] Squandering a corporate asset In resorting to a legal technicality to seek the removal of Prof. Muhammad Yunus, as the Managing Director of Grameen Bank, a successful and widely renowned organisation, the GoB appears to have given scant attention to the concerns or financial stake of the majority owners of this organisation, the 8 million women who actually own the Bank. ^[1]

Although Hasina has shown no signs of relenting, it is understood that discussions between Muhammad Yunus, the finance minister, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, and former Grameen Bank chairperson Rehman Sobhan, took place in Delhi over the last few days where they all attended the same conference. ^[65] The ruling capped a monthlong dispute between the government and Yunus - an outspoken government critic - over the right of the "banker to the poor" to continue as managing director of the Grameen Bank. ^[8] A senior western diplomat, with direct knowledge of these conversations, told New Age that Hasina was warned that her government must not force Yunus out of the Grameen bank and that he should be allowed to leave the bank gracefully and be given reasonable time to find a successor. ^[65]

The High Court upheld the order in a March 8 ruling, saying the dismissal was legal and that Yunus had also exceeded Grameen Bank's mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[44] Backed by international lobbying, Yunus has defied the sacking order by filing a legal appeal and continuing to work at Grameen Bank's Dhaka headquarters. ^[44]

While Prof. Yunus will not discuss the specifics of the ongoing legal case, his lawyers point out that a year ago he wrote to the Minister of Finance asking to work with him on a succession plan at Grameen. ^[11]



The grounds cited by Bangladesh Bank, related to the decision by the Board of Directors of Grameen Bank, the legally empowered body to superintend the organisation, to impose no age limit on the continuation of Yunus as its chief executive, that this "did not have the prior approval of the Bangladesh Bank." ^[1] Dhaka : Bangladesh's top court has dismissed a final attempt by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to overturn his sacking from the Grameen Bank he founded. ^[68] Muhammad Yunus, 70, who founded Grameen Bank to give micro loans to poor people in Bangladesh, is facing calls to relinquish his position as managing director. ^[18] Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has stepped down from the pioneering microfinance lender he founded, a week after he lost a legal fight against his government-backed sacking, a statement said.The 2006 Nobel winner said he was relinquishing the post of managing director at Grameen Bank and his deputy, Nurjahan Begum, would take over." ^[58] Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus unceremonious exit from the bank he founded for having no legal authority to act as the micro-lender's managing director, since its board had not obtained the Bangladesh Bank's sanction to re-appoint him beyond the bank's official retirement age of 60. ^[45]

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus filed an appeal Wednesday with Bangladesh's highest court in a final attempt to keep his job at the. ^[8] The fingers are pointing towards the government as the earlier reaction of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was a bit too harsh as she mentioned "in the name of poverty alleviation he (Yunus) is sucking blood from the poor". ^[42]

If, indeed, the only issue was the rule of law then the principal deviation from the law, as cited in the Bangladesh Bank order, was the failure of the Grameen Bank to seek prior approval of the Bangladesh Bank in their reappointment of Yunus as managing director in 1999. ^[1] The Bangladesh Bank could then have accorded its approval if it thought that Prof. Yunus was running the bank efficiently, based on positive reports of the Bangladesh Bank audits of Grameen Bank over the last 12 years. ^[1]

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith has said Dr Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace laureate and one of the microfinance pioneers, must leave the Grameen Bank he founded for lending to the poor against small income-generating trades. ^[13] In the latest--and boldest--move in the campaign against Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi government has issued an order removing him from his Nobel prize-winning Grameen Bank. ^[50] A court hearing into whether Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was illegally sacked from his microfinance bank adjourned Monday after his lawyers expressed doubts he would get a fair trial.Yunus, 70, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his pioneering concept of small cash loans to tackle poverty, was removed from Grameen Bank last week in what his supporters say was part of a political vendetta against him. ^[58]

DHAKA - A Bangladeshi probe has accused Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus of turning his pioneering microfinance bank into a "massive conglomerate" against its own rules, the chief investigator said Tuesday. ^[44]

The ruling Awami League and the main opposition BNP on Wednesday expressed opposite reactions as Prof Muhammad Yunus was removed from the post of managing director of Grameen Bank. ^[13] Even today, there was nothing to prevent the Governor of the Bangladesh Bank from sending such a notice to Grameen Bank before seeking to remove Yunus from office. ^[1] It has, thus, been argued that the government is asserting its powers, under the statutes governing Grameen Bank, in its actions against Yunus. ^[1]

The (central) Bangladesh Bank has relieved Yunus of his duties as the managing director of Grameen Bank with immediate effect," Muzammel Huq, Grameen Bank chairman, told AFP.Grameen Bank's deputy managing director Nurjhan Begum said the bank would issue a formal statement on Yunus's dismissal shortly. ^[58] Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been fired from the pioneering microfinance bank he founded, a Grameen Bank official told AFP on Wednesday, following months of political pressure." ^[58] Professor Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Movement and winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, is responsible for many innovative programs benefiting the rural poor. ^[107]

The High Court upheld the order in a March 8 ruling, with judge Muhammad Mamtaj Uddin Ahmed saying the sacking was legal and that Yunus had also exceeded Grameen Bank's mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[74] MALIBU, Calif., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In his only public appearance in the Los Angeles area, Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, will lecture on "Social Enterprise: Doing Well by Doing Good" at Pepperdine University School of Law from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, in the Caruso Auditorium on the Malibu campus. ^[29] Yunus, the managing director of the Grameen Bank, which has lent small sums to millions of deprived people to help them start or run their own businesses as a first step out of poverty since being created in 1983, has been caught in a bitter political battle in his homeland of Bangladesh. ^[18]

Yunus is also facing a defamation trial in Bangladesh, where many believe he was a supporter of the former military-backed interim government. ^[30] The government is using a special regulatory law created just for Grameen, which, it says, includes the power to fire Yunus as managing director of the pioneering microlending organization he founded in 1983. ^[50] Recently, in the wake of a Norwegian documentary that painted Grameen in a poor light, Hasina's government seized the opportunity and brought corruption and defamation cases against Yunus. ^[50]

At the end of 1996, nearly four years after I dreamt of bringing connectivity to rural Bangladesh, a nationwide cellular license was issued by the Government of Bangladesh to GrameenPhone, a company owned mainly by Grameen Telecom, a non-profit organization solely established by Grameen Bank to manage the Bank's interests in telecommunications, and Telenor AS, the primary telephone company in Norway. ^[19]



Prof Yunus working as the managing director of Grameen Bank beyond his retirement age is a legal issue, said Finance Minister Muhith. ^[13] The Grameen /Pepperdine partnership continued this past summer when the Palmer Center sent three students to Bangladesh to intern with Yunus. ^[29]

Nearly two and a half months after his sacking by the central bank, Muhammad Yunus has announced his 'resignation' from the Grameen Bank as managing director. ^[51] Although, at the time, modern telecommunication was far removed from the activities of the Bank or its borrowers, my proposal of income generation for the poor caught the attention of Muhammad Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank. ^[19]

In a communication on Mar 2, Bangladesh Bank said Yunus, 70, had no legal authority to act as the micro-lender's managing director, since its board had not obtained the Bangladesh Bank's sanction to re-appoint him beyond the bank's official retirement age. ^[51] Yunus then seek legal means, has appealed to the Bangladesh High Court and Supreme Governor of the Bank to maintain their positions in rural areas. ^[69]



The Bangladesh Bank, during the tenure of three democratic governments, two caretaker governments and four governors who held office from 1999 to 2011, sent no further notices to Grameen Bank. ^[1] If the Grameen Bank's reply was at all problematic for Bangladesh Bank or the GoB, the Bangladesh Bank could easily have sent further notices to the Grameen Bank to formally correct such a legal anomaly. ^[1]



DHAKA, 13 MAY: Nobel Laureate Mr Muhammad Yunus has stepped down as the managing director of Grameen Bank, a week after Bangladesh's Supreme Court dismissed his appeal to remain as head of the pioneering micro-lending agency he founded nearly three decades ago. ^[70] Nobel laureaute and Bangladesh's Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus lost a final appeal in the Supreme court on Thursday against his dismissal from the bank. ^[71]

The idea of microfinance came to Muhammad Yunus when, as a young economics professor during a famine in Bangladesh in the late 1970s, he came across rural women skilled in local handicrafts who owed so much to local moneylenders that they earned only pennies each day from hours of labour. ^[18]



Since the campaign to remove Mr Yunus turned serious late last year, Bangladesh's government has been lobbied by everyone from the American government to Mary Robinson and her group of eminent Friends of Grameen. ^[35] "Dr. James Wolfensohn and I pressed the government of Bangladesh to protect the integrity of civil society and the autonomy of the Grameen Bank, and I warned that a failure to find a compromise that respects Dr. Yunus' global stature and maintains the integrity and effectiveness of Grameen could affect our bilateral relations," Blake told the Congressional Committee. ^[45]

A bench of Justice Momtaz Uddin Ahmed and Justice Gobinda Chandra There has been widespread criticism in the country and abroad at the manner in which the government ousted Yunus, who founded the Grameen Bank in the mid 1970s to provide micro-credit to rural women in Bangladesh. ^[60]

This was disturbing particularly because it was a time when new forms of connectivity such as Internet and email were transforming even matured economies such as that of the USA. As a practical matter, I also learned in 1993, that the Government of Bangladesh would initiate a process to issue cellular licenses in 1994 meaning that I had a realistic window of opportunity from a legal point of view. ^[19]



The campaign to denigrate Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, whose system of microloans for small business startups have lifted millions out of poverty, has been capped by the country's Supreme Court. ^[66] The Supreme Court tomorrow will hear two petitions challenging Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus' removal from the post of managing director of Grameen Bank. ^[97]

Supporters of Yunus fear politicians want to bring Grameen under government control. ^[18] Akbar Ali Khan, a former adviser to the 2007 caretaker government said: "It (Yunus dismissal from Grameen) is not merely a legal issue, rather it is a matter of upholding the interest of the poor people. ^[36] Against the advice of banks and government, Dr. Yunus continued to give out "micro-loans" and in 1983 formed the Grameen Bank on principles of trust and solidarity. ^[29]

AN IMPRESSIVE international show of support for Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel prize-winning founder of Grameen Bank, failed to convince Bangladesh's highest court that he should be allowed to keep his job as managing director of the pioneering microlender. ^[35] Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has stepped down as the managing director of Grameen Bank, a week after Bangladesh's Supreme Court dismissed his appeal to remain as head of the pioneering microlending agency he founded nearly three decades ago. ^[53]

It also can be proud of its vibrant and innovative civil society, which has produced such outstanding global citizens as microcredit celebrity Muhammad Yunus, who's Grameen Bank, was a pioneer of the concept of "microcredit" - providing small loans to tens of millions of Bangladeshis, especially women, who possess little or no collateral. ^[45] Muhammad Yunus has resigned as managing director of the pioneering microlender that he founded, Grameen Bank, ending a bitter battle for control over the globally renowned Bangladeshi institution. ^[108]

A Bangladeshi court on Tuesday upheld an order removing Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus as head of the microlending bank he founded, a move his allies say was prompted by a government vendetta over his political ambitions. ^[36] It's not often that a Nobel Peace Prize laureate gets fired, but the Bangladeshi government said Wednesday it did just that in dismissing Muhammad Yunus from a top post in the pioneering bank he founded. ^[46]



The U.S. and UK governments also made it clear to the Bangladesh government that they do not want to see the Nobel Peace Prize winner disgraced. ^[13] The Bangladesh government denied claims of a political vendetta, but what is beyond doubt is the ferocity, and at times personal nature of the attacks. ^[13]



K.M. Abdul Waddod, the general manager of the Bangladesh Central Bank's regulation and policy department, said his bank, the regulatory authority in the South Asian nation, had sent for a second time a letter to the Grameen Bank chairman, urging the ouster of Yunus from his post of managing director because he was past retirement age. ^[46] The High Court yesterday upheld Bangladesh Bank's "removal" of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus from the post of Grameen Bank's Delivering the verdict, the court said the microcredit pioneer's posting as the MD of Grameen Bank since 1999 was illegal as he reached the age of 60 by then. ^[60] Nine directors of Grameen Bank on Thursday filed another writ petition with the High Court challenging the legality of Bangladesh Bank's decision to remove Dr Muhammad Yunus from the office of managing director of Grameen. ^[60]

BANGLADESH Govt Under Pressure After Sacking Yunus By Farid Ahmed DHAKA, Mar 4, 2011 (IPS) - The Bangladesh government is drawing flak from the international community for removing microcredit pioneer and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus from the Grameen Bank that he founded and led. ^[61]

Dhaka: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus said he has left Grameen Bank to prevent disruptions at the pioneering microlender he founded, days after a court upheld the Bangladeshi government's decision to remove him. ^[86]

I have gotten a special speech of a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate ( Muhammad Yunus ) from my camrades in South Korea and India. ^[31]

A SENIOR United States official once again warned that its bitter battle between Muhammad Yunus and the Bangladesh authority could dent diplomatic ties between two countries. ^[45] The current events have caused overwhelming public outrage in Bangladesh over the last week, as a Government takeover of the Bank would effectively result in the 8.35 million borrower owners (and their families) of the Grameen Bank -who own 97% of the shares of the Bank- being disenfranchised. ^[87] Finance Minister AMA Muhith last month said the government would be open to some compromise such as to allow Yunus to remain an emeritus fellow at Grameen but not, however, to his proposal that he should step aside as managing director and be made chairman instead. ^[45] The government, which has a 25% stake in Grameen, said that the bank's rules required Yunus to end his service when he turned 60. ^[25]

Yunus, 70, had been removed as head of Grameen Bank last week by the central bank at the government's behest on the grounds that he had stayed on past the legal retirement age of 60. ^[36] According to the bank's legal advisers, the founder of Grameen Bank, Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, is accordingly continuing in his office." ^[46]

"I am taking this step without prejudice to the legal issues raised before the Supreme Court," Yunus said in the statement, adding, "and in order to prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank and to ensure my colleagues and our 8 million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities." ^[25]

Assuming the court also rejected an appeal by a majority of Grameen's board against the dismissal, a verdict due tomorrow, the question will shift from whether Mr Yunus's job can be saved to whether the bank for the poor that he created will henceforth be susceptible to unwelcome meddling by Bangladesh's government. ^[35]

The Bangladesh government set up a committee in January to look into the allegations and submit a report in three months. ^[30] In 2007, while Bangladesh was ruled by an interim military government, Yunus tried to set up a political party, but later stepped back from the idea, saying it would not sit well with Bangladesh's traditional politics and cycles of unrest. ^[36] Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus says he is worried about the future of the pioneering microlending bank he founded now that Bangladesh's government has successfully ousted him as its head. ^[75] Two days ago, in what was broadly believed to be a politically motivated smear campaign against the microcredit veteran, the appellate division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court agreed to fire Yunus from his post as managing director of Grameen Bank, the founding institution of what is now a global MCE. ^[98] The Central Bank of Bangladesh on Wednesday removed Yunus, 70, from his post as the managing director of the Grameen Bank, stating that he had overstayed. ^[61]

His supporters believe that sacking of the 70-year old is politically motivated by the Bangladesh government as they want to bring Grameen under its control Yunus' lawyers laid out their case on Sunday before the court was adjourned. ^[60] The Grameen Bank ("rural bank" in Bengali), which Yunus has built over the last 20 years, is today the largest rural banbk in Bangladesh. ^[76]

Nearly two and a half moths after his sacking by the central bank, Muhammad Yunus has announced his 'resignation' from the Grameen Bank as managing director. ^[109] The government, which has a 25% stake in Grameen, said that by the bank's own rules, Yunus, now 70, was required to end his service when he turned 60. ^[46]



What happened to Laxmi would no doubt have horrified the founder of the microfinance movement, the Nobel Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus. ^[62] According to the Bank's legal advisors, the founder of Grameen Bank, Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, is accordingly continuing in his office," the statement added. ^[61] March 2011: A delegation from the United States Government led by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake begins negotiations with the Bangladesh Government on behalf of Yunus. ^[110]

The Bangladesh government set up a committee in January to look into the allegations. ^[54]



Yunus' supporters say the effort to remove him has little to do with age and much to do with the larger issue of microcredit and its primary vehicle in Bangladesh -- Grameen Bank. ^[46] "Institutions like the Grameen Bank make a significant contribution to Bangladesh's development and democracy, and Professor Yunus' life-long work to reduce poverty and empower women through microloans has deservedly received world-wide attention and respect." ^[25]

Dhaka : Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus stepped down as the Grameen Bank Managing Director Thursday night, Xinhua reported. ^[111] The Bangladeshi Supreme Court has adjourned for two weeks the hearing on an appeal by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus against a High Court decision to uphold his sacking from Grameen Bank. ^[60]

Yunus indicated he fears the government may seek to influence Grameen Bank's governing structure and its lending policies, which could destabilize the agency. ^[75] "And any attempt to shut down the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh is a travesty," he said, adding that the international community must distinguish between activists' legitimate critiques and rackets raised by corrupt governments for political manipulation. ^[98]

The government still has time to correct the steps it took against Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus and reach a respectable solution, observed speakers at a meeting yesterday. ^[112]

POSSIBLY USEFUL

Section Contents:

• The Bangladesh Supreme Court rejected a final appeal by Yunus last week to remain at the helm of the bank he founded to give loans to the poor.(More...)
  
  
• Dhaka, April 25: Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (April 25) formally launched e-book, a digitised compilation of primary and secondary textbooks, opening a new horizon of easy access to textbooks through the Internet.(More...)
  
  
• In neighboring India, local governments have accused some microcredit lenders of predatory practices aimed more at enriching investors than helping the poor.(More...)
  
  
• Using the theory of concertive control, we gained insight into why members and workers identify so strongly with the Grameen, how participation within this organization offers opportunities for empowerment, and how control systems operative within the bank account for its success.(More...)
  
  
• While natural disasters do wreak havoc among the poor in Bangladesh and many other developing nations all over the world, they do not cause poverty.(More...)
  
  
• Professor Yunus brother Muhammad Ibrahim is a professor of physics at Dhaka University and the founder of The Center for Mass Education in Science (CMES).(More...)
  
  
• Grameen's central focus is to help poor borrower move out of poverty, not making money.(More...)
  
  
• Hasina has accused the Grameen Bank and other microfinance institutions of charging high interest rates and "sucking blood from the poor borrowers".(More...)
  
  
• Bangladesh Supreme Court's Appellate Division, the highest appeal court, is currently facing acute shortage of judges and at the same time h.(More...)
  
  
• Analysts have suggested that microcredit can bring communities into debt from which they cannot escape, citing situations where microloans from the Grameen Bank were linked to exploitation and pressures on poor families to sell their belongings, leading in extreme cases to humiliation and ultimately suicides.(More...)
  
  
• Yunus filed the petition on Apr 5 when the top court had confirmed the High Court ruling, virtually putting to rest a bitter battle between Yunus and the government.(More...)
  
  
• A study by Khandker (Shahidur R. Khandker, Fighting Poverty with Microcredit: Experience in Bangladesh, New York, 1998) had shown that the high recovery rates on microcredit loans which attracted global attention was the outcome of centre and group pressure on members.(More...)
  
  
• After the apex court rejected two petitions, one by Yunus and the other by the bank's directors, their lawyers expressed dissatisfaction at the verdict and said they would appeal after studying the latest order.(More...)
  
  
• Grameen changed this dynamic by offering small loans that could realistica ­lly be repaid so the borrower could be build credit and reapply for a larger loan.(More...)
  
  
• He found little solace there; the rapidity, and surly language, of the court orders have many convinced Bangladesh's quasi-independent judiciary has been ordered to side with government.(More...)
  
  
• The High Court upheld his removal and he appealed then to the Supreme Court, his last legal option.(More...)
  
  
• The person who should initiate this constructive conclusion to this regrettable and damaging episode in our history should be none other than the prime minister, who could hardly be insensitive to the concerns of the millions of women who own Grameen Bank or to the political consequences of their alienation.(More...)
  
  
• Bangladesh's central bank ordered him out, arguing that he violated the country's retirement laws, A.F.M. Asaduzzaman, an official at Bangladesh Bank, told The Associated Press.(More...)
  
  
• Grameen's work cast a global spotlight on microcredit, a then-novel idea of making small loans to poor people who would not qualify for standard bank loans.(More...)
  
  
• The apex court on Monday confirmed the High Court ruling that backed the sacking of the Nobel Peace laureate from Grameen Bank as its managing director.(More...)
  
  
  
  The Bangladesh Supreme Court rejected a final appeal by Yunus last week to remain at the helm of the bank he founded to give loans to the poor. ^[52] Officials of Grameen, or village, Bank expressed disappointment over the high court dismissing Yunus from the position of managing director. ^[4] Grameen has been emulated in many countries, winning the bank and Yunus the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. ^[40]
  
  An outspoken government critic, Yunus has said his dismissal is illegal and alleged that the government is trying to take control of his bank. ^[4] A seven-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Yunus and nine board members of the micro finance bank March 9 filed two separate provisional leave-to-appeal petitions with the apex court, seeking a stay on the operation of the verdict and the Bangladesh Bank order. ^[4] Yunus responded with a statement alleging "political influence" and expressing concern about the "independence" of the bank. ^[40] In his ruling, the judge said Yunus was working long past the mandatory retirement age and that the founder of the bank had been improperly reappointed. ^[4] Bangladesh Bank, the country's central bank and financial sector regulator, removed Yunus as the micro-lender's managing director March 2 for flouting rules when he was reappointed in 1999. ^[40]
  
  The High Court Division bench of Bangladesh March 8 had dismissed the Nobel laureate's writ petition filed March 3 challenging the legality of the central bank order which had dispelled him from the post of Grameen Bank's managing director. ^[38] "I am today relinquishing the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank on the basis that the Deputy Managing Director Mrs Nurjahan Begum would hold charge until a Managing Director is appointed in accordance with the procedures under section 14 of the Grameen Bank," Yunus said in a statement issued last night. ^[23] Yunus was fired last month from his Grameen Bank on grounds that his appointment as managing director of the institution in 2000 was faulty. ^[4] That, its not yesterday that Dr. Yunus turned over 60, as he is now more than 70 years of age, then why this "sudden rush" of Another minor argument being put forward in defence of Dr. Yunus is, as founder of Grameen Bank, Yunus should be allowed the privilege to relinquish his position in a congenial manner of his liking. ^[4]
  
  In his talk he told the story of Grameen Bank a bank in Bangladesh that focuses on micro-loans to the poorest and most destitute members of society. ^[4] A Bangladesh Supreme Court ruling is expected Monday that could remove him from the bank. ^[4] Watching the thrilling finals of World Cup was a 'mesmerising' experience: President Gilani congratulates PM on the Indian cricket team's victory Srikkanth says India's World Cup triumph as a great team effort Bangladesh said Wednesday it was ready to compromise on Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus's controversial dismissal after a U.S. diplomat warned that the issue would affect bilateral ties. ^[4]
  
  The Grameen Bank has pioneered micro-lending to the poor by giving small loans to millions of borrowers.This was Professor Yunus's last legal option to keep his job as managing director of the Grameen Bank. ^[4]
  
  The bank and Prof Yunus were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for helping millions out of poverty with small loans. ^[37] Today, Yunus boast's that 32 percent of the Bangladesh population is below the poverty line. ^[26] The debate in Bangladesh is now moving to how the controversy will impact the work for which Yunus won international acclaim and a Nobel prize in 2006. ^[59]
  
  Yunus wanted to "ensure my colleagues and our 8 million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities". ^[28]
  
  Yunus said he has gone to the court repeatedly to question the legality of the order removing him. ^[40] Deputy Managing Director Nurjahan Begum will take over from Yunus until the board names a chief. ^[23] Yunus lost the battle with the high court and then the supreme court rejected his appeals thrice. ^[40]
  
  He and his Grameen bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for helping millions out of poverty with small loans. ^[23] Defense lawyers Tuesday evening told local TV networks said they would appeal the verdict Wednesday. the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2006 with Grameen Bank, which he founded. ^[4]
  
  Yunus has criticised the proposals and said in his resignation letter that he hoped "Grameen Bank will continue to operate maintaining its independence and character". ^[15] Citing the central bank order, the senior lawyer said: "Bangladesh Bank in its letter relieved Yunus and asked the board of directors to take further steps." ^[32]
  
  Yunus had sought withdrawal of the SC order April 5 that dismissed his leave-to-appeal petition filed against the High Court verdict April 3 upholding the Bangladesh Bank order removing him from the post. ^[38] "I am today (Thursday) relinquishing the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank," said Yunus in a statement. ^[38] Prof Yunus, 71, launched the Grameen Bank in the late 1970s to offer microcredit to the poor. ^[37]
  
  In December, a war of words broke out as she accused Yunus of "sucking blood from the poor borrowers" through the bank's allegedly exorbitant interest rates, calling for the government to launch an inquiry into claims of misappropriation. ^[28] The government fired Yunus as the microlender's managing director in March, saying he overstayed the official retirement age of 60. ^[52]
  
  It also ends a protracted legal wrangle with the Bangladeshi government over control of the bank. ^[28] Although Yunus was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing in an investigation by the Norwegian government, his already fractious relationship with the Bangladeshi government reached breaking point, with claims that he had tarnished his country's reputation. ^[28] An outspoken government critic, Yunus has had an acrimonious relationship with the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, who is reportedly angry over his attempt to form a political party in 2007. ^[28]
  
  Yunus debated that some dubbed Grameen Bank he founded is a non-governmental organization. ^[26] Yunus said in a statement Thursday that he was stepping down to "prevent undue disruption " to Grameen Bank. ^[52]
  
  A lengthy legal row ended at the Supreme Court on 5 May, but in a statement on Thursday Prof Yunus said he had still not received the full court order and was relinquishing the post of managing director. ^[37] Despite a series of legal battles that reached the supreme court, Yunus failed to overturn the judges' decision to oust him as managing director. ^[28]
  
  Supporters say Yunus -- known as "the banker to the poor" -- has been victimised by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whom he crossed in 2007 when he briefly set up a political party during a period of military rule. ^[15] Yunus"s experiment of poor men"s banking earned Bangladesh the repute of being the home of microcredit. ^[23] The idea was visibly unwelcome by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her arch-rival Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). ^[23]
  
  Yunus"s resignation came as he lost his final legal battle in the apex court to thwart a Bangladesh Bank decision removing him from the position on Mar 2. ^[23]
  
  Finance Minister A.M.A. Muhith said Nurjahan Begum, currently the deputy managing director, will act as the managing director and the government will find a new managing director within the next three months, news website bdnews24.com reported. ^[40]
  
  The saddest aspect of Yunus's departure is that it says much more about the government of Bangladesh than about microfinance and its leading light. ^[55] Yunus' concept of microfinance is credited with helping millions of poor people in Bangladesh and other parts of the world. ^[52]
  
  Yunus and the nine directors filed separate petitions challenging the legality of his removal, but the higher court in its verdict on Mar. 8 dismissed the petitions. ^[26]
  
  The court upheld the decision by the central bank to remove him from office.The bank said Professor Yunus had been improperly appointed while past retirement age.But Professor Yunus said the attempt to remove him from the bank had been politically motivated. ^[4] Yunus said he hoped his departure would "ensure my colleagues and our eight million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities", he wrote. ^[15] Supporters of Prof Yunus warn that savers and borrowers might get the wrong idea - and that some people might withdraw their savings from the bank. ^[9] Several microfinance industry experts around the world, including Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times, are saying these actions amount to a move by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed to wrest control of the bank from Yunus. ^[10] They stem from allegations that, in 200,7 Yunus essentially said politicians in Bangladesh pursue only money. ^[10]
  
  The consternation in the imperialist circles after the removal of Yunus from the position of Managing Director of the Bank and the lining up of the NGOs and the gentlemen of the Bangladesh civil society behind him has completely exposed the true character of Yunus. ^[5] The Grameen ("rural") Bank organizes grassroots micro-enterprises for productive self-employment and social change among the poorest of the poor in Bangladesh. ^[88]
  
  Grameen Bank is not a government owned bank, nor is it a NGO. Micro-lender Grameen Bank is a non-formal bank owned by the poor people, created by a special law. ^[26] Of course, we can't assume that the government would be so rational as to appoint someone with years of experience at the Grameen Bank, someone who could bring a mix of continuity, managerial competence, and fresh thinking, thus at least a prayer of saving the Bank as an independent institution. ^[55] The founder of the pioneering Bangladeshi micro-lending Grameen Bank is standing down as its head after a long-running row with the government. ^[37] If the women continue to resist, then the government will find it easier to do an end run around them by pushing a new Grameen Bank law through parliament, where it does have a majority. ^[55] Those nine women are now the main barrier to government control of the Grameen Bank. ^[55]
  
  The interest rates on the bank loans are the lowest in the Bangladesh's microfinance sector. ^[26] Earlier this year, the High Court of Bangladesh had given him marching orders. http://m.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/13/nobel-laureate- muhammad -yun. ^[28]
  
  Barua was born in Jobra, where Yunus made his first loans, and worked under Yunus all those years until early 2010. ^[55] Analysts say Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fell out with Mr Yunus in 2007 when he tried to set up his own political party. ^[37] Earlier this month the Bangladeshi Supreme Court dismissed a final appeal by Mr Yunus to overturn his sacking. ^[37]
  
  That work has won Yunus international acclaim and the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. ^[52]
  
  As the issue deepened, Finance Minister A.M.A. Muhith argued that the 70-year-old Yunus should hand over the bank to others as, according to the country's banking rules, the retirement age for executives in private banks was 65. ^[14] The former World Bank president, James Wolfensohn, was also in Dhaka to back Dr. Yunus, who has strong admirers in the West. ^[14] The Bangladesh Bank on Mar 2 removed Yunus as the micro-lender's managing director for allegedly flouting rules when he was reappointed in 1999 beyond the bank's official retirement age. ^[32] Mr Huq also said that Prof Yunus had not received the required approval from Bangladesh Bank when he was appointed managing director in 1999. ^[9]
  
  "Grameen Bank by-laws clearly state that the managing director should be appointed by the board with the prior approval of the Bangladesh Bank," he said. ^[9]
  
  
  
  Dhaka, April 25: Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (April 25) formally launched e-book, a digitised compilation of primary and secondary textbooks, opening a new horizon of easy access to textbooks through the Internet. ^[23] His concept of microfinance is credited with helping millions of poor people in Bangladesh and other parts of the world. ^[59] Nine elected members of the Board of Directors of Grameen Bank also felt the same. ^[26] The High Court bench said the micro-credit pioneer's serving as the Managing Director of the Grameen Bank since 1999 was illegal as he was then beyond 60 years old. ^[38] "I am taking this step. in order to prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank and to ensure my colleagues and our eight million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities," his statement said. ^[37] People have the impression that the interest rates on loans from Grameen Bank are very high. ^[26] The importance is to save the future of Grameen Bank and also to protect the hopes and dreams of the over 8 million borrowers. ^[26]
  
  Currently, borrowers own the majority of the Grameen Bank, with Yunus acting as managing director. ^[10] In December, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused Prof Yunus of treating Grameen Bank as his "personal property" and claimed that it was "sucking blood from the poor". ^[9] Yunus and Grameen Bank jointly won the Nobel peace prize in 2006 for creating "economic and social development from below". ^[15]
  
  In December 1976 the government bank Janata Bank gave Yunus a loan that he could use to make lots of small loans to very poor people. ^[6] After being told of the important award, Yunus said that he would use part of his share of the $1.4 million award money to create a company that makes good food that the poor can afford and the rest would go toward starting an eye hospital for the poor in Bangladesh. ^[6] During the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971, Yunus and other people from Bangladesh living in the United States started a citizens committee and controlled the Bangladesh Information Center to find help for the war. ^[6] In 2007 Yunus planned to start a political group called Nagorik Shakti ("Citizen Power") in Bangladesh, but he has chosen not to start this group. ^[6]
  
  "Though Yunus has challenged the Bangladesh Bank letter, the letter was actually addressed to the governing body." ^[32] Mr Huq said a letter from the central bank ordering the removal of Prof Yunus had been sent to Grameen Bank. ^[9]
  
  Every microlender will suffer if Bangladesh nationalizes (again) the Grameen Bank in a hostile takeover. ^[10]
  
  The government owns a 25% stake in Grameen, which pioneered the microfinance concept of lending small amounts of money to the poor which has been replicated worldwide. ^[9] The government already has 25 percent of the board, and can legally control up to 25 percent of the bank, though, as Kristof notes, borrowers have paid in more capital and, as of 2009, the government stake was down to 3.4 percent. ^[10] The Bangladeshi government set up a review committee the following month to look into the banks affairs amid reports that it could take it over. ^[9]
  
  Prof Yunus pioneered micro-lending to the poor but has been under pressure from the government to step down. ^[9] The government says it is simply implementing the rules and Prof Yunus should have retired years ago. ^[9] If The Economist, Kristof, and others are right and the government wants to increase their stake to a controlling share with a majority on the board, Yunus would almost certainly be voted out. ^[10] The BBCs Anbarasan Ethirajan in Dhaka says that the effort to remove Prof Yunus is the culmination of a long-running feud with the government, which has been taking a series of measures in recent months to remove him. ^[9] During a period governed by a military-backed caretaker government, Yunus began forming a political party, then quickly dropped the plan. ^[10]
  
  A lengthy legal row ended at the Supreme Court on 5 May, but in a statement on Thursday Prof Yunus said he had still not received the full court order and was relinquishing the post of managing director." ^[93] The senior member of Yunus' legal team made the remarks a day after the Supreme Court rejected their petition to overturn an order sacking the Nobel laureate from the bank. ^[32]
  
  
  
  In neighboring India, local governments have accused some microcredit lenders of predatory practices aimed more at enriching investors than helping the poor. ^[59] Not surprisingly, the government appears intent on reconstituting the board, so that elected members no longer hold the majority. ^[55]
  
  Earlier this year,the Bangladeshi Central Bank made a legal challenge against the 70-year-old, claiming he had violated retirement laws by failing to relinquish control at 60. ^[28] Literally meaning "village bank", the institution offers tiny loans to would-be entrepreneurs who would otherwise be refused conventional loans, and his microcredit scheme has been replicated across the world, and has been hailed as being the most effective way of defeating poverty.The bank has nearly 9 million borrowers in Bangladesh; 97% of them are women. ^[77] After the War, Yunus returned to Bangladesh and was given a job with the governments' Planning Commission which was controlled by Nurul Islam. ^[6] We as a nation are forever indebted to Yunus (no pun intended) for his achievement and for giving us one of the most cherished causes of celebration in the history of Bangladesh. ^[47]
  
  In 2006, Yunus and the bank together, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below." ^[6]
  
  He was asked to comment on the attorney general's remarks that after the court threw out the recall petition Yunus can no longer stay as managing director. ^[32] Mrs Robinson said in February that some highly visible private microcredit experiences had been set up around the world because of the pioneering work of Prof Yunus to provide loans to the poor. ^[9] Dr. Yunus defied the order but the High Court rejected his writ petitions challenging the legality of the central bank's action. ^[14] Amid a mounting debate for and against Dr. Yunus, Bangladesh's central bank on March 2 ordered his removal as Managing Director on the ground that he had crossed the retirement age. ^[14] FAG YAHOO Sat May 07, 2011 06:46 am PDT Report Abuse Yunus is a complete cheater, blood sucker of poor people. ^[15]
  
  In the lengthy rejoinder posted on Grameen's website, the bank points out that board of directors was fully informed and approved the transfer. ^[10]
  
  His group got more loans from other banks and by 1982, 28,000 people had jobs with Grameen. ^[6] Yunus and his workers were threatened and women were told they would not have a Muslim burial if they borrowed money from the Grameen Bank, but they have given many, many loans to poor people. ^[6] Deputy Managing Director Nurjahan Begum will take over from Yunus until the board names a chief, Dhaka-based Grameen Bank said in an e-mailed statement today. ^[89]
  
  A politically motivated, shaky legal attack on Yunus is no way to foster any kind of improvement in microfinance. ^[10] Sa-dhan (the association of Community Development Finance Institutions consisting of over a hundred microfinance practitioners and experts of India) has also lent full support to Dr. Yunus. ^[14] Yunus, 70, was removed as head of the microlender on March 2 by the central bank for exceeding the mandatory retirement age. ^[15] Prof Yunus fell out with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2007 when he was trying to set up a new party. ^[9]
  
  The investigation announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed last month, follows questions raised in the Norwegian television documentary program Brennpunkt about a $100 million transfer of Norwegian aid money from one Grameen entity to another back in 1996. ^[10] It ruled that Grameen Bank was a government institution, which means employees must abide by the state's mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[32] The West's support to him is so loud that, it appears, even if the final court verdict goes against him, a negotiated settlement may be found so that the Nobel Laureate's image and his contribution to the institution are well protected, and the independence and smooth functioning of the Grameen Bank remains undisturbed. ^[14] The 2006 Nobel winner said he was relinquishing the post of managing director at Grameen Bank and his deputy, Nurjahan Begum, would take over. ^[15] A Grameen Bank statement later on Wednesday said that the matter was now "a legal issue" and that the bank had complied with "all applicable laws in respect of appointment of the managing director". ^[9] "I am taking this step without prejudice to the legal issues raised before the Supreme Court, and in order to prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank," he said in a letter released late Thursday. ^[15]
  
  "Or he will be in office until the Grameen Bank board of directors takes any other measure," he added. ^[32] He disputes the Supreme Court ruling that the government was right to remove him as he passed the retirement age of 60 and insists only Grameen's board of directors has the power to remove him. ^[95]
  
  It also ends a protracted legal wrangle with the Bangladeshi government over control of the bank.Yunus wanted to "ensure my colleagues and our 8 million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities". ^[77] A cyclone at 235 kilometers per hour or a tidal surge of 12 to 18 feet in a country where people are wealthy enough to build stable homes, and governments resourceful enough to build protective systems and strong embankments, will not cause human misery on the magnitude seen in Bangladesh. ^[90] On 11 February 2007, Yunus wrote a letter, published in the Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star, and he asked what people thought of creating a good government. ^[6] Option 1 The tenure of the chairman of Grameen Bank which was due to expire on 26 April, 2010, can be extended till 31st December of 2010 and once he would retire, Dr. Yunus can be appointed as the chairman so that the continuity is maintained and the people who work for Grameen Bank do not get depressed by the sudden change in leadership. ^[47] From modest beginnings three decades ago, Yunus has, first and foremost through Grameen Bank, developed micro-credit into an ever more important instrument in the struggle against poverty. ^[6] For his work with the Grameen Bank, Yunus was named an Ashoka: Innovators for the Public Global Academy Member in 2001. ^[6] In this regard Grameen Bank, Dr. Yunus, and his supporters/friends have adopted a tactic of creating confusion (which is evidently the dominant PR strategy of Dr. Yunus that this article is expected to reveal) among the citizens of the country by orchestrating an aggressive PR campaign both home and abroad. ^[47]
  
  Lists of his awards are found at Grameen Bank website, his personal website, and his profile at Bangladesh News website. ^[6]
  
  Following the ruling, which cannot be appealed, Grameen Bank staff and board members have said they have been beaten or threatened to stop them campaigning for Yunus's reinstatement. ^[15] The fact is the present government is not very appreciative of Dr. Yunus' contribution to poverty alleviation through the microfinance model, although Sheikh Hasina in her first tenure attended the world microcredit summit at the United Nations where he got the world body's support. ^[14] Across the border in India, the government of Andhra Pradesh is encouraging borrowers not to pay back their loans. ^[10] That's relevant because three of the 12 board members, including the chair, are appointed by the government. ^[10] Despite the controversies, many analysts are of the opinion that the Hasina government may take the U.S. stand seriously but it will, for sure, find it difficult to come to an amicable solution since the Supreme Court verdict is awaited. ^[14]
  
  Secretary of State Hilary Clinton personally communicated her concern to the Bangladesh Prime Minister and talked to the embattled microcredit pioneer, who is a close friend of the Clinton family. ^[14] Yunus"s resignation came as he lost his final legal battle in the apex court to thwart a Bangladesh Bank decision removing him from the position on March 2. ^[84]
  
  He took the step "without prejudice" to outstanding legal issues.His deputy, Nurjahan Begum, has been appointed as interim managing director.Yunus was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 2006 jointly with the bank. ^[77] Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith earlier today said the government will form a panel to find a replacement for Yunus. ^[89] Hailed as the saviour of the poor and the pioneer of rural women empowerment, the praise and adulation that Yunus has received over last two and half decades by both Western and local elite dwarfs the admiration received by all other Nobel laureates combined. ^[47] "Muhammad Yunus should have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics years ago." ^[6] March 7, 2011 Dubbed the messiah of microcredit, Dr. Yunus has been (perhaps wrongly) credited with a unique innovation in banking; i.e. banking for the poor. ^[47]
  
  The reaction of these forces which include imperialist countries like the U.S., France, Britain, Germany and others of Europe and elsewhere and their lackeys and flunkeys in countries like Bangladesh is a clear indication of the interest which Dr. Yunus serves. ^[5] 'I am today (Thursday) relinquishing the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank,' said Yunus in a statement. ^[82]
  
  What actually may happen after his removal is a series of reforms in Grameen Bank's operational practice which will bring some relief to the borrowers and reduce the profit of the Bank. ^[5]
  
  Here there is no scope for elaborating this point but it is necessary to mention that the greatest noise is made for the Grameen Bank and its so-called mission for eradicating poverty by those who are the recognised enemies of the poor working people of the world including the people of Bangladesh. ^[5]
  
  "Until the bank's board takes any steps in line with the Bangladesh Bank order he will be in office, despite the Supreme Court's dismissal of our (recall) petition," barrister Rokan Uddin Mahmud said at a press briefing at his Gulshan residence on Friday. ^[32] Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus's three-decades-long journey with microfinance was laborious. ^[14]
  
  
  
  Using the theory of concertive control, we gained insight into why members and workers identify so strongly with the Grameen, how participation within this organization offers opportunities for empowerment, and how control systems operative within the bank account for its success. ^[88] More than 94% of Grameen loans have been given to women, who have less money and give more to their families. ^[6] If it is the Grameen Bank board who can decide who would be the MD of the bank without prior approval of Bangladesh Bank, (though according to Section. ^[47] On 2 August 2005, after a petition by the Bangladesh Legal Aids and Services Trust (BLAST) the High Court had declared Gram Sarkar illegal and unconstitutional. ^[6]
  
  Former U.S. president Bill Clinton was one of the people who said the Nobel Prize should go to Muhammed Yunus. ^[6] On 1 October 1983, Grameen was made a full bank and renamed the Grameen Bank ( Village Bank ) to give loans to poor Bangladeshis. ^[6]
  
  Assuming that each borrower has six dependents, it is possible that 10 per cent of the population of Bangladesh (or 12 million people) now live directly from the benefit of Grameen loans. ^[7] Yunus finally succeeded in securing a loan from the government Janata Bank to lend it to the poor in Jobra in December 1976. ^[2] Yunus said last week he was worried about the future of the bank and its nearly 9 million borrowers, nearly all of them poor Bangladeshi women. ^[63] After receiving the news of the important award, Yunus announced that he would use part of his share of the $1.4 million award money to create a company to make low-cost, high-nutrition food for the poor; while the rest would go toward setting up an eye hospital for the poor in Bangladesh. ^[2] During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, Yunus founded a citizen's committee and ran the Bangladesh Information Center, with other Bangladeshis living in the United States, to raise support for liberation. ^[2] Bill Clinton said i n his last election campaign that Yunus deserved a Nobel Peace Prize and cit ed his experiment in Bangladesh as a model for rebuilding the inner cities of America. ^[7]
  
  Yunus was relieved of his duties as Managing Director of the Grameen Bank, a central bank official told PTI. ^[16] They eulogise the achievements of Dr. Yunus in order of protect his position in the Grameen Bank. ^[5]
  
  According to media reports Bangladesh Bank in a letter to the finance ministry had said that Yunus had passed the retirement age of 60. ^[16] "We have sent a letter to him (Yunus) containing the Bangladesh Bank decision." he said. ^[16]
  
  Dhaka, May 13 (IANS) A senior leader of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has said that India was 'the only friend' of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government. ^[83] It is insane to think that against whose removal from the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank the imperialist powers are raising a hue and cry can, by any stretch of imagination, be a friend of the poor in any country and who can lead a programme for eradicating or even alleviating poverty of those who are subjected to the worst kind of exploitation by local ruling classes, governments and imperialist powers. ^[5] Yunus himself was never found to protest against any kind of repressions on the people which are perpetuated by government agencies and other predator social forces. ^[5] The merit of this action was examined by the High Court, where Yunus filed a case appealing against the government decision. ^[5] We find that those imperialist powers, particularly the U.S. government and the Clinton clique, who manipulated the Nobel Prize for Yunus, have very sharply and bitterly reacted against this decision of the government. ^[5]
  
  
  
  While natural disasters do wreak havoc among the poor in Bangladesh and many other developing nations all over the world, they do not cause poverty. ^[90] He worked with poverty reduction after he saw the Bangladesh famine of 1974, and started a research project to help people who lived in the countryside. ^[6]
  
  This is significant, because in l995, for the first time in i ts existence, Grameen finally made enough profit to operate on a fully commercial basis without the need for any more preferential loans (which i t has received in the past from Bangladesh s Central Bank and sympathetic banks in the West), or grants from charitable trusts such as the Ford Foundation. ^[7] Grameen has reached 2 million of them, our copycats service another 1.5 million in Bangladesh. ^[7]
  
  Independent studies by the World Bank and others indicate that within five years, about half Grameen s 2 million borrowers manage to pull themselves up over the poverty line, while a further quarter hover near the line. ^[7] Yunus and Grameen pioneered the idea of issuing small loans to the poor as a way to lift people out of poverty. ^[63] While traditional banks were not interested in making tiny loans at reasonable interest rates to the poor due to high repayment risks, Yunus believed that given the chance the poor will repay the borrowed money and hence microcredit could be a viable business model. ^[2]
  
  The Central Bank of Bangladesh, the nation's financial regulatory authority, said Yunus, 70, was working in violation of the country's statutory retirement age of 60 as its assent had not been sought for his continuing tenure. ^[39] In Bangladesh, thousands of people protested and formed human chains on March 5, 2011 to support Yunus. ^[2] In early 2007 Yunus showed interest in launching a political party in Bangladesh named Nagorik Shakti (Citizen Power), but later discarded the plan. ^[2] Yunus's marriage with Vera ended within months of the birth of their baby girl, Monica Yunus (b. 1979 Chittagong), as Vera returned to New Jersey claiming that Bangladesh was not a good place to raise a baby. ^[2] Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan, founder of the Pakistan Academy for Rural Development (now Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development ), is credited alongside Yunus for pioneering the idea. ^[2] The third of nine children, Yunus was born on 28 June 1940 to a Muslim family in the village of Bathua, by the Boxirhat Road in Hathazari, Chittagong, then in Bengal Province of British India (now in Bangladesh). ^[2]
  
  Yunus s answer is simple: if anyone can run a bank for the poor and charge less, please go ahead and do so. ^[7] Immediately, Yunus saw the impracticality of carrying on in this way, and tried to interest banks in institutionalising his gesture by lending to th e poorest, with no collateral -- Bankers laughed at him, insisting that the poor are not creditworthy. ^[7]
  
  On March 8, 2011, the Bangladeshi Court finally confirmed the dismissal of Yunus as Grameen Bank Managing Director. ^[2]
  
  The government-appointed titular chairman of the Bank and former employee of the Bank Muzamel Huq earlier acknowledged the central bank decision saying Bangladesh Bank relieved him of his duties as the managing director of Grameen Bank with immediate effect. ^[16]
  
  Supporters of the pioneering development economist, who conceived the idea for a bank lending very small sums to the very deprived, to enable them to take a first step out of poverty, during a famine in Bangladesh in the late 1970s, say that the government now wants to take total control of what would be a major political asset. ^[34] Of the total equity of the bank, the borrowers own 94%, and the remaining 6% is owned by the Government of Bangladesh. ^[3] The bonds are implicitly subsidised as they are guaranteed by the Government of Bangladesh and still they are sold above the bank rate. ^[3]
  
  Grameen claims that more than half of its borrowers in Bangladesh (close to 50 million) have risen out of acute poverty thanks to their loan, as measured by such standards as having all children of school age in school, all household members eating three meals a day, a sanitary toilet, a rainproof house, clean drinking water and the ability to repay a 300 taka -a-week (around 4 USD) loan. ^[3] Over time, the Grameen initiative has grown into a multi-faceted group of profitable and non-profit ventures, including major projects like Grameen Trust and Grameen Fund, which runs equity projects like Grameen Software Limited, Grameen CyberNet Limited, and Grameen Knitwear Limited, as well as Grameen Telecom, which has a stake in Grameenphone (GP), biggest private sector phone company in Bangladesh. ^[2] Founder and Chairman, Grameen Uddog, a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to promote the interest of the handloom-weavers of Bangladesh. ^[33] This yogurt is produced by Grameen Danone, a social business joint venture between Danone and Grameen Bank that works to alleviate poverty by providing opportunities for street vendors to sell the yogurt and to improve nutrition among the poor by providing micronutrient-fortified yogurts to children in Bangladesh. ^[2]
  
  The Fu ll Circle Fund, a Grameen clone created by the city s South Shore Bank, has operated there for 10 years. ^[7]
  
  Now Grameen generates enough savings, mostly from its borrowers, to repay its loans and finance its future growth. ^[81] The NGO's and the Grameen Bank were launched by the imperialists with the active help and co-operation of the government not for alleviating or eradicating poverty. ^[5] In all regards, the rules of Grameen Bank were extraordinary and the concessions granted to it by the government in conducting its affairs was in contradiction with all banking practices followed in this country. ^[5]
  
  They simply have removed him from his post of managing director of Grameen Bank on legal grounds. ^[5]
  
  
  
  Professor Yunus brother Muhammad Ibrahim is a professor of physics at Dhaka University and the founder of The Center for Mass Education in Science (CMES). ^[6] Hasina and Yunus recently had a verbal dual when the micro-financier suggested that he should form his own political party. ^[16] Following this tiff, Hasina accused the Nobel laureate of treating the Grameen Bank as his personal property and claimed that the group "was sucking blood from the poor". ^[16] The Grameen Bank undoubtedly is a successful operator of small loans to rural poor like many NGOs, and has established a record in this which is far better than the ordinary commercial banks. ^[5] For this achievement the Grameen Bank may be awarded an international award for its success in managing small loans. ^[5] Even a modest survey of the situation on the ground in the rural areas reveals to any one that there has not been any perceptible poverty alleviation through disbursement of rural credit by the Grameen Bank or any other NGOs, though there may be some exceptional cases where some loanees have been able to improve their financial situation by making clever use of such loans. ^[5]
  
  He claims that by extending loan to the poor, he has been successful in alleviating poverty in Bangladesh to a large extent and by 2030 he would send poverty to the museum as a relic of the past. ^[5]
  
  It will dishearten the shareholders of the bank, the poor women of Bangladesh, who will see their bank deteriorate into an average bank of Bangladesh, rather than remaining a Nobel Prize winning institution it is. ^[17] Yunus sought withdrawal of the SC order on April 5 that dismissed his leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court verdict upholding the Bangladesh Bank order removing him from the post. ^[41] The order came following conclusion of hearing on the two petitions -- one filed by Yunus and another by nine directors of Grameen Bank on Tuesday. ^[41] Yunus and his colleagues encountered everything from violent radical leftists to the conservative clergy who told women that they would be denied a Muslim burial if they borrowed money from the Grameen Bank. ^[2]
  
  Over recent months, the Bangladeshi government, under the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has clashed repeatedly with Yunus. ^[39] Ninety-nine percent of expatriate Bangladeshis in America believe that the government of Bangladesh has abused the nation's only Nobel Laureate. ^[17]
  
  And, since 92 per cent of its share s are owned by the borrowers themselves (the balance is owned by the government ), it truly is a bank for, and of, the poor. ^[7]
  
  Yunus has alleged that the government is trying to take control of the bank, which pioneered the practice of giving small loans to alleviate poverty. ^[27] Yunus believed that making such loans available to a wide population would have a positive impact on the rampant rural poverty in Bangladesh. ^[3]
  
  Yunus's experiment of poor men's banking earned Bangladesh the repute of being the home of microcredit. ^[72] In spite of this he was awarded Nobel Prize for peace by the imperialist cliques to promote their political and other interests in Bangladesh. ^[5]
  
  A Central Bank official said, he had been stripped off his position as his appointment violated the Grameen Bank Ordinance 1983 that stipulates a Managing Director must be appointed with prior approval of the central bank. ^[16] He said he took the step to 'prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank and to ensure my colleagues and our eight million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities ^[82]
  
  Women in Bangladesh are subjected to various kinds of exploitations and repressions all over the country, particularly in the rural areas. ^[5] Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina meets visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at her office. ^[80]
  
  Yunus's resignation came as he lost his final legal battle in the apex court to thwart a Bangladesh Bank decision removing him from the position on March 2. ^[72]
  
  PTI, New Delhi, 5 May : As a mark of respect to Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu who died in a chopper crash near Tawang, all Central government offices in the state will remain closed tomorrow. ^[80] The micro-financiers firing caps a running battle with the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in recent months, during which he has faced a defamation suit by a local politician alleging that he misappropriated Norwegian development funds and accusations that he was overage. ^[16]
  
  The government of Bangladesh had garnered the goodwill of the world and America over the last two years for the way it conducted its domestic and foreign policies. ^[17] Government of Bangladesh adopted the concept and introduced it in the country under the name of "Packaged Input Programme" (PIP) in 1977. ^[33]
  
  His best work is done in a two-bedroom apartment at the bank s headquarters in Bangladesh s capital, Dhaka, where he lives with his wife and 10-year-old daughter, Deena. ^[7] It briefly explains the structure of government, and profiles the major development ngo s, in Bangladesh. ^[99] In order to make the project more effective, Yunus and his associates proposed the Gram Sarkar (the village government) programme. ^[2] On 3 May, however, Yunus declared that he had decided to abandon his political plans following a meeting with the head of the interim government, Fakhruddin Ahmed. ^[2]
  
  He indicated he fears the government may seek to influence Grameen Bank's governing structure and its lending policies, which could destabilize the agency. ^[63]
  
  On December 10, 2006, Mosammat Taslima Begum, who used her first 16-euro (20-dollar) loan from the bank in 1992 to buy a goat and subsequently became a successful entrepreneur and one of the elected board members of the bank, accepted the Nobel Prize on behalf of Grameen Bank's investors and borrowers at the prize awarding ceremony held at Oslo City Hall. ^[3] In a country in which few women may take out loans from large commercial banks, Grameen has focused on women borrowers as 97% of its members are women. ^[3]
  
  This is especially crucial as Yunus claims that in 2004, women still have difficulty getting loans as it represented less than 1 percent of borrowers from commercial banks (Yunus 2004). ^[3] The Mises Institute's Jeffrey Tucker suggests that microcredit banks depend on subsidies in order to operate, thus essentially becoming another example of welfare, whereas Yunus believes that he is working against the subsidized economy, giving borrowers the opportunity to create businesses. ^[3] The bank began as a research project by Yunus and the Rural Economics Project at Bangladesh's University of Chittagong to test his method for providing credit and banking services to the rural poor. ^[3]
  
  The Economist stated explicitly that Yunus was a poor choice for the award, stating: ". the Nobel committee could have made a braver, more difficult, choice by declaring that there would be no recipient at all." ^[2] Why does micro-credit work? What theoretical framework does it rely on? Yunus avoids jargon and graphs; instead, he states simply: Poverty covers people in a thick crust and makes the poor appear stupid and without initiative. ^[7] In early 2006 Yunus, along with other members of the civil society including Professor Rehman Sobhan, Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Dr Kamal Hossain, Matiur Rahman, Mahfuz Anam and Debapriya Bhattchariya, participated in a campaign for honest and clean candidates in national elections. ^[2] Yunus called the order illegal and went to the High Court which ruled against him upholding the central bank's order. ^[41] Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud, another counsel for Dr Yunus, said they will file a review petition with the apex court against its order after obtaining the copy of the order. ^[41] In 1976, during visits to the poorest households in the village of Jobra near Chittagong University, Yunus discovered that very small loans could make a disproportionate difference to a poor person. ^[2] Yunus answers this last point with the observation that any institution f or the poor that is not self-sufficient is bound to be hurt by reliance on donors: It is like telling a patient that he can breathe by himself for 2 3 hours a day, and the balance of the time the govemment will provide the oxygen. That means you are at their mercy. ^[7] In July 2009, Yunus became a member of the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation International Advisory Board to support the organisation's poverty reduction work. ^[2]
  
  One quarter of Grameen borrowers do not manage to repay their loans and remain trapped in poverty, often -- like the woman I met recently who had been featured four years ago on an American television programme as a Grameen success story -- because they are too sick or infirm. ^[7] More than 94% of Grameen loans have gone to women, who suffer disproportionately from poverty and who are more likely than men to devote their earnings to their families. ^[2] He has visited China, where Grameen loans have helped starving peasants who have too little to keep wa rm in winter; he has travelled to South Africa and met with the poor who jump at the chance to start their own car repair workshop or timber-sawing business, or plant wheat. ^[7] He is the author of Banker to the Poor and a founding board member of Grameen America and Grameen Foundation. ^[2]
  
  
  
  Grameen's central focus is to help poor borrower move out of poverty, not making money. ^[81]
  
  All that an assetless and landless person must do in order to be eligible for a loan is to prove tha t they understand how Grameen works. ^[7] All loan disbursements and repayments ar e made publicly in centre meetings (in front of eight or 10 groups) on a weekly basis. in a country steeped in corruption at all levels of administration, Grameen prides itself on being as transparent and open as possible. ^[7]
  
  Grameen was incorporated as a separate legal institution in 1983, and since then it has moved fast -- some would say too fast -- to expand its operations. ^[7] When opponents try to prevent Grameen from entering a village, his staff have orders to remain outside, avoiding confrontation, and wait for the women to come to them. ^[7]
  
  Grameen Bank staff and supporters surround its head office in Dhaka after a court upheld Muhammad Yunus's dismissal from the bank he founded almost three decades ago. ^[39] His younger brother Muhammad Jahangir is a popular television presenter and a well known social activist in Bangladesh. ^[2] On 2 August 2005, in response to a petition filed by Bangladesh Legal Aids and Services Trust (BLAST) the High Court had declared Gram Sarkar illegal and unconstitutional. ^[2]
  
  There are no telephones in its branches, no typewriters or carpets -- most borrowers are visited by Yunus s staff in their villages -- and no loan agreements. ^[7] Yunus soon discovered that lendin g to women, who traditionally have the least economic opportunity in Bangladeshi society, was much more beneficial to whole families; and that women were more careful about their debts. ^[7] On 11 February 2007, Yunus wrote an open letter, published in the Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star, where he asked citizens for views on his plan to float a political party to establish political goodwill, proper leadership and good governance. ^[2]
  
  Yunus has said he wants to step down from his position but at a time of his choosing to ensure a smooth transition for what he calls an institution "of the people". ^[39]
  
  Grameen distinguishes itself from such institutions by converting deposits made in villages into loans for the more needy in the villages (Yunus and Jolis 1998). ^[3] "GRAMEEN BANK Profit and Loss Account, for the year ended 31 December 2006" (PDF). ^[3]
  
  Maulana Ibrahim, a reactionary imam in Bangladesh, spoke out against the Grameen Bank in 1993 for fostering "un-Islamic ways", alleging (referring to the lenders' pledge) that women were taking a vow not to obey their husbands and not to live in poverty anymore. ^[3] Despite the success (let alone social impact) of Grameen Bank, Bangladesh continues to be a nation consumed by hunger, disease, and extreme poverty. ^[56]
  
  The bank currently has about 9 million borrowers in Bangladesh, 97 percent of whom are women. ^[27] Among many different applications of microcredit by the bank, one is the Village Phone program, through which women entrepreneurs can start a business providing wireless payphone service in rural areas of Bangladesh. ^[3]
  
  
  
  Hasina has accused the Grameen Bank and other microfinance institutions of charging high interest rates and "sucking blood from the poor borrowers". ^[39] On 1 October 1983 the pilot project began operations as a full-fledged bank and was renamed the Grameen Bank ( Village Bank ) to make loans to poor Bangladeshis. ^[2] Loans to around 8 million people have also made the Grameen Bank a potent political asset. ^[39] Awarded Aga Khan Award For Architecture, 1989 by Geneva based Aga Khan Foundation for designing and operating Grameen Bank Housing Programme for the poor, which helped poor members of Grameen Bank to construct 60,000 housing units by 1989, each costing on an average $ 300. ^[33] Professor Yunus has been permanently removed as the managing director of his brainchild, Grameen Bank. ^[17] Deputy Managing Director Nurjahan Begum will take over from Yunus until the board names a chief, Dhaka-based Grameen Bank said in an e-mailed statement yesterday. ^[91] Yunus, 70, founded the Grameen Bank almost 30 years ago and has been lauded in his homeland and elsewhere as one of the most innovative and effective campaigners against poverty. ^[34]
  
  Founded by Yunus 34 years ago, Grameen has about $955 million in outstanding loans to about 8.3 million borrowers, mostly poor women, according to the Financial Times. ^[22] Replying to a query, the minister said Prof Yunus is the founder of the bank and the government never exerted any control over him. ^[43] The full court of the Appellate Division, which simultaneously heard another petition filed by nine directors of the bank against the High Court order that backed Yunus removal, on Monday adjourned the hearing until Tuesday. ^[57]
  
  
  
  Bangladesh Supreme Court's Appellate Division, the highest appeal court, is currently facing acute shortage of judges and at the same time h. ^[41] It will provide telephone service in the rural areas of Bangladesh primarily through the poor women in rural areas. ^[33] Member of the National Debt Settlement Board headed by the President of Bangladesh (1989-90). ^[33]
  
  As of July 2007, Grameen Bank has issued US$ 6.38 billion to 7.4 million borrowers. ^[2] Awarded 1994 Pfeffer Peace Prize by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, U.S. for his vision of non collateral lending through the Grameen Bank and the courage of persevere in the concept that credit is a human right. ^[33]
  
  Grameen Bank received several prestigious awards including the highest civilian award in Bangladesh, the Independence Day Award, in 1994. ^[3] In 2003, Grameen Bank started a new program, different from its traditional group-based lending, exclusively targeted to the beggars in Bangladesh. ^[3]
  
  By a Bangladeshi government ordinance on October 2, 1983, the project was transformed into an independent bank. ^[3] Over recent months, the government of Sheikh Hasina has mounted an increasingly aggressive campaign against Yunus. ^[34] Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith yesterday said the government will form a panel to find a replacement for Yunus. ^[91]
  
  There is a dichotomy in the way the Bangladeshi government and the rest of the world view Professor Yunus. ^[17] If, after hounding Professor Yunus for over two years, the best the government can come up with is a "technicality," it vividly demonstrates not only how irrational and hollow the government's misguided pursuit has been, but also how scrupulously clean Professor Yunus is. ^[17]
  
  When Professor Yunus visits Mexico, poor peasants rush to touch him! He transcended his Bangladeshi credentials long ago and has become an iconic figure of the world. ^[17]
  
  Yunus' pioneering idea of giving loans to the poor without any collateral encouraged a boom in such lending across the developing world, earning him and the bank the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. ^[27] Grameen has offered credit to many poor, women, illiterate and unemployed people. ^[3] Grameen Foundation, which has an A-rating from Charity Watch, not only provides microloans in the USA itself (the only developed country where this is done), but also supports microfinance institutions worldwide with loan guarantees, training, and technology transfer. ^[3]
  
  Before Grameen started in 1970s, Bangladesh ­'s banks would not loan money to the country's poor. ^[8] Statement by Alex Counts, President of Grameen Foundation, another funding agency situated in USA, who spent six years in Bangladesh, initially as a Fulbright Scholar is relevant to quote here. ^[12] The Grameen Cybernet Ltd, which is the leading internet service provider in Bangladesh has its chief executive office in America, that too working on a commercial basis. ^[12]
  
  At the same time drawing both inspiration and practical lessons from the Grameen, the World Bank, USAID and other international funding agencies, have replicated Grameen type microcredit operations in 101 poor countries of the world. ^[12] Based on the Grameen model, in 1993 the World Bank took the initiative in establishing the Grameen Trust for encouraging microcredit operations at a global level. ^[12]
  
  Grameen Bank is a unique institution, and one which we are proud to say is owned almost wholly by poor women from across rural Bangladesh, who have changed their lives and those of their children and communities. ^[20] In the statement, Prof Yunus also said he has still not received the copy of the Supreme Court's full order that rejected appeals he and nine directors of Grameen Bank filed, challenging the central bank's order removing him as Grameen managing director. ^[43] Soon after the apex court decision, lawyers of Yunus and nine directors of the Grameen Bank submitted identical prayers seeking to recall the verdict saying they had more points to argue as the judges were yet to sign their order. ^[21]
  
  In fact China has already invited Yunus to inaugurate the Grameen International Conference on Microcredit in Beijing on October 22, 2006. ^[12] Although Yunus claims so, as is evident from the website of the American based Grameen Foudation (http://www.grameenfoundation.org) in which Yunus himself was a founder member, a number of leading international funding agencies still continue to finance the Grameen. ^[12]
  
  The Grameen model has been replicated in many countries, winning Yunus and the bank the joint Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. ^[48]
  
  To the capitalist and socialist world, and everything in between, Professor Yunus, through pioneering microcredit for the poor is a champion of the poor. ^[17] His brother Muhammad Ibrahim is a professor of physics at Dhaka University and the founder of The Center for Mass Education in Science (CMES), which brings science education to adolescent girls in villages. ^[2] She was reportedly angered by Yunus' 2007 attempt to form his own political party backed by the powerful army when the country was under a state of emergency and Hasina herself was behind bars. ^[63] Do not be surprised if somewhere down the line Professor Yunus becomes the only person ever to win the Nobel Prize for Peace twice. ^[17]
  
  On March 2, Bangladesh Bank through a letter removed the Nobel Prize winner from the post of managing director, on claims that Yunus was holding on to his post way past his retirement age. ^[43] The Bangladesh Bank fired Yunus as the GB chief executive on March 2 in a move, his supporters said, was politically motivated and part of a smear campaign against the 2006 Nobel Peace laureate. ^[24]
  
  Yunus encourages all borrowers to eventually become savers so that their local capital can be converted into new loans. ^[3] The failed bid to dismiss Yunus earlier this week was based on the claim that the globally famous development economist had broken local laws demanding mandatory retirement at the age of 60. ^[34] The cited ground for the attempted dismissal appeared to be the age of Yunus, whom Bangladesh's finance minister recently accused of being "too old". ^[34]
  
  Since 1995, Grameen has funded 90 percent of its loans with interest income and deposits collected, hence aligning the interests of its new borrowers and depositor-shareholders. ^[3] The accusation is based on the unauthorised transfer of aproximately 100 million USD donated by The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) from one Grameen entity to another 'Grameen Kalyan' in 1996, before the expiry of the Grameen bank's tax exemption. ^[3] Grameen has created a new class of women entrepreneurs who have raised themselves from poverty. ^[3] One unusual feature of the Grameen Bank is that it is owned by the poor borrowers of the bank, most of whom are women. ^[3] "As Managing Director (MD) of Grameen Bank all his income, whether earned in the country or abroad, is taxable," said a senior revenue board official. ^[96]
  
  The Grameen Bank board in 2000 reappointed Yunus as managing director for an indefinite period, despite his exceeding the usual retirement age of 60-65. ^[22] The Supreme Court dismissed two petitions filed in connection with Yunus removal from the post of managing director at Grameen Bank. ^[21] Before Prof Yunus made his resignation public, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said the deputy managing director of Grameen Bank is to act as the managing director until a committee finds his successor. ^[43] Other officials said Yunus had wanted to retire voluntarily from his Grameen Bank several times in the past, but the bank's board requested him to stay on only for the sake of the institution. ^[24] Yunus should have rejected this appointment when the Grameen Bank board made it," Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said, according to the Bangkok Post. ^[22]
  
  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused Yunus, who briefly set up his own political party in 2007 during the military-run caretaker government, of using 'tricks' to avoid taxes and'sucking blood of the poor' with his bank's loans. ^[57] "We humbly request the Prime Minister to consider our appeal," he said and also urged the government not to appoint any controversial people to the senior posts of the bank. ^[24]
  
  Today the Bank has over 6.6 million members, 96 percent of them being women and covering 71371 Bangladesh villages with 2226 branches. ^[12] Experience from Bangladesh points to widespread practices on the part of commercial banks exploiting the concept of microcredit, which is safer by substituting it for rural and agricultural loans, which are risky. ^[12]
  
  
  
  Analysts have suggested that microcredit can bring communities into debt from which they cannot escape, citing situations where microloans from the Grameen Bank were linked to exploitation and pressures on poor families to sell their belongings, leading in extreme cases to humiliation and ultimately suicides. ^[3] There is no legal instrument (no written contract) between Grameen Bank and its borrowers, the system works based on trust. ^[3] One of the first mutual funds of its kind, GMFO will allow the over four million Grameen bank members, as well as non-members, to buy into Bangladesh's capital markets. ^[3] On Monday an attempt to oust him was defeated at an acrimonious board meeting of the Grameen Bank in Dhaka, the capital. ^[34]
  
  The Government has provided organizations with opportunities; we have made use of these opportunities with aim of benefitting our shareholders who are the rural poor women of Bangladesh.' The matter has since been resolved. ^[3] The bank's repayment rate was hit following the 1998 flood of Bangladesh before recovering again in subsequent years. ^[3] He has created systemic change in his home country of Bangladesh and is a global leader in poverty reduction. ^[56]
  
  Of the total equity of the bank, the borrowers own 94%, and the remaining 6% is owned by the Government of Bangladesh ­. he is being attacked by the govt b/c he wants to set up a new political party, fighting against corruption ­, fighting for women's rights and fighting for the poor. ^[8] This model works and in fact has significan ­tly given the poor in Bangladesh an opportunit ­y to attain prosperity without relying on the government and mainstream banks. ^[8]
  
  
  
  Yunus filed the petition on Apr 5 when the top court had confirmed the High Court ruling, virtually putting to rest a bitter battle between Yunus and the government. ^[57] Yunus -- awarded the 2006 peace prize for his work with microfinancing -- defied the order by returning to work at Grameen's headquarters in Dhaka and lodged a court appeal contesting his sacking. ^[22] The high court on Tuesday rejected an appeal by Yunus, 70, awarded the 2006 Nobel peace prize for tackling poverty through his "microfinance" cash loans to small farmers and villagers, challenging his dismissal last week. ^[22] "Both the leave petitions are dismissed," chief justice ABM Khairul Haque pronounced as the seven-member apex court rejected the petitions by Yunus and nine directors of the pioneering micro lending agency after three days of hearing. ^[21] Yunus filed the appeal with the country's supreme court after a high court backed the central bank order that ousted him. ^[64] The central bank argued in its memo that the 70-year-old Yunus violated the country's rule on mandatory retirement at the age of 60. ^[64] Association president Md Shamsul Alam said if Yunus cannot be allowed to continue as the managing director for age limit, he should be appointed as the chairman for a smooth transition. ^[24]
  
  While managing this family of enterprises, the Grameen Bank finances almost a million micro projects and in terms of the extent of its operations and political and economic clout it is somewhat like a parallel government. ^[12] Borrowers of Grameen Bank at present reportedly own 94 per cent of its total equity; remaining 6 percent is owned by the government. ^[12] After questions were raised about the use of a Norwegian fund by Grameen Bank, the government formed the review committee led by Prof AK Monowar Uddin Ahmed of Dhaka University Economics Department on January 11. ^[43]
  
  The methodology created by Grameen which individualizes the cause and solution for poverty thereby negating the crucial question relating to social and political mobilization as well as the need for fundamental change in social, political and economic structures has been readily acceptable to imperialists. ^[12]
  
  Employees Association leaders told a press briefing they feared the micro-lender could be hit by a bank run and it's anti-poverty programmes fall in place if uncertainty over Professor Yunus continues to affect the institution. ^[24] Yunus allegedly earned the ire of Bangladeshi politicians, particularly Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, after he formed his own a political party in 2007. ^[64] Founding president of the association BM Barkat Ullah said Yunus pioneered micro-loan as an effective weapon against poverty and his name is now synonymous with micro-lending in the country. ^[24] Microcredit or microfinance had been an obscure concept to development theorists when Yunus started it in 1976. ^[12] The finance minister said they respect and honour Prof Yunus like all others in the country. ^[43] Now, the Nobel Prize for Peace (and not for Economics) is awarded to the economist Yunus for translating this academic theory of Sen into a postmodern development paradigm itself. ^[12]
  
  We have come to Court today on behalf of 9 of the Elected Directors of Grameen Bank, and for Professor Yunus, whose vision gave the Bank its shape and form. ^[20] Nine of the Directors of Grameen Bank also challenged the validity of the Central Bank's authority to remove Professor Yunus from his rightfully appointed position. ^[20] In 1999, when Professor Yunus was about to reach the age of 60, the age limit as contained in the Service Regulations of Grameen Bank of 1993 for Grameen Bank employees, the Board unanimously decided that this limit should not apply to the Managing Director. ^[20]
  
  These troubles burst into public view last fall, when a documentary on Norwegian television alleged Prof. Yunus had, in his role as managing director, improperly transferred funds loaned to the bank by the Norwegian national aid agency to Grameen Kalyan, a separate not-for-profit entity. ^[11]
  
  A seven-member Supreme Court panel led by the chief justice announced it had dismissed Yunus' appeal to remain the bank's managing director. ^[27] I really didn't intend this post to focus on ways of ending global poverty; I just happened to come across these words on the same day I planned to express my thoughts on Yunus' current legal battle, and felt compelled to share this paradox. ^[56] She was reportedly angered by Yunus' 2007 attempt to form his own political party backed by the powerful army when the country was under a state of emergency and Hasina was behind bars. ^[27]
  
  The Bank was immensely successful and the project, with support from the central Bangladesh Bank, was introduced in 1979 to the Tangail District (to the north of the capital, Dhaka ). ^[3]
  
  The Grameen Bank responded to these queries, and Bangladesh Bank raised no further objection. ^[20] Later in 1999, the Bangladesh Bank queried the issue of whether Grameen Bank had obtained further approval. ^[20]
  
  Professor Yunus has helped to change the face of Bangladesh, and to change millions of lives for the better. ^[20] In addition to the above, the Finance Minister said today that the Board of Directors, which includes three government appointees - one of them the Chairman- decided to waive the retirement age limit for Professor Yunus once he reached the age of 60. ^[20]
  
  In rapid succession, the government ordered a review of the bank's affairs; declared that Prof. Yunus was a "public servant" because the state owns a small share of the bank; and ruled that he was 10 years past the mandatory age of retirement (the finance minister who delivered that news is himself 77, while Sheikh Hasina is 63). ^[11] The bank is still awaiting a final decision on a separate government claim that Yunus was illegally reappointed managing director, with the Supreme Court due to review an order for his dismissal early next month. ^[44] Yunus has said the dismissal was illegal and alleged that the government was trying to take control of his bank, which pioneered the practice of giving tiny loans to alleviate poverty. ^[8]
  
  Khondker Mozammel Haque, now the Bank's chairman, in a strongly worded letter on Jan 1, 2000 raised the alarm and urged Yunus to intervene to save the micro-lender from impending disaster, according to the inquiry committee report on the Grameen operations. ^[73] Mohammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank and a winner of the Nobel peace prize, is currently under threat of being sacked from his post as managing director of Grameen. ^[85] Until Hasina and Shantu Larma get their Nobel Peace Prizes and revoke Yunus ', Hasina will be relentless against Grameen Bank and Yunus. ^[85]
  
  Bangladesh Bank, the country's central bank, had issued an order removing Yunus saying the rules governing the banking sector in the country require the CEO to retire at 60. ^[48] Yunus had sought withdrawal of the apex court's April 5 order that dismissed his leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court verdict upholding the Bangladesh Bank order removing him from the post. ^[48]
  
  
  
  A study by Khandker (Shahidur R. Khandker, Fighting Poverty with Microcredit: Experience in Bangladesh, New York, 1998) had shown that the high recovery rates on microcredit loans which attracted global attention was the outcome of centre and group pressure on members. ^[12] I am taking this step without prejudice to the legal issues raised before the Supreme Court, and in order to prevent undue disruption in the activities of Grameen Bank and to ensure that my colleagues and our 80 lakh members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities. ^[43] These nine Directors represent the borrowers of Grameen Bank, who are also the majority owners of the Bank. ^[20]
  
  The 71-year-old economist, who founded the micro-financier in 1982 with 25 per cent equity from the government, had earlier filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the central bank decision. ^[24] Attorney general Mahbubey Alam told newsmen that the apex court verdict meant the Nobel laureate could no more cling to his position as he lost his "last legal battle". ^[21]
  
  
  
  After the apex court rejected two petitions, one by Yunus and the other by the bank's directors, their lawyers expressed dissatisfaction at the verdict and said they would appeal after studying the latest order. ^[48] The Yunus underling in that letter expressed grave concerns over the low rate of loan recovery, growing frustration among the staff and gross irregularities in management and promotion, saying the embarrassing blunders were blighting careers of many young people. ^[73]
  
  Last month Robert Blake, assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs, visited Yunus during a trip to Bangladesh, told reporters the U.S. was "deeply troubled" by the situation and said that if no compromise was reached "I think it will have an effect on our bilateral relations." ^[8] Muhith and company may not like it, but Yunus is the biggest reason, after Sheikh Mujib and the 1971 war of independence, why the world pays Bangladesh any attention and still keeps for that country a special place in its heart. ^[67] "I think Prof. Yunus forgot that Nobel Prize or not he has to live in Bangladesh and by the codes of Bangladesh society." ^[11]
  
  Yunus wanted to "ensure my colleagues and our eight million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities". ^[78] Prof Yunus said he was happy to step down but he wanted to secure the future of the microfinance bank he founded. ^[49] The finance minister also appointed a new chair of the board, a former Grameen employee with an open dislike of Prof. Yunus, who quickly moved to dismiss him as managing director. ^[11] The Grameen legend goes like this: in the early 1970s, when Mohammed Yunus was a mild-mannered professor of economics working far from the centre of things in Chittagong, he made a personal loan of $27 to 42 village families. ^[11] "Remember that in 2013 the country will again have elections this is a way to send a message not just to Yunus but to anyone else who might be considering politics," said Lamia Karim, a Bangladeshi native who teaches at the University of Oregon and has long studied Grameen. ^[11]
  
  The association said they have signatures of more than 20,000 GB employees and 3.7 million citizens across the country who seek reinstatement of Professor Yunus as the managing director of the micro-lender. ^[24] Professor Yunus is an extraordinary visionary whose unshakeable belief in the power of people to help themselves escape poverty has become a rallying call across the globe. ^[12] The Bangladesh Bank has a very limited role to play, which is to accord prior approval to the appointment of the MD. In the case of Professor Yunus, the Bangladesh Bank had given such approval long ago in 1990. ^[20]
  
  Formerly, the general manager of the bank, Muzammel was fired by Yunus more than 10 years ago. ^[65] Prof. Yunus has groomed no obvious successor, and many potential candidates have left the bank in recent years on acrimonious terms. ^[11]
  
  In a latest development of this saga, the central bank ordered the removal of Yunus (70) on the grounds that he had overstayed as head of Grameen operations violating the law (the retirement age in commercial bank is 60). ^[42] The other charge against Yunus is that Grameen hasn't really helped reduce poverty. ^[67] To the world, Yunus will still be a visionary and a pioneer, but Grameen without Yunus will be just another micro-lending institution, confined within a bureaucratic straitjacket. ^[67] "If there is any lack of confidence over Grameen Bank and if people have lack of trust over the institution, then the Grameen Bank will be a shaky institution," Prof Yunus said after the court hearing. ^[49] Yunus was last month fired by a central bank order, which claimed he failed to seek the bank's approval when he was reappointed managing director of Grameen Bank indefinitely in 1999. ^[44]
  
  "Grameen Bank has become a person-oriented organization, not a rules or system-based organization," the report said, calling for an overhaul of the board structure and the restructuring of some sister companies. ^[44] The Grameen Bank in Bangladesh has become an international model for microcredit as a poverty alleviation strategy. ^[79] The purpose of this paper is twofold: to evaluate the Grameen Bank as a strategy for empowering and improving the socioeconomic status of women in Bangladesh, and to identify lessons from the Grameen Bank experience that can inform development policy more generally. ^[79]
  
  The bank has nearly nine million borrowers in Bangladesh; 97% of them are women. ^[78] The microlending bank currently has nearly 9 million borrowers in Bangladesh, 97 percent of whom are women. ^[8] In December, Ms Hasina accused Prof Yunus of treating Grameen Bank as his "personal property" and claimed that it was "sucking blood from the poor". ^[49] Prof Yunus argues that he has special dispensation to stay in charge of the Grameen Bank - which he heads after establishing it in 1983 - beyond retirement age. ^[49]
  
  The bank has huge influence in Bangladesh, and its sister companies have moved into solar panels, mobile phones and other consumer goods, but this expansion did not adhere to the original Grameen Bank law, the probe said. ^[44] Control of the bank would be a considerable political asset, and a significant help in the battle for power in Bangladesh. ^[78] Please keep the blame on Bangladesh ­'s corrupt and petty government ­, not its people. t ­he people still ADORE this great man. ^[8] I looked at the video and it does not show tons of nobel laureates in Bangladesh waiting to take his place now that the government has shut him down. ^[8]
  
  Meanwhile the bank long the most powerful civil institution in the country has had an increasingly uncomfortable relationship with government as the country moves out of decades of dictatorship. ^[11] Not only was there no response, lawyer Sara Hossein said, but the governor of the central bank and other senior government figures who sit on the bank board went on regularly dealing with Prof. Yunus on bank affairs. ^[11] In building a commercial bank for the resourceless rather than an NGO, Yunus took the initiative to involve the government in the hope that the government would become stakeholders in serving the resourceless. ^[1] Prof Yunus says his dismissal is part of a government plan to take full control of the bank. ^[68]
  
  Within such a spirit of reconciliation, the prime minister should perceive Yunus not as her adversary, which he obviously cannot be as she is the democratically elected leader of the country, but as an asset in the building of a din bodol where poverty and injustice can be banished from Bangladesh. ^[1] Yunus not only brought a Nobel Prize for Bangladesh, but also received almost all the most known prestigious recognitions, including the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, the King Abdul Aziz Medal, and the Ramon Magsaysay Award. ^[13]
  
  Yunus had started his lone campaign to provide loans to the poor, who had always been overlooked by the traditional banks, from his home village of Jobra in Chittagong. ^[13] In this task Yunus initially received enlightened and active cooperation from A.M.A. Muhith, who was then the finance minister, who enacted a unique Ordnance which set up a commercial bank, partly owned by its resource poor clients, who could thereby borrow without collateral from such an organisation. ^[1]
  
  She said the government has a 25 percent stake in Grameen, but it seems that this bank is solely owned by one person. ^[13]
  
  Yunus said the step was taken to 'prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank' and to ensure that his colleagues and eight million members of the bank 'are not subjected to any difficulty'. ^[51] As Grameen points out, it is owned by its 8 million or so borrowers, most of them relatively poor women. ^[42] He is also the father of Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the woman who leads Bangladesh today and whose government now seems hell bent on using every possible instrument at its disposal to discredit its most prominent citizen. ^[11] The government owns a 25% stake in Grameen Bank, which pioneered the microfinance concept of lending small amounts of money to the poor which has been replicated worldwide. ^[49]
  
  Supporters of Yunus, who has also been vilified in the Bangladeshi press, say his legal woes stem from a fallout with Hasina in 2007 over his short-lived attempt to found a political party. ^[44] Bangladesh's central bank removed the 71-year-old Yunus from the post last month, saying he violated the bank's retirement rule. ^[8] Dr. Yunus is challenging this in court and thousands of supporters protested across the country against his removal. ^[42] At the center of the court case was whether Yunus was exempt from a banking law setting the retirement age at 60. ^[8] The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize citation said Prof. Yunus had "shown himself to be a leader who has managed to translate visions into practical action for the benefit of millions of people." ^[11] Bloggers like Ichcha Manab thinks that this sudden decision to remove Yunus from the board is a disrespect to the Nobel Laureate and is a dent to the country's image. ^[42]
  
  It would have been an act of monumental corporate unwisdom and fiduciary irresponsibility for the Board to have liquidated such an asset by permitting Yunus to retire as if he were some common or garden bank employee. ^[1] A no less relevant consideration for the Board was the international persona of Prof. Yunus and its value to the Bank. ^[1]
  
  With his sheer energy, international repute and style, Yunus managed to raise Grameen, that started with two staff, to a level where it now has 20,000 employees and 83.5 lakh borrowers. ^[13] It was, at that time, clear to all members on the Board that Grameen Bank was no ordinary bank and Prof. Yunus was no ordinary chief executive in the mould of the managing directors of other state owned banks. ^[1] Nor did they enquire as to why the Board of Grameen Bank, in 1999, took the decision to request Prof. Yunus to continue as Managing Director for as long as he was capable of discharging this responsibility. ^[1] On Thursday the court upheld a High Court ruling that Yunus must be dismissed as managing director of the Grameen Bank he founded three decades ago. ^[66] The central bank said Yunus failed to seek its approval when he was reappointed as the managing director in 2000, violating one of the statutes of the partly state-owned (25 percent) Grameen Bank. ^[13] The country's central bank removed Prof Yunus, 71, from his post last March, saying his continuing work at Grameen Bank violated laws that state public servants must retire at the age of 60. ^[68] In order not to shake the confidence of the members in the continuity of the organisation and to retain the presence of their most valuable capital asset with the Bank, ideally Prof. Yunus should be invited to assume the Chairmanship of the Board of Grameen Bank. ^[1] About the last thing anyone with the best interests of the Bank and its 8 million members in mind, would want is the "exit," graceful or otherwise, of Yunus from Grameen Bank. ^[1] In point of fact, Yunus himself, has declared that he is no longer interested in managing the day to day affairs of an organisation as large as Grameen Bank. ^[1]
  
  
  
  Grameen changed this dynamic by offering small loans that could realistica ­lly be repaid so the borrower could be build credit and reapply for a larger loan. ^[8] High rates are as true of Grameen as of all microfinance institutions all over the world, and how to deal with the issue is now the subject of a major debate in the entire micro-financing community. ^[67] Hasina has accused Grameen Bank and other microfinance institutions of charging high interest rates and "sucking blood from the poor borrowers." ^[8]
  
  Having seen this dynamic in action in Bangladesh ­, I am heartbroke ­n that Sheikh Hasina has put holding onto her power above the wellbeing of so many desperatel ­y poor people in her country. ^[8] Beyond the borders of Bangladesh the professor tends to be seen as a naive champion of the poor, persecuted by a jealous Prime Minister. ^[11]
  
  He lodged a case challenging his dismissal in Bangladeshs High Court but he made it clear that he is happy to leave his post as managing director as long as there is a stable handover to his successor. ^[49]
  
  Prof Yunus filed one of the petitions with the SC on April 5 for the withdrawal of its order that dismissed his leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court verdict upholding the Bangladesh Bank's order to remove him from the post. ^[97] Today, Grameen Bank gives loans to nearly 7.0 million poor people, 97 per cent of whom are women, in 73,000 villages in Bangladesh. ^[31] The rural connectivity program of GrameenPhone is such an instance whereby the entrepreneurs energized by Grameen Bank's microcredit bring a powerful economic force to rural Bangladesh in addition to uplifting themselves. ^[19]
  
  The government owns a 25 percent stake in Grameen, while the remainder of the bank is owned by its borrowers. ^[30]
  
  For the government to assume the posture of an all powerful state which can treat the opinions and concerns of these millions of women, who today contribute 96% of the equity of this bank, with such contempt is neither sensible corporate or democratic governance. ^[1] Let us see the result of hitches among a Nobel laureate, a democratic government, USA and the people of Bangladesh. ^[13] The government has privatised several nationalised banks while the remaining commercial banks, such as Sonali and Janata Bank, still under government ownership, are under orders to sell their shares in the stock market to private buyers. ^[1] Nor has the government received any complaints from the majority owners of the Bank or its borrowers that the bank was being mismanaged or that their resources were being misused. ^[1] This may be contrasted with the thousands of crores, drawn from tax payers' revenues, which the government was compelled to inject into the state owned banks to rebuild their capital base, depleted by the massive defaults of their elite class of borrowers. ^[1]
  
  A decade later, with a Nobel Prize for himself and the Grameen Bank, a widely acclaimed and replicated institution around the world, Yunus enjoys access to every president and prime minister in the developed world and most such leaders in the developing world extending across China, India, South Africa, Brazil, Vietnam and even Venezuela. ^[1] The prime minister should then personally invite Prof. Yunus to assume the Chair of the Board of Grameen Bank and for them to open a new chapter in the relations between the state and Grameen Bank. ^[1] Way back in 1976 Grameen Bank had been conceived as a unique idea by Yunus, then a Professor of Economics at Chittagong University, built upon the principle of collateral free banking to serve the resourceless. ^[1] This may be done through an invitation to Prof. Yunus to meet with her and the finance minister, where all the misgivings she may have accumulated about Grameen Bank and Prof. Yunus should be discussed in a spirit of constructive engagement. ^[1] From the inception of this experiment and extending over the next quarter of a century, Yunus has laboured day and night, assisted by a team of dedicated associates, to transform Grameen Bank into the biggest and most famous organisation of its kind in the world, culminating in the award of the Nobel Prize to him and the Bank. ^[1]
  
  The regulatory action against Yunus, whose innovation of giving small loans to poor people, mostly women, to start small businesses has been adopted worldwide and won him the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, has been accompanied by a slew of allegations of improper dealings, all of which have been disproven or found to be inconsequential. ^[66] From confrontation to statesmanship The spokespersons for the government, in their recent public pronouncements, have stated that the government has no political quarrel with Yunus. ^[1] Many observers say Yunus attracted the ire of Awami League and other political parties when he made a failed attempt to float a political party during the military-backed caretaker government, at a time when political leaders were being arrested wholesale and put in jail. ^[13]
  
  
  
  He found little solace there; the rapidity, and surly language, of the court orders have many convinced Bangladesh's quasi-independent judiciary has been ordered to side with government. ^[11] Prof. Yunus's model was formalized as a bank in 1983; today the Grameen Bank has 8.2 million borrowers, and lends $125-million a month. ^[11] The conclusions that are drawn from this evaluation are that Grameen Bank is not a panacea for poverty alleviation and improving women's lives, that it has increased the income of borrowers, has led to improvements in specific aspects of their lives, and that it has potential if used in conjunction with other progressive social and economic policies to contribute to long-term, sustainable, progressive social change. ^[79]
  
  Agreed retirement rules sometimes have their benefits, but might I point out that the current President of Bangladesh is freaking 82 years old. in this case, the"retire ­ment rule" is clearly a joke. ^[8] It's a story about what Bangladesh is today: a newly vibrant secular democracy with a booming economy but also, it seems, a country that has not yet shed all the baggage of its messy political past. ^[11] Sheikh Hasina has been jailed for alleged bribery and organizing political violence; when she was in power in the 1990s Bangladesh earned Transparency International's title of "most corrupt nation." ^[11]
  
  This idea, which began in Jobra, a small village in Bangladesh, has spread around the world and there are now Grameen type programs in almost every country. ^[31] In a statement from the bank on Thursday, he stated, "I am today relinquishing the post of managing director of Grameen Bank." ^[51] Grameen Telecom, the Grameen Bank's arm for administering the village phone operators, typically selects women by their past borrowing records with the Bank. ^[19]
  
  Yunus has been mired in controversy after revelations of an unauthorized bank transfer and as the microfinance industry comes under attack for placing onerous conditions on borrowers that led to suicides in India's Andhra Pradesh state last year. ^[30] Yunus was appointed managing director of the bank for an indefinite period in 2000 when he reached 60, the bank says. ^[30] Yunus is "continuing his work as the managing director of the bank," said the brief statement signed by Jannat-e-Quanine, general manager of the bank. ^[30]
  
  A local politician in northern Bangladesh accused Yunus in 2007 of defaming him in an interview in which Yunus said politicians were only motivated by money. ^[30] Yunus, a man of extraordinary visions, quickly appreciated all the arguments I made in favor of a connectivity program for rural Bangladesh. ^[19]
  
  The innovation won Yunus the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, which he shared with the bank itself. ^[30]
  
  "Yunus said 'I went to court to seek justice, but now I have received the verdict and it is my time to leave Grameen Bank,'" bank official Amimul Islam said. ^[74]
  
  This sustained silence by the Bangladesh Bank was quite reasonably interpreted by Grameen Bank as the acceptance of their response to Bangladesh Bank's audit report and the validation of the Board's decision on their continuation of Yunus's appointment as managing director. ^[1] The act has also become global news and is exposing the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) to much adverse commentary across the world, which has hardly served to enhance our image. ^[1] I am afraid, his decision to go court now is merely the curtain raiser of a legal battle for justice and rights; rather it is a smokescreen for U.S. economic and political invasion of Bangladesh. ^[13]
  
  Yunus lodged an fresh appeal after the court in April upheld the decision by the central bank to remove him. ^[68] For these millions of borrowers Yunus, in his person, was their security blanket, in this alien world of institutional finance. ^[1] Such access is a bankable asset for which any of these Fortune 500 companies would pay Yunus millions of dollars to sit on their Board. ^[1]
  
  In such circumstances its remains inexplicable as to why, after 30 years of interacting with the Grameen Bank as a minority and sleeping shareholder, the government should now wake up to assume a proprietary role over this organisation. ^[1] Over these years the Grameen Bank has, thus, required no government bailouts or even interventions in soliciting external resources. ^[1] Why has the government taken such an extreme step without even waiting for the outcome of the report of a Review Committee on Grameen Bank set up by the finance minister? The grounds for Yunus's removal did not relate to his efficiency as a manager or the quality of performance of the Bank under his stewardship in the last three decades. ^[1]
  
  The Grameen Bank has pioneered micro-lending to the poor by giving small loans to millions of borrowers. ^[68] The borrowers of Grameen Bank, mostly poor women, who own 75% of the shares, have continued to increase their subscription to the capital base of the Bank, drawing on their meager savings and have gradually enhanced it to Tk.53 crores. ^[1]
  
  The Bangladesh Bank raised this issue in its Annual Audit Report of Grameen Bank, which gave a full reply to the queries in the Report. ^[1]
  
  For sound reasons or not, it is widely believed in Bangladesh Yunus' problems began in 2007 when he started, but then folded, a new political party to oppose the country's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. ^[66]
  
  
  
  The High Court upheld his removal and he appealed then to the Supreme Court, his last legal option. ^[8] Following this, Yunus and nine Grameen Bank directors filed separate petitions challenging the legality of his removal, but the High Court in its verdict on Mar 8 dismissed the petitions. ^[51] Illustrated by the author's personal communication experience and the potential that good communication connections have, in enabling development, the paper describes an initiative in Bangladesh that within a few years will bring cellular phones into the 35,000 villages covered by the Grameen Bank. ^[19] According to established data (World Bank 1999) including those by International Telecommunication Union, an arm of the United Nations (Kayani and Dymond 1997), a poor economy like Bangladesh would grow by $4,000 annually in GNP due to one additional phone that, it turns out, would cost only a $1,000. ^[19]
  
  Its overall poverty meant that the Government could not ignore reform prescriptions from outsiders such as the World Bank. ^[19] The minister said Yunus is a pride of the nation and the government wants to ensure a respectable departure for him. ^[51]
  
  In March, the Bangladeshi government forced him to step down as head of Grameen, the pioneering microfinance bank he created. ^[62] The government owns a 25% stake in Grameen, while the remainder of the bank is owned by its borrowers. ^[54]
  
  Unofficially, he has become a political threat to the ruling party in Bangladesh, which sees Grameen and microfinance as "bleeding the poor". ^[62] Recognizing his work in helping to eradicate poverty worldwide, representatives of Pepperdine University's Geoffrey H. Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law traveled to Dhaka, Bangladesh, in January of this year to present Yunus with the Palmer Center's Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award. ^[29] Friends and admirers of Yunus believe politicians have been looking for an opportunity to oust him since the economist tried to establish a political party several years ago to fight corruption, an endemic problem in Bangladesh. ^[18]
  
  Yunus founded the bank three decades ago, pioneering the concept of reducing poverty by making tiny loans to the poor. ^[54]
  
  
  
  The person who should initiate this constructive conclusion to this regrettable and damaging episode in our history should be none other than the prime minister, who could hardly be insensitive to the concerns of the millions of women who own Grameen Bank or to the political consequences of their alienation. ^[1] The prime minister as well as the leader of the opposition have led their respective parties for 3 decades, longer than Yunus's tenure as Managing Director of Grameen Bank. ^[1]
  
  Even if he were to withdraw completely from Grameen Bank, he chairs a variety of Grameen branded institutions dedicated to serve the resource poor. ^[1] Such a run on Grameen Bank could have a contagion effect which could jeopardise the financial stability of other micro-finance institutions across the country. ^[1]
  
  In the process he established a personalised relationship of trust with the Bank's women owners, which earned their confidence in doing business with Grameen Bank. ^[1]
  
  According to Grameen Bank's iternal survey, 58 per cent of our borrowers have crossed the poverty line. ^[31] Yunus is arguably Bangladesh's most famous man and sitting at the helm of an organization with more than 8 million loyal borrowers, they worried he could shake up Bangladeshi politics as he shook up microfinance. ^[50] The official reasoning for the order is that Yunus, at 70, is too old for the post, citing a provision of the law that sets a mandatory retirement age of 60. ^[50] The quick version is that Yunus made a powerful enemy of Hasina when he announced he might start a political party shortly after a 2007 military coup. ^[50]
  
  Yunus was appointed managing director of the bank for an indefinite period in 2000, when he reached 60, the bank says. ^[54] Yunus created a bank that would lend small sums to such clients, filling the gap that traditional banks had left and cutting out local loan sharks. ^[18] In December, the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, accused Yunus of treating Grameen as his personal property and claimed the group was "sucking blood from the poor". ^[18]
  
  "It is vital that Grameen Bank remains an independent financial resource for the poor of rural Bangladesh," Black said. ^[18]
  
  Grameen Bank gives collateral-free income generating, housing, student and micro-enterprise loans to the poor families and offers a host of attractive savings, pension funds and insurance products for its members. ^[31] Even a relatively rich person in the village is walking up to a poor woman's home for a service he needs. The phone service being retailed in these villages almost exclusively by women, a situation due to the fact that 94% of borrowers of the Grameen Bank are women, is turning out to be another good thing. ^[19] More importantly, following the Grameen Bank theme of promoting self-employment, I proposed that a cellular phone can be a means for income generation for the poor, i.e., a telephone could be a 'cow' as well, at least from the perspective of the Bank's borrowers. ^[19] Since the Nobel Peace Prize was announced, I have received endless messages from around the world, but what moves me most are the calls I get almost daily, from the borrowers of Grameen Bank in remote Bangladeshi villages, who just want to say how proud they are to have received this recognition. ^[31] I am taking this step without prejudice to the legal issues raised before the Supreme Court, and in order to prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank," he said in a letter released late Thursday. ^[58]
  
  The Nobel laureate echoed Muhith, adding that Nurjahan would hold charge until a managing director is appointed in accordance with the Grameen Bank ordinance. ^[51] Nine elected representatives of the 7 million borrowers-cum- owners of Grameen Bank have accompanied me all the way to Oslo to receive the prize. ^[31] I express thanks on their behalf to the Norwegian Nobel Committee for choosing Grameen Bank for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. ^[31]
  
  Thanks to your prize, nine proud women from the villages of Bangladesh are at the ceremony today as Nobel laureates, giving an altogether new meaning to the Nobel Peace Prize. ^[31]
  
  Annual audits commissioned by the Bangladesh Bank have indicated that it is well managed and its financial dealings are in good order and above board. ^[1] In Bangladesh 80 percent of the poor families have already been reached with microcredit. ^[31] Using data from a recent ethnographic study in rural Bangladesh to explore relationships between men's violence against women in the home, women's economic and social dependence on men, and microcredit programmes, this paper suggests that microcredit programmes have a varied effect on men's violence against women. ^[100] How was my native Bangladesh doing in 1993 on this front of its battle against poverty? Research made me rediscover that Bangladesh chugged along mostly without phones and I wondered how much human energy was wasted in an unconnected nation of 120 million. ^[19] Suppressed demand due to artificially high price and statistics from India, a country with economic conditions comparable with Bangladesh, but five times as many phones on a per-capita basis, convinced me that the problem in Bangladesh was probably more the lack of initiatives than its economic poverty. ^[19]
  
  At the time of the remarks, Bangladesh was under a state of emergency and many politicians, including current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, were behind bars on charges of corruption. ^[30]
  
  That's a debate that should be had, and is happening, but this move by the Bangladeshi government isn't helping sort out the best way to combat poverty. ^[50]
  
  He came under attack last year after a Norwegian documentary alleged the bank had dodged funds and grants provided by the Norwegian government. ^[71] "The bullying and insulting of Yunus as a 'blood sucker' and the pathetic attempts by the government to remove him on grounds of his age must stop." ^[18] The central bank, which is nominally independent from the government, removed Yunus on March 2 on the grounds that he had failed to seek its approval when he was reappointed indefinitely in 1999. ^[74]
  
  Yunus is now beginning a new mission: Grameen America, the first Grameen Bank style microcredit program in the United States. ^[29] In 1976, Yunus founded Grameen Bank with a mere $27 dollars from his own pocket. ^[29]
  
  Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for pioneering microcredit -- using collateral-free loans of small amounts to help millions of families out of poverty. ^[29]
  
  It is by virtue of small rural banks credit to millions of shanghai escorts poor people to create opportunities for economic and social development, rural banks and Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. ^[69] October that year, Yunus won several state-owned bank loans, began to try in the country regions in southeastern Chittagong microfinance projects. ^[69] Nobel Laureate Prof Yunus who proved to the word that poors can also be credit-worthy; the Grameen Bank - the unique institution that he had developed over the last few decades; about a billion dollar of assets that Grameen had accumulated over the years; all the 83 million borrowers and the depositors of the bank; the women who have been empowered by GB; the poors who could now dream of coming out of the cycle of poverty. ^[35] May 5, Bangladesh Supreme Court of Appeal made a final ruling rejected Yunus's appeal, which declared the law Yunus lost the final battle. ^[69]
  
  The charge was later cleared by the Norwegian government itself but was not taken light in Bangladesh where the government initiated a probe that too cleared charges against him last month. ^[71] Pressure by the Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka resulted in the funds being transferred back in 1998, and the Norwegian government has said there was no indication Grameen was engaged in corruption or embezzlement. ^[54] Grameen America will focus on savings and credit establishment and providing loans and savings programs to foster entrepreneurship among the poor throughout the nation. ^[29] He has also had to answer claims made in a Norwegian television documentary last year that Grameen transferred funds from Norway's aid agency in the 1990s from one legal entity to another for tax purposes. ^[18]
  
  Yunus, who was the bank's founder, managing director and the virtual face for over three decades, has lost the battle owing to the country's archaic banking regulations stipulating the retirement age at 60. ^[71] The campaign to remove Yunus, mounted mainly by politicians, is to intensify this week ahead of a key board meeting next Monday, which his supporters believe will involve an attempt to force the 70-year-old to quit as managing director. ^[18] Deputy managing director Mrs Nurjahan Begum will take over from Mr Yunus until the board names a chief. ^[70]
  
  Renowned as "banker to the poor", Yunus received the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2006. ^[71] Dr Yunus has argued that access to loans should be considered a "human right", as without credit it is impossible to earn one's way out of poverty. ^[62] Finance minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith told reporters he had received a letter from the central bank accusing Yunus of flouting the retirement rules. ^[54] Yunus ' lecture at Pepperdine caps a week at the School of Law which features a book signing on Tuesday, Oct. 16, by Edward J. Larson, Pepperdine's Hugh and Hazel Darling Professor of Law and winner of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize in History. ^[29] Supporters of microfinance, including Dr Yunus, have been content to let equally misleading myths about their work go unchallenged for years. ^[62] Mr Yunus, 70, said he was relinquishing his post to prevent undue disruption of the bank's work. ^[70] Supporters have branded the claim as grotesque, especially as Yunus has won a Nobel prize for his work on reducing poverty. ^[18] Supporters say Yunus has been victimised by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who he crossed in 2007 when he set up a political party during a period of military rule. ^[74]
  
  
  
  Bangladesh's central bank ordered him out, arguing that he violated the country's retirement laws, A.F.M. Asaduzzaman, an official at Bangladesh Bank, told The Associated Press. ^[30] Some of the accusations made against microfinance are unfair, exaggerated and bear little relation to how small loans actually affect the poor in Bangladesh and India. ^[62] Mr Yunus's experiment of poor men's banking earned Bangladesh the repute of being the home of microcredit. ^[70]
  
  Today, Grameen Bank has made a total of $6.44 billion in loans to 7.27 million borrowers and almost 99 percent of the loans have been repaid. ^[29]
  
  "I am today relinquishing the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank on the basis that the Deputy Managing Director Mrs Nurjahan Begum would hold charge until a Managing Director is appointed in accordance with the procedures under section 14 of the Grameen Bank," Dr. Yunus said in a statement issued last night. ^[53] Yunus, who founded the Grameen Bank three decades ago in what he said was an effort to alleviate poverty, announced his resignation in a statement Thursday. ^[25] "I hope Grameen Bank will continue to operate maintaining its independence and character. and move towards even greater success," Yunus said. ^[25]
  
  "This is a bank owned by poor women and that's right now under threat because our government somehow feels. that they would like to take control of the bank," Yunus said by videolink to a panel on microfinance in Washington. ^[36] On the eve of Tuesday's court ruling, Yunus said his dismissal had been staged by Hasina's government as part of its drive to take over the bank. ^[36]
  
  Yunus said last week he was worried about the future of the bank and its nearly nine million borrowers, nearly all of them poor Bangladeshi women. ^[86]
  
  Lawmakers in the United States, and in other countries, have asked the Bangladeshi government to find a compromise to the situation with Yunus' role at the bank. ^[25] Mr. Muhith, who apparently tried to defend Dr. Yunus earlier during his dispute with the government, however, called Dr. Yunus "the pride of the country" and said the government still wanted a "respectable transition of leadership to the new managing director". ^[53] Ashraful Islam, general secretary of the ruling Awami League party, told reporters in March that the government wanted to resolve the issue "sympathetically," but Yunus had obstructed the process by going to the court. ^[25]
  
  Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder of BRAC, the second largest microfinance organization in Bangladesh, has also voiced its backing of the Grameen Bank. ^[87] The age issue is minor matter as there are many CEO's of banks, insurance companies etc in Bangladesh who have passed 70 and are still installed in their position. ^[35] Bangladesh Finance Minister Mu Xisi 12 announcement, Rural Bank Vice President Nuer Jia Khan Beigu Mu was appointed President on behalf of the rural banks. ^[69]
  
  At the time of the remarks, Bangladesh was under a state of emergency and many politicians, including Hasina, the current prime minister, were behind bars on charges of corruption. ^[54] Mr Yunus's resignation came as he lost his final legal battle in the SC to thwart a Bangladesh Bank decision removing him from the position on 2 March. ^[70]
  
  
  
  Grameen's work cast a global spotlight on microcredit, a then-novel idea of making small loans to poor people who would not qualify for standard bank loans. ^[25] On April 5th the court ruled that Mr Yunus, aged 70, was required by law to step down as managing director when he turned 60, and the belated enforcement of that requirement late last year was legally valid. ^[35] Deputy Managing Director Nurjahan Begum will take over from Mr. Yunus until the board names a chief. ^[53] Dr. Yunus, 70, said he was relinquishing his post to prevent undue disruption of the bank's work. ^[53]
  
  Yunus set up Grameen, which means village in Bengali, and has been its managing director since 2000. ^[36] Yunus pioneered microcredit financing and founded Grameen Bank nearly three decades ago in an effort to alleviate poverty by lending to the poor, who could not otherwise qualify for bank loans. ^[46] If you think that politicians are actually interested in alleviating poverty, rather than utilising it as a method of getting votes, then read the story of how the politicians are deliberately trying to screw over both Yunus and Grameen Bank. ^[101]
  
  
  
  The apex court on Monday confirmed the High Court ruling that backed the sacking of the Nobel Peace laureate from Grameen Bank as its managing director. ^[45] Last month, the central bank of Bangladesh -- the regulatory authority in the South Asian nation -- cited the 70-year-old's age in explaining his removal as managing director. ^[25] As a democratic and moderate Sunni Muslim majority nation of 165 million people, the U.S. State Department official said Bangladesh is a country with which the United States has a vested interest in maintaining close relations. ^[45] Dr. Yunus's experiment of poor men's banking earned Bangladesh the repute of being the home of microcredit. ^[53] Despite success in economic growth and outmatched U.S. trade with Bangladesh in recent years, but he said country still remains among the poorest countries in Asia. ^[45]
  
  Dr. Yunus's resignation came as he lost his final legal battle in the apex court to thwart a Bangladesh Bank decision removing him from the position on March 2. ^[53]
  
  BancoSol from Bolivia serves as a case study of a sustainable MFI. Grameen Bank from Bangladesh represents a charitable MFI. The case studies confirm both the theoretical arguments for sustainable MFIs promoted by the institutionist approach to microfinance and the arguments for charitable MFIs advocated by the welfarist approach. ^[92] La Bancosol de Bolivie repr sente un exemple d'IMF durable (sustainable MFI) et la Grameen bank du Bangladesh un exemple d'IMF caritative (charitable MFI). ^[92]
  
  Lauded abroad by politicians and financiers, he has been under attack by the government since late last year, after a Norwegian documentary alleged the bank was dodging taxes. ^[36] Prof Yunus quit as the chief of the bank fter officials said that at 70, he was past the mandatory retirement age.His supporters say it is related to his attempt to enter politics three years ago, a charge the government denies. ^[60] Yunus alleges that the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's administration is trying to take control of the bank, but the government says the bank's progress will continue. ^[75]
  
  Bill Clinton said in his last election campaign that Yunus deserved a Nobel Peace Prize and cited his experiment in Bangladesh as a model for rebuilding the inner cities of America. ^[76] Bangladesh Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith met foreign diplomats on Thursday to explain the rationale for the action against Yunus. ^[61]
  
  Yunus whose idea has been replicated across the developing world, earning him and the bank 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, says he will continue to fight against poverty in a different way. ^[75] The model was replicated across the world as an anti-poverty measure, earning Yunus and the bank the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. ^[61]
  
  Immediately, Yunus saw the impracticality of carrying on in this way, and tried to interest banks in institutionalising his gesture by lending to the poorest, with no collateral -- Bankers laughed at him, insisting that the poor are not "creditworthy". ^[76]
  
  It is very evident that Sheikh Hasina is determined to get rid of Professor Yunus because he is seen as a political threat, after his unsuccessful efforts to form a new political party during the interim government. ^[35] Yunus' supporters say he has been under fire for criticizing politicians and trying to form his own political party four years ago during an interim, unelected, military-backed government. ^[25]
  
  At the end of the day the Bangladeshi government has shot itself in the foot on this one and the Bangladeshi people will sadly be the losers. ^[35] Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister and now opposition leader in parliament, lashed out at the government for going after the nation's only Nobel laureate. ^[25] Loser will be the present political party that runs the government when it fails to win in the next general election in two years time (if that election materializes at all) and so many others associated with this whole ridiculous and childish episode. ^[35]
  
  Throughout this battle with the government, he has refused to resign from the bank that won him a Nobel prize in 2006. ^[46] He indicated he fears the government may seek to influence Grameen Bank's governing structure and its lending policies, which could destabilise the agency. ^[86] According to Grameen Bank's internal survey, 58 per cent of our borrowers have crossed the poverty line. ^[102]
  
  He said the deputy managing director of the bank will take over until Yunus' post can be filled. ^[46] Though Yunus was unlikely to pose a threat to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, his proposed party could well have challenged the prime minister's party because of his popularity among poor voters. ^[36]
  
  Professor Yunus' lawyers have announced that they will now appeal to the Supreme Court, as the High Court decision is blatantly politically oriented and without legal grounds. ^[87] "Grameen Bank is taking legal advice," the bank stated on its website on Wednesday, adding that the institution has been complying with all applicable laws. ^[61] The Full Circle Fund, a Grameen clone created by the city's South Shore Bank, has operated there for 10 years. ^[76]
  

RANKED SELECTED SOURCES

(112 source documents arranged by frequency of occurrence in the above report)

1. (46)

Prof. Rehman Sobhan on Grameen Bank - Bangladeshi-Americans Living in New England | Google Groups

2. (36) Muhammad Yunus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

3. (31) Grameen Bank - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

4. (24) Grameen Founder Yunus Loses Final Dismissal Appeal - Toteo Forum

5. (23) The Story of Dr. Yunus And Grameen Bank - KBK O TABLE, citizen's collective for a better and different KBK | Google Groups

6. (23) Muhammad Yunus - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

7. (22) FW: Muhammad Yunus - soc.culture.nigeria | Google Groups

8. (21) Muhammad Yunus, Bangladeshi Nobel Laureate, Loses Court Battle To Keep Banking Job

9. (19) BBC News - Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus disputes Grameen sacking

10. (18) Grameen Bank's Muhammad Yunus Summoned to Court by Bangladesh Government - Business - GOOD

11. (17) Bangladesh Watchdog: Muhammad Yunus: banker to the people, bother to the state

12. (16) [ Marumozhi Mail 10-09-2007 17:49:16 ] - ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' | Google Groups

13. (15) Yunus removed from Grameen Bank | PRIYO

14. (14) Bangladesh: crisis of the Grameen Bank - The Moderates | Google Groups

15. (14) Bangladesh's Yunus resigns from microlender - Yahoo! News

16. (13) news.outlookindia.com | Muhammad Yunus Fired From Grameen Bank

17. (13) Yunus' place in history is secure

18. (13) Microfinance guru Muhammad Yunus faces removal from Grameen Bank | World news | The Guardian

19. (13) Connecting Bangladeshi Villages

20. (12) Yunus Centre :: Statement by Grameen Bank: Legal Challenge to Professor Yunus' "Removal" From Grameen Bank

21. (12) Muhammad Yunus loses final attempt to remain Grameen Bank chief

22. (12) Grameen Bank | Muhammad Yunus

23. (11) Yunus quits Grameen Bank after tiff with Bangladesh govt

24. (11) Reinstate Yunus or make him chairman

25. (11) Microcredit Pioneer Leaves Bangladeshi Bank - Money News Story - WSB Atlanta

26. (10) Saleem Samad: Nobel laureate Yunus says his removal was politically-influenced

27. (10) Nobel laureate loses last appeal to stay at bank | The Associated Press | News | San Francisco Examiner

28. (10) Mohd. Yunus bids adieu to Grameen Bank - CLAT 11 | Google Groups

29. (10) Bangladesh Nobel Laqureate to Speak at Pepperdine - soc.culture.indian | Google Groups

30. (10) Nobel winner forced from own micro-bank - Business - CBC News

31. (10) Nobel Peace Prize Speech of Muhammad Yunus, Founder of Grameen Bank - Master of Art in Development Studies-Batch 1 | Google Groups

32. (9) Entertainment: Yunus is still MD: Rokan

33. (9) Yunus Centre :: CV of Professor Muhammad Yunus

34. (9) Nobel prize winner Muhammad Yunus ousted from Bangladesh people's bank | World news | guardian.co.uk

35. (9) Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh: Forced out | The Economist

36. (9) Bangladesh court upholds removing Yunus as Grameen head

37. (9) BBC News - Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus quits top post

38. (8) Bangladesh's Grameen bank chief Yunus steps down

39. (8) Muhammad Yunus loses appeal against Grameen Bank dismissal | World news | The Guardian

40. (8) Bangladesh government announces new Grameen Bank chief

41. (8) Bangladesh Law House: SC dismisses Yunus petition

42. (8) Protests Against Removal of Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus From Grameen Bank | Government In The Lab

43. (8) Prof Yunus resigns : Microfinance Africa

44. (8) Bangladesh says Yunus's Grameen 'flouting' rules

45. (8) Saleem Samad: Bitter battle of microcredit celebrity likely to strain US-Bangladesh ties

46. (8) Bangladesh tries again to oust Nobel laureate from bank post - CNN

47. (7) Fwd: Grameen: Zafar Sobhan responds to Nayeemul Islam Khan - CEC_Adda | Google Groups

48. (7) Bangladesh apex court dismisses Grameen, Yunus appeals

49. (7) BBC News - Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus eyes graceful Grameen exit

50. (7) Muhammad Yunus, Grameen Bank Founder and Father of Microfinance, Ousted by Bangladeshi Government - Business - GOOD

51. (7) Muhammad Yunus bows out | Bangladesh | bdnews24.com

52. (7) Bangladesh's Yunus Resigns From Pioneering Microlender | South Asia | English

53. (7) The Hindu : News / International : Muhammad Yunus resigns from Grameen Bank

54. (7) Bangladesh govt tells Yunus to quit as Grameen Bank Managing Director | OneWorldConvention

55. (6) After the Fall, Resignation Edition | David Roodmans Microfinance Open Book Blog

56. (6) The Kaizen Crossroad: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

57. (6) Entertainment: hering on yunus plea adjourned/ Bangladesh

58. (6) Nobel laureate Yunus resigns post at Grameen microlending bank | www.bullfax.com

59. (6) Yunus Loses Final Legal Battle to Challenge Sacking from Grameen Bank | South Asia | English

60. (6) Bangladesh Court Adjourns Microcredit Pioneers Appeal - Toteo Forum

61. (6) BANGLADESH: Govt Under Pressure After Sacking Yunus - IPS ipsnews.net

62. (6) Why the dream of microfinance is turning sour - Asia, World - The Independent

63. (5) Nobel laureate Yunus quits bank after court ruling (AP) | WorldNews

64. (5) International Development - Bangladeshi Court Rejects Muhammad Yunus' Appeal Over Removal From Grameen Bank

65. (5) Fwd: Hillary Clinton - Sheikh Hasina tele-conversation - DExSA (Dhanmondi Govt. Boys' High School Ex-Students' Association) | Google Groups

66. (5) Briefings

67. (5) Barun Roy: Exit, pursued by bureaucracy

68. (5) The News Tribe Court upholds dismissal of Grameen founder Muhammad Yunus

69. (5) Bangladesh Nobel Peace Prize owner just quit | Shanghai Escort

70. (5) Yunus resigns from Grameen Bank

71. (5) Muhammad Yunus looses final appeal to retain Grameen Bank post | MF Monitor

72. (4) Yunus quits Grameen Bank after tiff with govt - World News - IBNLive

73. (4) Entertainment: Yunus was warned of Grameen troubles

74. (4) News Paper Headlines: Bangladesh's Yunus loses battle against sacking

75. (4) Yunus fears political influence over Grameen | The Associated Press | News | Washington Examiner

76. (4) The Nepal Digest - March 13, 1997 (29 Falgun 2053 BkSm) - soc.culture.nepal | Google Groups

77. (3) Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus leaves microfinance bank (Guardian)

78. (3) Nobel laureate Yunus leaves microfinance bank - News - Mail & Guardian Online

79. (3) SpringerLink - International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society, Volume 16, Number 3

80. (3) BENGAL NEWZ: High voltage campaign for 7 May fifth phase WB poll ends today

81. (3) Grameen Bank, Micro-Credit & the Wall Street Journal - soc.culture.pakistan | Google Groups

82. (3) Bangladeshs Grameen bank chief Yunus steps down | ATN - Asia Times News

83. (3) India only friend of Hasina government: Opposition leader

84. (3) Yunus quits Grameen Bank after tiff with B''desh government - Yahoo! News

85. (3) Probe finds no '''irregularities''' by Grameen in Norad fund transactions - Bangladeshi-Americans Living in New England | Google Groups

86. (3) Nobel laureate Yunus quits bank after court ruling

87. (3) Fwd: Urging Action On Behalf of Grameen Bank and Muhammad Yunus - Mangluoi-M7 | Google Groups

88. (2) Organizing for social change within concertive control systems: Member identification, empowerment, and the masking of discipline - Communication Monographs

89. (2) Nobel Laureate Yunus Resigns at Grameen Bank

90. (2) Poverty Alleviation: Is Economics Any Help? Lessons From The Grameen Bank Experience - Research and Read Books, Journals, Articles at Questia Online Library

91. (2) Nobel Laureate Yunus Resigns at Grameen - Bloomberg

92. (2) Developmental Impact and Coexistence of Sustainable and Charitable Microfinance Institutions: Analysing BancoSol and Grameen Bank - The European Journal of Development Research

93. (2) Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus quits top post | Times of Pakistan

94. (2) Business news in brief | Philadelphia Inquirer | 05/13/2011

95. (2) AP Business NewsBrief at 7:50 a.m. EDT

96. (2) NBR to take up personal tax 'evasion' issue with Dr Yunus

97. (2) Hearing tomorrow

98. (2) Can Microcredit Reclaim Its Visionary Mission? - IPS ipsnews.net

99. (1) The Changing Balance of Power Between the Government and NGOS in Bangladesh

100. (1) Men's violence against women in rural Bangladesh: Undermined or exacerbated by microcredit programmes? - Development in Practice

101. (1) If you're successful the politicians will hate you

102. (1) Bangladesh Nobel Laureate's Speech at Nobel Ceremony - soc.culture.bangladesh | Google Groups

103. (1) Bangladesh'''s Yunus loses final legal battle | Times of Pakistan

104. (1) Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus leaves microfinance bank | World news | The Guardian

105. (1) World Bank Vet Seeks $60 Million To Back Entrepreneurs - Helen Coster - Good Work - Forbes

106. (1) South Asia's Microcredit Crisis Drags On - India Real Time - WSJ

107. (1) Patti Villacorta's Blog: Lawyers Needed ASAP; Tim Wirth Lauds Obama's Intention to Seek 2nd Term on UN Human Rights Council

108. (1) FT.com / Asia-Pacific - Yunus steps down from Grameen Bank

109. (1) Muhammad Yunus bows out | Business | biz.bdnews24.com

110. (1) CGAP>Grameen Bank and Mohammed Yunus: A Timeline

111. (1) Bangladeshs Grameen bank chief Yunus steps down | TwoCircles.net

112. (1) Govt still has time to reach respectable solution

 

Social Media, Social Good

Learning how to use social media to promote social and environmental good is rapidly becoming a core skill for social entrepreneurs. Some of our preliminary research on this important topic is reproduced below. We hope you find this information useful! And if you'd like to find out more about the method used to gather all this stuff, check out www.irri-serioussearch.com .

Your search has been for:

SOCIAL MEDIA SOCIAL GOOD

(iResearch Reporter Advanced, User-defined URL links listing)

Jump to:
Key Topics || In-Depth || Possibly Useful || Selected Sources

KEY TOPICS

Section Contents:

• Think how much more potent a social good campaign becomes when powered by blogs or YouTube, activating mirror neurons for empathy and shared joy!(More...)
  
  
• We can use the success highlighted in Living Proof and spread them through social media to educate and inform people that while we still have a ways to go to rid the world of disease and poverty, we are moving in the right direction.(More...)
  
  
• Social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have made it easier to share ideas ideas and meet impressive innovators, but the true reach of social change conversations only extends so far--it's easy to miss something you're not looking for.(More...)
  
  

Think how much more potent a social good campaign becomes when powered by blogs or YouTube, activating mirror neurons for empathy and shared joy! A cause can tell the story of one, but the nature of social media allows them to do so over and over again so the scope of a threat or opportunity becomes scalable, one story at a time. ^[11] Social media allows visible and public social proof to users, and this can facilitate campaigns for social good. ^[11] We just had a chance to talk with Johnson & Johnson about how UrbanMommies Media uses social media for social good. ^[81] Where some businesses can meet with a frustrating resistance to their social media efforts, social good campaigns seem to be much more welcome. ^[11] Social media and social good are clearly symbiotic and when social media is intelligently leveraged, the opportunities to affect social change are immense. ^[11]

Recognizing that ringing a bell outside a store, or sending solicitations through snail mail may no longer be the best way to reach an increasingly techno-savvy - and youthful - pool of potential donors, charities are learning to use social media to promote social good. ^[52] This week I had the pleasure of listening to a panel of social media experts at the Foundation Center's Social Media for Social Good event. ^[18]



We can use the success highlighted in Living Proof and spread them through social media to educate and inform people that while we still have a ways to go to rid the world of disease and poverty, we are moving in the right direction. ^[75] In truth the tweets, or Twitter messages, were both fakes, posted by "Twitterjackers" - web users who pose as famous people or organisations on the social media website. ^[28] Which is awesome when you consider the implications for high rewards on such simple tasks as clicking "like" on Facebook or "retweet" on Twitter, but social media offers even more opportunities to focus on this positive aspect of altruism. ^[11] There are many opportunities to spread awareness of global health issues through social media tools like Twitter. ^[75] Social media is a critical tool we use to help gain support for our military families and wounded warriors, and because they deserve our best efforts, this book will be within reach on all our desks. ^[25] Before social media there was no way for users to know how many people were visiting a certain website, or how many of their own friends and family were. ^[11] Heather practices what she preaches: she is passionate about social media, and a friendly and generous member of the nonprofit community. ^[25] Her passion and intuition have made her an invaluable resource to the nonprofit community and she makes social media accessible regardless of position or involvement. ^[25]

Ms Pollard said victims of any form of online harassment, including Twitterjacking or Facebook bullying, should report it to the social media companies. ^[28] Social media amplifies the power by enabling campaigns to tell the story of one at a time. ^[11] Traditional media could only cover the scope, but social media channels connected us to people who were directly affected. ^[11] From building your e-newsletter list to finding your "Twitter voice" to launching a mobile website and texting campaign on a small budget, this guide presents a step-by-step strategic plan for launching and maintaining successful social media and mobile marketing campaigns. ^[25] Most of my social media work is for nonprofits and your webinars have been very valuable in the past. ^[25] "I think it's is an issue for celebrities but I don't think it's an issue for general users of Twitter," said Catriona Pollard, a Sydney-based social media specialist. ^[28] If I want to find out who is doing social media correctly, I always look to Heather's blog and tweets. ^[25]

Brooke, who works for Keeva, a company that provides loans for good causes, gave a useful practical workshop along with inspiring facts and videos on social media as a tool to promote a social cause. ^[37] This is geared toward nonprofit organizations & do-gooders wanting to learn how to use social media marketing for social good. ^[21] I have a major soft spot in my heart for people who use social media for social good. ^[26] I have just started to use social media for my own cause. problem is my blog has been down since last Friday BUT it will still work Personally, I believe deeply of social good but often feel we don't promote enough of our own home town charities. ^[26] Today however, I would like to talk a little bit about using social media for social good. ^[38] Socialbrite.org is a great resource for nonprofits using social media for social good. ^[16] Follow J.D. on Twitter @JDLasica and join him at NCVS for Social Media for Social Good Camp. ^[16] Don't miss the Social Media for Social Good Bootcamp pre-conference session being offered on Sunday, June 5th from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Until then, here are a few words of advice for nonprofits getting started with social media. ^[16] From social good to social media for startups, the panels at SMWLA attract everyone from CEOs to amateur social media junkies, who come together for collaborative discussions and some serious social networking of the "IRL" (In Real Life) variety. ^[19] Whether its organizing revolutions in the Middle East or disaster relief for Japan, social media is being used for social good. ^[49]



Social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have made it easier to share ideas ideas and meet impressive innovators, but the true reach of social change conversations only extends so far--it's easy to miss something you're not looking for. ^[50] Many individuals who are just getting into the game of social media have heard social media is free or cheap due to the fact that many platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are free to sign up for and maintain on a daily basis. ^[39]

We feature daily news, information and blogs on Marketing, Strategy, Branding, Public Relations, Social Media and Online Marketing. ^[51] Social media works best when part of an overall communications strategy that includes any way you connect with your constituents, whether online or offline. ^[18] Even organizations as venerable as the 40-plus-year-old Prison Fellowship, which strives to help prisoners reconcile with their families and communities, are finding new ways to reach potential donors, and raise funds, through social media. ^[52] Other stories stressed the importance of engaging corporate support, and learning how to use social media from successful organizations who have similar goals. ^[37] For a step by step process on how to use social media, download Idealware's Nonprofit Social Media Decision Guide. ^[18] She gave us 8 practical steps on how to use the power of the social media to promote a cause. ^[37] Thanks to the Foundation Center's Vanessa Schnaidt for moderating the discussion and to social media guru Jereme Bivins (who manages the Foundation Center's Twitter stream ) for planning this event. ^[18] As might be expected during an event on social media, there was an active stream on Twitter, which you can review with the #SM4SG hashtag. ^[18]

"With the holidays rapidly approaching, using social media allows us to really convey to the public the urgency of the needs of these children," says Mark Earley of Prison Fellowship. ^[52] Social media is sexy, but don't forget the online basics : make sure your website and email marketing program is in place. ^[18] If your management is still uncertain whether social media is worth the effort, show what your competitors are doing online to engage and build their constituent base. ^[18] This entry was posted on Sunday, May 1st, 2011 at 3:32 pm and is filed under communications, event, social media. ^[18] Those most passionate about the cause were more likely to encourage others to give via social media. ^[51] Social media discussions and posts can help predict many things from the spread of the flu to election results. ^[39] Mentioned several times this week and also by Danielle Brigida who recently spoke at the NYC 501 Tech Club, social media involves a lot of trial and error and experimentation. ^[18] With advances in technology and social media, Word of Mouth has truly gone to World of Mouth. ^[39]

I think using social media for social good is the exact thing that allows this web 2.0 infrastructure to work so well. ^[17] Please join the conversation about using social media for social good and share your ideas, comments or insights. ^[17] A post on the Online Spin blog focuses on how social media can be used for social good. ^[6] Social media is a great place for marketers to incorporate social good into their image. ^[32] Social media for social good is grassroots organizing, fundraising and impact in the digital world. ^[10] Jumo is another social media for social good platform that entered the mix in 2010. ^[10] The reason that social media is so useful for social good is that it is so accessible to everyone. ^[17]

IN-DEPTH

Section Contents:

• Find resources: At flickr.com/creativecommons you'll find 160 million photos that you can use for noncommercial or commercial use, including for your website, blog, newsletter, annual report, presentations, etc. At Socialbrite's Sharing Center you'll find hundreds of free tutorials and resources on how to strategically use Facebook, Twitter and social media for your organization.(More...)
  
  
• What Does Social Good Mean?(More...)
  
  
• These are the questions that will be discussed at the Social Good Summit, where high-level speakers, including UN Foundation Founder and Chairman Ted Turner, will discuss their visions and innovative ideas for positive social change.(More...)
  
  
• Bough discussed The Pepsi Refresh Project, a $20 million social media campaign that was launched in January and encourages people to submit ideas about how to refresh their communities.(More...)
  
  
• The Social Good Summit on Monday featured speakers from the U.S. government, the entertainment world and the technology sector who participated in 18 brief presentations and interviews regarding innovative ideas to address these goals.(More...)
  
  
• Or if you can think of any business - particularly non-profits or publishing businesses - which are using social media really well please send links.(More...)
  
  
• Univision Networks has teamed up with social media marketing resource Hispanicize to provide free communications training to non-profits serving Latino communities.(More...)
  
  
• For more information on the creator of the video, Erik Qualman, please visit his blog: http://socialnomics.net/ Tags: Branding, campaign, integrated marketing, Internet, marketing, pr, PR Scoup, public relations, social media, Social Media Issues, social networks, technology, tools, Trust This entry was posted on May 9, 2010 at 3:28 pm.(More...)
  
  
• It's good to see them be recognized in multiple categories (Use of Social Media, Integrated Campaigns, and Viral Marketing).(More...)
  
  
• For business travelers, Mr. Lark said that he thought that social media was not only a way of keeping up with what was going on during your travels, but was also useful in letting people know at home where you were and what you were doing.(More...)
  
  
• Social media has been coined innovative and many are impressed by this technology, but many also think it makes people lazy and apathetic.(More...)
  
  
• How does the use of social media during the recent uprisings in the Middle East affect nonprofits?(More...)
  
  
• Social media and our new media landscape have made celebrities like everyone else.(More...)
  
  

Find resources: At flickr.com/creativecommons you'll find 160 million photos that you can use for noncommercial or commercial use, including for your website, blog, newsletter, annual report, presentations, etc. At Socialbrite's Sharing Center you'll find hundreds of free tutorials and resources on how to strategically use Facebook, Twitter and social media for your organization. ^[16] By carefully selecting the social media sites, applications and tools for rolling out a campaign online and immediately engaging some of our target audience to participate, we should be able to reach the right people. ^[21] I define social media marketing as using online-enabled sites, applications and tools in an integrated way to empower others to share your message. ^[21] Don't think of social media as just another marketing channel it's less about the tools than it is a mindset, a network-centric approach that should permeate the ethos of every department in your organization. ^[16] Who on my team can go out and create media for us photos, videos, text and identify supporters to help with the task? In the era of social media, every nonprofit is a media organization, so create a plan that addresses who will be part of the editorial process. ^[16] Chances are there's a Social Media Club event, PodCamp, BarCamp, WordCamp or other gathering where regular people come together to help each other out. ^[16] Everyone wants to matter, and within social media, the more people you interact with online, the more you feel like you do. ^[40] Sessions cover everything from the way farmers are using social media to a discussion of entertainment and Twitter with celebrity (and new daddy) Nick Cannon. ^[19] Twitter, and other social media, is often criticized as a time waster and many articles have been written about slactivism, but every day there are amazing connections happening via social media. ^[49] Here at Mojo Social Media we talk a lot about utilizing social media to help your business or service increase traffic and boost revenue. ^[38] With more than 40 million monthly pageviews, Mashable is the most prolific news site reporting breaking web news, providing analysis of trends, reviewing new Web sites and services, and offering social media resources and guides. ^[69] J.D. Lasica is founder of Socialbrite.org, which provides social media consulting services for nonprofits as well as a sharing center with hundreds of free tutorials, articles and resources. ^[16] Amy Sample Ward of NTEN, Farra Trompeter of Big Duck, Julia C. Smith of Idealist.org, and Renee Alexander of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF provide practical insight in using social media. ^[70] I've been working in the Last Frontier (Alaska, of course!) using social media to stay connected to my industry (Internet) as well as friends and colleagues in the Lower 48 and worldwide. ^[21] Lullabies for Getty, an amazing social media campaign to help a lovely little girl who has been diagnosed with a terrible, terrible disease. ^[26] How else can you help? Share the video and song with all of your friends, family and social media connections. ^[26] Internet media sites like Hulu and CNN.com are much more of a threat to traditional television and newspapers than social media sites like YouTube or Tumblr, which are in a class all their own. ^[40] This information super highway that is the internet and social media is like nothing we have had before. ^[38] I think if anything, social media offer a new level of community to the traditional media experience. ^[40] She writes about healthy living in a hectic world -- a balance between fitness and friendships, all built through social media, and is also the founder of the #Fitblog Chats on Twitter. ^[26] Mollie is also a social media junkie, to the point where some sort of Twitter twelve step program may soon be in order. ^[19] Social Media Week is a global network of conferences focusing on (unsurprisingly) social media. ^[19] Social media is about conversation and community, so you'll want to create a conversation hub where you can interact with your supporters and potential supporters. ^[16] A social media marketing campaign can leave a larger and longer-term footprint than you might think. ^[21] This isn't the first time that social media has been used to find donors for life threatening illnesses, whether it's organ, blood or bone marrow donations. ^[49] My company's latest project is testing the power of social media marketing campaigns to reach highly-targeted audiences. ^[21]

To get an idea of good practice on Twitter, follow some of the tweeters who are already doing a great job, such as @WWF_climate and @peta, and to hear more specifically about Twitter and social media tips in general, have a look at @markshaw, a Twitter consultant who has organically gained more than 13,000 followers based on his tweets alone, and of course @mashable and @socialmedia2day. ^[22] If nonprofits organizations charged with good work for good causes are behind when it comes to social media, it is OUR FAULTS. ^[1]

Hosted by the UN Foundation, in partnership with Mashable and 92Y, the Social Good Summit will bring the conversations from the historic UN Summit out of the halls of the UN and into the public - where digital media will then deliver these messages to the world to virally engage each and every global citizen. ^[23] Social media definitely has the potential and leverage to do a lot of good in many communities. ^[17] Have you been inspired to do good via social media? Let us know how in the comments. ^[6]

They are touching on some of the key issues surrounding nonprofits using social media sites like Digg, Facebook and Twitter so that's a great service to anyone in the nonprofit world who is struggling to make sense out of these new tools. ^[1] This post is part of a series of posts I'm writing to help demystify social media tools and to give nonprofit organizations concrete steps they can take to use these tools to enhance their communications; better engage their constituents (and donors, and volunteers); and build their brand in new ways to new audiences. ^[1] For many people, his words seemed unfair when he said that many nonprofits use excuses like "lack of resources" or a seemingly inherent "resistance to change" attitude to avoid social media. ^[1] Social media has opened so many new doors for charities and nonprofits, but using these tools the wrong way can just as easily alienate potential donors. ^[71] What I found from the initial discussion on the topic of social media that I attended in November was that their guests Chris Garrett, author of ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income, and John Haydon, a sales consultant and author of Twitter Jump Start: The Complete Guide for Small Nonprofits don't seem to have well-rounded backgrounds in social media. ^[1]



What Does Social Good Mean? A good or service that benefits the largest number of people in the largest possible way. ^[33] Investopedia explains Social Good The capitalism-based definition of business states that companies exist only to provide the maximum possible return to shareholders. ^[33] As corporations focus more on corporate sustainability efforts and social responsibility, their business models may expand to include more social goods in their day-to-day strategies and operations. ^[33] Some classic examples of social goods are clean air, clean water and literacy; in addition, many economic proponents include access to services such as healthcare in their definition of the social or "common good". ^[33]

While the spotlight most often shines on using social media for fundraising, in this issue, we explore social media for social good -- from mapping to mobile to video. ^[12] We know how to spread news fast, share images and videos, organize our friends, and empower others all by using the same social media tools that we use in our every day lives. ^[6] I'm sure everybody at charity: water will say their buy-in to understand, use and leverage social media tools and the new ways we all communicate made a huge difference. ^[1] We need to step back, dial down our enthusiasm for a moment, hold someone's hand (figuratively and in some cases literally), and present sensible and rational reasons WHY and HOW a nonprofit can use social media regardless of resource limits and regardless of fear. ^[1] Amy Sample Ward blogs about nonprofit organizations and have distilled the process of moving forward with social media into 5 parts. ^[1] Welcome to NetWitsThinkTank.com: an online resource for nonprofit organizations working with social media, internet marketing, and online fundraising. ^[10] If you've made a Facebook page faux pax or got your business Twitter in a twist, post a question for our communications and social media experts here. ^[22] CenterNetworks reported that the spread of information didn't even stop there, but that other social media sites like flickr, YouTube, Twitter, and others were also used to get the word out. ^[6] This potential has grown exponentially with the emergence of games played via social media (such as Facebook) and on mobile phones, which can reach vast numbers of people. ^[24] Start recognizing what people in your organization care about, particularly the people that are the face of your brand in social media. ^[32] Nonprofit organizations are discovering the power of social media, some faster than others. ^[1] There has also been a recent backlash regarding using social media for marketing and public relations as there is bound to be with the adoption of any social platform for commercial purposes. ^[1] I've been using PitchEngine as part of integrated social media campaigns for my clients. ^[1] I'm asking your approval to use this (link and graphics) as part of a presentation re: Social Media Tools for Social Justice I'm giving to a group of college students. ^[10] Two years ago, a company called Shift Communications introduced the concept of social media releases that incorporated social networks, microblogs, audio and video elements into text releases. ^[1] Maybe they thought they were offering continuity to their readers, however, what really concerns me is that the nonprofit world could and should be benefiting from advice from the top minds of social media all of whom are willing to participate and provide their expertise and yet through The Chronicle of Philanthropy, nonprofits are limited to two perspectives, both of which are more narrow in scope. ^[1] PitchEngine is a freemium Web app and hosting service that helps non-techies and even non-PR-types to build their own social media releases and social media newsrooms. ^[1] The dawning of the digital age, and in particular the meteoric rise of social media, has allowed governments, businesses, organizations and individuals the ability to better share ideas instantly with their communities. ^[23] Instead of watching Twitter's ups and downs, we the members of the tech community could be using our social media super-powers to make a real difference in the world. ^[6] With no shortage of events for marketing professionals to speak about social media, ROI, lead generation and corporate adoption, we thought it would be great to share our experience participating in an event from the opposite side of the spectrum. ^[17] While social media is a fact of our modern-day lives, there are important questions about how we use it. ^[23] A year later, they expanded their concept to include social media newsrooms, spiffing up the traditional text-heavy online newsroom with more multimedia bells and whistles. ^[1] Here are three ways marketers with a human and caring side can show it in social media. ^[32] The release is hosted for free for 30 days and then expires and is no longer available which is a suitable duration for an effective PR campaign, however, also an incentive to purchase a subscription for a more permanent social media newsroom. ^[1] A manager from a local community hospital mentioned that he was able to keep his hospital afloat by reaching out to local community through social media channels. ^[17] Don't let the simplicity of her ideas fool you these are the foundational building blocks of any social media campaign (or marketing campaign or) but are so often overlooked. ^[1] The interesting difference between social media and search engines is what the user is actually doing on the site. ^[17] @B Hohepa you make an excellent point there and think in the long term the search engine concept will be fully and inseparable merged with the social media. ^[17] Culled from these very blog pages, here's the 2nd show for Social Media Goodness. ^[1]

We hear from a skeptic who's become a believer, and we get some advice about developing a social media policy so that we can use social media for good, as well. ^[12] That's why I was so thrilled when the organizers of Social Media Week LA approached Inner-City Arts to be their inaugural nonprofit beneficiary and created the " twelethon " to harness the power of social media for social good. ^[41] We applaud Social Media Week for capitalizing on the potential of the modern medium of social media to generate some good old-fashioned social good. ^[41] As the social good aspect of Social Media Week and an opportunity for all participants to make financial contributions, it is a thread tying the entire conference together. ^[41]



These are the questions that will be discussed at the Social Good Summit, where high-level speakers, including UN Foundation Founder and Chairman Ted Turner, will discuss their visions and innovative ideas for positive social change. ^[23] Games have the potential to advance social good and learning: to spread information, raise awareness, inspire social action and build civic participation and to do so globally, across cultures. ^[24] I would love to see additional articles about social good shopping. like pungle.org and dealmeo.com. ^[10]



Bough discussed The Pepsi Refresh Project, a $20 million social media campaign that was launched in January and encourages people to submit ideas about how to refresh their communities. ^[13] The way we think about, and turn to, social media in a time of disaster is changing. ^[12] In our one attempt at soliciting action through social media, we'd tried getting our Facebook fans to donate through Causes, with next-to-no success. ^[12] Responsibilities will vary based on experience, expertise, and interest and may include: implementing social media outreach campaigns, monitoring and evaluating client social media campaigns, developing mobile applications and websites, researching and implementing marketing campaigns, and researching emerging new media tools and trends. ^[14] We specialize in delivering social media and mobile-driven strategies for nonprofits and foundations. ^[14] The social media response to the January earthquakes in Haiti all leverage a powerful technology we can hold in our hands: our mobile phones. ^[12]

@austinfree.net DescriptionA panel of 5 nonprofit leaders, social media monsters, and how they leverage their social networks, to advance their respective organizations missions, collaborate with one another and use social media for social good. ^[72] To effectively use social media for social good, nonprofit communicators need to cross the great divide from one-way to two-way communications. ^[7] The brightest and biggest names in fundraising will be there to network, exchange ideas, and share first-hand experiences on how to use social media for social good. ^[2] Government use of social media also can help facilitate social good, said Rohit Bhargava, senior vice president of strategy and planning at Ogilvy 360 Digital Influence. ^[8] "People use the Internet and social media differently when faced with direct peril or when being good Samaritans after a disaster," said Brian Dennis, principal investigator at Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Laboratories in Arlington, Va. ^[8]



The Social Good Summit on Monday featured speakers from the U.S. government, the entertainment world and the technology sector who participated in 18 brief presentations and interviews regarding innovative ideas to address these goals. ^[13] It's also a good example of promoting your brand (Stanfield's) indirectly, while accomplishing some social good at the same time - a win for everybody. ^[53]



Or if you can think of any business - particularly non-profits or publishing businesses - which are using social media really well please send links. ^[3] While they have been doing social media for a while they haven't been using the same approach they use for the content that goes on their own channels. ^[3] In my experience, social media is a tactical-level tool that should support what you're trying to accomplish as an organization. ^[3] Utilize All Platforms: Social media usage is higher among nonprofits than businesses. ^[27] By design, we use social media less for 'marketing' our own stuff and more for promoting what's happening with parallel or halo communities. ^[3] Social Media By now it's common knowledge that the news of Osama Bin Laden's death broke on Twitter. ^[54] Social media can't exist in a divorced way from the rest of the content strategy. ^[3] I helped a client with a particular social media strategy as part of their larger content strategy - and my belief is that it should always be that way. ^[3] They then went on to present ideas on how to make your social media strategy work. ^[3] Your example of how you used Facebook for Communitech demonstrates that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to social media. ^[3] They are very focussed on the marketing benefits of SM but I want to make sure the strategy prioritises a content plan for their social media presence. ^[3] The themes of Social Media Week -- community and creativity -- are perfectly aligned with the goals of Inner-City Arts. ^[41] Alex Luboff Musings of an AmeriCorps VISTA passionate about community economic development, social media, and the 'newness' of now. ^[27] Social Media Last week, we predicted that the Royal Wedding would be the number one trending topic this time around. ^[54] I've been asked to put together a social media strategy for a non- profit I work for. ^[3] Think of your social media presences as a place for others to congregate and collaborate. ^[73] I completely agree that the social media strategy needs to be part of the wider content strategy. ^[3] In my experience, if someone is involved in one social cause they're likely involved in many : ) This is social media gold! You've just got to plug into it. ^[3]

I don't have to tell you this, but non-profit audiences are mostly made up of people who value social good. ^[3] Social Good Ice cream manufacturer Ben Jerry's is asking users to donate their spare Twitter characters in honor of World Fair Trade Day on May 14. ^[54] I think the idea of leveraging the most successful (for many) economic system in the history of the world--capitalism (in case you didn't know) to be used for social good is fantastic. ^[27] This week we have stories about Obamas visit to Facebook, the evolution of web design, PR pro tips for YouTube, and eight ways to improve live events using social media. ^[20] Here are quick tips and pro advice for helping your business choose the right cause to support.8 Ways to Improve Your Live Event With Social Media Social channels are a great way to improve the planning, promotion and execution of live in-person events. ^[20] Join the Foundation Center for an engaging event on the strategies and tactics that make social media an effective way to activate your community, and the results you can expect. ^[55] At an early-April event on the Penthouse floor of a building in New York City, over 100 people came together for the first LATISM Tweetup, an event with Twitter and social media on the mind, but one thathoped to turn discussion into tangible initiatives. ^[56] Geoff Livingston, a fellow at the Society for New Communications Research, cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's active use of social media to provide crucial information about the H1N1 influenza epidemic. ^[8] During the second phase, the lab will use the data to create computational models to accurately predict how social media generates information based on an understanding of the dynamics of a humanitarian and disaster relief event, he said. ^[8] ThinkSocial at the Paley Center is a growing community dedicated to advancing the use of social media in the public interest. ^[74] Conversational engagement and dissemination of cause-based ideas by the community, whether the organization participates or not, represents the heart of civic-minded social media. ^[7] Social media offers organizations an indispensable tool set for a wide variety of philanthropic activities including activism, education, donor and volunteer development, and direct fundraising. ^[7] Founded in 2009, LATISM has used the Internet and social media as tools to give back.A huge part of the effort starts with Twitter. ^[56] Learn how to use social media to connect with others who, like you, dream of a better world. ^[2] Livingston said anyone who uses any form of social media could receive the information whether it comes through a podcast, tweet or iTunes. ^[8] For nonprofits, how does social media change the way you engage donors and constituents? 2. ^[72] Because of its inherently personal and community-based nature, social media provides an ideal canvas to work within, allowing causes to not just communicate, but also to activate and invigorate significant grassroots activity. ^[7] Lockheed Martin officials, who have been examining social media for almost three years, hope the new research will provide a fuller understanding of how to deal with the needs of a crisis-affected population. ^[8] The Office of Naval Research (ONR) recently awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin Corp.' s Advanced Technology Laboratories to investigate how social media could help during complex crisis situations through activities such as providing first-hand information, assisting with evacuation plans and directing the distribution of supplies. ^[8]

The conference features keynotes from Facebook's Randi Zuckerberg and All For Good's Jonathan Greenblatt, and presentations from well known and respected organizations and professionals within the space focused on the theme of "Social Media for Social Good". ^[2] In our class, we will examine social media in a general sense to understand the fundamental underpinnings of online communications. ^[7] The Navy that once relied on semaphore flags and coded blinking lights for rapid communications now wants to plumb the depths of social media to see if the 21st-century tools can be useful during disaster or crisis relief operations. ^[8] We will then survey the current social media tool set to see how various tactics work. ^[7] Learn from industry leaders, cutting-edge social media consultants, and fellow nonprofit practitioners. ^[55] I came through to this page, looking for Social Media strategies, we'd like to make our Foundation, go on to the Social Media scene, and am looking for innovative initiatives that can be taken. can we maybe skype? Or you can direct me somewhere? I would really appreciate it. ^[7] Social media has fundamentally shifted the way we communicate, personally and professionally. ^[55] "The Navy and the Marine Corps really need to understand social media and how it is used as a communication channel in the context of humanitarian assistance or disaster relief scenarios." ^[8] We will then examine social media and traditional marketing strategy, particularly as it applies to social causes. ^[7] What else can community activism and outreach be? In the social media age, online-driven Hispanic communities are making their presence felt. ^[56] Theres still an entire year and seven months until the U.S. presidential election on November 6, 2012, but social media has already played a huge role in the burgeoning race. ^[20] This entry was written by Geoff Livingston, posted on at 12:41 am, filed under Social Cause, social media. ^[7] Suffice to say, DNA's Real Men campaign and TwitChange are just the beginning of what's to come in celebritized social media for social good. ^[57] In January, brand, celebrity and nonprofit connector Cause Media Group received the Mashable award for "Most Creative Social Good Campaign". ^[57]

Held on Friday, August 28 at the historic 92nd Street Y in NYC, the conference will be a one-day educational event celebrating the finale of the Summer of Social Good charitable campaign. ^[2] His initiatives include the Summer of Social Good, the Open Web Awards, as well as event series such as the Summer Mash Tour of 2008 and the 92YTribeca NextUp NYC educational series. ^[2]



Univision Networks has teamed up with social media marketing resource Hispanicize to provide free communications training to non-profits serving Latino communities. ^[42] According to the syllabus, students examine why some social media startups succeed and why others fail; the contributing factors behind major shifts in consumer behavior and social interaction online; and different tools and approaches to social media marketing and measurement. ^[4] Stephen believes social media can enrich the interaction between companies and customers, and the class tackles the underlying psychological and sociological foundations of social media and the metrics and measurement tools for gauging the effectiveness of social media campaigns. ^[4] The public sector has been slow in adopting social media as a tool to offer services to the public. ^[15] “At Univision we have seen the power of social media and how Hispanic America has embraced these platforms across Univision.com’s ‘Foros’ and ‘Mi Página’ as well as on Facebook and Twitter,” Univision Networks President Cesar Conde said in a written statement. ^[42] Some charities are already using social media incredibly well to bring their causes to life. ^[76] Manny Ruiz, founder of Miami-based Hispanicize, said the program will help hundreds of non-profits in 2011 that can’t afford to get professional help developing social media campaigns. ^[42] Columbia Business School's course on "Social Media and Entrepreneurship," taught by adjunct professor Rachel Sterne, centers on a real-world social media marketing challenge, introduced by a startup founder on the first day of class. ^[4] Andrew Stephen, assistant professor of marketing at INSEAD, created the first major elective course on social media at a European business school--"Advertising and Social Media Strategy"--which launched in January 2010, Bloomberg Businessweek reports. ^[4] It's important for today's business students to be schooled in Internet marketing and social media strategy. ^[4]

Public sector entities have to embrace social media and identify networks that will add value if deployed. ^[15] My first article, titled "The Humanity of Social Media", explores how technologycan allow us to engage as brands with audiences in new, meaningful ways. ^[43] Where does social media come into it? The seven wonders were voted for through social networking sites and I was particularly chuffed to see my hometown represented as York Minster made the final cut. ^[76] Several elite business schools in the U.S. and abroad have added courses relating to social media over the past year, and the move couldn't come fast enough. ^[4] Now that business schools have added courses in social media to their curricula, you can bet the folks working in M.B.A. admissions are equally savvy in this area. ^[4] “Our goal is to empower the non-profit community by tapping into the tremendous opportunity of leveraging social media to achieve their goals. ^[42] Familiarity with the various forms of social media communication is no longer enough; graduates have to be able to transfer this experience into the commercial landscape. ^[4] I am beyond delighted to begin sharing my views, ideas and strategies that can bridge that ever-gaping space between social media and fashion. ^[43] Government officials, with busy schedules may be inaccessible but with social media, time, geography and expense become a non-issue. ^[15] The impact of social media on economic development and service delivery in the country has been underestimated. ^[15] With the advances in technology we know risks will increase, misuse and abuse of social media will enter the fray. ^[15] Senior managers in government have down-played social media in their departments, some dismissing prominent applications as games which distract employees from core duties. ^[15]

Why can the government not use the same tool to engage with citizens for the general social good? In times of crisis, the same tool can be used to help and warn people. ^[15] At the Stanford Graduate School of Business, a course titled "The Power of Social Technology," taught by marketing professor Jennifer Aaker, promotes social good through nonprofit businesses. ^[4] By studying the Obama campaign, Kiva, eBay, and Nike, students learn how social technology can create political change, and how social good and profit-making can be compatible. ^[4] I love Ryder's ideas of internet preservation and how we can contribute our digital interactions towards social good. ^[43]



For more information on the creator of the video, Erik Qualman, please visit his blog: http://socialnomics.net/ Tags: Branding, campaign, integrated marketing, Internet, marketing, pr, PR Scoup, public relations, social media, Social Media Issues, social networks, technology, tools, Trust This entry was posted on May 9, 2010 at 3:28 pm. ^[77] Oxfam has a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Myspace, Bebo, Flickr and Wikipedia using a variety of formats such as video, audio, text, links and numerous online feedback options. ^[5] This has implications for Oxfam using social media as people from an older generation who do not access social networking sites are still a desirable group to target as they may be more sympathetic to the suffering of others as well as having a higher disposable income to donate to the organisation. ^[5] Budget constraints also mean the not-for-profit sector should seek to use social media in a more creative and innovative way. ^[5] Social media has created a huge variety of new communication tools to make relational connections with others easily. ^[5] Media richness theory suggests that richer media, such as social media, is better for complex communication, such as relationship management, where the potential for conflicting interpretations is present. ^[5] The emergence of social media has enabled organisations to communicate with stakeholders in a variety of new ways.The open source structure allows messages to be challenged, edited and refined through online discussions and conversations which can then be carried from online to offline creating an opportunity for message dissemination and also stakeholder engagement. ^[5] This analysis suggests that the richness of social media is suited to the public relations practice of relationship management with the end goal of enhancing stakeholder engagement. ^[5] Lin (2001) suggested that the introduction of social media has enhanced the ability to generate social capital as new technology has given rise to the opportunity for increased, continual connection with others. ^[5] Social Media Revolution: Is social media a fad? Or is it the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution? This video details out social media facts and figures that are hard to ignore. ^[77] Social media has exploded in the past few years and its impact on athletics has been monumental. ^[34] From this analysis of relevant theories and literature surrounding relationship management it is clear that social media provides not-for- profit organisations with extensive opportunities to engage their stakeholders and the ability to successfully manage these relationships. ^[5]

Abstract Brands rushed into social media, viewing social networks, video sharing, online communities, and microblogging sites as the panacea to diminishing returns for traditional brand building routes. ^[35] Susan Smith Ellis, CEO of (RED), an organization that focuses on helping to eliminating AIDS in Africa, discussed her efforts to enlist the private sector and to use the power of social media. ^[36] Blog analysis is a useful tool for Public health officials to profile vaccine criticism and to design appropriate educational information tailored to respond to alternative media/alternative information actively disseminated via social media tools. ^[44] As more branding activity moves to the Web, marketers are confronted with the stark realization that social media was made for people, not for brands. ^[35]

The conference will feature presentations from well known and respected organizations and professionals within the space focused on the theme of "Social Media for Social Good". ^[78] Now's our chance to show the world that DC's Social Citizens are the most engaged in the world by getting together for one day to hit the streets to use our social media skills to capture insights from every neighborhood in DC. ^[82] Their goal is to empower the non-profit community by tapping into the tremendous opportunity of leveraging social media to achieve their goals. ^[83] This paper explores the potential impacts of information and ICTs – especially e-government and social media – on cultural attitudes about transparency. ^[35]

James Young invites everyone in the nonprofit community to attend a free webinar featuring blogger extraordinaire and nonprofit consultant Beth Kanter and Emily Riley of JupiterResearch, a Forrester company for trends, tips and best practices for using social media for social good. ^[84] Interested in more Social Good resources? Check out Mashable Explore, a new way to discover information on your favorite Mashable topics. ^[58] The Social Good Conference, being held at the prestigious 92nd Street Y in New York City on August 28th, will be a one-day educational event celebrating the finale of the Summer of Social Good charitable campaign. ^[78] In a nation whose political leaders have become comfortable with having health care be a private-consumption good to be rationed by price and ability to pay, academic medicine remains the most important champion of the idea that health care is inherently a social good to be made available to all, rich and poor. ^[9]



It's good to see them be recognized in multiple categories (Use of Social Media, Integrated Campaigns, and Viral Marketing). ^[59] The event kicked off with our own fearless leader, Casey Golden, discussing how nonprofits can achieve real results with social media through cultivating authentic online relationships with their supporters. ^[45] Together, they discussed the finer points of doing social media work for a nonprofit, from the everyday details of how much or how little to post to what sort of content works best to the best methods for retweeting. ^[45] Then an incredible panel took the stage, featuring nonprofit social media rockstars Amy Sample Ward ( NTEN ), Renee Alexander ( UNICEF USA ), Julia C. Smith ( Idealist ) and Farra Trompeter ( Big Duck ). ^[45] Every week, Mashable puts together a calendar of upcoming social media and web events, parties and conferences. ^[60]

Called "Social Media for Social Good," the afternoon seminar featured top-notch speakers and plenty of great conversations, both online and off. ^[45] What a great way to engage young people in social good! Becoming involved, even via webcasts, with the lives and work of others will carry forward, I hope, so that the children continue to care about others and look for ways to make the world a better place. ^[85] We dug up some cool social good projects to help you get your charity on this Sunday while also showing mom how much you care. ^[61] This September, join Mashable for the Mashable & 92Y Social Good Summit in partnership with the United Nations Foundation. ^[60]



For business travelers, Mr. Lark said that he thought that social media was not only a way of keeping up with what was going on during your travels, but was also useful in letting people know at home where you were and what you were doing. ^[46] Mr. Lark said traveling for business could be a lonely experience and social media tools had helped change that. ^[46] According to Blakley, women outnumber men on every social media platform, including Twitter and Facebook. ^[62] Our Blog is an online guide to social media. iWebMonster.net Blog is a hub for those looking to make sense of the online realm. ^[86] Jennifer over at the New York Times has a neat story on navigating with social media. ^[46]

If you'd like to learn about how you can use social media to get more involved and to strengthen your own community or social good initiative, this is the event for you. ^[63] Social Media for Social Good: Community Building in a. - Eventbrite Invalid quantity. ^[63] I saw this weekend's #usblogs challenge on social media and social good, and it clicked. ^[29]



Social media has been coined innovative and many are impressed by this technology, but many also think it makes people lazy and apathetic. ^[79] She is currently the visiting scholar for social media and nonprofits for the Packard Foundation. ^[80] Get the answers to these questions and more in a free webinar featuring nonprofit social media leader Beth Kanter. ^[80] Almost all women bloggers have positive opinions on brand sponsored social media and blog campaigns. ^[64] The social media has become a worldwide phenomenon and many challenge it to support a cause and make a difference. ^[79]

Campaigns that include an element of social good increase trust levels for 56% of bloggers surveyed. ^[64]



How does the use of social media during the recent uprisings in the Middle East affect nonprofits? Two experts offer their ideas. ^[65] That's welcome news for HelpAttack! and the dozens of other startups aiming to help nonprofits manage social media for social good. ^[29] However almost all bloggers surveyed, 95%, have favorable views on brand-sponsored social media and blog campaigns as long as they are authentic, high quality, help generate revenue for the blogger, and are fun. ^[66] How has social media permanently altered the ways retailers are building relationships and marketing products to their customers? Fashion140 was co-curated. ^[29] There were lots of smart people wandering around during SXSW, but probably few as smart as Danah Boyd, Social Media Researcher at Microsoft Research New England and a Fellow at Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet and Society, who blew minds with her opening keynote. ^[30] The recent revolutions in the Middle East offer a strong case for the powers of social media to amass people into a sum greater than the individual. ^[67] Much of the discussion around social media lately has focused on its usefulness to nonprofits, especially fund raisers. ^[65] You can learn more about what the club has been up to on our Social Media Club blog (props to the Social Media Club team for the site redesign!). ^[30] The survey was fielded across 50,000 women bloggers in the BlogFrog network during the month of April and was analyzed by the Social Studies Group, an independent social media research company. ^[66] Suffice to say, DNA's Real Men campaign and TwitChange are just the beginning of what's to come in celebritized social media for social good. ^[29] I've written about the importance of engaging CEO's in brand social media strategies and how innovative brands are leveraging photo sharing applications like Instagram and Hipstamatic. ^[30] Founded in 2009, LATISM has used the Internet and social media as tools to give back. ^[29] Please join us at the Nerd Commune downtown to discuss how social media is fostering community in Los Angeles. ^[63] User meets Marketer perspective on branding, social media, and everything communications. ^[30] Last, but certainly not least, I've been sharing some thoughts on social media on the (add)ventures blog. ^[30]

Allison Fine interviews two foundation leaders, who describe how they are using social-media tools to improve the way they promote social good. ^[65] I've been really intrigued by the concept of social good for about a year now, closely following the Pepsi Refresh and Chase Community Giving campaigns. ^[30] Campaigns that include an element of social good increase. promoted or recommended by someone they know from a blog or social media. ^[29] Online activism has been both the whipping boy and unexpected hero of social good. ^[67]



Social media and our new media landscape have made celebrities like everyone else. ^[68] Who referred your product or brand to the blogger? 70% of bloggers trust a brand more that is promoted or recommended by someone they know from a blog or social media. ^[87] Social media is a fast paced game for sure and I love watching it so quickly evolve. ^[68]

We asked our hosts and participants at the Fast Company Innovation Uncensored Luncheon to consider how these technologies affect the greater social good, and ways we can use them to create the change we know is necessary. ^[88] I predict that the brands and organizations that put a considerable budget into social good initiatives that include bloggers will garner the best results as opposed to initiatives that are effective in name only and not in action. ^[68]

POSSIBLY USEFUL

Section Contents:

• He is the founder of dowser.org, a media site that reports on social innovation.(More...)
  
  
• Digiday is actually part of a series of conferences organized by DM2 Media, a company that coordinates tech, marketing and communications conferences across the country.(More...)
  
  
• This showed that even a small community like that of Corvida's Twitter social circle can affect a big change on many lives.(More...)
  
  
• The Games for Change Festival is the largest gaming event in New York City and the only international event uniting "games for change" creators, the public, civil society, academia, the gaming industry and media.(More...)
  
  
• According to Jumo they are "a social network connecting individuals and organizations who want to change the world."(More...)
  
  
• Does this mean that I think that the nonprofit sector is better off without all of this 'mumbo-jumbo' about social entreprise?(More...)
  
  
• I thought it was a great example of good design, marketing, branding, 'on target' messaging, the works.(More...)
  
  
• To get kids interested in the creative power of video, Youth in Media taught a course on videography at Towers High School.(More...)
  
  
• Together with individuals and local groups in more than 100 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice.(More...)
  
  
• Despite the ups and downs, the good folks at Mashable have come up with another batch of tools and resources to help you follow whatever news and topics interest you.(More...)
  
  
• In the last six weeks Facebook and other media have been useful in organising revolutions in the Arab north which has led to massive political change.(More...)
  
  
• Programs need to evolve and it's good to see that they are evolving and staying relavant.(More...)
  
  
• Oxfam offers a variety of information on its website incorporating different aspects of potential engagement such as the opportunity to get involved with campaigns and the option to buy secondhand goods online.(More...)
  
  
• Hootsuite (Social Media), Twitter (Community) and Foursquare (Best Use of GPS/Location Technology) were all winners in our own 2010 Mashable Awards.(More...)
  
  
• Would you like to have your conference or event listed here?(More...)
  
  
• In early 2006, the international social marketing mailing list (SOC-MKT) was subject to a short, albeit critical, debate on the ethics and nature of social marketing, the social marketing tool kit, and the role of social marketers.(More...)
  
  
• Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.(More...)
  
  
  
  He is the founder of dowser.org, a media site that reports on social innovation. ^[89] The people you want to target and talk to are likely to be using social networks- so do your research and use the opportunity to talk to them where they hang out. ^[90]
  
  Gale is one example, ditto the singer Pink, who Tweets furiously about her career and personal life, sharing titbits of information that fans could never access through other media. ^[28] Real-time reporting on milestones, photos of people in the field, stories of triumph made possibly through support, etc. can all help to stretch out the natural good brain vibes people get from helping others. ^[11] One caveat, keep in mind that people become easily habituated (i.e. bored) to just about everything, including feeling good. ^[11]
  
  The good news for most average joes - with the possible exception of the blogger who tweets under the name "Average Joe" - is that Twitter squatters are more likely to have big companies and celebrities in their crosshairs. ^[28] Someone posing as Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer has described the Apple iPad as "definitely evil", and an obviously fake George W. Bush congratulated the Queen on her recent birthday: "She's lookin' good for 110 years old, or however old she is." ^[28]
  
  For over 10 years Heather has been my primary reference point and mentor for all things pertaining to online community management and social networking for nonprofits. ^[25]
  
  We can use social media's mobilisation potentials to change our world for the better. ^[91] The awe of it all is how she manages to translate every single beat, fast or slow, into a social service for someone in need. ^[31] Even with all the relentless cuts in social services, Sister Margaret still keeps her vision for the center in pristine condition as if she opened her doors just yesterday with chicken noodle soup and a roll in hand. ^[31]
  
  For once I was not burying myself in a pile of social problems with no foreseeable answers, or sulking over the fact that it would take me the whole year to unearth just the questions I had about poverty in the Bronx. ^[31]
  
  Founded in 2005, Mashable is the top source for news in social and digital media, technology and web culture. ^[69] This panel was recorded at 'Social Media for Social Good' at the Foundation Center (#SM4SG). ^[70]
  
  The automotive sector led all categories in media spending, topping the charts at roughly $20 Billion last year. ^[39] Who are your taxistas ? Who are the talkers in your organization or community? Get those people excited, get them involved! Have fun with it, get silly, and get real about spreading the good word. ^[50] It seems like the older generations really don't quite know what to do with usit's so easy to write us off as "entitled" (and sometimes there's good reason to do it), but what I don't think they see is all the other ways our generation is even more committed to "giving back." ^[31] It is a good question but encounters like this keep me fumbling for a good answer to pair with it. ^[31]
  
  Many of those who are jumping in are doing so in a piecemeal fashion, said Katya Andresen, Chief Operating Officer of Network For Good, which provides online giving support for more than a million charities. ^[51]
  
  The woman is a master when it comes to matching heartbeats with social services but she knows nothing of online social networking. ^[31] The story of the notable entrepreneur, Scott Harrison of Charity Water, who managed to use his connections and social networks to raise 1 million dollars for clean water in Africa stressed the importance of the individual and of having a compelling story. ^[37]
  
  The genesis of this foundation was a promise made to Jim in his final days that they would "continue the fight" to educate those affected by the disease, to raise social awareness, and to fund research for emerging treatment options. ^[38] TED found a fun, informal, and popular way to close the gap between the could-be social change enthusiast and the development professional or entrepreneur. ^[50] Through personal stories and other stories of success Brooke stressed the necessities for success in marketing a social cause. ^[37]
  
  All across the social web, you'll find sites where members of the tech community are helping non-profit organizations help leverage the power of the social web to do good. ^[6]
  
  
  
  Digiday is actually part of a series of conferences organized by DM2 Media, a company that coordinates tech, marketing and communications conferences across the country. ^[19] She has also contributed to various tech, food and media blogs, including Mashable and Food Network Humor. ^[19] It was founded by Sean and Laurie Percival and is part of the Valley Girl Media Network. ^[19]
  
  People can share a good magazine article on their blog, or post the trailer for a new sitcom on Facebook, or arrange a discussion group for the latest Scorsese film on Meetup.com. ^[40] Since I don't do much good, I thought I'd highlight a few people that are making a difference in the world. ^[26]
  
  Likes: cooking, eating, reading, hiking, good movies, bad TV, killer Scrabble games, long walks on the beach (seriously). ^[19] This has often not run parallel to serving the common good in ways such as promoting clean air and water, and financial independence for all citizens. ^[33]
  
  
  
  This showed that even a small community like that of Corvida's Twitter social circle can affect a big change on many lives. ^[6] The key is having a social strategy before you sign up for that Twitter or Facebook account. ^[71]
  
  Maybe providing a social media/philanthropic mix is a better way to monetize these sites. ^[17] On top of creating a unique way to support charitable work HelpAttack built in a little social gaming to living things up and create fun competition amongst users. ^[10] If you ask the team at HelpAttack they'd tell you that "it's a fun, easy way for you to turn social actions into social good." ^[10]
  
  Check out http://Rec.fm a social platform that enables people to recommend products they love in support of charities they care about. ^[10] For the first time, we joined together in 140-character thoughts and $10 pledges in a social media-led call for humanitarian relief, igniting a global effort to begin the process of stabilizing and supporting a nation in need. ^[23] If you run a Fairtrade social enterprise, for example, get involved in the debate online to reach a likeminded audience. ^[22] Marketers want the deeper connection the words like and follow imply but have lost as social collections have replaced true social connections. ^[32]
  
  How can your organization benefit from a Facebook Page? Many nonprofits are limited in budgets and resources for outreach to constituents, donors, the media and the public. ^[1] Aaron Sherinian serves as the Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the United Nations Foundation, leading the Foundation's public relations efforts, media relationships, strategic outreach, and online presence. ^[23] Following the Summit, the UN Foundation will sponsor the UN Week Digital Media Lounge, providing the online community exclusive access to high-level UN officials and international leaders. ^[23]
  
  We bring together organizations from the social impact sector, government, media, academia, the gaming industry and the arts to grow the field, incubate new projects and provide an open platform for the exchange of ideas and resources. ^[24] The video was seeded into various social networking sites, putting the NHS Choice's message on the radars of a young audience that traditional media may have missed. ^[22]
  
  Give. on YouTube, mDialog, CauseCast, MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social networking and sharing sites reach the right audience? That remains to be seen. ^[21] This could mean everything from uploading videos that others can pass along to having pages on social networks where others can not only "friend" your organization but also encourage their friends to connect. ^[21]
  
  
  
  The Games for Change Festival is the largest gaming event in New York City and the only international event uniting "games for change" creators, the public, civil society, academia, the gaming industry and media. ^[24] "Vice President Gore is a significant global advocate who has effectively used popular media to bring issues of pressing concern to mainstream audiences," said the Co-Presidents of Games for Change Asi Burak and Michelle Byrd. ^[24]
  
  The technology is also heavily used today to get information from citizen journalists to the mainstream media. ^[6]
  
  A good way to start finding people to follow on Twitter is to use one of the many Twitter directory sites, which allow you to search for people based on industry or interest. ^[22] Featured in the article are numerous sites that harness the power of social connections for good causes, like Charity Water for example, which aims to get the word out about the need for clean drinking water worldwide, and Jessica Biel's social network, the "Make the Difference Network", where she uses her celebrity status to get people involved. ^[6] Isn't it time we put them to use towards a good cause? Below are some great examples as to how that can be done. ^[6] Employees, and by virtue the company itself, will care more about a cause when they get to know it and see the good done over time. ^[32] I took issue with much of their advice the first time around although they also did provide some good advice intermittently. ^[1]
  
  We Follow is a good one to start with, which allows you to add yourself to the directory so you will appear in search results when others search for tweeters in your industry, a useful way to attract relevant followers. ^[22] I'm sure nobody at charity: water will claim more passion for their cause than folks busting their tails for other good causes. ^[1]
  
  Network for Good - A free training series on nonprofit marketing and online fundraising, supported by Network for Good and guest speakers. ^[1]
  
  If you want to get involved with mobile activism, there is MobileActive.org, a site that is an all-volunteer community of people and organizations using mobile phones for social impact. ^[6] Because The Foraker Group is an organization, we've set up a presence on Facebook the most popular social network on the Internet using a Facebook Page. ^[1] Wild Apricot This software company produces quality content and webinars for nonprofits, both sessions to introduce their membership management tools as well as broader topics such as "Competing with Social Networks: Recruiting Members in the Facebook Age." ^[1] An incredible added benefit is that you can see who else has joined Jumo from your Facebook social network and get an idea of what causes they're interested in by checking out their Jumo profile. ^[10]
  
  A post earlier this year on RWW highlighted some ways that Facebook was being used as a vehicle for social change. ^[6]
  
  Inspired by the success of the Save AmeriCorps campaign, in 2007, Alan launched Be the Change, Inc., a nonprofit that creates national issue based campaigns by organizing coalitions of non-profits, social entrepreneurs, policymakers, private sector leaders, academics, and citizens. ^[14] He aims to use the social Web to nurture long-term relationships between individuals and organizations. ^[13] Candidates for the position should have two or more years of field experience with advocacy organizations, excellent communication, writing, and interpersonal skills, and a strong commitment to issues of health equity and social justice. ^[14] Several years ago, MTV created an innovative social game called " Darfur Is Dying " and was also one of the first cable networks to discuss HIV/AIDS on television with its "Real World" series. ^[13] Conner also sees social gaming as a tool to bring social context to real world problems and believes that there is a huge possibility for online actions related to these types of games. ^[13]
  
  Alan has served on the boards of leading national non-profits and has received numerous awards, including the Reebok Human Rights Award, the Jefferson Award for Public Service, and the Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur Award. ^[14] While leaders from around the globe gathered at the annual United Nations Summit in New York to discuss the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Mashable, the 92nd Street Y and the UN Foundation also united to include the public in discussing solutions to social issues. ^[13]
  
  Pepsi understands how important it is for these people to be "corporate citizens," have a voice about social issues and be engaged. ^[13] McGrath believes that music, politics, social issues and popular culture are all intertwined and have the power to move people. ^[13]
  
  Pew Internet, in their report on "Social Media and Young Adults", reveals that the number of teen bloggers has plummeted since 2006. ^[12]
  
  Position overview: Fission strategy seeks several New Media Interns to provide support in the development and implementation of online outreach and advocacy campaigns. ^[14] The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, have a strong work ethic, be willing to learn, and be excited about the opportunities new media provide to support advocacy campaigns. ^[14] Work with other Families USA departments to respond to requests for technical assistance, coordinate co-releases of Families USA media reports, and provide materials. ^[14]
  
  Successful candidates will be personable team-players who have excelled academically and as well as in post-collegiate life in top organizations from fields such as law, consulting, government, military or media. ^[14]
  
  
  
  According to Jumo they are "a social network connecting individuals and organizations who want to change the world." ^[10] By tying in with Facebook from the start they've harnessed the relational power of the most prolific social network built to date. ^[10] Their belief is that "The most successful movements have always been born out of and held together by the bonds of real world relationships, and online social networks present never before seen opportunities for organizing." ^[10] I feel like the SMRs are a living, breathing organism as we continue to gather the multimedia components and set up the social network and microblog presences to truly make it more effective. ^[1]
  
  You can use the app to browse through all sorts of social causes which include relief efforts, environmental causes, political causes, educational efforts, and more. ^[6] I'd also recommend Social by Social.com which styles itself as a "a practical guide to using new technologies to deliver social impact ", and it pretty much delivers on that promise. ^[22] Games for Change is the leading global advocate for supporting and making games for social impact. ^[24] NEW YORK, April 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Games for Change, the leading global advocate for supporting and making games for social impact, announced today the line-up and expanded activities of its 8th Annual Games for Change Festival at the NYU Skirball Center June 20 22. ^[24]
  
  
  
  Does this mean that I think that the nonprofit sector is better off without all of this 'mumbo-jumbo' about social entreprise? Not really (not the answer you expected?). ^[27] Doing this allows us to start educating clients on what we could do with them, which in turn can lead to more holistic work, just as an on-site strategy opens the door to social content work. ^[3]
  
  
  
  I thought it was a great example of good design, marketing, branding, 'on target' messaging, the works. ^[53] While it seems that nearly every Super Bowl advertiser had been told by a research firm that men are feeling emasculated in 2010, at least the half time show was good. ^[12] Experience with design programs, shooting and editing video and taking good quality photos preferred. ^[14]
  
  These things are only good for a limited time, for good advertising you got to have it work for you 24/7 all year around every year. ^[53]
  
  Leslie said that companies "have moved from a broadcast model into an engagement model" and they have to think of young people "less as consumers and more as advocates" because this group is interested in what role companies can play in addressing social needs. He cited a powerful statistic that 18-24 percent of young people recently surveyed said that they would take pay cuts if they knew that their company was advocating for social change. ^[13] Way back in the olden days (say, 2001), connecting technology with social change was pretty hard to do. ^[12] One of my biggest takeaways from last year's Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) in San Francisco was this oft-repeated advice on social networking: you can't make them come to you. ^[12] He sees this social networking website as a place for people to go to take action. ^[13]
  
  I started and ran a non-profit in Latin America in 2002 called HelpArgentina (now channeling millions of dollars to needy causes in Argentina), focused on social entrepreneurship at Stanford Business School and now working 100% time on this. ^[92] The silliness is always a means to an end: creating a community devoted to transforming technology into social change. ^[12]
  
  
  
  To get kids interested in the creative power of video, Youth in Media taught a course on videography at Towers High School. ^[73] Your three points on helping the constituency connect and be more transparent provide a really good starting point. ^[3]
  
  
  
  Together with individuals and local groups in more than 100 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice. ^[2] As Vice President of Social Innovation at the Case Foundation, Kari Dunn Saratovsky brings with her a decade of experience in the government and nonprofit sectors. ^[2] What a week for Mashable! We recently launched Follow, our social layer to help you create a profile and find and share stories to the public. ^[20] "The simulation could help identify emerging social leaders in the area who could be enlisted to help maintain social stability and ensure equitable distribution of emergency supplies," Dennis explained. ^[8]
  
  In 2009, she was named by Fast Company Magazine as one of the most influential women in technology and one of Business Week's "Voices of Innovation for Social Media." ^[2] UCBerkeley student majoring in business admin and Chinese; progressive; love to read and constantly learn; interested in social business and entrepreneurship. ^[74]
  
  "A big part of many social campaigns is having strong partnerships between government and the private sector," he said. ^[8] "Social media has created a brilliant new mechanism for the transfer of information," said Peter Vietti, ONR spokesman. ^[8] I have the great privilege of teaching a post graduate class next semester at Georgetown University, called "Social Media for Social Good." ^[7]
  
  "We've seen repeatedly examples of people using these types of media to coordinate their activities in terms of evacuating from a particular area or rescuing people or coordinating the saving of homes and so on," Dennis said. ^[8] This requires a significant shift in communications ethos, a return to the basis of solid, strategic marketing principles, and also a core understanding the media form. ^[7] Livestream has introduced several new groundbreaking innovations, in addition to paying homage to traditional TV, and we have even bigger plans for innovation and interactivity on our roadmap! Basically, we want to help you become the next media mogul." ^[2] They came up with interesting correlations between users chosen computing platforms and their demographics and personalities, as well as tastes in food, fashion and media. ^[20] "Causecast is a platform where media, philanthropy, social networking, entertainment and education converge to serve a greater purpose. ^[2]
  
  I think the move to social entrepreneurship is powerful, necessary, and inevitable. ^[27] Social entrepreneurship is a field that draws obsessive study and intrigue--and I'm not someone that doesn't experience that as well. ^[27]
  
  Whereas much is written about the mechanics of using Facebook, Twitter, and the like, Aaker's course addresses how to leverage the power of social technology to make a difference. ^[4] Shortly after this article was published, Imagine Fashion released a profound video interview with Ryder Ripps from Internet Archaeology that fell perfectly in line with the idea of the social aspects of technology allowing us to be more human. ^[43]
  
  In addition to drawing media attention and the eyeballs of adoring fans, a new wave of social media-based nonprofit initiatives are welcoming audiences to engage with stars in a deeper and real-time way, while keeping the cause at the core. ^[57] It's largely this: life lived well because supported by digital, media, and social literacy. ^[47]
  
  You missed NYU! I teach "Social Media for Brand Managers" to MBA students at NYU Stern. ^[4]
  
  
  
  Despite the ups and downs, the good folks at Mashable have come up with another batch of tools and resources to help you follow whatever news and topics interest you. ^[20] People want to do good, want to be inspired, and want to inspire others to join them in giving back. ^[2] Despite the good news close to home, this week was also a tough one for the journalism community with the death of two top photojournalists, Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros, who were hit by an rocket-propelled grenade while working in Libya. ^[20] He previously served as CEO of GOOD Worldwide, co-founded Ethos Water, the premium bottled water that helps children around the world get clean water, and sold Ethos to Starbucks Coffee Company in 2005. ^[2] Do the Beats sound $130 better than the Wangs? No. Do they almost look the same? Yes, making me think there was a good reason for Monster Cable and Beats Electronics to sue Fanny Wang Headphone Company just before CES 2011, attempting to prevent the company from showing its wares on the show floor. ^[20]
  
  "Jonathan is the president of Our Good Works, the parent organization of All for Good, the open source initiative to engage more people in service. ^[2]
  
  We connect people and communities to drive social change, and we call for state, national and world leaders to help fight this disease. ^[2] Focusing on up-to-the-minute news on social networks and new websites, it rapidly grew to be one of the top 10 blogs in the world according to the blog ranking service Technorati. ^[2] Qui Diaz has agreed to teach with me, promising a high powered experience for social cause communicators seeking to engage their communities online. ^[7] When it comes to social causes, the cause must inspire the individual on personal level, and then activate that person to engage in the larger community and corresponding conversations. ^[7]
  
  
  
  In the last six weeks Facebook and other media have been useful in organising revolutions in the Arab north which has led to massive political change. ^[15] When I checked, Oxfam had 7,408 followers on Twitter, 17,917 fans on Facebook, 1,181 subscribers on YouTube, 4,884 friends on Myspace, 46 members on Bebo and 272 members on Flickr creating an extensive opportunity for the organisation to make relational connections with its stakeholders in order to develop its social capital. ^[5] This concept is based on the ideas of obligation and expectation whereby one social actor in the relational connection should oblige the other who is expectant. ^[5] It's ok we're not there yet; the social norms of digitally "enhanced" life are a work in progress. ^[47]
  
  I was delighted when, way down near the end of the piece, Williams cited the view of a psychology professor that maybe a family that does parallel play or media use in the same room isn't necessarily dysfunctional, that all relationships need to have both togetherness and separateness. ^[47] Actually, Mom's far from insane, people aren't just being distracted (they're communicating, etc., if at an inappropriate time for the people in the room with them), and it's predictable that a newspaper reporter would focus so much on consumption when referring to all these devices and media everybody's using together. ^[47] Twitter is the latest player in the soci al media sphere to engage in cause awareness and fundraising with its Hope140 initiative for selected non-profits. ^[93]
  
  
  
  Programs need to evolve and it's good to see that they are evolving and staying relavant. ^[4] The objective of Harvard Business School's popular second-year elective "Competing with Social Networks," taught by associate professor Mikolaj Jan Piskorski, is to introduce the network failure framework to help companies that use social networks build and sustain their competitive advantage. ^[4] While this is definitely a sure way of communicating, the social network is not a place for spin doctoring. ^[15] Many organisations across the country are starting to adopt social networking because it offers an easy way to share knowledge and communicate. ^[15]
  
  In this course, students identify business models that leverage social networks to deliver substantial returns. ^[4]
  
  
  
  Oxfam offers a variety of information on its website incorporating different aspects of potential engagement such as the opportunity to get involved with campaigns and the option to buy secondhand goods online. ^[5] My suggestion: if you are an IU student, an IU Alumni Association Member, an IU Varsity Club member, or an IU season ticketholder in any sport, don't try to convince an unsigned recruit, either on Twitter or anywhere else, that he should play at IU. Sure, stuff like "good game,Gary" and so forth probably is pretty harmless, but my guess is that at some point the NCAA is going to make an example of someone. ^[34] That got me to thinking, because of such public access to these conversations, what is right and what is over the boundaries of good taste? Please follow after the jump as I take a look into the unofficial rules of fandom and twitter for not only recruits, but college and professional athletes alike. ^[34] A good rule of thumb: If you wouldn't say it to them in person (while sober), don't say it to them on twitter. ^[34]
  
  Despite whatever experience you may have in the topic, you don't truly know these people and can't comment in good context. ^[34]
  
  Oxfam uses a range of social networking sites to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders. ^[5] Oxfam has an established website as a first point of contact for stakeholders and a presence on various different social networking sites which suggests a highly strategic and integrated approach to stakeholder management. ^[5]
  
  Mama: Together for Safe Births in Crises, a new initiative designed by the WRC, strives to level the playing field by using social networking to save the lives of mothers and their newborns -- specifically in crisis-affected settings. ^[94]
  
  Day-to-day interactions, dramas and jokes often play out across Facebook and other social sites. ^[58] His most recent books are Information Worlds: Social Context, Technology, & Information Behavior in the Age of the Internet (Routledge, 2010) with Gary Burnett and Public Libraries and the Internet: Roles, Perspectives, and Implications (Libraries Unlimited, 2010) with John Carlo Bertot and Charles R. McClure. ^[35] The sole intent of the policy proposed by Newhouse and Wilensky is to eliminate the distorted incentives inherent in the current GME program, rather than to reduce the overall funding flow to teaching hospitals or to impair their other social missions in any way. ^[9] Economists are not unaware that resident programs often cross-subsidize other important social missions of teaching hospitals, and they certainly would like these to be funded adequately and explicitly by society. ^[9] It was deemed perfectly acceptable that AHCs would extract sizable profit margins for some of their services to subsidize other components of their social mission. ^[9] Law and policy have made significant progress in some nations, but sizeable barriers remain to the social inclusion of individuals with disabilities in telecommunications technologies and services. ^[35]
  
  During the show, it will provide live updates regarding the social aggressions faced by characters in the play. ^[58]
  
  It is the responsibility of the media to be as accurate and inspiring as possible, and some are doing a good job, such as the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. ^[36] Public health officials should examine mechanisms by which to leverage this media to better communicate their message through existing networks and to engage in on-going dialogue with the public. ^[44] Ted Turner, chairman of Turner Enterprises, Inc. and chairman of the UN Foundation, was interviewed by Pete Cashmore, founder and CEO of Mashable, on topics including the media, philanthropy, and being an entrepreneur. ^[36] The range of speakers included philanthropists, media and business executives, actors, and government officials, each offering a unique perspective. ^[36] I think the media could serve more of a role in educating regarding the problem of overpopulation. ^[36]
  
  Five reviewers assessed the quality of Web pages retrieved with popular search engines using criteria adapted from the Good Information Practice Essential Criteria for Vaccine Safety Web Sites recommended by the World Health Organization. ^[44] It is technically not possible to exclude people from using the good (the good is said to be "non-exclusive"). ^[9] The leaders of academic medicine have always justified these subsidies using two premises that have never been questioned: first, that GME saddles teaching hospitals with extra costs that warrant coverage through a public subsidy, because, second, medical education is a public good. ^[9] The efficient quantity of a public good is the volume beyond the total collective benefit yielded by an extra unit of the good that would no longer cover the added cost of producing that unit. ^[9] In a free market, this potential for freeloading typically leads to the production of an inefficiently inadequate quantity of the public good. 5 The case for collective tax financing of public goods rests on this potential for freeloading. ^[9] Therefore, public subsidies toward the production of professional training must be defended with appeal to something other than the assertion that it is a public good. ^[9] By its very nature, this human capital lacks the essential traits of a public good. ^[9] Because public goods are "non-exclusive," users can benefit from them without contributing to the cost of their production. ^[9] Newhouse and Wilensky offer in passing an even more startling proposition: that medical education is not a public good in the first place. ^[9]
  
  Very often these services are purely private goods whose total value accrues wholly to one patient and is then split between that patient and the physician. ^[9]
  
  
  
  Hootsuite (Social Media), Twitter (Community) and Foursquare (Best Use of GPS/Location Technology) were all winners in our own 2010 Mashable Awards. ^[59] We tracked the debate in the United States through MySpace, then the most popular social networking site, in order to better understand the public's reaction to the vaccine. ^[44]
  
  
  
  Would you like to have your conference or event listed here? If so, please contact us at least one month before your event to establish a media partnership. ^[60] Blueprint New Media is a one-stop internet marketing company specializing in custom web marketing campaigns for local and small businesses that deliver real measurable results. ^[61]
  
  The good news is that Macy's already hit its target but you can still Like the Page for a free ecard and to show your support for the cause. ^[61]
  
  
  
  In early 2006, the international social marketing mailing list (SOC-MKT) was subject to a short, albeit critical, debate on the ethics and nature of social marketing, the social marketing tool kit, and the role of social marketers. ^[48] As a practical discipline, with a strong theoretical and philosophical framework, it also relies on the open communication between academic and practitioner to ensure those researching and those implementing are speaking the same social marketing language. ^[48] This article reports on the summary and implications of the debate among academics, practitioners, and founders of the social marketing discipline. ^[48]
  
  To start the conference, TEDWomen's speaker Johanna Blakley shared insights on how women are shaping the social web. ^[62]
  
  Susannah Vila directs content and outreach at Movements.org, an organization dedicated to identifying, connecting and supporting activists using technology to organize for social change. ^[95] Social marketing has been a discipline founded on the open and robust exchange of ideas regarding the nature of social change, the adaptation and adoption of commercial marketing, and the ethics of influencing behavior for beneficial outcomes. ^[48]
  
  Fifty-five percent of women use mobile devices to shop, and 59 percent use social networks. ^[62] It is as much about devices, like smartphones and wireless networks, as it is about social networks. ^[46]
  
  We compiled your answers with the help of the Social Studies Group to find some very interesting things. ^[64] Mashable is the top source for news and trends in digital media, technology and web culture. ^[96]
  
  
  
  Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. ^[67] According to Wendy Scherer, Partner at The Social Studies Group, "These statistics point to a fundamental issue within the advertising and public relations industry. ^[66]
  

RANKED SELECTED SOURCES

(96 source documents arranged by frequency of occurrence in the above report)

1. (25)

Social Media Social Good | Web site for the Facebook group Social Media for Social Good. Join us!

2. (15) Mashables Social Good Conference Approaching [Discount Codes!]

3. (15) Social media content strategy - Content Strategy | Google Groups

4. (15) Social Media in the M.B.A. Classroom - MBA Admissions: Strictly Business (usnews.com)

5. (14) Case Study - How Oxfam uses Social Media for Social Good - Indian PR Forum | Google Groups

6. (13) How to Use Social Media for Social Change

7. (13) Social Media for Social Good The Buzz Bin

8. (13) When disaster strikes social media to the rescue by David Hubler - Milis Bencana | Google Groups

9. (13) Economists On Academic Medicine: Elephants In A Porcelain Shop?

10. (12) 9 Social Media for Social Good Sites You Should know About | NetWitsThinkTank.com

11. (10) Social Media, Social Good, and the Brain | Verilliance

12. (10) February 2010: Social Media for Social Good - FISICA_TEORICA | Google Groups

13. (10) Social media for social good: Insights from Mashable and 92Y's Social Good Summit: PRSA

14. (10) Fwd: [jobsthatareLEFT] Digest for jobsthatareleft@googlegroups.com - 25 Messages in 24 Topics - YDNC Jobs | Google Groups

15. (10) Social networking is here to stay, | The New Age Online

16. (9) National Conference on Volunteering and Service: Getting started in social media? Enlist your supporters!

17. (9) Cisco Blog Blog Archive Social Media for Social Good

18. (9) Social Media for Social Good | Nonprofit Bridge

19. (8) LA Tech 101: The Conference Compendium | lalawag

20. (8) Mashable: Latest 6 News Updates - including '''World'''s First Social Headphones Offer Spectacular Sound [REVIEW]''' - Free Online Advertising Group | Google Groups

21. (8) Examples of Social Media Campaigns | Social Media Social Good

22. (7) Using social media for social good: a guide for social enterprises | Social enterprise network | Guardian Professional

23. (7) Global Health Magazine | Guest Blog

24. (7) 8th Annual Games for Change Festival Opens in NYC June 20th With. -- NEW YORK, April 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

25. (7) Announcing Social Media for Social Good: A How-To Guide for Nonprofits! « Nonprofit Tech 2.0 Blog :: A Social Media Guide for Nonprofits

26. (6) Social Media, Social Good

27. (6) Ideally, Social.: Is Social Entrepreneurship Really New?

28. (6) Twitter fakes put big names at risk

29. (6) "social media" "social good" - Google Search

30. (6) Look how time flies

31. (6) Heartbeats & Hashtags | As Simple as That

32. (5) Social Media and Selfless Social Good | Business 2 Community

33. (5) Social Good Definition

34. (5) The Twitter Commandments: Rules for a Fan Interacting with Athletes - The Crimson Quarry

35. (5) ScienceDirect - Government Information Quarterly : Using ICTs to create a culture of transparency: E-government and social media as openness and anti-corruption tools for societies

36. (5) Mashable Social Good Summit: Social Media's Growing Role - PRNewser

37. (5) GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT Workshop Cheat Sheet: Using Social Media for Social Good

38. (4) Social Media for the Social Good | Mojo Social Media Marketing

39. (4) Socialnomics: World of Mouth for Social Good

40. (4) WFU | Wake Forest Magazine | Social Media

41. (4) Cynthia Harnisch: Social Media for Social Good

42. (4) Univision and Hispanicize to mentor non-profits about social media - Business - MiamiHerald.com

43. (4) lala new york city: The Humanity of Social Media on Fashion's Collective

44. (4) ScienceDirect - Vaccine : An analysis of the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine debate on MySpace blogs

45. (4) Social Media for Social Good | Small Act

46. (4) Navigating with Social Media - Andrew Lark

47. (4) Only sometimes 'alone together' in the same room | NetFamilyNews.org

48. (4) Reaffirming the Neutrality of the Social Marketing Tool Kit: Social Marketing as a Hammer, and Social Marketers as Hired Guns - Social Marketing Quarterly

49. (3) Donnie Wahlberg Helps Fan Find Kidney

50. (3) Driving Viral Social Change: How Will You Get People Talking?

51. (3) Social Media For Social Good. Will It Do Any Good? | Business 2 Community

52. (3) Jefferson Post - How to do social good with social media

53. (3) Excellent example of web/social media campaign - FreelanceSwitch Forum

54. (3) Social Media News and Web Tips ''' Mashable ''' The Social Media Guide

55. (3) Social Media for Social Good from the Foundation Center

56. (3) LATISM Ushers in a New 'Community' Through Social Good in Social Media - Fox News Latino

57. (3) Celebrities lend star power to promote social good - What's Trending - CBS News

58. (3) How Shakespeare & Social Media Are Fighting Cyber Bullying

59. (3) Today Is the Last Day To Vote for the Webby Awards

60. (3) 100+ Upcoming Social Media & Tech Events - SAFE - Social Action Foundation for Equity | Google Groups

61. (3) 7 Ways to Show Mom You Love Her & Support Social Good - Social Media Marketing Toronto - Blueprint New Media

62. (3) Fashion for the social good: How brands are paying attention to social media marketing - What's Trending - CBS News

63. (3) Social Media for Social Good: Community Building in a. - Eventbrite

64. (3) BlogFrog Research: How Women Bloggers Feel about Working with Brand Advertisers

65. (3) Social Good - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

66. (3) Research Study: 90% of Women Bloggers Want to Work with Brands but Many are Ignored

67. (3) Online Activism Aims to Stop School Spankings | Your Olive Branch News - yobo

68. (3) Mom Blogging Predictions Come to Fruition « Jennifer James Online

69. (2) Social Good

70. (2) Social Media for Social Good: Strategies & Tactics on Vimeo

71. (2) Using Social Media For Social Good | Jason Hope | Jason Randal Hope Philanthropic Endeavors

72. (2) Panel on social media & nonprofits: Monday the 20th @ 5:30 - Austin Nonprofit Discussions | Google Groups

73. (2) Amplify Your Impact (Social Media for Social Good)

74. (2) Summer of Social Good by Mashable

75. (2) Social Media for Social Good - Alyssa Milano | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

76. (2) Social media for social good | Peppermint Post

77. (2) Shift Happens - Amigo_Share | Google Groups

78. (2) Social Good Conference - Social media - Charity- Eventbrite

79. (2) School Spankings to be Stopped by Online Activism

80. (2) Free GuideStar Webinar: Beth Kanter, Social Media, and Social Good - UPEACE Media | Google Groups

81. (1) Contest: Social Media for Social Good | UrbanMommies

82. (1) REMINDER: MEETING TONIGHT @ 6:45 @ 1825 k st NW - DC for Obama Advocacy Team | Google Groups

83. (1) REDF Emerging Trends

84. (1) YouTube - Social Media for Social Good - free webinar for nonprofits

85. (1) How Mountain Climbing in Kenya & Social Media Spark Change [PICS]

86. (1) 7 Ways to Show Mom You Love Her & Support Social Good | Social Media News and Web Tips ''' iWebMonster.net Blog ''' The Social Media Guide

87. (1) A Day In The Life Of A Publicist: 90% of female bloggers want to work with YOUR brand

88. (1) Living the Promise Blog Innovation Uncensored: Diversity and Social Good

89. (1) A Team Approach to Drug Cures - NYTimes.com

90. (1) Daniel Tyte Social Enterprise + Social Media = Social Good

91. (1) Harness Social Media for'social good' « Kennedy javurus PhD Blog

92. (1) Social Media for Social Good (Blitz Bazaar looking for a freelancer) - Options Unlimited | Google Groups

93. (1) USTelecom Blog Blog Archive Social Networking for Social Good - AmigoShare | Google Groups

94. (1) Mama: Together For Safe Births In Crises - Saving Women's Lives Through Social Media

95. (1) HOW TO: Sustain a Social Movement After Initial Success

96. (1) MashableTV - live streaming video powered by Livestream

Heart of the City - The New Mavericks - Social Entrepreneurs

(c) Mark B. Durieux (Ph.D.)
Co-author, “Social Entrepreneurship for Dummies”
Calgary Public Library Talk

From Past to Present and Future: Social Entrepreneurs are Revolutionizing Civic Society and Capitalism.

Leaving behind the “Saints and Superheroes Club” 

As my good friend and co-author, Bob Stebbins, has pointed out, social entrepreneurs have been around for a long time -- ever since someone here in Calgary or elsewhere first objected to oppressive or hurtful conditions and then moved passionately, innovatively, and practically to right those wrongs.

Was Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt a social entrepreneur? You bet. Were Jesus Christ or Muhammad social entrepreneurs? Of course.

Other prophetic but eminently practical social entrepreneurs would be the likes of Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr.

But, of course, social entrepreneurs don’t have to be religious prophets. Florence Nightingale and Mother Theresa come quickly to mind. And then we have the "ordinary” peoples’ economist -- Muhammad Yunus, Nobel prizewinner in 2006 for bringing the idea and practice of microcredit to the world’s poor. Or, we have an unassuming young Kemptville, Ontario boy, Ryan Hreljac, who, by now, has brought clean, potable fresh water to 3/4 of a million people around the world through drilling some 600 wells.

Here, in Calgary, Bob and I have been privileged to meet many social entrepreneurs. You’ll meet a small number of them in a few minutes, but there are others like Robb Price, recent founder of DeliverGood (http://www.delivergood.org/) or Sharon Hapton of Soup Sisters / Broth Brothers (http://soupsisters.org/), and, unfortunately too many more to mention, who are all cut from a similar, and beautiful, bolt of cloth.

These last social innovators signal a stunning historical transition, one that has moved humanity away from a dependency on uncommon saintly or heroic compassion and social entrepreneurship toward a far more public and popular form.

These days, then, social entrepreneurs don't belong to an exclusive "Saints and Superheroes Club". Instead, otherwise quite ordinary folks are shaking off the shackles binding their compassionate potential and all over the world taking pride in being labelled "positive deviants"; people who work actively against the status quo of narcissism and cultural myopia which, together, have conspired in many ways to lead humanity to the brink of calamity.

Welcome to the wide, civic world of social entrepreneurship!

To get a sense of the scope of what’s going on, we only need to consider the growth of NGOs over the past forty years. In the 1970s, there were maybe a handful of these organizations doing peace and development work internationally. Today, thanks to the efforts of everyday walk-of-life social entrepreneurs, there are literally hundreds of thousands of these organizations in place. More broadly, just Google “social entrepreneur” (379,000) or “social entrepreneurship” (786,000) to get a sense of the incredible interest in the idea.

With social entrepreneurs, we see the rise of a massive and new social movement and one of the most significant civic society developments in the history of our species. And this so-called "citizen sector" continues to grow economically, politically, and culturally on a scale that few can quite grasp.

Something absolutely remarkable is going on -- and it may be happening just in the nick of time. As you look around and see the incredible types of problems we now face on our Spaceship Earth and the magnitude of those problems -- with enormous global population, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation being among the most urgent concerns – you can know that, thankfully, many, many folks refuse to fiddle while Rome burns. They are, instead, extricating their heads out of the cultural sand, springing into action, and doing things to change course quickly!

So, if you sense the urgency of our situation, whether globally or locally (here in Calgary, for example), and if you've got way more than an itch to do something to make things better, know that you're not alone and that you've got the "right stuff" for the world today. And welcome -- not to a closed-membership club -- but to the wide, civic world of social entrepreneurship!

Who are social entrepreneurs, really?

Who are social entrepreneurs these days? Let me offer the following brief characterization.

Social entrepreneurs are people who are deeply, compassionately, committed to changing the world for the better and doing so in very practical and innovative ways.

Their deep compassion revolves around a simple, direct, self-conscious, and wonderfully self-challenging question: How could I NOT do this?

In talking to passionate social entrepreneurs, I hear this particular phrase over and over again. In a world of options and distractions, their “choice” is clear and singular. In this sense, they are doubly "called" to their path. First, by their own internal moral compass and, second, charismatically, by those who request their help.

Along with this caring commitment, as mentioned before, social entrepreneurs are innovative and soundly practical. They think and do outside the box. But that thinking and doing is not simply "creative". It`s not about anything goes as long as it’s new and it can be pulled off. It's about that thinking and doing being socially insightful and, in Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, truly compassionate. As King so famously put it:

True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. That is, social entrepreneurs are not interested in providing handouts. Instead, they help with hand-ups. They empower, they build capacity, and where necessary, they change society so that people's life chances are increased.

The future is here – social entrepreneurs and the radical re-enchantment of capitalism

Moving forward, the really big question regarding social entrepreneurship today -- and in the future -- is and will be:

What are the societal best practices that we need to collectively develop in order to bring more and more social entrepreneurs to the fore and keep them there?

Max Weber, the classical sociologist, showed that those cultures which rationalize – that is increasingly understand and control means-to-ends processes in scientific, technical ways – are the ones which most successfully manifest themselves in the world, making the transition from what ought to be to what is. Conversely, those who don’t rationalize end up in the historical dustbin. Rationalization is, according to Weber, the master process behind all modernity.

But there’s a huge catch to all of this. Weber, as an ironist, foresaw that we should be careful what we wish for when we commit ourselves to rationalizing processes. These processes consume us.

What were simple means-to-ends (science, bureaucracy, efficiency, effectiveness, and the pursuit of profit) now become the ends themselves. And with that our humanity, our soul, is lost as we become disenchanted and alienated from our world and each other.

Let’s bring this back to social entrepreneurship. If the good works of social entrepreneurs are to succeed, we must set in place rationalizing processes – most importantly broadly cultural, socializing, and educational processes – which create a milieu for success and transformation. But in doing so, we can never forget the compassionate enchantment of social entrepreneurship. Without that we have nothing and are lost.

That’s why social entrepreneurship is not about the rationalized pursuit of profit for profit’s sake merely within various untapped social arenas. And that’s why our book, Social Entrepreneurship for Dummies, sets out a framework for compassionate social entrepreneurship from the very outset. Social entrepreneurship is, in our view, all about popularizing the re-enchantment of the world in compassionate, practical and yet radically different ways on a massive civic scale.

If we’re going to meet our challenges as a species, we will need social entrepreneurship. But it will have to be social entrepreneurship of a specific kind – one that balances rationalization and enchantment, the secular and the sacred. Without that balance on a grand scale, social entrepreneurship will only be swallowed up by the juggernaut of modernity’s rationalizing tendencies and we will be not a bit further ahead than we are now.

So, we must work very hard for true social entrepreneurship; that is, moving toward triple bottom lines and launching and institutionalizing such things as Benefit Corporations, which, through their constitutional mandates, protect social and environmental good.

We also need to see broad shifts in youth, adult, and work-based employee volunteerism toward serious leisure social entrepreneurship as the first steps in achieving more sustained social entrepreneurial efforts.

I’ll just add one final note about the idea of social entrepreneurship as re-enchanting the world.

Driven by socially astute compassion of the Martin Luther King Jr. kind, re-enchantment as a counterpoint to hyper-rationalization is rapidly and massively making the most of our basic human sociality; that is, our ability to seek an almost spiritual self-transcendence through caring community and caring "we-ness".

If you have any doubts about this, just pick up a copy of Don Tapscott and Anthony Williams' latest book, "Macrowikinomics". It's fascinating, hopeful, and consistent with our own work to learn, for example, that "top down" humanitarian aid is just about dead.

Instead, Tapscott and Williams point out that in Haiti, in the wake of that nation's recent massive earthquake, what worked best was a massive volunteer effort involving crisis mapping based on grassroots eye-witness accounts or other relevant information, all transmitted by social media -- email, text, or Twitter.

This re-enchanted sociality is a new and tremendously powerful model for humanitarian aid now and in the future. But it also signals an important way forward for re-enchanting capitalism through social enterprise, civic engagement, and social and environmental development.

Thank you.

[At this point, I’d like to introduce Ravi Pawa and Les Oakes of Bedford Biofuels (http://www.bedfordbiofuels.com), Jennifer Kohlhammer of CanadaBridges’ “Unveiling Youth Potential: (http://www.unveilingyouthpotential.com) and Marilyn Dyck, Founder and Executive Director of the Doorway (http://www.thedoorway.ca). All are social entrepreneurs whose stories and insights suggest a bright future for “The New Mavericks” in Calgary.]

Deepwater Horizon Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill - Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind?

A "Call To Arms" For Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs. 

In our book, Social Entrepreneurship For Dummies, and here, with this blog, we make the point that social and environmental entrepreneurship must be for everyone - in both of their practices and benefits. The problems of the world are often so complex and on such a scale that nothing less is demanded.

While there are many illustrations of this truth, the recent news and controversy about the present and future health of Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster serves as a terrific "call to arms" for social and environmental entrepreneurs living in the area or otherwise deeply concerned with the Gulf's future.

The Macondo Well Spew - "The Horror, The Horror".

We're all by now fairly familiar with the horror unleashed upon the Gulf of Mexico by the April 20 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig leased by BP. This, the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history, gushed more than 200 million gallons of oil from the Macondo well into the Gulf, contaminating, from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, fishing grounds, beaches, and vital wetlands. As at least one searcher on the Web put it: "gulf oil spill end of the world".

Is This The End?

Then, finally, on July 15, after a tortuous 87 days, the spewing from the Macondo well, one mile below the waves, was contained by a temporary cap. BP is now in the process of making of plugging the well permanently. This is called the "bottom kill".

Ok, phew. That's out of the way. Next worry. What about all of the oil that's been dumped into the Gulf? How long will it be around for? How do we clean the mess up? And what kind of damage can we expect from this Medusa?

The Oil Has Left The System.

Well, miraculously, if we are to believe the U.S. government, the oil is gone -- almost. A federal report released a few days ago claims that 75% of the oil is no longer an issue. 25% was burned, skimmed, or recovered, 24% dispersed by chemicals or naturally, and 25% evaporated or dissolved. That leaves only 26% still lingering in the environment. This oil is being called "residual". Not so horrible after all, we're perhaps being led to conclude.

Wait A Minute.

However, some, like Professor Ian MacDonald, a nationally renowned expert on measuring oil spills, say that this 26% is still a "staggering" amount for the Gulf to deal with. "That residual oil at the 26 percent level represents five Exxon Valdez-quantities of oil released into the Gulf of Mexico, still there these many months later and likely to stay there for years to come."

Misinterpreting The Data.

Perhaps just as worrying, though, is this: two teams of researchers, one from the Georgia Sea Grant and the University of Georgia, and the other from University of Florida, believe the U.S. government has substantially "misinterpreted" the data about the Macondo well oil exiting the environment.

The University of Georgia researchers claim that about three-quarters of the oil that escaped from the well remains in the Gulf. Charles Hopkinson, one of the leaders of the team, put the figure at 79 percent.

So Where's The Oil?

So where is the oil?

It's under the surface. In fact, the University of Georgia team is currently investigating the very real presence of large oil "plumes" which are trapped in the deeper waters of the Gulf.

Toxic Sediment.

And this is where the University of Florida researchers come in. They believe that these plumes are eventually settling onto the Gulf floor. The University of Florida researchers say they have found oil sediment, likely from the Macondo well rupture, which is toxic to the microscopic marine creatures at the base of the Gulf food chain. This toxic sediment has been found in the distant DeSoto underwater canyon located just 40 miles from the Florida Panhandle.

New Questions.

These two scientific teams are certainly raising new questions about the lingering impact of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. It will be very difficult to find, assess, and deal with potentially enormous quantities of toxic oil dispersed far and wide within the Gulf as microscopic droplets.

And the optimism that the ocean's "first line of defence" against oil -- natural microbes that break oil down for other microbes to eat -- will clean things up has to be tempered with the realization that the use of dispersants may well kill off much of that critical line of defence.

As for the hope that the plumes and toxic residue might be swept away into the larger Atlantic ocean, this isn't looking too promising either. The University of Georgia researchers say that a circular current within the Gulf is preventing the oil-contaminated Gulf of Mexico water from reaching the Atlantic.

How "Resilient" Is The Gulf?

Yet, with all of this, some talk remains about the "resilience" of the Gulf. Consider that the muddy Mississippi historically contributes 198 million gallons of water, polluted with urban and rural runoff, to the Gulf every minute. For Larry McKinney, director of a Gulf research center at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, "the Gulf has been immunized many times by environmental insults."

So, will the Gulf remain resilient and immunized? Or will the addition of the Macondo oil act as a "tipping point" in the degradation of this incredible region, one which boasts three times the number of species per square mile as the waters surrounding Hawaii?

Let us know your thoughts on this huge issue. And we'd especially love to hear from folks who are, or know of, volunteers or social and environmental entrepreneurs currently dealing with the present and future health of the Gulf of Mexico in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. You can leave a comment here or reply to sefeveryone@gmail.com .

Resources

Here are some of the links used in compiling the post above.

http://www.compassnt.com/Gulf_oil_spill_Deepwater.html

Our thanks to the folks at www.iresearch-reporter.com for their tremendous internet research services.

Getting Started As A Social Entrepreneur: How Old, How Smart, How Rich?

How old, how smart, how rich?

How old do you have to be to start out as a social entrepreneur? How much education and money in the bank do you need to start a successful social enterprise and bring about badly needed social innovation?

Questions like these are often asked by aspiring social entrepreneurs who are genuinely concerned about the world and would love to make a difference.

But somehow they don't see themselves as those change agents -- yet. They need more time.

As a result, in a world that desperately needs their compassion, they hesitate.

Maybe it's time to flip the questions a bit.

How young can you be to start as a social entrepreneur? How little education and money do you need to get going?

Ryan Hreljac of Ryan's Well Foundation.

Ryan Hreljac can answer these questions. Try 6 years old, grade one, and no money in the bank.

Ryan began his social entrepreneurship early on. It was his grade one teacher, Mrs. Prest, who informed her class in January 1998 that Africans faced serious and often life-threatening difficulties on a daily basis. When Ryan learned how many kilometres many Africans had to walk just to get filthy, parasite-laden drinking water (the cause of so much blindness and death), he was shocked -- maybe as only a child can be.

Africans needed clean drinking water. A water well would sure help. How much would it cost? Mrs. Prest mentioned $70.

Ryan rushed home and began to plead with his parents, Mark and Susan. After some negotiating, they agreed to help him reach the needed amount -- if he did a whole bunch of extra chores. Deal.

Ryan's startup social enterprise now had its first sustainable funding source!

Word of Ryan's Well spreads.

Four months later, in April, $70 in hand, Ryan and Susan paid a visit to WaterCan, a Canadian non-governmental organization (NGO) that could arrange for the drilling. Unfortunately, Ryan found out that $70 wouldn't buy a well, only a hand pump. $2000 was needed for a well. Ryan wasn’t deterred. He'd just do more chores!

Fortunately, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) matched WaterCan money at a rate of 2:1, so Ryan's target was now a more modest $700. Still, Mark worried that Ryan was being set up for failure.

But then a family friend, Brenda Cameron Couch, sent out an email to family and friends telling them of Ryan's ambitions. The email became a story for a local newspaper. Word of "Ryan's Well" began to spread.

Folks began sending money to WaterCan earmarked for Ryan’s project. By September, less than a year after rushing home with his desperate idea, WaterCan phoned to say that Ryan's $700 target had been met. The well could now be drilled.

Ryan's social insight.

Displaying uncanny insight, Ryan asked for the well to be drilled near a school -- several communities could then benefit. And the students wouldn't have to spend hours each day walking kilometres for a drink, only to fall asleep in classes.

And so, Ryan’s Well was built at Angolo Primary school in Northern Uganda. Eventually, Ryan visited his well and 5,000 youngsters from surrounding schools lined the road to the well to greet and thank him.

Ryan Hreljac's accomplishments.

Things have continued to snowball since then. Ryan's accomplishments -- and the accomplishments of the enormous community of people who support him -- are now legendary. Recognized by UNICEF as a Global Youth Leader, Ryan has been featured many times on mainstream media. He's been on Oprah twice, CNN, CBC, and a number of high profile magazines, including Reader's Digest, have done stories on him.

Most importantly, though, Ryan’s Well Foundation (http://www.ryanswell.ca/) has been fantastically busy. And the scope of their work has broadened, understandably, to concern itself with the global sanitation crisis. But the scale of problems doesn't deter Ryan or his friends. To date, Ryan's Well Foundation reports that they have "helped build over 600 water and sanitation projects in 16 countries bringing safe water and improved sanitation services to over 685,000 people." Wow!

Today, word has it that Ryan’s studying to be a water engineer. Who would have guessed? ;-)

The vision, then, remains clear -- clean water to everyone, everywhere.

Ryan Hreljac quotations.

We’ll finish with a couple of remarkable Ryan Hreljac takeaway quotes:

1. "I think the most important thing I have learned is that there aren’t really big challenges, only lots of little ones. If you look at it that way, then it’s easier to face them.”
2. "The world is like a great big puzzle and we all have to figure out where our puzzle piece fits. I figure my piece fits with clean water. I just hope everyone else finds out where their puzzle piece fits too."

Ryan Hreljac miscellany.

For any biography trivia buffs out there who might be wondering "When was Ryan Hreljac born?", here's your not-so-trivial answer -- Ryan's birthday is May 31 and he was born in 1991. So, if your next question is "How old is Ryan Hreljac now?", as of this writing, Ryan is 19.

In other words, when Ryan started his compassionate social entrepreneurship, at the tender age of 6, our planet was just on the cusp of the global or world water crisis and places like Africa, with its water scarcity and desperate need for clean water, were just becoming mainstream news.

By the way, if you're looking for Ryan Hreljac videos, here are a couple of good places to start:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DssMZyhnqrbI.
• http://www.getinvolved.ca/watch/video/ryanswell (Ryan's a bit younger here)

Your feedback?

What are your thoughts and feelings about Ryan Hreljac and other youth social entrepreneurs? Chat with us here or drop us an email: sefeveryone@gmail.com .

Social Entrepreneurship For Everyone: Who we are and what we're up to.

Some of you might be wondering who we are and what we're up to with this blog, "Social Entrepreneurship For Everyone."

Who are we? We're a couple of "rubber-necked" but very practically-minded professional sociologists who are endlessly fascinated and made hopeful by social entrepreneurs.

We believe that social entrepreneurship is one of the real keys to human and planetary progress and development, both locally and globally, as we all struggle to meet challenges never before imagined.

So, if you're a social entrepreneur, now or in the making, we'd love for you to see us as among your closest allies. We, and everyone else, should be absolutely committed to you and your success!

As for what we'll be up to with this blog, it's simple. This, along with our book and other efforts, is a chance to celebrate and encourage social entrepreneurs everywhere. We want to share the good news of your experiences and learning. We also want to pass on anything that might help your causes and contribute to what we think is a major and very positive cultural shift.

Among the subjects we'll be considering with this blog are practical ones like naming, incorporating, and running a social enterprise as well as funding, managing, and organizing it. We will also be writing on the spirit of social entrepreneurship and the nature of the social entrepreneur as a special kind of person in today's troubled world.

But also look for us to profile the lives and works of well-established and up-and-coming social entrepreneurs. We'll also review some of the more notable recent developments in the area, including blog, book, and article materials, governmental policies, trends, cultural hotspots, and much more.

Ultimately, we want to encourage as many uncommon heroes to jump on the social entrepreneurial bandwagon as possible. Because long gone are the days when saintly, Mother Teresa-like, compassion could preserve us -- if it ever has (the historical record would seem to indicate otherwise).

No, like it or not, now's the time for compassion to go public. Now's the time for social entrepreneurship to go viral.

Are you with us on this? We sure hope so!

And if you'd like to connect with us to exchange ideas, or if you think we might be interested in telling a bit of your own story, please email us at: sefeveryone@gmail.com . We’d really love to hear from you.

History awaits!