Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi social entrepreneur and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, delivered a significant address at the One Young World 2012 Summit. One Young World is a global platform for young leaders from various countries to come together, share ideas, and discuss ways to address the world's most pressing challenges. Yunus's speech focused on the critical themes of social entrepreneurship, poverty alleviation, and the power of youth in creating a more equitable world. Some key points from his address include: 1. The Power of Social Business Yunus emphasized the importance of social businesses as a way to solve social problems without relying on traditional charity. He urged young people to think about creating businesses that aim to solve social issues, not just make profits. These businesses should focus on areas like education, healthcare, clean energy, and poverty alleviation. He shared the vision behind his concept of social business, which he pioneered with the Grameen Bank. The idea is that businesses should exist not only to generate profits but also to create positive social change. 2. Challenging Conventional Business Models Yunus encouraged the young leaders to challenge the traditional understanding of business. He argued that the goal of business should not only be maximizing profits for shareholders but also creating a positive impact on society. According to Yunus, profit-driven models that overlook social consequences have failed to solve the world’s biggest challenges. 3. Youth as Catalysts for Change Professor Yunus expressed his belief in the immense potential of young people to make a difference. He stressed that youth have the creativity, energy, and idealism to challenge the status quo and come up with innovative solutions. By combining their entrepreneurial spirit with a commitment to social good, young people can help create a more sustainable and equitable world. 4. Poverty as a Problem of Human Creativity Yunus framed poverty not as an inevitable condition but as a problem that could be addressed through creative solutions. He urged the young delegates to think beyond traditional methods and to develop new ideas that empower the poor and marginalized. He pointed to the success of microfinance, which provides small loans to individuals who would not otherwise have access to capital, as an example of how unconventional approaches could make a difference. 5. Global Partnership for Social Change Yunus advocated for global collaboration among governments, businesses, and civil society to tackle the world’s most pressing issues. He recognized the importance of working together and encouraged young people to build networks and form alliances that could scale up their social business ideas to a global level. 6. Redefining Success The Nobel laureate also proposed that success should be measured not by financial profit alone, but by the positive social impact one creates. He encouraged young leaders to redefine success by focusing on creating value for society. 7. Education and Empowerment Yunus has long been a proponent of education as a tool for empowerment, particularly for marginalized communities. He reiterated the need for inclusive education that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility. 8. Hope and Optimism Despite the many challenges facing the world, Yunus conveyed a message of hope and optimism. He believed that young people have the ability to create change, and the future is in their hands. His address was filled with the belief that a better world is possible, and young people are the key to achieving it. Professor Yunus’s address was not just a call to action but an invitation to the young delegates to reimagine the future of business—one that prioritizes human well-being and the planet’s sustainability. His presence at the One Young World Summit further solidified his role as a global champion for social entrepreneurship and innovative solutions to poverty.