Imagination, collective action key to creating better future, building three-zero world: Prof Yunus

Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus today (27 June) urged social business practitioners from across the globe to renew their commitment to building a world of "three zeros", saying imagination and collective action are key to creating a better future.

Prof Yunus described the annual gathering as an opportunity for participants to "recharge their batteries" by exchanging ideas, sharing experiences and inspiring one another.

"We gather together again on Social Business Day and talk to each other, getting inspired by each other's work. Our batteries are completely recharged, ready to go and take the whole world with us," he said while speaking at the 16th edition of Social Business Day, organised by the Yunus Centre and Grameen Group, at the Samajik Convention Centre in Zirabo, Savar.

Expressing confidence in the social business movement, Yunus said it would ultimately succeed because it offers solutions to the world's pressing challenges.

"If the world has to survive, we will win. We'll make sure the world becomes a world of three zeros," he said, referring to his vision of zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero net carbon emissions.

Yunus stressed that imagination is the greatest strength of humanity and urged participants never to abandon their dreams of creating a better world.

"Imagine the world that we want in detail, and just keep on imagining, and it will happen. That has a strange power," he said.

Calling on delegates to translate their ideas into action, Yunus said imagination alone is not enough unless it is backed by sustained efforts.

He welcomed participants from different countries and expressed optimism that the exchanges during Social Business Day would further strengthen the global movement for social business and accelerate progress towards a more inclusive and sustainable world.

Prof Yunus called for a fundamental transformation of the education system, saying it should inspire young people to become creative entrepreneurs and problem-solvers instead of producing job seekers.

He said the conventional education system confines human potential in what he described as a "bonsai" mindset, limiting people's creativity and independence.

"Human beings are not born to work for somebody else," he said, arguing that every individual possesses the innate capacity to create, innovate and contribute to solving social problems.

According to Prof Yunus, schools and universities currently take pride in producing graduates who quickly secure jobs, whereas education should encourage students to build enterprises that address societal challenges.

To put that vision into practice, he announced the establishment of Grameen University in Bangladesh as a social business university dedicated to creating a world of "three zeros" - zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero net carbon emissions.

He said prospective students will be required to submit essays describing the kind of world they aspire to create, placing imagination and creativity at the heart of the university's academic philosophy.

Prof Yunus also congratulated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on becoming President of the 81st session of UN General Assembly, expressing hope that his tenure would bring further honour for Bangladesh.

Welcoming delegates from around the world, he said Japan sent the largest overseas delegation to this year's Social Business Day, followed by Pakistan and Malaysia. He urged participants to continue working together to realise the vision of a world based on social business and the three-zero philosophy.

Lamiya Morshed, Executive Director, Yunus Centre; Ashraful Hassan, Chairman, Grameen Group; and Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Chairman, Grameen Bank also spoke at the opening ceremony with video messages from António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations and José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste.

The event brought together entrepreneurs, global leaders, academics, policymakers, innovators and youth from around the world.

This year's theme is "Social Business: The Language of Peace in a Fractured World."

The two-day conference will feature five plenary sessions and seven breakout sessions, including keynote addresses, innovation showcases, country forums and networking opportunities centred on critical global challenges such as poverty, healthcare, financial inclusion, climate action, education, food security and youth empowerment.

Lamiya Morshed said Social Business Day serves as a platform for sharing experiences, exchanging ideas and exploring innovative solutions to address social and economic challenges.

In 2026, Grameen will mark two historic and deeply connected milestones: 50 years of Grameen Bank and 20 years since the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Professor Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank, recognising the idea that poverty is not created by the poor but by the systems that surround them.

This gives Social Business Day added weight as a moment to celebrate its achievements and reflect honestly on the chances missed along the way, the Yunus Centre said.