Dr. Muhammad Yunus Calls for a Positive World Through Youth, Technology and Social Business( Image collected)

Dr. Muhammad Yunus Calls for a Positive World Through Youth, Technology and Social Business

A major discussion on social business, youth entrepreneurship and technology took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York during the opening period of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus used the platform to highlight how young people, innovative business models and technology could contribute to solving some of the world's most persistent social and economic challenges.

The event, titled “Social Business, Youth and Technology,” was held on September 21, 2026, as a high-level side event of the UN General Assembly. According to NTV Online, the gathering brought together several prominent international figures, including UN General Assembly President Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta and Brazilian Minister Wellington Dias.

The central themes of the discussion were not limited to business or finance. They included poverty, unemployment, entrepreneurship, healthcare, technology, climate concerns and the role of younger generations in shaping the future.

Professor Yunus connected these subjects through the concept of social business—a model in which entrepreneurial activity is directed toward addressing social problems rather than focusing exclusively on conventional profit maximization.

The UN event also came at a notable moment for the microfinance movement, with the gathering highlighting five decades of microcredit and the broader development of social business. UN Web TV described the 2026 event as the 11th edition of the high-level side event and noted its focus on practical, human-centred and Global South-led approaches to development.

A Call for a More Positive Future

In his remarks, Professor Yunus emphasized the importance of using the combined strength of young people, technology and social business to build a more positive world.

The message reflects a broader question facing governments, businesses and international organizations: how can economic growth and technological progress be connected to improvements in people's everyday lives?

Technology has already transformed communication, education, healthcare, banking and employment. At the same time, technological development can create new inequalities if access remains concentrated among particular groups or countries.

The UN General Assembly President's remarks at the same event similarly emphasized the importance of young people moving from participation toward leadership, including building enterprises and helping design solutions. The UN statement also connected social business with poverty reduction, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.

For developing countries, this discussion is particularly relevant. Millions of young people enter the labor market every year, while traditional employment opportunities do not always expand at the same pace.

This creates a need to think beyond the conventional model in which education is followed by a search for a salaried job.

Why Youth Entrepreneurship Was a Major Theme

One of the important points raised by Professor Yunus was the potential of young people as entrepreneurs.

Traditional education systems often prepare students primarily for employment. However, the social-business approach discussed at the UN event places greater emphasis on encouraging young people to become creators of businesses and solutions.

This does not mean that traditional employment is unimportant. Jobs remain essential for millions of families. Rather, the entrepreneurship approach suggests that young people can also create employment opportunities for themselves and others.

A young entrepreneur, for example, might build a technology company, establish an agricultural enterprise, create a digital service, develop a healthcare solution or establish a business that addresses an environmental problem.

The combination of entrepreneurship and technology can potentially make such activities accessible beyond major cities.

For Bangladesh and other developing economies, this approach has particular relevance because digital tools can allow entrepreneurs to reach customers, access information and provide services without requiring the same physical infrastructure traditionally needed by businesses.

The Role of Technology in Social Development

Technology was another central component of the discussion.

Artificial intelligence, mobile communication, digital payments, online education and other technologies are changing how people interact with businesses and public services.

At the UN event, technology was discussed not simply as a commercial tool but as something that could potentially be used to address social problems.

The UN General Assembly President's speech at the same event noted both the risks and opportunities associated with artificial intelligence. According to the UN, responsible and equitable use of AI could support areas such as climate modeling, healthcare, education and financial access, while governance would be necessary to address broader concerns.

This distinction is important.

Technology itself does not automatically produce social progress. Its impact depends on how it is designed, governed and distributed.

For example, an advanced digital healthcare system could help people in remote areas consult doctors. But if rural communities do not have reliable internet access, affordable devices or sufficient digital literacy, those communities may not benefit equally.

Therefore, technology needs to be accompanied by infrastructure, education, affordability and responsible governance.

Microcredit and Its Five-Decade Journey

Professor Yunus also reflected on the history of microcredit.

The microfinance movement associated with his work has played a major role in changing international discussions about financial inclusion.

The basic concept is relatively straightforward: people who may not have conventional collateral or access to traditional banking can receive relatively small amounts of capital to support income-generating activities.

The UN event marked the 50-year journey of microcredit. UN materials noted that the event was also connected to 50 years of Grameen Bank and two decades since the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Grameen Bank and Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The idea behind microfinance has attracted international attention because conventional financial systems can exclude people with limited assets, irregular incomes or little formal credit history.

However, microfinance should not be viewed as a universal solution to poverty. Its effectiveness depends on factors such as loan terms, business opportunities, financial literacy, market conditions and borrowers' circumstances.

The larger lesson discussed at the UN event was the importance of giving people opportunities to participate in economic activity.

Grameen America and Financial Inclusion

During his remarks, Professor Yunus referred to Grameen America, an initiative established in New York in 2008.

According to Grameen America's own information, the organization focuses on helping low-income women entrepreneurs gain access to financial services and business capital. Its program includes loans, financial education, peer support and other forms of assistance.

NTV reported that Professor Yunus described the initiative as an example of how the microfinance concept could be applied in an advanced economy such as the United States. The report said the program had distributed more than $8 billion in loans and maintained a repayment rate close to 100 percent, while also expanding beyond its initial focus on women to include men.

The example illustrates an important point: financial exclusion is not limited to developing countries.

Even in wealthy economies, some people can struggle to obtain affordable financial services because of low income, limited credit history or other barriers.

Grameen America's stated mission is to provide financial opportunities for underserved women entrepreneurs, and its current program describes first-time loans of up to $2,500 alongside financial education and peer support.

Social Business as an Alternative Business Model

Another major topic of Professor Yunus's remarks was social business.

Traditional companies generally operate with profit as a central objective. Social businesses, by contrast, seek to address specific social or environmental problems through sustainable business activities.

The underlying concept is that a business can be financially sustainable while also focusing directly on a social objective.

Examples could include companies working in healthcare, affordable housing, clean energy, education, nutrition, recycling or financial inclusion.

This model raises an important question: can businesses solve social problems without becoming dependent entirely on donations?

The social-business approach attempts to answer that question by creating enterprises that generate enough revenue to continue operating while maintaining a social purpose.

The UN General Assembly President's speech at the event also described social business as a possible pathway toward sustainable solutions and connected it with entrepreneurship and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Healthcare and Social Business

Professor Yunus also discussed healthcare initiatives connected to the social-business model.

According to NTV's report, he said that 153 healthcare centers were operating in Bangladesh under this model. He also referred to the use of telecommunications to connect people in remote locations with doctors.

Access to healthcare remains a major challenge in many developing countries, particularly outside large urban centers.

A person living in a remote village may face several barriers when trying to consult a specialist, including transportation costs, travel time and limited availability of doctors.

Telemedicine can potentially reduce some of these barriers.

Instead of requiring every patient to travel to a major city, digital communication can allow certain consultations to happen remotely.

Of course, telemedicine cannot replace every form of physical medical examination. Emergency treatment, surgery, diagnostic testing and many other services still require physical facilities.

Nevertheless, technology-supported healthcare can become an additional layer of the healthcare system.

Eye Care and Sustainable Healthcare Networks

Professor Yunus also discussed an eye-hospital network connected with the social-business concept.

The idea of financially sustainable healthcare is significant because healthcare facilities require continuous funding for doctors, nurses, medicines, equipment, buildings and maintenance.

A model that generates enough revenue to support continued operations may reduce dependence on repeated external donations.

According to NTV's account, the eye-care network was described as being able to use surplus income to support the establishment of additional hospitals.

This illustrates the broader philosophy of social business: solve a problem through an organization that can continue functioning over time.

The Three-Zero Vision

Another important concept associated with Professor Yunus is the idea of a “World of Three Zeros.”

The three goals are commonly described as:

Zero net carbon emissions
Zero wealth concentration associated with poverty
Zero unemployment through entrepreneurship

The UN General Assembly President's speech at the event also referred to the Three Zeros framework, describing it in terms of ending poverty, achieving zero net carbon emissions and reducing unemployment through entrepreneurship.

The concept attempts to connect three major global challenges: economic inequality, environmental sustainability and employment.

These challenges are interconnected.

For example, climate change can disproportionately affect low-income communities. Unemployment can increase economic insecurity. Unequal access to capital can prevent people from creating businesses.

A policy or business model addressing one issue may therefore influence the others.

What This Could Mean for Young People

The emphasis on young people is especially significant because the global workforce is undergoing rapid change.

Automation and artificial intelligence may transform some traditional jobs while creating new occupations.

Young workers may increasingly need skills in areas such as digital communication, programming, data analysis, content creation, online business, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship.

But technical skills alone may not be sufficient.

Future entrepreneurs and employees may also need communication skills, creativity, problem-solving ability, financial knowledge and the capacity to adapt.

The message from the UN event suggests that young people should not simply wait for institutions to create opportunities. They can also participate in creating solutions themselves.

Education May Need to Evolve

Professor Yunus's criticism of traditional education focuses on the idea that education can sometimes encourage students to become job seekers rather than entrepreneurs.

There is an important distinction here.

Education should not abandon preparation for employment. Doctors, teachers, engineers, nurses, researchers and many other professionals remain essential.

However, education can potentially include greater exposure to entrepreneurship and real-world problem solving.

Students could learn how to:

Identify social and market problems
Develop practical solutions
Build small businesses
Manage finances
Use digital tools
Understand customers
Work in teams
Develop sustainable business models
Use technology responsibly

Such skills could complement traditional academic education.

The Proposed Grameen University

Professor Yunus also discussed plans for a Grameen University.

According to NTV, the institution is expected to begin operations in December and is intended to encourage young people to develop as entrepreneurs rather than focusing solely on obtaining academic certificates.

The idea reflects the broader Three Zeros philosophy.

If universities can connect education with entrepreneurship, students may have more opportunities to turn ideas into businesses or social initiatives.

The effectiveness of such an institution, however, will ultimately depend on its curriculum, faculty, funding, access, industry connections and ability to help students develop viable enterprises.

Why Responsible Technology Matters

Technology creates opportunities, but it also creates risks.

Artificial intelligence provides a useful example.

AI can potentially improve productivity, education and healthcare, but concerns exist around privacy, misinformation, employment disruption, discrimination, cybersecurity and unequal access.

The UN General Assembly President's speech specifically highlighted the importance of human-centered and inclusive AI governance.

For developing countries, another issue is the technological divide.

If advanced AI systems and digital infrastructure remain concentrated in wealthy economies, poorer countries may become dependent on technologies developed elsewhere.

This makes access, education, local innovation and international cooperation important components of digital development.

From Consumers to Creators

One of the strongest ideas emerging from the event is the possibility of changing how young people view themselves in the economy.

Instead of seeing young people only as consumers of technology, societies can encourage them to become creators.

A smartphone can be used to consume entertainment, but it can also become a tool for:

Building an online business
Producing educational content
Learning professional skills
Connecting with international customers
Developing digital services
Marketing local products
Creating online courses
Participating in remote employment

This shift from consumption toward creation can be particularly valuable in countries where young populations are large.

Bangladesh and the Broader Global Context

For Bangladesh, the discussion has additional relevance.

The country has a large young population and an expanding digital economy. Entrepreneurship, freelancing, online commerce and technology-based services have already become important parts of economic activity.

The challenge is to ensure that opportunities are not concentrated only in major urban centers.

If digital infrastructure, training and affordable financial services reach rural communities, young people outside Dhaka and other large cities may also be able to participate in the digital economy.

Social businesses could potentially contribute by addressing problems that conventional commercial businesses may overlook.

A Broader Message to the International Community

The UN event was not simply about one business model or one individual.

It reflected a wider international discussion about how development can be made more inclusive.

The Sustainable Development Goals include targets related to poverty, education, health, employment, inequality, climate change and innovation.

Progress on these issues requires governments, businesses, civil society organizations, universities and communities to work together.

The UN's own description of the event emphasized practical solutions, youth leadership, technological innovation and partnerships across sectors.

Professor Muhammad Yunus's appearance at the United Nations' social business, youth and technology event placed several interconnected issues at the center of international discussion: entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, healthcare, technology, youth leadership and environmental sustainability.

His message emphasized the potential of young people to become entrepreneurs and problem-solvers, while social business was presented as a way to combine economic activity with efforts to address social challenges.

The discussion also highlighted the continuing relevance of microfinance after five decades and the potential of digital technology to expand access to services.

At the same time, technology requires responsible governance. Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies can create significant opportunities, but their benefits depend on equitable access, appropriate safeguards and human-centered implementation.

The larger challenge is therefore not simply to develop new technologies or new businesses. It is to ensure that innovation contributes to a society where more people have opportunities to participate, create and improve their economic and social conditions.

As the world approaches 2030, debates around youth entrepreneurship, social business, technology and sustainable development are likely to remain important. The ideas discussed at the UN event provide one perspective on how these challenges might be approached—through greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, inclusive technology and business models designed to address human needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the main message of Muhammad Yunus at the UN event?
He emphasized the potential of social business, young people and technology to contribute to solutions for poverty, unemployment, healthcare and other social challenges.

2. What was the UN event about?
The event was the 11th high-level side event on “Social Business, Youth and Technology” held during the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on September 21, 2026.

3. What is social business?
Social business is an entrepreneurial model that uses business activity to address social or environmental problems while seeking financial sustainability rather than focusing solely on conventional profit maximization.

4. What is the Three Zeros concept?
The Three Zeros vision focuses on zero net carbon emissions, reducing poverty and wealth concentration, and moving toward zero unemployment through entrepreneurship.

5. Why is technology important to social development?
Technology can potentially expand access to education, healthcare, finance and employment. However, responsible governance, affordability and equal access are important so that technological progress does not deepen existing inequalities.

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