MICROCAPITAL EVENT: The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (JFK Library) Will Host a Conversation with Microfinance Pioneer, Dr. Muhammad Yunus

A Conversation with 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus

2:30 PM – 4:30 PM, June 7, 2008, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, Massachusetts

As a part of its series of public affairs forums, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (JFK Library) will host Dr. Muhammad Yunus for a discussion about his book, Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism to be moderated by Dr. Lincoln C. Chen, the founder of the Global Equity Initiative (GEI) at Harvard University and a Commissioner at the Commission on Human Security (CHS). The event will include a question and answer session with the audience followed by a book signing. The forum is free and open to the public and registration is required to guarantee a seat. Those interested may register online or by calling +1 (617) 514-1643.

Dr. Yunus is the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and both the Founder (in 1983) and Managing Director of Bangladesh-based Grameen Bank (GB), a microfinance institution (MFI) reaching 7.5 million borrowers, 97 percent of whom are women, with a 2007 gross loan portfolio of over USD 532 million and return on assets (ROA) of 2.44 percent, according to the MIX Market, the microfinance information clearinghouse. Dr. Yunus’ new book explains how capitalism can be utilized to tackle a wide range of social problems outside of poverty. MicroCapital recently reported on Dr. Yunus and GB here.

A Research Associate with GEI, an organization which gathers scholars, policy-makers and practitioners from around the world to tackle a wide set of social disparities between peoples and nations, Dr. Chen is an expert on international public health and has also served as, the President of the China Medical Board (CMB) of New York (currently), the Executive Vice President for Strategy at The Rockefeller Foundation, and the Director of the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies (HCPDS). Dr. Chen received his MD from Harvard Medical School (HMS) and an MPH from The John Hopkins University (JHU). His CV is listed here. Financial information for GEI, which lists “Global Philanthropy” as one of its four major projects, was not available.

A Facebook event posted by Grameen America’s (GA) profile on the online social network can be found here. GA is a for-profit company utilizing the Grameen Lending Model developed by Yunus and GB in Bangladesh and is operating its first American pilot program in Queens, New York. Since its inception in January, the MFI “has loaned a total of USD 145,000 at interest rates around 15 percent,” according to a recent MicroCapital article. GA does not report to the MIX Market.

The JFK Library was dedicated on October 20, 1979 and is administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

By Anthony Busch, Research Assistant

Additional Resources:

Facebook: Home, Grameen Massachusetts Day – Lecture by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Grameen America

Global Equity Initiative: Home, People, Mission, Lincoln’s CV, Global Philanthropy

Grameen America: Home, Grameen Lending Model, Queens Pilot Program

Grameen Bank: Home, A Short History, MIX Market Profile

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: Home, Public Affairs Forums, Library Administration

MicroCapital article, May 13, 2008: “Microfinance Pioneer Muhammad Yunus Says Food Crisis Threatens Borrower Repayments”

MicroCapital article, March 4, 2008: “Wall Street Journal Interviews Muhammad Yunus and Discusses Grameen America”

MIX Market: Home

MuhammadYunus.org: Home, Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism