October 13, 2006

• Meaning of Peace

  This had me in a real good mood all day. The Nobel committee has awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to Muhammad Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank: Nobel for anti-poverty pioneers (BBC) There are plenty of reasons why I’m real happy about this… I think every Bangladeshi has to take some pride or appreciation in Mr. Yunus’s recognition. He actually received a degree from Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, and so several years ago when he visited Nashville again, many of my relatives met him personally at a reception they held in his honor. My mother made sure to get a photo of the two of them, “for when he’s awarded the Nobel Prize one day.”

  Of course,
  I’m sure most people expected it to be in Economics, not for Peace.
  That’s just yet another reason why I’m happy about this turn of events.

  See, Yunus himself proved a number of things through his work. He proved:

  • Being poor does not necessarily mean you’re irresponsible with money (Grameen has a 90% or greater repayment rate)
  • Women are as good with–if not better than–finances when compared to men (96% of Grameen’s borrowers are women)
  • Access to the means to lift oneself out of poverty is the most important element, more so than the means themselves
  • There is a fundamental link between poverty alleviation, and peace

  Better yet, by awarding the Peace
  prize to him, the Nobel committee has highlighted that last point.
  Improving people’s lives in itself is advancing the cause of peace,
  justice, and democracy. It’s not just about holding elections and
  drafting constitutions, but keeping that stable by supporting the
  poorest sections of society.

  Anyway, before I drone on, I’ll just suggest you check out the BBC article and some of the links there. KF

  • 5:17 pm
  • 1 Comment