Eugenio La Mesa's Blog on Social Business

Interview with Holly Mosher for Bonsai movie on Social Business

I've had the pleasure to interview Holly Mosher, an award winning filmmaker who brings socially conscious films to the public. She is the maker of the documentary film Bonsai Movie

When you first heard of Prof. Yunus?
I first heard about Prof. Yunus when it was announced that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize.  

Bonsai Movie Trailer

What is the movie about?
Bonsai is a documentary that follows not only his microcredit but also his work with social business.  
The film start with me following a new bank branch being set up, so that I can follow new borrowers getting their very first loans, as well as seeing what it took for Muhammad Yunus to start this work over 30 years ago.
It was exciting to see first-hand how their lives change over the course of a year.  

I also weave in and out of his companies. When one of the borrowers, Shahnaj, mentions how she lost her son to tetanus after he stepped on a chicken bone in the field after the storms, that’s when the film flows into telling why he opened a healthcare company.  You understand the link between poverty and illness and the deep impact on people’s lives.
Additionally, I also follow two women in the struggling member (beggar member program) as well as Aroti, a successful borrower, who has been with Grameen for over 15 years and now sits on her local village council. 
The film has a deep underlying message of women’s empowerment and how microcredit is an important tool. 

The film also shows Yunus’ trajectory into other fields and you can see what he saw – that just as these people lacked access to financial services, they also lacked access to other things we take for granted from electricity to cell phones.  All of these things that we take for granted are also really appreciated and as useful for the poor.
The film will also leave the viewer feeling as if they themselves have taken a trip to Bangladesh.

Why the name is Bonsai?
When I heard his analogy of how poor people are bonsai people, I was deeply moved.  His analogy goes like this:  if you take the seed of the tallest tree in the forest, a beautiful tree, and you plant it in a flower pot it won’t grow as tall, a bonsai tree.  The same is for people, everyone has the full capacity, but their roots have been potted.

Why you decided to make this movie?
After reading the article on his receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, I immediately knew that I just had to go and make a film about his work.  It mentioned that he was helping 6.5 Million women at the time, and we have 6.5 Billion people on earth, so I quickly did the math and realized he was literally helping 1 out of every 1,000 people on earth – and with just his bank. The funny thing was when I mentioned this to him, he ever so humbly pointed out that each of his women actually represents a family of five.  So needless to say, his work is directly helping 1 out of every 200 people on earth.  And now they are at 8.5 Million borrowers.  
And again, this is only counting his work with microfinance.  His other companies are doing so much for people.

What were the most interesting things you learned?
The most exciting thing to see was the simple ways this work affected people’s lives.  I saw the women gaining confidence and their voice.  I saw them being proud of their capacity to make money.  I saw that one thing several women said was that they simply learned to keep their homes cleaner, which of course helps with sanitation and health. And I saw that they got toilets.  
Additionally I was impressed to see that he is really doing his best to tackle poverty from all angles.  As a professor, he looks for the root cause of problems and tries to teach people ways to solve their problems in a way that is self-sustaining.  

Thanks Holly for your time!
To know more about the movie: web site and Twitter.

Interview with Samantha Caccamo, Social Business Earth founder

  
I've interviewed my friend Samantha Caccamo, founder and CEO of Social Business Earth. In the last 2 years, I've met and talked to her several times both in Italy and abroad at Social Business events.

What is Social Business Earth (SBE)?
Social Business Earth is a social business centre that is committed to educating youth on social business and inspiring people to create new social businesses to tackle poverty and the world’s most urgent social problems. We offer Social Business Workshops in institutions at all levels and organize events on social business. In addition, we provide consultancy to companies, NGOs, investors, entrepreneurs and private individuals on best practices of social business according to the principles of Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Laureate.
One of our main objectives is to also involve the arts and culture in social business. We support and assist anyone who is willing to create a social business, on the condition that they will strictly follow Professor Yunus’ principles! We have many projects in the works and we will post our social business events on our website so stay tuned!

How did it start and why you are doing it?
The idea came to mind after I had the honor and the privilege to meet Professor Yunus several years ago in Europe. Subsequently, I travelled to Bangladesh to learn more about his work. It is mind boggling how one man has been able to change the world and achieve so much. He has done more for the poor than any of us will ever be able to achieve in our lifetime. I was immediately struck by his vision to create a poverty-free world and his concrete ways to achieve this goal when I first heard him speak at a conference. I have always been involved in social problems through NGOs etc. but I believe that social business is one of the most effective tools to solve such problems and create a more complete and inclusive capitalism. 
Capitalism today is a half-done structure and needs to be reviewed.  The marketplace should not only be for those who are interested in profit, leaving no room for the selfless dimension of human beings. Altruistic motivation can be brought into the business world through social business. I suggest you all read Professor Yunus’ Adam Smith lecture that can be found on our website and Professor Yunus’ most recent book “Building Social Business.”

Social Business Earth stems from my strong belief that through social business we can address some of society’s most urgent problems that are currently causing a lot of needless suffering to people for no fault of their own. We have a team of skillful, dedicated and energetic people who work professionally and efficiently to make the world a better place utilizing social business. I believe that eradicating poverty in the world is possible and I am committed to this cause through my work with Social Business Earth.

Which are the main hurdles?
It’s too early to say what the main difficulties are in our work. The social business movement is spreading and gaining ground but it’s a very new concept and it takes a while for people to understand it well.  I think that new laws and regulations should be written by legislators on social business. They are missing at the moment and this can create problems.

Normally people in power who feel threatened by change agents like us constitute the biggest hurdles in our work. Look at what is happening now in Bangladesh with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina trying to abruptly remove Professor Yunus as Managing Director from Grameen Bank, the bank he created in 1983 that provides small loans for income generating activities to lift poor people out of poverty.  He was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with Grameen in 2006. The disrespectful way in which the government of Bangladesh is treating Professor Yunus clearly shows its malicious intent based neither on the interest of millions of poor borrowers of Grameen Bank nor on the interest of its better management. This is a political and personal vendetta by the government against Professor Yunus and we hope that they will stop this tirade against him soon. His dismissal is politically motivated and part of a long campaign to take over Grameen Bank. 

Millions of people stand united in support of Professor Muhammad Yunus in this difficult moment.  I have no doubt that he will continue his work for the poor relentlessly and regardless of the court’s ruling. I stand by him and support him wholeheartedly. He is without a doubt an economics genius, a humble and genuine man who spent his whole life working for the poor. He deserves to be treated with respect.

I encourage all readers to support him and sign our petition which can be found here. 

Which are your goals for the next years?
To create new social businesses that will improve the state of the world, bring benefit to the poor and empower women. To accomplish this with skill, love and happiness.

What kind of world would you like to build?
Here is my wish list (please note that this list was compiled on July 11, 2010 and since then one wish has come true: the release of Aung San Suu Kyi on November 13, 2010, an historic day that brought much joy all over the world).

- No more poverty
- Healthcare for everyone
- No more wars or any kind of violence
- Cars, planes, houses and buildings that work with sustainable energy
- No killing of animals to eat them or to make products out of them (I am vegetarian)
- Less PMB (profit maximizing businesses) and more SB (social businesses)
- A world in which people look deeply within themselves and nourish their seed of selflessness and loving-kindness. As a result they act for the benefit of all living beings, transforming their feelings of anger, jealousy, envy and other negative emotions not to damage others.
- Gender Equality. Women are in power as much as men.
- Respect of human rights and no racism
- No more prostitution
- No more child and human-trafficking
- No more recreational drugs and alcohol
- No more unemployment
- No more incurable diseases
- Free Aung San Suu Kyi
- People are mindful of our Mother Earth and the environment and live in such a way not to damage it

It all starts with us. We should not wait for the government or anyone to fix problems. We can do it with social business.

Thank you Samantha for your time and good luck with your social business projects!

University of Florence and Yunus Center create a Social Business Center (YSBCUF)

The Yunus Social Business Centre of the University of Florence (YSBCUF) is a parternship between the University of Florence and the Yunus Centre.

Its goal is to provide students, entrepreneurs and citizens with the opportunity to learn about Professor Yunus’ theories by creating social businesses and by supporting research and publications on social business and its effect on economic and local development. In addition, it will establish and promote social businesses both throughout Italy and in other countries.

The Yunus Centre’s role will be to hold an advisory position, monitoring and coordinating projects carried out at the YSBCUF. 

It is expected to start in the beginning of May and expects to begin holding workshops this year and social business classes by next year.

The YSBCUF has already begun discussions with potential investors who have expressed a great interest in financing a social business fund. 

Congrats to Enrico Testi; I know him personally, we met and the Grameen Global Social Business Summit 2010, and I'll see with him how we can work together.

Read more here. 

ASVI Open Day in Rome, I'll be there

I'll be attending the ASVI Open Day in Rome, on March 31st afternoon.

You'll meet other teachers and the ASVI staff, and you can ask questions on the different masters in non-profit and social business, and what kind of work you can find.

MoU between Narayana Hrudayalaya and Cure Thalassemia!

We have signed the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospitals!

Dr. Devi Shetty - Narayana Hrudayalaya founder and CEO
He was the surgeon of Mother Teresa. Founder and CEO of Narayana Hrudayalaya, a 6,000 bedded prominent Indian Hospital chain, the world’s largest heart hospital for children.

He is called “the Henry Ford of Indian hearth care”; he has revolutionized the way quality health care is provided to masses with lowest affordable cost.

He was awarded Social Entrepreneurship Award by World Economic Forum in 2005, and Ernst & Young - Entrepreneur of the year in 2003; Wall Street Journal showcased it on of its cover story; Discovery Channel made a documentary. His story is written by Forbes, Reader Digest, and New Scientist and appears in two of the books from the Harvard Business School and from Prof. C.K Prahlad.
Harvard Business Social conducted a case study on him that is now the most studied case in all business schools and most quoted case studies in health care industry.

Cure Thalassemia Narayana Hrudayalaya Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Hyderabad

We will start doing Bone Marrow Transplantation to cure thalassemia children in Hyderabad, and the name of the joint-venture is  "Cure Thalassemia Narayana Hrudayalaya Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Hyderabad”.

Dr. Shetty - Chairman of the Advisory management committee

There is an joint Advisory management committee, and Dr. Devi Shetty is the Chairman, and I'm the Vice President.

We met them during my first trip in October, and in a few months we negotiated and signed this agreement, which is a fundamental milestone for us.
This result is a great satisfaction, honour, and privilege for me and the people involved in the Cure Thalassemia project. l
Without the help, passion, commitment and hard work of my indian friends (especialy Mr. Chandrakant Agrawal) this would have not been possible.

MoU signature at JCU
I've signed the MoU at the John Cabot University in Rome, in the office of the President Franco Pavoncello, using the JCU pen that he gave me as a present after my lecture on Social Business of the previous week. 
Thanks from the bottom of my heart to all the JCU friends, who are helping me a lot.

The dream is becoming real!

Sign the petition "We Stand in Support of Prof. Yunus Against the Corruption Investigations by the Government of Bangladesh"

There is another petition in favour of Prof. Yunus, started by my friend Samantha Caccamo of Social Business Earth.

I ask to all my friends to sign it, the more we are, the better is going to be for Prof. Yunus, recently fired from the Grameen Bank (it is like if the Pope was fired from the Vatican..).

Thanks for your help. 

 

Meet-up in Rome to support Yunus

Part of the Global Support Yunus Week!, I'm organizing a meet-up in front of the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome. Others meet-up in front of BD embassy planned in Paris, Berlin, HK, Porto, L.A.

More info on Meet-up.
Come with me, we have to help Prof. Yunus. The government of Bangladesh has fired him from the Grameen Bank that he founded and for which he won the Nobel Prize (it is like if the Pope was fired from the Vatican...).

More details in the next days.

Twitter hashtag: #SupportYunus

Download the Yunus mask.

Letter to Friends and supporters from Friends Of Grameen (FOG)

Updated 9th March 2011

Letter to Friends and supporters from FOG

Creation of Friends of Grameen and International response to attacks against Grameen Bank and removal of Professor Yunus from the Grameen Bank

Dear Friends and Supporters of Professor Yunus and the Grameen Bank

You will have no doubt heard or read about the alarming events which have unfolded over the last days. This reached a climax yesterday when the High Court of Bangladesh upheld the Central Bank’s decision to remove Professor Yunus from his post as Managing Director of the Grameen Bank, which he founded over three decades ago. Professor Yunus’ lawyers have announced that they shall now appeal to the Supreme Court, as the High Court decision is blatantly politically oriented and without legal grounds. However, Professor Yunus will remain in post during the proceedings; a hearing is expected to be held on 15th March.

In order to provide ongoing support to Professor Yunus and the Grameen bank, at a time when the Government of Bangladesh is seeking to take over the Grameen Bank for political purposes, an organization named “Friends of Grameen” was launched earlier this month, comprising NGO’s, international figures, and companies, some of which have social business joint ventures with Grameen such as Danone, Veolia, and Credit Agricole.

We have launched a website: please come and visit and encourage others to do so as well!
We have received overwhelming encouragement and support, and many of you have contacted us asking what you can do to help. There is now a pressing need for global action! As a first step, we would like to suggest the following targeted actions:

Contacting key actors

- Bangladesh Embassies in your country :Reiterating the fact that the decision is unlawful, and that this is a dangerous turning point for the Grameen Bank
- Bangladeshi expat community: This is a key group to mobilize in your country, and raise awareness of the current situation.

Conveying your message

- In the local/ national / specialist press : via op-eds and opinion papers
- On blogs and websites

Social media

- Join our Facebook Page: Support Professor Yunus
- Encourage people to retweet #SupportYunus

Petitions

- A number of petitions have been circulating, but we would recommend the following:
o Open Letter to the President of the United States
o Petition to Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh

The current events have overwhelming public outrage in Bangladesh over the week-end, as a Government takeover of the Bank would effectively result in the 8.35 million borrower owners (and their families) of the Grameen Bank to be disowned. Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder of BRAC,the second largest microfinance organization in Bangladesh, has also voiced its backing of the Grameen Bank.

Hundreds of demonstrations took place in villages in support of Grameen Bank and Yunus, and NGOs, academics, and various figures have spoken out against the unlawful treatment of Professor Yunus. A "Citizen committee" was also formed as a testimony to Professor Yunus and his legacy to Bangladesh, and a “human chain” of NGOs, Grameen borrowers and supporters has been planned from the Southern border to the Northern tip of the country next Friday. In addition, a number of initiatives led by academics both in Bangladesh and abroad, and female activists have emerged over the last couple of days.

This news has of course received tremendous media attention over the last week, and it is very encouraging to see that most international media as well as some sections of the Bangladeshi media have sought to tell the story of the ongoing, brutal destabilization campaign which has been relentlessly pursued over the last months against Professor Yunus and the Grameen Bank. The Nobel Committee reiterated its support of the Grameen Bank and its founder, who were jointly awarded the prize in 2006, whilst other.

Within the international political sphere, alarm has been raised in the press by both Hilary Clinton and John Kerry, who have expressed their concern over the treatment of Professor Yunus. In Bangladesh, the alarm has been raised not only by the opposition parties but also by the Awami League party, and voices are now challenging the legitimacy, legality and the political cost of the attempt to sack the Peace Nobel Prize winner founder of Grameen Bank. We greatly appreciate your involvement and your help! Please keep us informed on your various actions, and of course, do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information: contact@friendsofgrameen.com

Thanks again! Best Wishes

Friends of Grameen

The honorary committee is Chaired by Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and comprises members such as Jagdish Sharan Verma, former Chief Justice of India and former Chair of the National Human Rights Commission of India, and James D. Wolfensohn, former President of World Bank, Chairman and CEO Wolfensohn Fund Management, L.P, and Michel Camdessus, former Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.

The executive Committee is chaired by Maria Nowak, President of ADIE, a pioneering French microfinance institution created in 1989. Kerry Kennedy human rights activist, President of the Robert F. Kennedy Foundation of Europe and Chair of the Amnesty International Leadership Council (USA) and President of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights has joined as one of the Vice Presidents of its Executive Committee. The full list of members is included as an appendix.