Empowering Individuals in the Global Community Through Entrepreneurship
Dr. Yunus is a founding member of the Whole Planet Foundation. In October 2006, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, together with the Bank he founded, Grameen Bank for "their efforts to create economic and social development from below." The Grameen Bank and Grameen Trust provides the poorest of Bangladesh and in other countries with microloans. Dr. Yunus began Grameen Bank with an objective of helping poor women break out of the cycle of poverty and his solution to world poverty is founded on the belief that credit is a fundamental human right and that with access to capital and financial principles, the poor will help themselves. Grameen Bank has provided over 6 billion dollars to 7 million people in rural Bangladesh. Today more than 250 institutions in over 100 countries operate microcredit programs based on the Grameen methodology, placing Grameen at the forefront of a world movement to eradicate poverty through microlending.
Muhammad Yunus was born in Bangladesh. He was educated at Dhaka University and was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study economics at Vanderbilt. In 1972, he became head of the economics department at Chittagong University. He is the founder and managing director of Grameen Bank and Grameen Trust, among other businesses.
Vidar Jorgensen is the Chairman of the World Health Care Congress and majority owner of seven health care industry focused research and conference companies, which in turn own and manage over 300 conferences and several membership-based research groups focused on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health care, insurance, financial services, and infrastructure development. The World Health Care Congress is co-sponsored by The Wall Street Journal and can be seen at www.worldcongress.com. He is a supporter of microfinance in general and various Grameen related projects in particular. He resides in Concord, Massachusetts with his wife Kathy. They have three adult children: Loren, Nicholas and Kristen.
Professor Latifee is the Managing Director of Grameen Trust, Dhaka, which has provided financial and technical support in 37 countries. Before joining Grameen Trust in 1994, he was working in the University of Chittagong as a Professor of Economics.
As a result of his experience with Grameen Bank, Grameen Trust and Grameen partners worldwide, Professor Latifee is considered an expert in the area of Microfinance. He is a winner of Business Week's Stars of Asia Award, 2001 for his leadership in the field of microcredit and poverty alleviation.
Professor Latifee serves as on the Boards of Grameen Samogri, Grameen Shakti, Grameen Communication, Grameen Bebsha Bikash, Bangladesh and Nirdhan Utahan Bank, Ltd.
