Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has been honored with the “Unlock Big Change Award” from the international children’s charity Theirworld in recognition of his contributions to education, socio-economic development, and lifelong commitment to human welfare.
The award was presented at Theirworld’s annual Global Education Dinner in New York on Monday, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The event took place at a New York hotel and was jointly hosted by UN Special Envoy for Global Education and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Theirworld Chair Sarah Brown, who also heads the Global Business Coalition for Education.
Yunus received the honor alongside UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. However, his recognition drew special attention due to his pioneering work in poverty alleviation through microcredit and his lifelong effort to integrate education into anti-poverty initiatives.
Presenting the award, Gordon Brown praised the Grameen Bank model as one of the most effective private-sector initiatives in the past 50 years for lifting people out of poverty, calling Yunus a “global pathfinder.”
Accepting the award, Yunus said, “Credit, like food, healthcare and education, is a fundamental human right. If the doors of finance are open to everyone, then poverty can disappear from the world.” He explained how his microcredit packages include education and support for women to ensure children can attend school.
Yunus also stressed the link between financial empowerment and education, citing examples of women who lifted their families from poverty and secured educational opportunities for their children. He urged the global community to nurture children’s creativity and entrepreneurial spirit from an early age.
“A child should learn how to become an entrepreneur,” he said, adding that universities must teach students to use business as a force for human welfare. “Every social problem has a business solution,” Yunus emphasized.
The event highlighted the transformative power of education worldwide and Theirworld’s ongoing work to end the global education crisis and unlock the potential of the next generation.
