DHAKA: Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus addressed a convention of French youth to inspire them in initiating change through social business.  

In the convention, the Social Business entrepreneurs pitched their ideas and plans in presence of Professor Yunus where more than 600 young enthusiastic people, aged around 25, attended.

Danone Communities and youth organization MakeSense organized the convention titled as SenseMorning with a goal to select 5 top Social Business start-ups that use technology to solve social issues.

French Minister of Youth and Sports Najat Vallaud Belkacem also spoke the meeting and expressed her support for the commitment of the young people to solve society's problems saying "I am one of you this morning”.

She also mentioned her long time admiration for the work of Professor Yunus.

Later in the day, Professor Yunus had separate meeting with Najat Vallaud Belkacem at her office with Former French minister and Co- Chair of Yunus Chair of Social Business at the HEC Paris, prestigious business school of France, Martin Hirsch who also joined in the meeting.

Professor Yunus has been invited to the launch of social business initiative by the French President François Hollande on June 10, 2014 at the presidential palace.

On 21 May, Professor Yunus met with newly elected Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, at which they discussed about the prospect of implementing social business in Paris city.

BDST: 1110 HRS, MAY 23, 2014