Former Vice President of the World Bank and co-chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) Dr Ismail Serageldin has encouraged the Bangladeshi young people to step forward with confidence, become social entrepreneurs and help transform society for the greater good.

“Follow your dreams, believe in your dreams and go and do it,” Dr Serageldin, who is now in Dhaka to attend the 15th edition of Social Business Day, told UNB in an interview.  

With an extraordinary global legacy in development, science and innovation, Dr Serageldin, who brings a wealth of experience and vision, reminded all that real development is bottom-up-driven by dignity, solidarity, and the vision of social business.

A longtime friend of Nobel Laureate and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Dr Serageldin spoke about how Prof Yunus demonstrated that even the world’s poorest can lift themselves out of poverty.

He emphasised how young people can harness new technologies through the social business model --not to enrich monopolistic corporations, but to empower communities, create inclusive ownership and drive societal transformation.

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“And I think the younger generation is the generation that is growing up in the digital world. They have all grown in the digital world. So, they see things in a different way and they are the ones who, I think, will see how the new pathways will do,” Dr Serageldin said.

“Let them (young people) have dreams. And sometimes things that appear impossible turn out to be possible,” Dr Serageldin said.

Reflecting on past experiences and memories, he said his friendship with Prof Yunus extends well into the late 80s, when they started working together. “We had a lot of partnerships on promoting microcredit.”

“Fantastic! This is an amazing programme! It's not just about credit. It's about the dignity of human beings,” Dr Serageldin said, recalling his visit to Bangladesh. “And that was the beginning of our friendship and collaboration.”

In response to a question, Dr Serageldin acknowledged that he is not fully informed about the current situation or local politics.

He, however, expressed strong confidence in Prof Yunus, saying, “If there is anyone who can be trusted to uphold integrity and honesty, it is Prof Yunus.”

“I’m sure he will guide the transition period toward a free and fair election. I hope the people of Bangladesh will choose wisely.”

Praising the hard-working spirit of the Bangladeshi people and the country’s progress, Dr Serageldin said much has been achieved, but it is not enough. “Consolidation is important - but even more important is the question: where are we heading? Bangladesh remains an incredibly densely populated country and its future direction matters greatly.”

He said the impacts of climate change can be very negative and Bangladesh is susceptible to sea level rise. “So there are problems.”

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“I believe Bangladesh is now well poised for its next phase of transformation,” Dr Serageldin, the founding Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, said.

“It is indeed a time of transition, but considering where the country started, where it stands now, and the remarkable progress it has made, there is much to be hoped for, especially since this transition is being shepherded by Prof Yunus,” he said.

Wishing Prof Yunus a happy birthday (born on June 28, 1940), Dr Serageldin said, “We’ve been very close for a long time and it’s wonderful to see him still going strong! What matters most is seeing his smile and his unwavering confidence. He’s truly a remarkable man, and I believe Bangladesh is very fortunate to have someone like Prof Yunus.”

Serageldin’s contributions to poverty alleviation, sustainability and knowledge-sharing have shaped policies and institutions worldwide.

He has received numerous international honors, including the Grameen Foundation Lifetime Commitment Award (1999), the Order of the Rising Sun from Japan (2008), and the Public Welfare Medal from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (2011).