Social business is our future

Les Canaux, a historic building, in Paris has officially begun its journey as Social Business House in order to promote social business and the social economy in the French capital.

Mayor Ann Hidalgo and Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus together launched the social business house on Thursday, Yunus Centre in Dhaka said in a statement yesterday.

Last year, the mayor announced that the  historic building will be dedicated to become the home of social business and the social economy for Paris.  

Built in 1882, the building served as the administrative office of the Canals of Paris. It is located on the 19th district of Paris which is a very vibrant neighbourhood attractive to young people.

Nicolas Hulot, deputy prime minister of France and environment minister, attended the launching ceremony as the chief guest.

A group of dignitaries was given a guided tour of the facilities of the social business house.

The house has been refurbished where all its decor, carpets, furniture and fittings are made from recycled materials, notably ocean plastic, waste paper and waste wood.

Yunus Centre Paris, also located in the same building, was also opened. Yunus Centre Paris is now a registered legal entity in the city.

Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Hidalgo said she is committed to social business and she wants to make Paris as the social business capital of the world and turn Paris as the social business city. 

The mayor emphasised that social business is the future of the world. “It is the future of humanity and it is the future of the planet.”

She said that the present system is not sustainable.

Hulot highlighted that social business and the work that Les Canaux has set for itself is the most powerful way to move forward.

Prof Yunus said social business is like a bug, a friendly bug that infects everyone who comes into contact with it, because selflessness exists in every individual.