Yunus encourages Oxford youth to imagine a new world

Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus delivered the prestigious 'Lady Margaret Hall Deneke Lecture' on February 29 on redesigning economics to redesign the world.

 Lady Margaret Hall (LMH) was founded in 1878 when Oxford University was not open for women. LMH made it possible for the first time for women to study at Oxford. Hundred years later, the College began to admit male students as well.

LMH is named in honour of Lady Margaret Beaufort, founder of the Tudor dynasty and renowned patron of scholarship and learning. 

The first Deneke lecture, instituted by LMH, was delivered by Albert Einstein, Yunus Centre said in a statement yesterday.

Lady Margaret Hall continues the tradition to invite the world-renowned thinkers for the lecture. People from around the world, including US and continental Europe, use to join the lectures.

In his lecture, Professor Yunus talked about the power of imagination. He encouraged the youth to defy all restrictive rules in their imagination.

“Once they create a new world in their imagination, they should dedicate their lives in making it happen. They are privileged youth of the world by being born in recent years and have the opportunity to study in one of top universities of the world.”

“This privilege will be worth it if they can take the lead in creating a world we all are looking for,” the Nobel laureate said.

He addressed a packed audience on his belief that social business could tackle some of the fundamental and most intractable problems of the current economic system.

Principal of the LMG, Alan Rusbridger, the former editor of The Guardian, honoured Yunus by inviting him to the ceremonial dinner of the hall attended by all students of the hall.

Professor Yunus also delivered the 150th anniversary lecture of the Oxford Guild, the oldest student society in Oxford, according to the statement.