Yunus Centre Press Release (04 June 2023)

Nobel Laureate Professor Yunus recently concluded a fruitful 10-day visit to Europe, during which he engaged in high-level meetings, signed agreements, and delivered speeches in Germany, Italy, and France. His visit included stops in Dusseldorf and Wiesbaden in Germany, Trento and Milan in Italy, and Paris, France.

A significant highlight of his European tour was his visit to Paris, where Professor Yunus was hosted by Paris ESS (Economy, Social, Solidarity) 2024 and Solideo. These organizations were entrusted with the task of ensuring that the Paris 2024 Olympic Games become the most sustainable Olympics in history, following Professor Yunus' concept of a social business Olympics. In 2017, Professor Yunus was invited to provide advice to the Paris Olympics organizing body in shaping this concept. He subsequently joined a team, alongside President Emmanuel Macron and Mayor Anne Hidalgo, to present the concept to the International Olympic Committee, leading to Paris winning the bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Since then, Professor Yunus has been advising the organizing team on implementing the concept.

During his visit, Professor Yunus received a detailed report from the team responsible for the social and sustainable impact of the games. The report outlined how 400 social business entities would be involved in the procurement process, accounting for 20 percent of the total procurement budget. This allocation represents a substantial portion of the games' budget. Professor Yunus was taken to the Olympic Village site, where he witnessed the progress made in accordance with his advice. Solideo, responsible for the construction, presented their efforts to ensure the social and sustainable nature of the Paris Olympics. The Olympic Village, situated in a low-income suburb of Paris, has been designed to provide temporary housing for athletes during the games, with a focus on refurbishing existing venues and creating new housing for low-income communities and students. The village also features a bridge extending across the river, connecting both sides of the site. The construction project is set to be completed by March 1, 2024.

ESS 2024 and Solideo shared their comprehensive approach to addressing Professor Yunus' advice and vision throughout the Olympic preparations. Witnessing a Euro 4 billion construction project materialize in an underprivileged area of Paris based on his dream deeply moved Professor Yunus.

Prior to his visit to Paris, Professor Yunus was invited to Milan, where he held meetings with the leadership team of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. He signed a collaboration agreement with them, as Milan aspires to host a social business Olympics following the example set by the Paris Olympics 2024, which was designed by Professor Yunus. Milan aims to ensure the sustainability of their Winter Games through construction and procurement policies aligned with social business principles proposed by Professor Yunus. During separate working meetings, he provided guidance to the Executive Board and top management team, led by CEO Andrea Varnier of the Organizing Committee of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. To support ongoing collaboration and knowledge sharing, Professor Yunus designated Yunus Sports Hub, a Paris-based organization dedicated to sports, to advise the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics organizing teams and share the experiences of Paris ESS 2024.

Additionally, Professor Yunus addressed a gathering of approximately 200 people, including members of the Olympic organization and social enterprise networks. These individuals are prospective participants in the procurement process for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. During this meeting, Professor Yunus outlined his vision of what a social business Olympics would entail for the upcoming Winter Games.

Caption for photo 1: Professor Yunus is shown the Olympic Village's construction plans for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics by the Solideo team and how it is built for sustainability and impact.

Caption for photo 2: Professor Yunus and the team at the building site of the Olympic Village to see the progress of construction.

Caption for photo 3: Reviewing the building plans of the Olympic Village for the Paris Olympics 2024.

Caption for photo 4: Signature of the agreement between Professor Muhammad Yunus, on behalf of Yunus Sports Hub, and Andre Varnier, CEO of the organizing committee of Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics 2026 for building those Olympics according to social business principles as advocated by Professor Yunus.

Caption for photo 5: Professor Yunus explains his vision of a social business Olympics to the  Andrea Varnier CEO of the Organizing Committee of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026 and other members of his team in Milan on 29 May 2023.

Caption for photo 6: Professor Yunus addressed a meeting with 200 people comprised of members of the Olympic organization and social enterprise and social business entrepreneurs’ networks who would prospectively be involved in the procurement process of the Winter Olympics in Milan.