Muhammad Yunus to Speak at Opening Plenary of NAFSA Annual Conference Today

LOS ANGELES, May 26, 2009 – Visionary Grameen Bank founder and professor Muhammad Yunus, whose leadership of a global network aimed at ending poverty around the world earned him the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, will speak this afternoon at the opening plenary of the 61st Annual Conference of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, taking place this week in Los Angeles.

Dr. Yunus will address attendees at the opening plenary event that begins at 4:15 PM today at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Early arrival is strongly advised for reporters interested in covering this event.

NAFSA's annual conference is the world's largest gathering of professionals in international educational exchange. More than 7,000 participants from 100 countries are expected this year. The conference runs through Friday, May 29.

Dr. Yunus earned his PhD in economics as a Fulbright Scholar at Vanderbilt University and has taught in both the United States and Bangladesh. His idea of providing small loans to the poor to help reduce poverty coupled capitalism with social responsibility and has changed the face of rural economic and social development. Dr. Yunus's work in the developing world has led to his appointment to several United Nations commissions and advisory groups, especially those dealing with women's economic empowerment. He has also worked with many organizations dealing with education, health, disaster prevention, banking, and development programs. Dr. Yunus sits on the International Council of Ashoka Foundation, the global network of social entrepreneurs, and is a member of The Elders, a group of global peacemakers organized by Nelson Mandela. An accomplished writer, Dr. Yunus is the author of Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty and Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism.

Also speaking at today’s opening plenary event will be Mexican Minister of Education Alonso Lujambio. NAFSA’s prestigious Cassandra Pyle Award for Leadership and Collaboration in International Education and Exchange will also be presented.

Other conference highlights for Tuesday, May 26:

• Conference concurrent sessions will run from 2:30 to 3:45 PM. These sessions are open to the news media. No reserved seating will be available, and prompt arrival is advised. You can view a complete listing of NAFSA’s 2009 Conference Educational Offerings online
• Over 400 organizations are exhibiting at the conference’s International Education Expo. The Expo, located at the Los Angeles Convention Center, will be open 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM on Tuesday
• The conference Opening Reception will be held at L.A. Live from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Pre-registration is closed. Reporters may register on-site, 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM, beginning Tuesday.
• A plenary event anchors each day of the NAFSA conference this week. See all the 2009 plenary speakers