Microcredit and extremism

Australians should care about Yunus, mircocredit and Bangladesh. It provides a great example of how empowering individuals, in particular women, is the best way to counter extremism, especially in the developing world. Our significant aid budget could be aimed at encouraging similar measures in parts of South-East Asia.

Furthermore, considering Bangladesh is likely to be one of the very first countries affected by any rise in sea levels caused by global warming, it is likely to send more than its share of refugees our way in decades to come. Developments there should be watched with a keen eye.

The Australian Federal Police is aware of this significance and is currently setting up its first office in Bangladesh, keen to monitor further developments in any religious fanatacism. Its spectre remains large and the country is seen among many experts as one of the developing front lines in the battle between secular reason and Islamic theocracy.

Yunus has unwittingly been a key member in this battle. His Nobel is testament that there are many ways to skin a cat. What the West is attempting with sophisticated missiles and billions of funds, he was able to trump with hand outs of less than a few dollars.