Asia Society President Vishakha Desai Congratulates International Council Members Ela Bhatt and Muhammad Yunus for Being Selected to Join "The Elders"—Historic Group of World Leaders and Visionary Thinkers

July 23, 2007–Asia Society President Vishakha Desai expressed pleasure that two of the organization's International Council Members, Ela Bhatt and Muhammad Yunus, have been chosen to be part of "The Elders," a historic group of world leaders and visionary thinkers convened by Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel, and Desmond Tutu to tackle some of the world's toughest problems.

Bhatt is a recognized pioneer and entrepreneurial force in grassroots development in India. Yunus won the Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking work with Grameen Bank in providing small loans for the rural poor in Bangladesh.

Other founding members of "The Elders" include Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter, Li Zhaoxing, and Mary Robinson. The formation of the group was announced by Nelson Mandela on the occasion of his 89th birthday yesterday in Johannesburg, South Africa.

"We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ela Bhatt and Dr. Yunus on this great honor. Over the years, Asia Society has been fortunate to have benefited from the vision and leadership of these great minds, both of whom have inspired our work, particularly through our Asian Social Issues Program which helps bring to the fore some of the most pressing problems facing the poorest of the poor."

To read the press release announcing the formation of "The Elders," and to find out more about this group, click here: http://www.southafrica.info/mandela/theelders.htm

About the Asia Society
Asia Society is the leading global and pan-Asian organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders and institutions of the United States and Asia. We seek to increase knowledge and enhance dialogue, encourage creative expression, and generate new ideas across the fields of policy, business, education, arts, and culture. Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Asia Society is a nonprofit educational institution with offices in Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Washington, DC.

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