What we need is to think strategically about development

Opening Scene
The sunset was casting a soft, amber glow over the bustling city, the vibrant energy of the street weaving together the sounds of honking horns and the distant chatter of people. Jack sat at a small café table, his hand wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee, but his mind was far from the present moment. He stared at the passing crowd, eyes focused but distant, as though seeking an answer to a question that had been haunting him for days. Across from him, Jeeny sat quietly, her gaze thoughtful, her fingers tracing the edge of her cup. The air felt still, yet something in the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. Their conversation, as it often did, was about to turn to bigger questions — about change, about growth, and about the future.

Host: "The scene is set. The evening wears on, and with it, the gravity of a deeper conversation begins to form. Jack and Jeeny, always divided in their views, now find themselves drawn into a discussion about development, about how a nation can rise or fall depending on its ability to strategically position itself in a world that is constantly evolving. Muhammad Yunus’s words — ‘What we need is to think strategically about development, analyzing a country’s potential role in its region and the world in search of opportunities for growth’ — hover between them like a challenge, waiting to be explored."

Jack: (leaning back, his voice skeptical) "So, let’s say a country does exactly that — it thinks strategically, it analyzes its role in the world. What then? Does that suddenly guarantee growth? There are too many variables, Jeeny. Politics, economics, the environment — you can’t control all of that. Growth isn’t something you can just wish into existence."

Jeeny: (smiling softly, eyes gleaming with conviction) "It’s not about wishing, Jack. It’s about creating a plan, a vision for where a country can go based on what it has — its resources, its people, its strategic position in the global economy. Muhammad Yunus talks about using platforms like the Global Social Business Summit to help facilitate these changes, to bring together ideas and people who can make a difference. It’s about setting the stage for innovation, for real transformation."

Jack: (his frown deepening) "A summit? So we just gather a bunch of people in a room and talk about how to make the world a better place? Talk doesn’t lead to growth, Jeeny. It’s the execution that matters. And even with a great strategy, if the conditions aren’t right — if there’s no solid foundation — the whole thing falls apart. Look at developing countries: they’ve had plenty of strategies, but how many of them have actually worked?"

Host: "The air feels heavy with Jack’s doubts, the weight of years of disillusionment pressing down on him. Jeeny, though, her voice light and steady, remains unshaken. She knows this conversation is more than just about theory; it’s about finding a path that could lead to change. Both of them know that deep down, the system needs to be reimagined. But the question is — how?"

Jeeny: (speaking with passion) "But that’s exactly the point, Jack! It’s about taking those first steps — setting a foundation for future growth. Strategic thinking allows countries to understand where they fit into the bigger picture. They can see what works for them and what doesn’t. You can’t just wait for the world to change on its own. You have to move with it. And platforms like the Global Social Business Summit? They bring people together who can turn these ideas into something tangible."

Jack: (a slight scoff escapes his lips) "And you really think these ‘platforms’ can make a difference? You’re talking about some big ideas, Jeeny. But when the rubber hits the road, it’s still about who holds the power. If the leadership is corrupt or the system is broken, then no matter how strategic your thinking is, it’s not going anywhere."

Jeeny: (her eyes narrowing, a fire igniting within her) "I’m not saying it’s easy. It’s never easy. But strategy is about focus — about finding the right avenues for growth and harnessing the resources you already have. No one’s asking for an overnight fix. It’s about setting long-term goals, creating sustainable change. And sometimes, those conversations — those summits — they help connect the right minds, the right people, to make those goals possible."

Host: "The light flickers, casting shadows across the table as the debate between them intensifies. Jack, ever the realist, still wears his skepticism like armor. But Jeeny isn’t backing down. She stands firm in her belief that change is within reach, if only people are willing to act — to think beyond the immediate, to consider the future. The difference between them is not just about ideas, but about the belief in those ideas."

Jack: (his voice sharp) "You’re speaking in ideals, Jeeny. Look at what’s happening around the world. Countries with the most resources, with the best strategies, still fail. Sometimes, it’s not about being smart. It’s about survival. Look at what happened in Africa with all the foreign aid. So many nations got strategic advice, but what did it lead to? More debt, more dependence."

Jeeny: (leaning forward, her voice unwavering) "But that’s where innovation comes in, Jack. Aid isn’t the answer. What’s needed is a focus on sustainable development, self-sufficiency. Countries have to move away from relying on external forces to determining their fate. If they start looking within, at their own potential, they can create their own future. Platforms like the Global Social Business Summit foster exactly that kind of thinking — a way to empower the local leaders, not just put a band-aid on their problems."

Host: "The tension is palpable, but there’s an unmistakable shift in the air. Jeeny’s words are no longer just an argument; they are a call to action. She believes in something bigger, something possible. Jack, however, remains anchored to his realism, unwilling to let go of the weight of the past, the lessons that have scarred him. Yet there’s a subtle crack in his skepticism, a glimmer of something he hasn’t fully let himself consider."

Jack: (softly, almost to himself) "You think there’s actually a way out? A way for these countries to break free from the cycle? Even with all the politics and corruption?"

Jeeny: (her voice full of conviction, quieter now) "Yes, I do. It’s not about waiting for the perfect world. It’s about starting with what you have, building on your strengths, and finding opportunities where you didn’t see them before. Strategic thinking, innovative solutions — they’re the key. Change doesn’t happen without action, Jack. But it starts with the belief that it can happen."

Host: "The city around them continues its relentless pulse. The lights from the café flicker in the soft twilight, the hum of voices melding with the night. Jeeny watches Jack, her heart beating steadily with the belief that something can shift, that change is just a matter of seeing things from a different angle. Jack, for a moment, considers it — the idea that a new path might be possible. The silence between them is a fragile thing, yet filled with the possibility of something more. Perhaps that’s where it all begins — in the quiet understanding that change is both a possibility and a challenge, waiting to be realized."