Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus served as the keynote speaker at “The Power of Postcodes” on Monday, addressing more than 850 participants at the Dutch Postcode Lottery’s premier international gathering, a press release said.

Speaking with urgency and hope, Professor Yunus outlined his  vision for a world built on three zeros: zero net carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration to end poverty and zero unemployment by unleashing entrepreneurship in all and challenged young people to be the generation that makes it a reality.

During his address, Professor Yunus highlighted the extraordinary courage demonstrated by Bangladesh’s youth during the July uprising, particularly recognizing the struggles and sacrifices of young women who stood on the front lines. He emphasized that women were at the forefront of the movement and played a pivotal role in leading the uprising.

The Dutch Postcode Lottery brought together charity partners, entrepreneurs, government officials, civil society leaders, and business figures for the afternoon programme, which celebrated the societal impact of Postcode Lottery-funded organisations and created a forum for meaningful cross-sector dialogue.

The event opened with a Young Professionals Networking Session featuring a Generation Z keynote by Jahkini Bisselink, a prominent Dutch youth activist, speaker, and advocate for civic engagement and generational equity. The session ended with an unscheduled appearance of Professor Yunus who took questions from the youth in the conference.

Professor Yunus engaged directly with the young professionals to co-develop practical proposals for intergenerational collaboration.

The main programme featured keynote addresses by Sigrid van Aken, Director of the Dutch Postcode Lottery, and Jonne Arnoldussen, Chairman of the Dutch Postcode Lottery, interwoven with musical performances.

The coneference attended by over 850 international social activists reached its focal point with alon-stage interview with Professor Yunus. The conversation was moderated by Hajar Yakoubi, a former UN Youth Representative for the Netherlands. During her two-year mandate, Yakoubi gathered input from young people on human rights, security, and the climate crisis. She presented that input through speeches at the UN and in direct conversations with prime ministers, ministers, and legislators. Drawing on this experience, Yakoubi guided a sharp exchange in which Professor Yunus pressed the case for systemic change and underscored that youth-led action is not merely desirable; it is essential.

The event concluded with a networking reception where attendees continued conversations and explored opportunities for follow-up collaboration. Circa Amsterdam’s iconic geodesic dome, renowned for its sustainable design and energy-efficient systems, provided a fitting backdrop for discussions on social innovation and environmental responsibility.

The Dutch Postcode Lottery is one of the Netherlands’ leading fundraising lotteries. It channels proceeds to a broad portfolio of charitable organisations working across social, environmental, and humanitarian causes. The Power of Postcodes is its annual convening platform, connecting partners, policymakers, and civil society to amplify collective impact.