Fazle Hasan Abed

Bangladeshi social innovator and founder of BRAC, one of the world’s largest NGOs dedicated to poverty eradication and education.

Fazle Hasan Abed (born 1936) is a visionary behind BRAC (Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee), a global development organization that has lifted millions out of poverty. A Cambridge-educated economist, Abed returned to Bangladesh in 1972 after the country’s war of independence. He founded BRAC in 1972 as a disaster relief project, which evolved into a multifaceted NGO addressing education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.

BRAC’s signature programs include village-based microfinance, primary schools for girls, and initiatives to combat child malnutrition. By 2020, BRAC had expanded to 11 countries, operating schools for 6 million children and providing livelihood support to 12 million families. Abed pioneered the 'last mile' approach, ensuring services reach remote rural areas. His focus on scalability and sustainability set BRAC apart, earning praise from the UN and World Bank.

Abed’s leadership emphasized community-driven solutions. He introduced non-formal primary education for children unable to attend traditional schools, a model replicated globally. His work on female empowerment includes training women as health workers and entrepreneurs. Despite Bangladesh’s challenges, Abed’s vision made BRAC a blueprint for poverty reduction, earning him the Padma Vibhushan (India’s second-highest civilian honor) and the Right Livelihood Award (2007).

Abed retired as BRAC’s chair in 2011 but remains an inspiration. His legacy lies in proving that systematic, grassroots interventions can tackle systemic poverty. BRAC’s success underscores the power of integrating education, healthcare, and economic opportunities to create lasting change.