Workshops and Conferences
List of passed events. This can be helpful to find reports and results.
Conférence virtuelle: "Organisations paysannes et institutions financières rurales: construire une nouvelle alliance au service de l’agriculture familiale". [2008-04-21]
21 avril au 7 mai 2008, dans le but de la validation d’un guide opérationnel
En prolongement du colloque « Quelle microfinance pour l’agriculture dans les pays en développement » (Paris, 4-6 décembre 2007), FARM, CERISE et l’IRC Supagro proposent une conférence virtuelle visant à discuter et valider un guide opérationnel destiné à appuyer le renforcement du partenariat entre organisations professionnelles agricoles et institutions financières en microfinance. Ce partenariat représente un enjeu majeur face à l’ampleur des besoins de financement des agricultures familiales du Sud. La conférence virtuelle se propose de discuter et de valider six chapitres du guide, du 21 avril au 7 mai 2008.
Pour participer à la conférence virtuelle: http://www.fondation-farm.org/forum-OPA-IF/
Frankfurt Forum on Development Finance 2008 [2008-02-07]
Date: 21 - 22 February 2008 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Organised by Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and KfW Entwicklungsbank (Development Bank). The goal of the conference is to explore to what extent there is a confluence between the two currents of responsible finance, being represented by the microfinance sector on the one side and commercial banks on the other. The conference topics will be explored from different angles primarily from the perspective of practitioners, taking into account also the view of policy-makers, regulators and donors. While these groups may pursue different interests, the discussion will evolve at the intersection of responsibility in finance.
More information and registration on: http://www.frankfurt-forum.org/index.html
Madrid Conference: "Gender Equality in microentrepreneurship and microfinance in Europe" [2007-11-01]
Date: December 13-14, 2007 in the “Círculo de Bellas Artes”, Madrid
Women in Europe represent only 30% of entrepreneurs and they cite access to finance as the most significant constraint affecting the launch, growth and sustainability of their businesses. The Conference will give central stage to internationally known speakers from microfinance organisations, enterprise support providers, government delegates as well as delegates representing EU institutions. Speakers will highlight different approaches with respect to female entrepreneurship in Europe and will present their respective experience. Furthermore, pilot projects and examples of good practices will be discussed and recommendations for policy makers, researchers, business support providers and microfinance practitioners will be formulated.
Programme and registration on: http://www.european-microfinance.org/conference_madrid_en.php
FARM conference: "Which microfinance for agriculture in developing countries?" [2007-10-16]
Date: December 4 - 6, 2007, Bercy, Paris-France
Although present in rural areas, the response of microfinance institutions to agricultural demand is generally either insufficient or inappropriate. Family farms in the South face different constraints than do small entrepreneurs; their economic cycle is long, risk is elevated, profit margins are volatile, and financial service needs are concentrated in certain periods of the year, as is cash for repayment. Can existing microfinance models offer services that are truly useful to farming families? The conference will be structured by three plenary sessions and six workshops and provide direct translation english/french/spanish.
Programme and registration on: http://www.fondation-farm.org
Forum de la Concertation sur «les réseaux des mutuelles de santé dans l’extension de la protection sociale de la lutte contre la pauvreté » [2007-09-19]
Date: 26 et 27 novembre 2007 Lieu: Dakar, Sénégal
Les forums de la Concertation réunissent l’ensemble des acteurs nationaux, provenant de quatorze pays d’Afrique francophone, et des structures internationales, engagées dans la recherche de solution à l’amélioration de la qualité et de l’accès aux soins de santé. Le Forum 2007 réunira ces acteurs autour des questions suivantes : La mise en réseau de mutuelles de santé est-elle une stratégie pertinente et efficace pour améliorer l’accès aux soins de santé? Quelles sont les stratégies des mutuelles de santé pour assurer leur crédibilité, leur reconnaissance et leur développement? L’Etat peut-il jouer un rôle dans l’accompagnement du mouvement mutualiste?
Pour plus d’informations: http://www.concertation.org/gimi/concertation/showpage.do?page=%2Fconcertation%2Fforum%2Fforum.wiki
The Asia/Pacific Region Microcredit Summit will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan [2007-09-19]
Date: March 4-6, 2008 Place: Islamabad, Pakistan
The Microcredit Summit Campaign and the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund will co-host the Asia/Pacific Region Microcredit Summit 2008. The Asia/Pacific Region Microcredit Summit will be the 12 th conference in a series of global and regional summits organized by the Microcredit Summit Campaign. Since 1997, the Microcredit Summit Campaign has been leading, supporting, and guiding the microfinance field to address failures in reaching the poorest through international development. The Microcredit Summit Campaign's conferences are the largest microfinance gatherings in the world, which assemble a full range of those active in the field of microfinance including practitioners, advocates, investors, UN agencies, donors, domestic government agencies, and many more. The Summit's program includes plenary sessions, workshops, courses and more.
More on www.apmicrocreditsummit.org
Regional Workshop on Microinsurance Sector Development [2007-06-28]
Date: 28-29 June 2007 Place: Colombo, Sri Lanka
This workshop aims to present insurance professionals and policy makers an opportunity to discuss how to extend commercially viable insurance services to the poor and low income people. Policy makers, Government authorities and insurance regulators will deepen the understanding on conducive policy and regulatory environment of microinsurance. Private insurance companies, microfinance institutions, and other insurance professionals will share and learn best practices to provide insurance services to the poor and low-income people. Donors and other sector specialists will exchange the ideas and enhance their knowledge on roles of donors as a facilitator of microinsurance.
For more info and registration http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/2007/Microinsurance-Sector-Development/default.asp
GOALS Financial Trends Analysis Course [2007-06-28]
Date: August 13- 17, 2007 Location: Universal North Office Building, 1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Using a highly participatory methodology, participants gain a thorough understanding of issues pertaining to the balance sheet, income statement, asset management, investments, and portfolio quality of microfinance institutions. The course also focuses on interest rates and efficiency. Participants can be anyone who interacts with MFIs, or who is interested in learning more about issues affecting the financial viability of these institutions. Previous work in finance or accounting is not required.
For more info and registration: http://www.seepnetwork.org/content/calendar/detail/5140
Spirit of Ethics, Finance & Responsibility international meetings [2007-06-28]
Date : Septembre 14-15 2007 Place : Château de Bossey, Genève
The Observatoire de la Finance organizes annual international meetings on Ethics, Finance & Responsibility, since 2002. The principal purpose of these meetings, articulated around some workshops, is to give a range of examples and analysis to face the question of the link between finance and ethics. Speakers come from all Europe and from United States or some African Countries. The 2007 meeting discusses the following questions. - How can economic and management education incorporate ethics? - Whistleblowing, the standards ethics watchman - Corporate culture: diagnosis and proposals - Private Equity: can it be socially responsible?
For more information click http://www.obsfin.ch/english/ethics-finance-responsibility.htm
Next Generation Access to Finance: Gaining Scale and Reducing Costs with Technology and Credit Scoring [2007-06-28]
Date: September 17-19, 2007 Place: World Bank Group Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
Using the appropriate technology together with quality credit information can allow lenders to manage risk, increase lending volume, and improve operating efficiency. However, credit reporting among microfinance institutions remains very limited. There are huge untapped opportunities for microfinance institutions in emerging markets, and for the many client individuals and enterprises seeking access to credit. In that context the IFC; CGAP in cooperation with Visa organise this conference with the following objectives. - Convene leaders from technology-providers, financial institutions including microfinance institutions, commercial banks, and credit information providers; - Examine in-depth what has worked and what could work better in using technology and credit reporting to increase access to finance; - Provide a multisectoral, global view of credit scoring and its potential for financial institutions; - Enable lenders to assess different products and establish contact with global providers of cutting-edge technologies represented at the Conference Exhibition.
For more information and registration read on http://cgap.org/portal/site/Technology/
European Microfonance Week 2007 [2007-06-05]
Date: 27-29th November 2007 Place: Luxembourg
The European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg and the Luxembourg Round Table on Microfinance organise the EUROPEAN MICROFINANCE WEEK 2007. The main objectives are :1. Being the annual meeting opportunity to gather all European Microfinance actors working in developing countries. 2. Promote good practices and facilitate synergies among European microfinance actors. 3. Encourage a European strategy for Microfinance in developing coutries. 4. Hold the e-MFP Annual Meeting of Members and provide input for the 2008-2009 action plan.
Registration will be possible soon at: http://www.microfinance-platform.eu/mmp/online/website/news/index_EN.html
SDC-seco Workshop on MIV Social Reporting [2007-05-30]
Date: 29-30 March 2007 Place: Berne, Switzerland
The overall goal of the workshop was to work towards consensus and transparency in MIV reporting, so as to reflect - and improve - the triple bottom line in microfinance. Its objectives were: 1) To share and review current experience and ‘good’ practice in social performance assessment and reporting of MFIs. 2) To share and review current measurement and reporting by MIVs. 3) To invite MIV feedback on key indicators of social performance in microfinance, as a contribution to the current debate around key development indicators and MFI reporting. 4) To explore the next steps for triple bottom line reporting by MIVs.
The programme (Annex 1), all presentations, selected background materials and the evaluation of the workshop (Annex 2) can be found here: http://www.intercooperation.ch/finance/download/sdcworkshop/sdcworkshop.zip
The Chicago Microfinance Conference [2007-05-09]
Date: 25 May 2007 Place: Chicago
The Chicago Microfinance Conference is a collaborative effort among three graduate business and public policy institutions that brings together practitioners, academics and emerging industry leaders to advance the strategic debate of the future of microfinance. This year’s conference - The Road Ahead, Innovation, Integration, Impact will feature keynote addresses by Elizabeth Littlefield, CEO Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) and Vikram Akula, CEO, SKS Microfinance. This year’s conference will further the discussion and debate on the impact of microfinance on wealth creation and poverty alleviation throughout the world. The conference will feature 11 panel discussions on topics such as impact measurement, securitization and expanding reach through product and technology innovations. The panels include experts from a number of leading organizations in the field including: FINCA, the Grameen Foundation, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Shorebank Companies, Women’s World Banking and many more.
Read on: http://www.chicagomicrofinance.com/
Social Finance Forum of INAISE [2007-05-09]
Date: 10-11 May 2007 Place: Canterbury, Kent, England
INAISE, International Association of Investors in the Social Economy, organises its annual conference Social Finance Forum 2007. The workshop topics are: 1. Linking ethical finance and mutual partners in tackling exclusion 2. Sustainable finance, livelihood finance, fair trade and responsible consumerism 3. Environmental finance: our ecological footprint 4. Values in finance A fifth workshop will be open to social finance network members: Networks, the social investment map, how can we gain strength and visibility from co-operation?
The programme and registration form are available on the web: http://www.inaise.org/
Conference: Financial transfers from migrants in the Euro-Mediterranean area - a lever for development [2007-03-20]
Date: 22-23 March 2007
Place: Paris
The conference organised by FEMIP (Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership) has set itself the aim of establishing a better understanding of the economic impact of migration, facilitating migrants' remittances, reinforcing the role of the banking sector and integrating new resources to develop microfinance. The conference is aimed at practitioners from the banking and finance sector and experts, as well as representatives from the migrant communities.
For more information, see: http://www.bei.europa.eu/news/press/press.asp?press=3222
International Conference on Rural Finance Research by FAO, IFAD and Ford foundation [2007-03-20]
Date: 19-21 March
Place: Rome
The United Nations Organisation for Food and Agriculture (FAO), the Ford Foundation and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), have joined forces to organise the International Conference on Rural Finance Research: moving results into Policies and Practice. Amongst other things, the conference will attempt to examine research on the main innovations in rural finance, identify important empirical questions regarding rural finance for future studies, define strategies to strengthen the links between research and the decision-making structure and examine ways and means of stimulating dialogue and collaboration between researchers at an international level.
For more information about this conference, see: http://www.fao.org/ag/rurfinconference/index.asp?lang=fr
Financial Trends Analysis of Microfinance institutions by SEEP [2007-03-20]
Date: 13.-17. August 2007
Place: Washington DC
SEEP offers the GOALS financial trends analysis course, taught by its new executive director, Bill Tucker! The GOALS financial trends analysis course has been taught in over 20 countries to nearly 2,000 representatives of banks, microfinance institutions, audit firms, central banks, and supervisory agencies. Participants gain a thorough understanding of issues pertaining to the balance sheet and income statement of microfinance institutions. Discussions include balance-sheet issues pertaining to capital adequacy, practical techniques for enhancing leverage, advantages and disadvantages of different types of liabilities, appropriate distribution of assets, effective monitoring of portfolio quality, and policies governing investments and cash management.
For more information and subscription please go to: http://www.seepnetwork.org/content/calendar/detail/5140
Microfinance Centre for the CEE and the NIS [2007-01-22]
10th Annual Conference of Microfinance Institutions in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the New Independent States (NIS)
Place: Sofia
Date: 31.05. - 02.07. 2007
The theme for the annual conference of the Micro Finance Centre (MFC) is not decided yet. Thus, the organisers of the conference invite MFIs to provide their critical issues to be reflected in the agenda of the event. Please provide your suggestions by answering the following questions:
- What are the most challenging issues that your MFI is facing?
- What would you like to learn from other practitioners?
- What could others learn from you?
The organisers would like to invite all practitioners and technical advisors willing to present on groundbreaking issues during the conference to contact the MFC at: agnieszkat@mfc.org.pl
You can access the workshops programme (later in 2007) and the resources of past events at: http://www.mfc.org.pl/em/mfc.html
Remittances and Access to Finance - 2nd International Conference on Migrant Remittances [2006-10-30]
World Bank and UK Department for International Development (DFID)
Date: 13-14 November 2006
Location: London, U.K.
This conference is a must for all interested in remittances. It is a follow up of the last international conference held in 2003. It analyses the development in the area of remittances since then and looks specifically at the potential to promoting access to financial services for the poor via remittances. The development on the transferring market and the efforts to cut transferring costs are further important issues in that conference. High level resource persons as speakers and facilitators will guarantee an outstanding level of this event.
Download more info and registration forms under: http://www.livelihoods.org/info/linksevents_sub/linksevents_WB_DFIDRemitSeminar.html#3
Savings & Credit Forum: "Outcome and Impact Evaluation of Financial Sector Projects" [2006-10-16]
Date: 8th December, 2006
Place: Berne, Switzerland
he next Savings and Credit Forum organised by Intercooperation on behalf of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) will deal with the topic "Outcome and Impact Evaluation of Financial Sector Projects". This is in response to the interest of the forum participants in impact evaluation, as identified by the last opinion poll. Speakers are Dr. Ruth Egger, former Vice Director of Intercooperation, Dr. Martin Brown, Senior Economist at the Swiss National Bank and Mr. Hans Ramm, head of the FEM team at Intercooperation.
Download more information and registration form: ../services/se-ex-fosacr.php
Conference: Microfinance India by CASHE, Ford Foundation, ICICI Bank [2006-10-04]
Date: 30-31 October
Place: New Delhi, India
The conference hopes to provide a platform for learning and sharing between national and international actors. With a view to promoting a better coordination of the sector in order to deal with future challenges, the conference will focus not only on the development of microfinance products and services in urban areas, but also upon the reinforcement of the sector throughout the country. The event is open in particular to policy makers, support organisations, the financial sector and investors.
ore information: http://www.careindia-microfinance.org/confrencedetail.asp?qspage=confrenceview.asp&qssrno=9
Conference on Promoting Inclusive Financial Systems, Financial Stability Institute, Bank for International Settlements [2006-10-04]
Date: 11-12 October 2006
Place: Basel, Switzerland
The Financial Stability Institute and the World Bank are organising a conference to be held at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland on 11-12 October on "Promoting Inclusive Financial Systems". The conference is intended to address a variety of issues to increase awareness of the characteristics, performance and business practices of successful providers of financial services to small businesses and lower income households. It will also address issues related to the regulations and supervisory policies that can promote, and alternatively impede, inclusiveness and access to financial services. The conference is targeted at officials from central banks, banking supervisory authorities and other government agencies with an interest in promoting inclusive financial systems.
For more info and subscription: http://www.bis.org/fsi/training/event479.htm
Syngenta World Food Day Symposium: Capital for Development [2006-10-04]
Date: 16 October, 2006
Place: Basel, Switzerland
In the frame of the World Food Day, Syngenta Foundation organises symposium with the title Capital for Development which will deal with the question of how innovative funding mechanisms, including microfinance, can build prosperous rural small and micro enterprise sectors. The symposium also offers examples on how enterprise solutions are remarkably effective ways to reduce poverty. Main speaker will be Prof. Dr. phil. Hans Dieter Seibel, Head Development Research Centre , University of Cologne, specialist in rural and microfinance and Chris West, deputy director of Shell Foundation.
For more information and registering access http://www.syngentafoundation.org/
Microfinance India, Third Annual Conference 2006 [2006-09-11]
Date: October 30-31, 2006
Place: The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi, India
CARE India's Credit and Savings for Household Enterprise (CASHE) project is one of the largest microfinance projects in the country. For the past two years CASHE along with its associates, has been organizing 'microfinance India' conference which draws attention of national and international sector experts. Main two topics of this years conference is Expanding Microfinance in Urban Areas and Ensuring Impact.
For more info and registration click: http://www.microfinanceindia.org/
CGAP Microinsurance Conference : Making Insurance work in Africa [2006-08-22]
Date : November 21-23 2006
Place: Cape Town, South Africa
The second Microinsurance Conference organised by the CGAP Working Group on Microinsurance and the Munich Re Foundation (Germany) with the support of the Finmark Trust (South Africa) is titled Making Insurance work in Africa. The aim is to create a forum for the exchange of expertise and for dialogue regarding the opportunities that exist in the sector. The conference will also present the specific results of the experiences carried out in the field.
More information and the report of the 2005 Microinsurance conference: http://www.munichre-foundation.org/StiftungsWebsite/Projects/Microinsurance
Mind the Gap: bankable approaches to increase access to finance [2006-08-22]
Date: November 2nd, 2006
Place: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
NFX (Netherlands Financial Sector Development Exchange) and its members are hosting this conference to discuss private sector approaches to make a wider range of financial products available to a larger group of people. The conference focuses on the practical application of commercial banking and insurance expertise to develop inclusive financial sectors, and to support governmental initiatives to that end. Themes to be covered during the conference include: Financial sector development and the MDGs, SME banking, Mobile banking, Banking in difficult environments, Remittances, etc.
More information: http://snipurl.com/v9yj
FOROMIC 2006: Access to New Markets and Better Services for the Majority [2006-08-22]
Date: September 13 - 15, 2006
Place: Quito, Ecuador
The title of the IX Inter-American Forum on Microenterprise reflects the significant role that microenterprise development plays in the new initiative that was launched by the Inter-American Development Bank at a conference in June 2006, highlighting the necessity to implement tools and methodologies that reach the majority at the Base of the Pyramid (BOP).
The Forum agenda this year will focus on two major pillars that were identified at the BOP conference: Financial Democracy, which emphasizes the importance of providing access to a wider variety of financial services to more people at the base of the pyramid, including marginalized populations; and Enterprise Compact, which emphasizes the importance of providing links and access to markets and to develop human capital to improve the competitiveness of the majority.
More information: http://www.iadb.org/foromic/?language=English#
The European Microfinance Week [2006-08-02]
Date: November 29 - December 1, 2006
Place: Luxembourg
The Luxembourg Round Table and the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) are pleased to invite you to this important event. Main topics are "Strengthening Medium sized MFIs" and the EU Microfinance Policy.
For more information, please contact: emfp@microfinance2005.lu
A short version of the conference timetable: 20060726-TheEuropeanMicrofinanceWeek.pdf
3rd Microfinance Conference of Central America [2006-05-31]
Date: August 16 - 18, 2006
Place: Tegucigalpa, Honduras
The 3rd Microfinance Conference of Central America is being organised by REDCAMIF (La Red Centroamericana de Microfinanzas). Thanks to its high quality, it has become the most important event regarding microfinance in Central America. More than 1'000 participants (executives, managers, functionaries, technical staff of MFIs, government representatives etc) participated in 2002 in Nicaragua and 2004 in El Salvador. The objective of this conference is to bring together a similar number of participants who will follow an updated, innovative agenda including new methodologies and share their experiences amongst each other. The three main topics are framework conditions, innovation and impact.
More information: http://www.conferencia.redcamif.org/
The World Savings Bank Institute training Calender 2006 [2006-05-31]
The World Savings Banks Institute (WSBI) announces its 2006 training calendar. Founded in 1924, WSBI is the only global representative of savings and retail banks. It represents more than 2,000 financial intermediaries from 86 countries, including all European Savings Banks Group (ESBG) members.
To access the training calendar click here: http://www.savings-banks.org/content/default.asp?PageID=186
The Boulder Microfinance Training Programme [2006-05-31]
Date: 17 July - 4 August, 2006
Place: Turin, ILO Training Centre, Italy
The programme will discuss best practices in microfinance with a view to achieving long-term financial sustainability and growth for MFIs. The programme is aimed at microfinance practitioners as well as people that have a professional interest in the sector. The participants will be able to choose from a series of courses, held in both English and French.
For more information, see: http://www.itcilo.org/microfinance
Business Planning and Financial Projections by Microfin [2006-05-31]
Date: 12-16 June 2006
Place: Barcelona, Spain
The workshop will be held in both English and Spanish and aims to guide participants through a process to design a business plan for a microfinance programme. The workshop will also enable the participants to acquire a better understanding and assessment of their own microfinance institution with a view to developing strategic tools to be used to financial planning. This workshop is aimed at financial experts and managers of MFIs.
For more information, see: http://www.microfin.com/mfinbarcelona.htm
Financial Inclusion in Africa organized by UNDP/UNCDF [2006-05-31]
Date: 5-6 June 2006
Place: Dakar, Senegal
The conference is aimed at actors from the international and national financial sector as well as development agencies and is designed to enable the participants to both discuss and to analyse the challenges, constraints and opportunities for the creation of financial inclusion systems for the poorest communities. The work undertaken at the conference will be based, in particular, on case studies carried out in Africa and it is hoped that the conference will be able to set out strategies and action plans that will facilitate the creation of a favorable microfinance context.
For more information, see: http://www.uncdf.org/english/microfinance/dakar_conference/
What constitutes international good practice in Small Business Lending? [2006-05-10]
Date: 19th June, 2006
Place: Berne, Switzerland
The next Savings and Credit Forum organised by Intercooperation on behalf of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) will deal with small business lending. It will focus on how it has evolved over the past two decades and what constitutes international 'good' practice. It will highlight the experience of ShoreBank and the Bosnian micro credit institution "Mikrofin".
More information and registration form ../services/se-ex-fosacr.php
21st World Congress of Savings Banks [2006-04-24]
Date: September 20 - 22, 2006
Place: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
This event is jointly organized by the World Savings Banks Institute (WSBI) and Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) of Malaysia. The title of the congress is "Savings banks: the retail gateway to a global market- driving sustainable development" and it addresses this theme by focusing on three main questions: proximity retail markets, social commitment and globalising markets.
More information: http://www.wsbi2006kl.com
Training on Practical Skills and Tools for Microfinance Managers and Consultants [2006-04-24]
Date: September 11-22, 2006
Place: Mombassa, Kenya
The course is aimed at English-speaking practitioners from Africa, India and the MENA region and provides a comprehensive programme touching upon the relevant issues of Microfinance. Course facilitators are leading microfinance specialists that assure high quality inputs. Financial management, marketing, product costing, risk management, human resource management are just a few of the topics open for selection.
More information: http://www.samtraining.org/
2006 World Council of Credit Union Conference [2006-04-24]
Date: July 27-30
Place: Dublin, Ireland
The World Council of Credit Union (WOCCU) invites for its yearly conference to Dublin, Ireland on July 27-30. The conference is a must for CEOs, board chairpersons, directors, senior staff and young professionals from credit unions, leagues, national associations and credit union organizations worldwide. The conference offers the opportunity to network with peers, visit Irish credit unions and in an array of plenary and break out sessions relevant themes such as strategy development, finance and operations, increasing access to financial services will be dealt with.
For further info and enrolment click: http://www.woccu.org/dublin06/welcome/
Séminaire-Expo 2006. "La bonne gouvernance, la gestion de l'épargne et de crédit" [2006-04-24]
Date:20 - 24 juin 2006
Lieu: Brazzaville, Congo
Le Séminaire - Expo 2006 sur la microfinance sera outre une occasion de former les praticiens et les professionnels de la microfinance, mais également une occasion de les informer par l'exposition du travail qui s'opère en amont et en aval des tous les partenaires impliqués dans le développement de ce secteur au Congo-Brazzaville.
Plusieurs informations: http://www.ruralfinance.org/id/5416
Building Financial Systems for the Poor: How Donors Can Make a Difference [2006-04-24]
Donor training course by UNCDF/CGAP
CGAP and UNCDF offer a hands-on training course on building financial systems for the poor. The next courses will take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 19-23 June and in Bamako, Mali 30 Oct-2 Nov. The course is specifically designed for development professionals, policymakers, and investors who would benefit from a deeper understanding of microfinance to assist their work. The course gives an overview on microfinance and discusses principles on how donors, investors and policy makers can effectively help build financial sectors that serve the poor. Management and evaluation of microfinance projects are further elements of the training.
For more information click: http://cgap.org/direct/training/training.php
Learning Together: Conference for practitioners and investors from Eastern Europe [2006-04-24]
Date: June 7-9 2006
Place: Budapest, Hungary
The conference is being organised by the EMN (European Microfinance Network) and the MFC (Microfinance Centre). It aimed at practitioners from Eastern Europe and the new emerging countries and will focus on the sharing of information and expertise and will be structured around a series of workshops that address topics such as innovative strategies, tools to improve management and the development of new products. An Investors Fair will take place along side the conference and this will provide MFIs, investors and funders with the opportunity to get to know one another.
More information: http://pg.mfc.org.pl/conference/main.htm
Eurofi conference - Europe's retail financial services: On the road to integration, are we up to the challenges? [2006-04-24]
Date: June 6 and 7, 2006
Place: European Parliament Brussels
The two-day high-level conference hosted by Eurofi will focus on the "Needs and Interests of Consumers" in the Retail Financial Services Area. Europe's Single Capital Market rules and regulations have an impact on consumers and the topics discussed will include: Micro credit, Consumer protection, Corporate Governance, Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITs), Single European Payments Area (SEPA), Supervision efficiency and 26th regime.
More information: http://www.forum-europe.com/conferences_ataglance.asp?ConfId=342
La gestion stratégique: gestion financière [2006-04-24]
Date: 31 mai - 3 juin 2006
Lieu: Saly, Sénégal
Vous êtes envahis par les opérations courantes? Vous prenez des décisions ponctuelles et sans conséquence majeure et vous en prenez d'autres qui ont une influence certaine sur l'avenir de votre organisation? Vous avez besoin de perspective? Inscrivez-vous au premier séminaire en gestion stratégique de Développement International Desjardins (DID) intitulé "Décision financière". Ce seminaire s'adresse aux cadres supérieurs des institutions de microfinance et intervenants de structure d'encadrement externe.
Plusieurs informations: http://www.ruralfinance.org/id/34790
Global Conference on Access to Finance: Building Inclusive Financial Systems [2006-04-24]
Date: May 30-31 2006
Place: World Bank Headquarters, Washington, USA
The World Bank conference gathers leading personalities of the microfinance world such as senior financial policymakers, regulators, bankers, investors, bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, as well as leading academics and researchers. The program addresses many of the dimensions of financial access: measuring financial access; understanding the impact of expanded access; examining alternative institutional models; exploring new technologies and information infrastructure; and evaluating government policies toward outreach.
Further information: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/WBI/WBIPROGRAMS/FSLP/0,,contentMDK:20611560~pagePK:64156158~piPK:64152884~theSitePK:461005,00.html
Value Chain Finance [2006-04-24]
Date: May 16 - 18, 2006
Place: San José, Costa Rica
This conference on "Value Chain Finance" is being organised by FAO in collaboration with RUTA and Academia in Costa Rica. The objective of this workshop is to engage the industry leaders of agro-businesses, innovative banks and recipients to provide a comprehensive look at this important area in order to improve the access and cost efficiency of provision of financial services to agriculture and agribusiness and the rural sector in Latin America. The workshop will be conducted in Spanish with limited use of English.
More information: http://www.ruralfinance.org/id/34527
Introduction to Financial Sector Development by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) [2006-01-30]
Date and Place: 28.06. - 30.06. 2006, Hotel Mosegg, Emmenmatt, Switzerland
The 3 days course is designed for generalists from SDC, (Swiss) NGOs and consultants who deal with financial service programs and questions of rural development. The course provides participants with a general understanding of the functioning of financial systems in rural areas of developing countries. It also deals with concepts of financial systems development and with approaches used in international cooperation. Specific focus will be laid on instruments for monitoring and evaluating financial sector projects.
For further information on content and for application please access SDC's website: http://www.deza.admin.ch/index.php?navID=26469&langID=1&itemID=25668
Asia Microfinance Forum. Partnerships and Innovations: Increasing the Impact of Microfinance in Asia [2006-01-15]
Date and Place: 21-24 March 2006, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
The Banking with the Poor Network (network of 20 national policy institutions, commercial banks and NGOs from eight countries in Asia) organizes the Asia Microfinance Forum. Similar to the ING seminar, the forum addresses the central question of how to increase the outreach and eventually the impact of Microfinance (in Asia). Thereto the fostering of innovative business partnerships is seen as a crucial approach to expand microfinance’s outreach. The preliminary program of the seminar includes sessions such as: “New business partnership models for microfinance outreach”, “partnerships for access to capital and products”, “expanded partnerships between private and public sectors” and an outlook to the future of the microfinance sector in Asia. More details on the program will be available in the coming weeks.
More info and registration at: http://www.bwtp.org/asiamicrofinance/
Social Performance Management for MFIs [2006-01-15]
Full day training in the frame of the "Micro Enterprise and Development Certificate 2006".
Date and Place: 23 January - 10 February 2006, Polokwane City, Limpopo Province, South Africa
In the frame of the 3 weeks training "Micro Enterprise and Development Certificate 2006" the University of Limpopo, South Africa in collaboration with Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester New Hampshire, USA will hold a training session (including field study) on Social Performance Management for MFIs. Anton Simanowitz and Matome Gabriel Rapatsa will facilitate the one-day training course on 7th February. It is a practical training in performance management targeted at managers of MFIs and those who support them.
Besides the module on social performance management, the certificate course offers a wide range of interesting topics in the field of microfinance and business development.
For more info: http://www.mdi-sa.org/courses.html#16
ING Group: Seminar on "Commercial Banks and Microfinance. The decade of financial access: the role of global Banks" [2006-01-15]
Date and Place: 3 February 2006, ING House, Amstelveenseweg 500, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Partnership between financial corporations and microfinance institutions may prove to be a crucial instrument for increasing the outreach of microfinance in the years to come. The one-day seminar organized by ING is to strengthen the relationship between these two sectors and to keep the debate on microfinance alive after the UN Year of Microfinance. At the seminar, the results of a study by Nyenrode Business University and ING will be presented. The study focuses on current activities of commercial banks and their future plans concerning microfinance, the microfinance experiences of (local) commercial banks as well as on the role governments can play.
Registration until 20 January. For more details and registration visit: http://www.ing.com/group/showdoc.jsp?docid=135514_EN&menopt=prm%7Cfar
Donor Training on Building Financial [2006-01-15]
Date and Place: January 30 to February 3, 2006, in Bangkok, Thailand
CGAP Donor Training on Building Financial Systems for the Poor: How Donors Can Make a Difference. This training is designed for development professionals, policymakers, international NGOs and investors, and targets development and government specialists who focus on topics such as pro-poor policies, poverty reduction, economic development and other related issues. The course will be held in English
Contact Natasa Goronja at mailto:ngoronja@worldbank.org
Microcredit Summit Campaign [2005-10-28]
Date and Place: November 12-15, 2006, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Registration for the Global Microcredit Summit 2006 is now online with information on early registration, an outline of the meeting program, and other details about the Summit.
The Summit will bringing together more than 2,000 delegates from over 100 countries to assess progress made toward the Campaign's goal of reaching 100 million of the world's poorest people by the end of 2005, and launching the second phase of the Campaign.
Delegates who register in 2005 must have submitted a 2005 Action Plan (IAP); delegates who register in 2006 must have submitted a 2006 IAP.
More information: http://www.globalmicrocreditsummit2006.org/
7th Harvard University forum on Islamic Finance [2005-10-28]
Date and Place: April 22-23, 2006 at Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
The Harvard University Forum on Islamic Finance provides a venue for the critical and objective examination of the purposes, theory, practice, structure, and institutions of the rapidly developing field of Islamic finance. Building on previous forums, the Seventh Harvard University Forum will focus on a variety of challenges facing this industry: regulation, standardization, transparency, and related issues of Shari'a compliance.
More information: http://www.hifip.harvard.edu/MoreInfo.asp?news_id=45
AFMIN: 5th Annual Conference [2005-09-20]
Date and Place: December 5-9, 2005 in Madagascar
The focus will be on new products and strategies for improving microfinance service delivery to the poor in Africa and globally. The conference is aimed at key microfinance stakeholders, and the detailed agenda will be available soon.
Contact Abdoul Anziz Said Attoumane at abdoul.anziz@afmin-ci.org
Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Microfinance [2005-10-28]
Date and Place: December 5-6, 2005 in Rome, Italy
This conference, hosted by the Italy National Committee, is organized by the Italian Cooperation Office and the IPALMO, a research institute based in Italy, with major speakers from European and Mediterranean countries. This will be a great opportunity to learn about how microfinance institutions work in Italy, what's the model of ethical banking and rural banking for small entrepreneurs in Italy.
For more information contact Pier Francesco Consalvo (pierfrancesco.consalvo.est@esteri.it)
Savings and Credit Forum on Electronic Banking for the Poor [2005-10-28]
Date and Place: December 2, 2005 in Bern, Switzerland
The next Savings and Credit Forum organised by Intercooperation on behalf of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) will deal with electronic banking technologies and how financial institutions may apply them in reaching poorer and more remote rural client segments.
More information: Workshop on Savings and Credits
Thata-Dhan Academy. The Art of Upscaling Microfinance[2005-11-22]
Date and Place: December 01-14, 2005 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA
The programme is designed for senior decision makers working with organisations in the areas of microfinance, micro enterprise development and commercial banking for poverty reduction and development. The programme offers a unique experience for microfinance professionals to be exposed to and learn from diverse models of large-scale microfinance institutions in Asia and Africa. The course comprises the following modules: 1. Upscaling Microfinance 2. Microfinance for poverty reduction 3. Microfinance as development finance 4. Institution building for upscaling microfinance.
For more info and subscription please go to: www.dhan.org/tatadhanacademy/artofupscalingmf.htm
La Guilde Européenne du Raid and PlaNet Finance. Le forum des solidarités Nord-Sud [2005-11-22]
Date and Place: December 01-03, 2005, in Marseille
In the frame of the International Year of the Microcredit, the Forum Nord-Sud 2005 will be on Microfinance and brings together a number of high level professional of the microfinance sector. Microfinance practitioners from the field, donor agencies, (micro)financial institutions as well as multilateral organisations will debate the big issues of the microfinance industry. A rich 3 days programme comprises plenary sessions with high-level speakers, round tables and workshops. Access to the forum is free of costs.
More information: www.forumnordsud.org/programmes_j2.htm
Sanabel: 3rd Annual Conference "Moving from microcredit to microfinance" [2005-09-20]
Date and Place: November 28-30, 2005 in Morocco
Sanabel is a membership-driven regional network for microfinance institutions in the Arab world. This year's conference theme will focus on moving from microcredit to microfinance in the Arab Region. The conference format will be similar to last year's annual conference with a combination of workshops, short courses and a review of the action plans for the Arab microfinance industry. It aims at microfinance practitioners, donors, investors, policy makers and microfinance experts from Arab countries and worldwide.
More information: www.sanabelnetwork.org
Brooklyn Bridge TIBLI Group: Triple Bottom Line Investing Conference [2005-09-20]
Date and Place: November 2-4, 2005 in Frankfurt/Main, Germany
This is the 7th Triple Bottom Line Investing Conference (TBLI). This year's overall topic is SRI and Expansion, and will cover all aspects of the socially and environmentally investment field. The workshop on microfinance will deal with the question of microfinance as low risk investment opportunity.
More information: www.tbli.org/index-conference.htm
United Nations International Forum To Build Inclusive Financial Sectors [2005-10-28]
Date and Place: November 9, 2005 in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
This Forum, sponsored by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the New York State Banking Department and the Advisors Group for the International Year of Microcredit, is about regulation and supervision of microfinance institutions. In particular, the presentations and discussions will deal with the means to provide safety and soundness among diverse microfinance providers; the commercialisation of microfinance and the strengthening of financial systems to face natural disasters like the Tsunami.
For more information, contact forum2005@uncdf.org
European Microfinance Network: Second conference on Microfinance in Europe [2005-09-20]
Date and Place: October 26-28, 2005 in Barcelona, Spain
This conference will focus on microfinance in Europe as a tool for social inclusion. It will include plenary sessions on microfinance in Spain, a focus on the political context necessary for the promotion of microfinance in Europe, the perspectives after the International Year of Microcredit, as well as workshops on microfinance and immigrants, microfinance and women microenterpreneurs, financial and social performance, the role of guarantees, among others.
For any further information please contact Maria Franco at m.franco@european-microfinance.org
Workshop "Making insurance work for the poor" [2005-09-20]
Date and Place: October 18-20, 2005 in Munich, Germany
By Munich Re
In cooperation with the CGAP Working Group on Microinsurance, experts from international organisations, NGOs, development-aid organisations and the insurance industry will be dealing with the experiences and challenges of microinsurance in panel discussions and working sessions. The event also aims to make a contribution by intensifying dialogue and getting more insurance companies, particularly private ones, involved.
More information: : http://www.munichre-foundation.org/[...]/WorkshopMicroinsurance/
Round Table on Microfinance [2005-05-15]
Date and Place: October 17-19, 2005 in Luxembourg
The Round Table will hold a conference on Microfinance for the UN International Year of Microcredit 2005. This event will focus on three key themes: Sensibilisation of the Luxembourg financial market place, raising the profile of rural finance and policy development, and the promotion of dialogue and exchange of experiences between European microfinance actors working in developing countries.
More information: www.microfinance2005.lu
Conference on Mobilising Private Capital for Micro and SME Lending [2005-05-15]
Date and Place: October 10-11, 2005 in Geneva, Switzerland
Organised by: The Centre for Applied Studies in International
Negotiations (CASIN) and Fondation pour Genève
The conference is seen as Geneva's contribution to the International Year
of Microcredit aiming to promote microfinance as a fast growing financial
industry opening the door to a whole range of financial products for asset
managers and pension fund managers worldwide. Participants will include public
and private investors, financial sector and pension fund managers/consultants,
and microfinance actors amongst others.
More information: www.geneva-conference-microfinance.com
Workshop "From Moneylenders to Microfinance: Southeast Asia's Credit Revolution in Institutional, Economic and Cultural Perspective" [2005-09-20]
Date and Place: October 7-8, 2005 in Singapore
By the Asia Research Institute, Department of Economics, and the Department
of Sociology National University of Singapore
The workshop aims to examine the region's credit revolution, and will bring economists, sociologists, anthropologists and historians together. Another set of questions for the workshop will concern the limitations, failures, and adverse consequences of the credit revolution.
For more information, contact Dr. David Henley arihdef@nus.edu.sg
"Expanding the Frontiers of Microenterprise - The Commitment to Reach Everyone" [2005-09-20]
Date and Place: October 5-7, 2005 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra,
Bolivia
By Inter American Development Bank: Forum on Microenterprise
This event will provide practitioners with information through technical sessions that are grouped in four different categories: Microfinance, enterprise development, business environment and social entrepreneurship. With regards to microfinance, the main topics will be methods for better outreach, financing for MFIs and for the agricultural sector. The first day will also include a seminar on remittances
More information: www.iadb.org/foromic/
Congress for Savings and Credit Cooperatives in Africa [2005-06-28]
Date and Place: October 4-7, 2005, Rwanda
Organised by: WOCCU, Canadian Cooperative Association, and
Union des Banques Populaires du Rwanda.
World Council of Credit Unions Inc. (WOCCU), Canadian Co-operative Association
(CCA) and the Union des Banques Populaires du Rwanda (UBPR) invite to the
2005 Savings and Credit Co-operative Africa Congress scheduled for October
4-7, 2005 at the Novotel Umubano Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda.
This annual Congress provides an opportunity for SACCO (Credit Union) representatives
from many African countries to exchange ideas, experiences and perspectives.
The agenda will include issues such as financial standards, loans and savings
policies and procedures, governance issues, marketing and information systems,
etc.
More information: www.woccu.org/education/afrc/
Workshop of Remittances' Impact in Latin America [2005-09-20]
Date and Place: September 22-23, 2005 in Zacatecas, Mexico
By INAFI-LA and FOLADE in collaboration with the Free University of Zacatecas
1st International Workshop of Remittances' Impact in Latin America. This event aims at financial institutions and NGOs, regulators, public and private sector as well as at academics. A negotiation room will be made available as to allow financial institutions to find their counterpart for remittances.
More information: folade.org/zacateca/convocatoria.htm
World Credit Union (WOCCU) Conference [2005-04-05]
Date and Place: 24-27 July 2005, Rome, Italy
Beginning in 2005, the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) will combine
the best elements of its International Leadership Institute and triennial
International Credit Union Forum into the World Credit Union Conference. Key
features of the event are:
The exclusive opportunity to learn first-hand about current international
credit union trends. Globally recognized and respected keynote speakers. Relevant
breakout sessions offering the opportunity for participants to immediately
use what they have learned.
Personal visits to Italian cooperative banks - close cousins to credit unions.
Conference registration costs are USD1,195 for members and USD1,295 for non-members.
Scholarships are available for participants under 35 and from developing countries.
For further information and registration: https://www.woccu.org/education/education.php
MicroSave: Calculation of Costs and Product Prices [2005-05-30]
Date and Place: July 18-20, Burkina Faso
MicroSave is planning a series of works-hops for MFIs in West Africa this year. The first one will be held on Calculating Costs and Product Prices on July 18-20, 2005, in Burkina Faso. The objective is to explain the structure of costs in relation to offer and delivery of financial products, and the different pricing strategies. Further workshops are planned for Benin (Product Pilot testing, MicroSave Tools), Senegal (Microfinance Market Study) and Niger (MicroSave Tools).
For more information contact Hermann hermann@MicroSave.org
Please also find a word file (French) on the upcoming training courses under
www.microsave.org/.
International symposium - 'Paths to Prosperity' - Contributions of the financial sector to the reaching of the MDGs [2005-02-28]
Date and Place: 30. June 2005 in Berne
Organised by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco)
Since more than 30 years, SDC, in collaboration with Swiss non-governmental
organisations, is supporting financial sector development with a current annual
portfolio of 25 Mio CHF in 20 partner countries. Within the frame of the UN
MicroCredit Year 2005, the symposium: "Path to prosperity" shall
contribute to the debate on the role of the financial sector for development
and poverty reduction. Practitioners from all four continents will elaborate
on best practises on selected key topics, such as the linkage of informal
and formal bank services, access of poor women to financial services, how
to serve the poor on a profitable basis etc. The symposium also refers to
the historic role the financial sector has played for growth and poverty alleviation
in Switzerland. It deals mainly with experiences of SDC and seco and it addresses
a wide development-oriented and interested Swiss and international public
that includes development organisations, the banking sector, universities
and others.
Microenterprise and Development Institute: Seventh Microfinance Practitioner Annual Training [2005-05-15]
Date and Place: June 13 to July 1, 2005 in Manchester, New Hampshire, USA
The training contains 18 courses, which are arranged into the following 6 learning tracks: Introduction to Microenterprise Development (MED), Microfinance Methodologies, Business Development Services (BDS), Institutional Management, Financial Planning and Monitoring, Client Assessment.
For more information, go to www.mdi-nh.org or www.snhu.edu/MDI/
World Savings Bank Institute and MIF: Conference on Remittances and Financial Exclusion: Cross-border perspectives [2005-02-21]
Date and Place: 19-20 May, 2005, Brussels
Remittances have gained growing attention in the last years since their volume surpassed official development aid by far. It is understood that remittances can contribute substantially to economic growth and development playing a crucial role in the wider debate on access to finance. By reviewing the perspectives of stakeholders and presenting policies that can accelerate the socio-economic impact of remittances, this event will serve as a catalyst for the implementation of real, practical solutions. The conference takes place from 19-20 May in Burssels and is organized by the World Savings Bank Institute in collaboration with the Multilateral Investment Fund of the Inter American Development Bank and tackles the issue of how to facilitate fair value remittances and leveraging their economic potential.
Microfinance Center: 8th Annual Conference [2005-02-21]
Date and Place: May 26-28, 2005, Bucharest, Romania
The Microfinance Center for CEE & the NIS (MFC) holds its 8th Annual Conference on May 26-28, 2005 in Bucharest, Romania. This year's topic will be MFI specific critical issues. The conference will be attended by representatives from microfinance institutions in the region as well as donor organisations, and offers workshops and discussion groups exploring innovative best practices, the legal environment for microfinance institutions, and industry standards among others.
Contact: magda@mfc.org
African Microfinance Conference on "Integrating Microfinance into Formal Financial Markets" [2005-05-15]
Date and Place: August 29 to September 1, 2005 in Cape Town, South Africa
Organised by MFRC (Micro Finance Regulatory Council), GTZ
and SIDA.
The objective is to introduce the theme of market integration and start a
discussion and actions around this topic. Market integration brings new challenges
to microfinance, for example, possible mission drift, but also opportunities.
The conference aims at practitioners, policy makers, researchers, consultants,
academics and all people interested in microfinance or providing banking services
to the poor.
More information: www.mfrc.co.za/detail.php?s=344
MicroSave training courses on: COSTING AND PRICING, PROCESS MAPPING and STRATEGIC MARKETING, Nairobi, Kenya [2005-01-25]
MicroSave offers training courses and follow-up assignments in the frame of the Senior Service Provider (SSP) programme for senior consultants. For certification in a MicroSave toolkit, participants will attend a training workshop and two practice-based assignments with financial institutions.
The present programme "Light" is different from the standard MicroSave SSP programmes. It is a compressed, intensive training course and requires you to plan and organise the follow up assignments on your own. Three courses will be offered under the SSP "Light":
Costing and Pricing, 4-6 April, 2005
The MicroSave Costing and Pricing of Financial Services toolkit allows the
management to determine the full-costs of delivering products (incl. hidden-costs)
and thus their profitability/contribution. On the basis of this, MFIs can
price current and future products and make informed decisions about selection
of products and thus optimise business planning and investment decisions.
Process Mapping, 7-9 April, 2005
Effective process mapping allows financial service providers to analyse and
improve many important functions and activities within the institution. Process
mapping can play a key role in optimising policies and procedures, staff training,
risk analysis, internal control customer service and activity based costing.
Strategic Marketing, 13-15 April, 2005
This toolkit outlines a strategic marketing framework comprising corporate
brand strategy, product strategy and product delivery and customer service
strategy. The strategic marketing framework is based on the competitor analysis,
market analysis, customer analysis and political, economic, social and technological
(PEST) environment analysis.
Application Process
In order to apply you must provide the following:
- Current CV
- Which courses you would like to be considered for and the two follow-up
assignments you have organised to use the toolkit with
- Statement of how you plan to finance your travel, lodging and course participation
costs.
Send your application materials to info@microsave.org
with subject line: SSP Light Application. (Website: www.microsave.org)
Deadline for application is 18 March 2005
CARE India: Conference, Microfinance [2005-04-05]
Date and Place: 12.-14.April New Delhi, India
The event associates include United Nations Development Programme, Small Industries
Development Bank of India, PlaNet Finance India, ICICI Bank, Friends for Women's
World Banking, Ford Foundation, Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest,
and CARE India.
The conference aims to share information on three aspects. Firstly, it will
look at experiences and challenges relating to building an inclusive formal
financial sector in India. Secondly, it will trace the impact of microfinance,
drawing from leading research and impact assessments in the world. Finally
it will showcase those experiences of microfinance, which have helped to evolve
different products and services, institutional models and outreach channels
to meet the objectives of 'inclusion with impact'.
Further information: www.ruralfinance.org
Registration form can be downloaded at: www.careindia.org:8080/MFI-RegistrationForm.pdf
The Latin America/Caribbean Region Microcredit Summit [2005-03-14]
Date and Place: April 19-22, 2005, Santiago, Chile
The Microcredit Summit Campaign brings together microcredit practitioners, advocates, educational institutions, donor agencies, NGOs, and other groups involved with microcredit, in order to promote best practices in the field, to learn from each other, and to work towards the goals of the Summit. The core themes of the Microcredit Summit Campaign are: Reaching the poorest, reaching and empowering women, building financially self-sufficient institutions, ensuring a positive, measurable impact on the lives of the clients and their families.
International Seminar on Credit and Operational Risk - Approximation to a corporative risk management applied to microfinance in Latin America [2005-03-15]
Date and Place: March 22 - 23, 2005, Quito - Ecuador
Organized by: Fundación Alternativa, Corporación Andina de Fomento
(CAF) and Programa Servicios Financieros Sierra Norte (PSFRSN)
The financial and particularly the microfinance institutions, the supervision
institutions and all the professionals working with the new approaches of
the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) based in Basel, need to know
the concepts, procedures and systems that guarantee an efficient management
of different types of risks. This seminar addresses the personal of microfinance
institutions or supporting organizations dealing with risk management.
More information: www.fundacionalternativa.org.ec/notc.htm
Training session by PlanetFinance, Microfinance Platform: Microfinance Products and Clients Satisfaction [2005-03-14]
Date and Place: March 21, 2005, Paris
Participants will learn how to use quantitative and qualitative tools and different methodologies to measure impact and client satisfaction.
For more information about PlanetFinance's training schedule visit: www.planetfinance.org/[...]Microfinance+Training+Institute/
Thematic workshop by CGAP and Asian Development Bank: The role of governments in microfinance [2005-03-14]
Date and Place: Thursday 17 March 2005, ADB Auditorium, Manila
The workshop aims to help donors understand how they can support governments to play a constructive role in expanding pro-poor financial systems, and reduce government interventions that create distortions.The workshop will include contributions and discussions on: constructive and distortionary role of governments in microfinance, significant donor interventions in selected Asian countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam), CGAP's global lessons learned on the role of governments in microfinance etc.
More information: zgardner@worldbank.org
Latin American and Caribbean Forum for Rural Finance: Seminar on Practitioners' Vision on Rural Financial Services [2005-02-21]
Date and Place: March 16-18, 2005, Oaxaca, Mexico
The Latin American and Caribbean Forum for Rural Finance (Foro Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Finanzas Rurales), a network of micro and popular finance organizations and networks dedicated to promoting rural financial services for the poor and small farmers, is organizing its first international seminar "Practitioners' Visions on Rural Financial Services." It will be held from March 16. -18. in Oaxaca, Mexico.
For details, please visit www.forolacfr.org or write to eventos@forolacfr.org.
ALFI: Microfinance conference: An Opportunity for the Luxembourg Fund Industry, March 10, 2005 [2005-02-21]
Date and Place: March 10, 2005, Kirchberg, Luxembourg
ALFI (Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry) holds a conference on Micro-finance: An Opportunity for the Luxembourg Fund Industry on March 10, 2005 in Kirchberg, Luxembourg. This conference aims primarily at investors and the funds industry, and will explain why and how they might consider the microfinance sector.
For more information please contact info@alfi.lu.
Microfinance Center: Training course on strategic marketing for MFIs [2005-02-21]
Date and Place: February 23-26, 2005, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Microfinance Center for CEE & the NIS (MFC) holds a training course on Strategic Marketing for MFIs on February 23-26, 2005 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the framework of strategic marketing and will be held in English. It is aimed at at least 2-3 staff members from the same MFI.
Contact Inessa Kim at inessa@mfc.org.
Conférence "On ne prête pas qu'aux riches : la révolution du micro-crédit" [2005-01-11]
Date and Place: le 25 janvier 2005 à 17 heures au Palais de Beaulieu à Lausanne, Suisse
L'année 2005 a été déclarée par l'ONU "année du microcrédit ". A cette occasion la Fondation ASECE vous invite à participer au First Tuesday, qui a lieu dans le cadre de la 8ème édition d'Investissima, avec la participation de Georges Aegler, pionnier du micro-crédit en Suisse, Président et Fondateur de l'ASECE, Melchior De Muralt, Vice Président de BlueOrchard, Maria Nowak, Présidente de l'ADIE et Marianne Sébastien, Présidente et Fondatrice de Voix Libres.
Inscrivez-vous en ligne sous www.rezonance.ch
Microfinance: A Business Opportunity for the Private Sector [2005-01-11]
Date and Place: January 25th 2005, Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue, Rüschlikon (Zurich)
International symposium on mainstreaming microfinance
in the UN Year of Microcredit 2005
This symposium aims at bringing some answers to key questions concerning microfinance
nowadays, in particular the role that private actors can play, together with
donor agencies in mainstreaming financial services for low income households.
Some of the questions are: "Is microfinance a business opportunity for
the private sector?", "What are the risks and returns that the private
sector can expect from the microfinance market?", "What type of
new public-private partnerships catalysing the development of the microfinance
market are possible?"
For further information, contact bikram.duggal@bruggerconsulting.ch
The Art of Upscaling Microfinance [2004-10-25]
December 01-14, 2004, Tata-Dhan Academy DHAN Foundation
Madurai, India. Coordination by K. Narender
The programme is designed for senior decision makers working with organisations in the areas of micro finance. This programme includes modules designed to enable participants to learn from the successful large-scale micro finance experience across the world. The goal of the programme is to offer development institutions, the strategic skills and operational tools needed to design and manage the up-scaling of micro finance programmes. Besides the learning from models from India and Bangladesh, discussions and sharing, field visits will provide practical experience. The list of faculty includes among others: Stuart Rutherford, Malcom Harper, Vijay Mahajan, M.P. Vasimalai.
For more information and applications contact: tatadhanacademy@satyam.net.in
Seminar: 20 Year Anniversary of Bank Rakyat Microbanking System: Creating Opportunities for the Poor through Innovation [2004-11-15]
Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) will present an International Seminar on BRI Microbanking System, which will be held on 1 - 3 December 2004 in Bali Indonesia. This exclusive international seminar is aimed to share BRI's 20-year experience in providing microbanking for economically active poor.
Further information: www.ivpbri.com/html/seminarbali04
Savings and Credit Forum organized by Intercooperation: Social performance of micro finance institutions [2004-11-11]
To: members of the Savings & Credit Forum and interested persons
Date: Friday November 19, 2004 (09.30h-16.00h)
Location: Altes Tramdepot, Berne
ACCESS TO FINANCE, International Conference [2004-09-16]
Brussels, 28 - 29 October 2004 organised by World Savings
Banks Institute in association with the World Bank
The World Savings Bank Institute, as the global representative of retail banking,
is convinced that savings and retail banks have a central role to play in
improving access to financial services for the poor. Regardful of this issue,
the World Savings Bank, in association with the World Bank, will hold and
international conference in Brussels on the topic of Access to Finance. The
Bank wishes to provide a forum to raise the issues involved in developing
inclusive sustainable financial systems, and to bring forth potential solutions
to improve the access to financial services.
For more information on the programme and for registration, please visit the web site www.savings-banks-events.org/atf/programme.htm
Course for Business Planning and Financial Projections with MICROFIN for MFIs by Chuck Waterfield [2004-09-02]
- September 13-17, 2004 in South Africa;
- September 27 - October 1, 2004 in Washington DC, USA;
- November 29-December 3, 2004 in Antigua, Guatemala (in Spanish)
Participants learn how to better approach practical planning
and to use the financial modeling tool MICROFIN for developing financial projections.
Info: www.microfin.com/training.htm or contact Chuck Waterfield at waterfield@microfin.com
Managing Social Performance of Microfinance Institutions [2004-09-16]
Washington D.C., Tuesday, October 26, 2004, 9:00 a.m. -
5:00 p.m. by Anton Simanowitz
This one-day workshop will present the Imp-Act Guidelines for social performance
management. The workshop will be a practical exploration of how MFIs can develop
internal social performance assessment systems and use the information from
these to manage and improve both their social and financial performance. It
will also provide an opportunity for participants to explore what social performance
management means for them in their own context, and to explore and develop
thinking around these issues. Feedback from participants will be used to refine
the Guidelines.
More information: www.seepnetwork.org/content/library/ or contact A.Simanowitz@ids.ac.uk
VII Inter-American Forum on Microenterprise. Changing climate, shared responsabilities [2004-07-29]
8, 9 & 10 September 2004, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Every year more than 1000 practitioners from all over Latin
America and other regions meet at the Inter-American Forum on Microenterprise
to discuss the latest best practices for the development of the microenterprise
sector.
Microfinance: Explore new areas as well as continued challenges: mainstreaming
access to finance through improved methodologies, increased transparency and
new products.
Enterprise Development: Find out about approaches to support and actively
develop micro and small enterprises in their efforts to compete, succeed in
an increasingly challenging global market.
Business Environment: Learn about strategies for promoting entrepreneurship
and business within local or national environments.
Social Entrepreneurship: See how this concept includes exciting and
innovative designs to encourage entrepreneurship as a venue for dealing with
social needs.
Don't miss this opportunity to meet the fellow practitioners and new players
in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia!
More information in English and Spanish: www.iadb.org/foromic/
7th Annual Conference of Microfinance Institutions in Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States [2003-12-05]
May, 27th to 29th 2004, Warsaw, Poland
Organized by the MFC for C&EE and the NIS will take
place from 27-29 MAY in WARSAW, POLAND. More information on logistics and
agenda will follow by the end of this year. MFC Conferences are attended by
300 representatives of practitioners, donors, investors, policy makers and
other regional microfinance industry stakeholders. They are a unique learning
and networking opportunity. Please visit www.mfc.org.pl/conference for more
information on previous conferences. If you would like the conference agenda
to reflect critical issues faced by your institutions, you can provide your
suggestions by answering the following questions:
- What are the most challenging issues that your MFI is facing?
- What would you like to learn from other practitioners?
- What could others learn from you?
More information: www.mfc.org.pl/conference
International Conference-Workshop on "Innovations in Microfinance" [2004-04-01]
May 10th to 12th in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
The objective of this workshop is to bring together actors of microfinance institutions, local governments and stakeholders of the international development cooperation, in order to set a common agenda of priorities for the development and implementation of innovations to bring forward the microfinance sector. The main objectives of this event are: 1. open an international discussion space on how to integrate innovations in microfinance. 2. Disseminate successful innovations (in products, services and processes) in the industry.
More information (in Spanish): www.centroafin.org/tallerinnovaciones2004
International Symposium on Microfinance [2004-03-02]
April 15-16, 2004 in Cali, Colombia
The Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Cali will host this symposium which will present the current situation of microfinance in Colombia and general perspectives on microfinance in Latin America.
More information: www.puj.edu.co/feconomicas/microcreditos
Microfinance, a new market for commercial banks and financial institutions [2004-03-02]
March 9, 2004 in Paris, France, 8 to 10 am
This two hours conference is organized by Planet Finance, Publicis Consultants and EFMA. With the participation of: Michel Camdessus, President of Semaines Sociales de France, former IMF Managing Director; Francis Mayer, Chairman and CEO of Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations; Jacques Attali, President of PlaNet Finance.
More information: www.planetfinance.org/PlaNetFinance/FR+Language/Coin+Medias
7th International workshop on Community mobilization for Self Help Group Formation and economic activation [2004-03-02]
March 5-11, 2004 in Malaysia
This workshop will be hosted by IDMAT (International Institute of Development Management Technology). It will help participants examine the process of community mobilization and its thrust on group formation; enable participants to learn capacity building skills for SHGs and networking with micro credit programs; learn skills to encourage micro-enterprise creation with the help of SHGs and to attain sustainable community processes for development.
More information: training@aidmat.com
Asia/Pacific Regional Microcredit Summit Meeting [2003-10-29]
February 16-19, 2004 in Dhaka, Bangladesh
The Asia/Pacific Regional Microcredit Summit Meeting of Councils will be preceded on February 14 and 15 by optional two-day field visits to either ASA, BRAC, Grameen Bank, PKSF, or Padakhep (an institution serving street children). The Submission of a 2003 Institutional Action Plan will be a prerequisite for attending (format available on the website). Additional details including hotel and registration information will be forwarded when they become available.
More information: www.microcreditsummit.org
Conference on "Microfinance in the South of the World" [2004-01-22]
Milano, Italy, January 29th, 2004
The event, organized by CreditoSud, will host representatives of MFIs and Producers' Associations, economists and consultants, discussing present realities and future developments of the MicroFinance Industry. The initiative, with the cooperation of Banca Popolare di Milano, a leading bank of Northern Italy, and CTM-Chico Mendes, the leading fair trade importers in Italy, is opening a series of initiatives in preparation for the U.N. Year of Microcredit/Microfinance in 2005
For further informations, please check the organizer's website www.creditosud.it
1ère Techno-foire régionale des systèmes d'information de gestion (SIG) pour institutions de microfinance [2004-01-07]
Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), du 28 au 30 janvier 2004
Evènement régional organisé par l'APIM-BF,
le consortium ALAFIA et CAPAF.
Une opportunité unique de rencontre entre l'offre et la demande
- Les prestataires de SIG disponibles localement
- Les IMF désirant consolider leur croissance avec un SIG adapté
- Les compétences régionales et internationales de conseil
- Les partenaires au développement qui soutiennent le secteur
Pourquoi une Foire SIG ?
La croissance des activités des IMF se traduit par de forts besoins
de traitement de données, de production d'information fiable en temps
opportun, de rapports pertinents tant à usage interne qu'externe. Cependant,
la plupart des IMF disposent de faibles ressources en SI, et d'une connaissance
limitée de l'offre dans ce domaine. Nous voulons promouvoir l'accès
des IMF à des SI performants.
Plus d'informations: www.capaf.org
Fundamentals of microfinance [2003-11-27]
January 21st to 24th 2004, Paris
This is the first training seminar of EMN (European Microfinance Network). The 4 day participative seminar "Fundamentals of microfinance" will provide managers with information on microfinance fundamentals: history, mission, methodologies, clients, products, results, etc. It will therefore give managers tools to analyze their own scheme and its efficiency compared to standard best practices, both in terms of social impact and financial results. It can also be a guideline for the design of new programs. At the same time each point will be discussed with the participants in order to adapt the fundamentals to the regulatory, economic and social environment of EU countries. The final outcome would be a common approach of EMN members with regard to microfinance fundamentals as applied in EU countries.
Registration form [PDF, 83KB]
Finance for Local Development: Innovation in Practice and European Policy [2003-10-27]
Forum to be held in Brussels, 6th to 8th November 2003
This Forum will provide the opportunity to increase understanding of the new trends in policy and practice of financial instruments for local development. It will specifically look at how loans, equity and guarantees can be used to support and develop enterprise and thus create employment and wealth. The forum is addressed to government officials working with European funding planning and enterprise development policy, local and regional authorities and development agencies, local and micro finance practitioners, bankers and private Investors.
More information: www.localdeveurope.org
2003 Conference: African Indigenous Approaches to Poverty Alleviation [2003-09-26]
Date: 26-28 October 2003
Venue: Eskom Conference Centre, Midrand - Johannesburg (South Africa)
The conference aims to bring together micro finance and business development institutions to share practices implemented in different parts of Africa to help deal with poverty. MEA believes that through sharing of such information, African institutions will be able to foster relationships and cooperate to come up with effective strategies to tackle poverty in the region.
More information and registration: www.mea.org.za/php/conference.php
International Symposium on Experiences and Challenges in Microfinance and Rural Development [2003-06-27]
This event was organized by the Programa de Servicios Financieros Rurales de la Sierra Norte, the Belgium Technical Cooperation, Banco Solidario, Alternative Foundation and Financoop. Its objective was to share results on institutional development and capacity building in microfinance institutions, on innovations and financial products conceived for the rural sector
A summary of the symposium and the presentation are available online www.microfinanzarural.org
International conference on Best Practices in Rural Microfinance [2003-08-13]
The objective of this conference held in Washington DC (June 2003) was to capture the lessons and best practices — the successes and failures in agricultural finance, financial liberalization, risk management and microfinance — to pave the way forward for smart, sustainable financial market services tailored for the specific challenges of rural economies. Examination of current institutions, programs and ways to improve rural finance policies allow to produce policy and programming recommendations for donors and practitioners involved in rural finance development.
Visit the website to download the conference material: http://www.basis.wisc.edu/rfc/
Responsible: Team Finance
Last Modified: 21 Apr 2008; 13:11