INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM: Microfinance as a Tool for Peacebuilding
JANUARY 22-23, 2009
UNIVERSIDAD JAVERIANA, CALI, COLOMBIA
Fundacion Alvaralice will host an international symposium to discuss how microfinance can serve as a tool to promote pace and stability for victims of conflict and poverty. In conflict-ridden and post-conflict societies, there is a pressing need for income generating activities in order to stimulate economic and social stability which would deter the resurgence of violence. Massive demobilization of ex-combatants and reparation programs for victims are actual opportunities for MFIs to provide affected individuals with access to credit, savings, and other financial services.
The symposium will gather experts in various fields including policy, NGOs/Civil Society Organization Leaders, Academics, and Microfinance Practitioners that have suffered conflicts in countries such as El Salvador, Nicaragua, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Kosovo. Fundacion Alvaralice anticipates 1,500 attendees. A complete list of speakers can be found here. Among the topics to be discussed are:
Key components of successful microfinance programs:
- What are the differences between providing microcredit in urban and rural areas?
- What are the pros and cons of making credit available for start-ups?
- What are the pros and cons of incorporating training as a component of microcredit programs?
- To what extent is the success of microfinance programs linked to gender and to cultural factors?
Sustainability:
- What are the pros and cons of striving for sustainability – the commercial model?
- Are the sources of credit sufficient to support growth without sustainability?
- Is sustainability of MFIs possible with interest rate caps? What other government policies are needed to support sustainability?
The Role of Government:
- Regulation and supervision of commercial and non-profit microfinance institutions
Microfinance and development:
- How does microfinance contribute to economic growth?
- How does microfinance support democracy?
- Does microfinance contribute to real income growth (accumulation) in order to take the poor out of poverty?
Microfinance and reintegration:
- What are the pros and cons of providing seed money to victims and/or ex-combatants for start-ups?
- How does microcredit microloans to those being reintegrated differ from the usual microcredit programs?
- What are the main features that need to be addressed when planning and implementing microfinance programs in conflict and post-conflict settings?
- How can equitable democratic access to resources be deemed essential to strengthening peaceful coexistence be assured?
Early bird registration for non-Colombians is USD 250. The cost increases to USD 300 after November 30, 2008. To register for the symposium, click here to visit the website for the event. For further information, contact Aida Lilian Garcés at alilian@alvaralice.org or +57 2 333 12 30.
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