You are currently browsing the monthly archive for September 2009.
> Posted by Kimberly Moynihan
This Saturday and Sunday, cyclists around the world will be pedaling against poverty as they participate in MicroBike 2009, a global event to raise money and awareness for microfinance. MicroBike is an ACCION International initiative that allows participants to create teams, design their own cycling event and ride in solidarity for the alleviation of global poverty. Grassroots teams have been formed in Boston, New York, Texas, Washington D.C., California, Florida, Canada, Colombia and Singapore—and it’s not too late to start your own local ride! To learn more, visit www.microbike.org
> Posted by Emily Leeding
Maria Otero (center) with Center and ACCION staff.
A suit AND heels? Not an outfit you often find yourself wearing when you are young and work at a not-for-profit. But there the team found ourselves; dressed in our best in a room that looked straight out of the palace at Versailles. We were delighted to be attending the confirmation of ACCION’s former CEO Maria Otero as Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs at the State Department. The microfinance world could not have been more thrilled at Maria’s nomination and many leading lights of the industry were in attendance for the ceremony.
In the inevitable mingling time before the actual ceremony, the team and I had the opportunity to speak with CEOs, directors, network heads, and practioners. All of these individuals have known Maria for years and shared stories of their adventures in the field, families growing up together, and the general camaraderie and respect that comes with working towards the common goal of alleviating poverty for the last 25+years.
This got me to thinking: What must it be like for someone who has spent the majority of their adult life advocating for a little known strategy of change to finally have that strategy (microfinance) be recognized, known and embraced by the worldwide community? What do you do when the passion of your life suddenly becomes fashionable? And what do you do with all of these educated and enthusiastic young people who want to suddenly assist you in your mission? Read the rest of this entry »
> Posted by Kelley Mesa
Author, editor, columnist, and fellow blogger Alan Webber reminds us on his blog “Rules of Thumb” (also the name of his book) that teachers are everywhere, including at the Center for Financial Inclusion! Check out his Sept. 26 blog in which he shares a lesson that Center Managing Director Elisabeth Rhyne taught him recently.
> Posted by Kelley Mesa
Patricio Boyd, the Director for Rural Operations at Emprenda in Argentina, talks about how their MFI has installed over 1000 home lighting systems, all driven by consumer demand, and of their plans to expand in the region. Our first podcast from Latin America! Check it out here >
> Posted by Kelley Mesa
Social Earth cites the Center as one of the top Microfinance “Tweeters” to follow. Follow us (if you’re not already) at http://twitter.com/CFI_ACCION for the latest and up-to-the-minute Center and industry news.
> Posted by Alex Silva
In nearly every transformation of a non-profit MFI over the past decade, the board members and senior managers have recognized and aligned the personal interests of powerful stakeholders in the NGO, typically using some sort of financial incentive. However, this process of recognizing and aligning interests has been neither transparent, nor based on any type of industry standard – precisely because there has been no comprehensive documentation of this information or discussion of this complex, sensitive, and often personal issue. In failing to openly address this topic, institutions can further complicate an already-difficult transition process, delaying or even derailing it. There are many examples of potential transformations and mergers that never came to pass, at least in part because the misalignment of stakeholders’ interests proved to be a key stumbling block. Other times, the lack of transparency can create an image problem that can stain the reputation of an otherwise successful institution preparing to scale up its mission and outreach.
Earlier this month, a group of nearly forty microfinance practitioners and investors met in San Salvador to discuss the recently-published the paper Aligning Interests, sponsored by the Center and Calmeadow. Read the rest of this entry »
> Posted by Kelley Mesa
The Center celebrates one year in action! My how time flies. A year into business, we are proud of the work we’ve been able to be a part of so far. And, not taking a pause, stay tuned for some exciting events and activities coming up in year two…
- September 30: roundtable on Mexico’s prospects for financial inclusion at the IDB Foromic in Arequipa, Peru
- October 2 and November 5: roundtables on the newly released Aligning Interests paper
- October: Official launch of the Campaign for Client Protection
- On going: new developments with the Center’s Energy Links and Beyond Codes projects
> Posted by Kelley Mesa
In this special podcast, Center Fellow Paul Rippey interviews poet Jay Thompson, who discusses a poem by Robert Hass, the former Poet Laureate of the United States. The poems seems to have something to do with decentralized energy production in the developing world. Now, that was unexpected! Jay and Paul go on to discuss how poetry sometimes has a long term unanticipated impact on laws and attitudes. Give this one a listen…
> Posted by Kelley Mesa
This year the Center launched an ambitious initiative to accelerate progress towards achieving “full financial inclusion” around the world by 2020. The Center began by taking an in-depth look at Mexico, a country with both great need and great potential. The results of the Mexico pilot will be presented for the first time during this roundtable and will provide strategic and factual tools to enable leading private businesses, public agencies, and social-sector institutions to make policy, business, and resource allocation decisions that will substantially advance financial inclusion.
Through this roundtable on September 30 at the IDB Foromicro in Arequipa, Peru, the Center will convene key stakeholders and invite discussion and feedback on the white paper. This roundtable is particularly targeting people and institutions providing financial services in Mexico. It will provide a forum for discussion and feedback on the white paper.
For more information and to register, click here.
For more information, sign up for updates from the Financial Inclusion 2020 campaign.
> Posted by Charlotte Connors
Michael Schlein, ACCION International's new CEO
ACCION International announced today that it has named Michael Schlein as its new President and CEO. Schlein, President of International Franchise Management at Citigroup, will succeed María Otero, who was recently appointed U.S. Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs. Mr. Schlein brings 25 years of extensive international banking, management and public service experience to ACCION. Most recently, he served as President of Citigroup’s International Franchise Management unit, where he helped manage the bank’s network of 100 Chief Country Officers, who are responsible for performance, regulatory relations, governance and reputational risk in their respective countries. To read the full press release, please click here.
“I am honored to be joining ACCION as President and CEO at this exciting time,” Mr. Schlein said. “ACCION has long been a leader and an innovator in the global effort to alleviate poverty through microfinance, with many ‘firsts’ to its name. I’m very proud to have the opportunity to help build on that tradition, as ACCION continues to reach beyond its roots in Latin America even further, to help the world’s poor in Africa, India and China. There is a greater opportunity today to combat global poverty than ever before, and I look forward to helping ACCION continue and expand its leadership in that crucial effort.”
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