As we approach the end of 2007 and the gift-giving season, we look back to see what were the highlights of the year, what have we learned and achieved. I think that one of the things that struck me the most this year was the increase in options available on how to get engaged, invest or donate using the web. It has never been so easy to make a difference or try, at least. For investments in microfinance one can go to Kiva or Microplace. For donations one can start searching with Global Giving. Any topic is easy with the help of Google and Wikipedia. So we launched a modest Xmas project. Instead of Xmas presents to our nieces/nephews and children of our friends we have given everyone a stipend for them to either donate or invest. They first have to research and find a cause or project that appeals to them, donate or invest. At least half of the amount has to be used for the project and the rest they can keep it for their own. Another condition was that they have to give a mini presentation in the new year on how they found the project and why they chose it. The children and youth are in Switzerland, Japan and Australia. I am thrilled to learn from their findings.

Intel’s Chairman Craig Barette and Muhammad Yunus have signed an agreement on September 4th for the launch of Intel’s “World Ahead Program” in Bangladesh. Intel’s World Ahead Program is a global effort to provide people in developing countries with the benefits of better, faster access to information and communication technology(ICT). It aims to accelerate the access to ICT to the next billion users in the world and it integrates and extend Intel’s efforts to advance progress in 4 areas; accessibility, connectivity, education, and content. According to the press release, Intel and Grameen Solutions will jointly introduce several programs to make it easier for people across Bangladesh to access the vast resources of medical, educational and commercial knowledge on the Internet. They will also deploy a PC ownership program that will offer low cost PCs on easy monthly installments and will launch a project to set up telecenters across the country. The telecenters will enable employment opportunities for rural citizens to offer services such as Internet access, photocopying, printing and PC usage for e-government and e-commerce services. The telecenters will be financed through microloans. Grameen Solutions was founded by Muhammad Yunus to promote economic and social development through ICT and to create affordable technology solutions for ordinary people. The country-wide implementation of this program is also being launched with collaboration with the government of Bangladesh.

A few words on the websites/blogs that I find very useful in my area (microfinance, sustainable business models, and social entrepreneurship). 3 sites on microfinance: CGAP for the most thorough coverage on issues of microfinance, Mixmarket, is the best place if you would like to search for microfinance institutions by country or continent as well as look for investment funds that are available, while Microcapital informs about all what is going on in the world of microfinance investments. NextBillion is an excellent site connecting development and enterprise by identifying and discussing sustainable business models that address the needs of the poor. SocialEdge is a platform for social entreprenuers to discuss cutting-edge issues shaping the field, as well as to network and support the growth of social entrepreneurship.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for their work in microfinance, advancing economic and social opportunities for the poor. The press release is shown below
“The Nobel Peace Prize for 2006
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2006, divided into two equal parts, to Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank for their efforts to create economic and social development from below. Lasting peace can not be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty. Micro-credit is one such means. Development from below also serves to advance democracy and human rights.
Muhammad Yunus has shown himself to be a leader who has managed to translate visions into practical action for the benefit of millions of people, not only in Bangladesh, but also in many other countries. Loans to poor people without any financial security had appeared to be an impossible idea. From modest beginnings three decades ago, Yunus has, first and foremost through Grameen Bank, developed micro-credit into an ever more important instrument in the struggle against poverty. Grameen Bank has been a source of ideas and models for the many institutions in the field of micro-credit that have sprung up around the world.
Every single individual on earth has both the potential and the right to live a decent life. Across cultures and civilizations, Yunus and Grameen Bank have shown that even the poorest of the poor can work to bring about their own development.
Micro-credit has proved to be an important liberating force in societies where women in particular have to struggle against repressive social and economic conditions. Economic growth and political democracy can not achieve their full potential unless the female half of humanity participates on an equal footing with the male.
Yunus’s long-term vision is to eliminate poverty in the world. That vision can not be realised by means of micro-credit alone. But Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank have shown that, in the continuing efforts to achieve it, micro-credit must play a major part.
Oslo, 13 October 2006”
Yunus, congratulations from the bottom of my heart .

The 2006 meeting of the CGI (Clinton Global Initiative), one of the most powerful initiatives that create and implement commitments to solve the world’s most pressing problems, took place last week in New York. The amount of commitments raised during the meeting (Sept 20-22)amounted to $7.3bn. CGI brings together heads of states, CEOs of private companies and heads of foundations to learn, discuss and provide solutions and commitments to the most challenging problems in the world today. The 4 areas covered are energy and climate change, global health, poverty alleviation and mitigating religious and ethnic conflict. Their website offers the webcasts and transcripts of all the sessions which is highly recommended. What differentiates CGI from other big muttinational initiatives in the past is that they are tackling the world challenges by fully respecting and including the voice, knowledge of the local communities that are facing the challenges. There were 215 commitments so it is impossible to include them here. Just to mention a few in the area of microfinance FINCA, Grameen, BRAC, Citigroup, Opportunity International, Standard Chartered Bank, ACCION-AIG.