“Realizing Property Rights” (Swiss Human Rights Book Volume 1) a book edited by Hernando de Soto and Francis Cheneval is now out (Publisher: Rüffer & Rub). This book deals with property rights as human rights seen from different cultural and historical contexts and from different thematic angles. It has been an honour for me to have been able to contribute a chapter for this book titled “Microcredit, MicroFranchising and Women Entrepreneurs”
On May 10th a one day microfinance workshop took place in Kantonsschule Zurcher Oberland in Wetzikon. This is an upper secondary level school in the Canton of Zurich. The 21 students who are 17-18 years old got an introduction to microfinance, performed a role play of microenterprises and MFIs and discussed about how to make viable businesses using microloans. In the first hour I introduced the concept of microfinance using 4 cases of successful microentrepreneurs I have met in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador , Guatemala, and Indonesia. The role play done by the students resulted in business plans for 1) production of Banana Beer in Tanzania, 2) sale of refurbished bicycles collected in Switzerland and sold in Romania and 3) a European style bar in a beach in the Dominican Republic. I do believe in involving the youth in changing the world… They are our hope for making the world a better place.
I opened my email today and saw this newsflash sent by CGAP. I find it positive and noteworthy as such efforts are very much in need in conflict areas.
“Despite power outages in Baghdad, eighty-five Iraqi women participated in the first of a series of microfinance training events on Tuesday. The World Bank Institute, Global Distance Learning Network, Middle East and North Africa region of the bank, Iraq’s Ministry of Planning, and CGAP’s regional hub in Jordan are collaborating on training Iraqi women in basic principles of microfinance. Using GDLN videoconferencing technology and CGAP materials in Arabic, a trainer based in Amman, Jordan will conduct two further workshops on May 3 and May 4. ”
Since it’s foundation in 1995 CGAP has been the resource center for the microfinance industry, the architect of the infrastructure of the industry, and is working to build inclusive financial systems.