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Speakers
on microfinance and world development
By Kimberly Wallmeier '06
A speaker series on
microfinance will be held at Villanova beginning on Tuesday, March 15.
Organized by Sarah Baurele, the lectures will introduce microfinance and its
positive applications for developing countries. Centered on international
development and social justice, microfinance bridges the business
disciplines of accounting, finance, marketing, and management. Groups who
specialize in microfinance aim to improve the infrastructure of developing
nations and to provide funding for the world’s poor to become
self-sustaining. Two such groups include the Grameen Foundation and Green
Microfinance.
Part one of the series
will feature representatives from the Grameen Foundation. The Grameen
Foundation works with groups throughout the world to promote the use of
technology as a poverty reduction strategy. Through a partnership with
Grameen Bank, the Grameen Foundation extends capital and financial services
to their partner organizations. Alex Counts, president and CEO of the
Grameen Foundation and Bob Eichfeld, board member of Grameen Foundation and
retired Executive of CitiBank Asia, will present these topics and discuss
the social, cultural, and business changes made possible by microfinance.
Their efforts have already reached more than 800,000 families in 20
countries. This event will be held on March 15 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 215 in
Tolentine Hall.
On April 5, Dr. Elizabeth
Israel, president of Green Microfinance, will present the global efforts of
Green Microfinance. Dr. Israel will lecture on the growth of microfinance
and the essential benefits of combining international development,
environmentalism, and sound business sense. Green Microfinance feels that
supporting micro organizations in developing countries will ensure long term
sustainability and growth for the people. Their newest campaign is focused
on the tsunami victims in Asia and will distribute 500 Global Sun Ovens to
the rebuilding effort. Dr. Israel will speak in at 6 p.m. in Room 215 in
Tolentine Hall.
Sarah Bauerle is a senior honors major and political
science and economics minor with a concentration in environmental studies.
After graduation, Bauerle plans to work for Green Microfinance and later
seek a PhD in environmental economics. |
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