I am a big fan of this topic ... super cool event!
The next Silicon Valley Microfinance Network Speaker Event on Thurs, Feb 24 @Blum Center for Developing Economies, Blum Hall, UC Berkeley Campus, Berkeley, CA.
photo: Blum Hall, UC Berkeley campus
The event will feature Kushal Chakrabarti (Co-Founder & CEO, Vittana), Michelle Kreger (Regional Director for Francophone Africa and the Middle East, Kiva) and Noga Leviner (General Manager, Lumni), as they discuss the challenges, successes and future landscape of the new frontier of harnessing microfinance for students loans, both in the US and abroad.
Industry leaders are leveraging debt and equity-like investments as well as P2P lending models to provide youth (both in the US and abroad) with the tools necessary to pursue higher education. As a result, the student-loan market has experienced explosive growth. SVMN is proud to present this unique opportunity to hear the nation's leaders talk about the rise of using microloans for education and answer your questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
Register early! Online registration closes the day of the event. At-the-door admission is $10 more. Tickets are limited! Speaker bios also listed on the evite.
Received two invites to this conference today, from Opportunity Fund & Silicon Valley Microfinance Network. Ummmm I'm barely done with the 2010 Microfinance USA conference materials:) But here ya go - get the early bird rate!
Opportunity Fund, Kiva and ACCION bring you the Microfinance USA 2011 Conference this May 23-24 in New York City!
Join the conversation with expert practitioners, top investors, and frontline researchers to explore and expand microfinance in the U.S.
Over two days, you can: * Attend plenary sessions and panels led by the nation's leading microfinance voices. * Experience microfinance first-hand by touring local microenterprises in New York. * Debate current microfinance topics during small group sessions and networking dinners. * Hear directly from entrepreneurs whose businesses were funded by microloans at the 2nd annual Kiva Lender-Borrower meet-up.
Topics at this year's conference include: * What IS microfinance? - debating and defining our terminology * Microfinance Crisis in India - what happened and lessons-learned * Microsavings - expanding the microfinance frontier
What's new in 2011? * New track: The Intersection of International & U.S. Microfinance * New research on the microfinance consumer * New experiences - like our Microfinance Bookstore
From the Silicon Valley Microfinance Network e-mail list ...
This Silicon Valley Microfinance Network (SVMN) meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 and will feature Jonathan Morduch, Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, Managing Director fo the Financial Access Initiative, and author of Portfolios of the Poor: How the World's Poor Live on $2 a Day.
Omidyar Network 1991 Broadway St Suite 200 Redwood City, CA 94063
6pm - 8:30pm
Published in 2009, Portfolios of the Poor is the culmination of a research project that spans ten years and three countries, and examines the cash flow of almost 300 households among the poorest of the world. The result is a humanizing insight into the economic lives of the global poor, and a valuable resource for attempting to improve those lives. Jonathan Morduch’s book is one of the most highly regarded texts on economic development in the microfinance sector and is used as a textbook in university classes across the nation.
SVMN is proud to present this unique opportunity to hear Jonathan Morduch discuss his book and answer our questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
Just found out about this film and related event via the Silicon Valley Microfinance Network. Wish I could go to the SF screening next Tuesday, but I'm already committed to the Acumen Fund SF Blue Sweater event that same night:)
"Pray the Devil Back to Hell" is the extraordinary story of a small band of Liberian women who – armed only with white T-shirts and the courage of their convictions - came together in the midst of a bloody civil war, took on the warlords, and brought peace to their shattered country.
Pray the Devil Back to Hell reconstructs the moment through interviews, archival footage and striking images of contemporary Liberia. It is compelling testimony to the potential of women worldwide to alter the history of nations.
The film has received quite a bit of attention. More info on the film's Facebook fan page.
Trailer -
The film is currently screening around the world. Here's the San Francisco event I mentioned.
Women Advancing Microfinance (WAM) NorCal invites you to a Film Screening & Discussion of Pray the Devil Back to Hell. With Special Guest Speaker Christiana Bendu Hunter, President of the Association of Citizens and Friends of Liberia.
Christiana Bendu Hunter is from Lofa County, Liberia, in West Africa and is the President of the Association of Citizens and Friends of Liberia (ACFLi http://acfli.webs.com/) based in Sacramento, California. The association promotes understanding and cooperation amongst Liberians and Friends of Liberia in the areas of social interaction, culture, and humanitarian aid to those in need. Under the leadership of Ms. Hunter, the Association of Citizens and Friends of Liberia base in Sacramento became a member of the Union of the Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA). Mrs Hunter, who holds a Masters Degree in Social Work, is also a member of the Bay Area’s Priority Africa Network. During the film discussion she will talk about the work of ACFLi and help shed light on how grassroots activism can alter the history of nations.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Delancey Street Foundation, Screening Room - 600 Embarcadero between Brannan Street & Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA.
6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. – Sign-in and Networking 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. – Film Screening 7:45 p.m.– 8:30 p.m.– Film discussion with special guest
This event is open to the public. WAM Members: $10 in advance, $15 at the door (cash only at door) Non-Members: $15 in advance, $20 at the door (cash only at door) Admission includes film screening, discussion, and refreshments. Purchase tickets here.
