News

Capacity Building for Partnerships Workshop and Invest in Mekong Region Marketplace
20-23 February 2012 | Siem Reap, Cambodia
The BWTP Network in collaboration with the Cambodia Microfinance Association, cordially invites microfinance practitioners and other stakeholders to attend the Workshop on Capacity Building for Partnerships in Microfinance and Invest in Mekong Region Marketplace on February 20-23, 2012 at Siem Reap, Cambodia. Click here for more details.

The first issue of FDC Development Links is now available. This new quarterly publication provides FDC stakeholders with an overview of leading edge readings from a variety of international sources across the development sector.

If you would like to comment on any of the articles, want to suggest an article for future issues, or have any other feedback in this publication, email us at info@fdc.org.au.

FDC offices will close between Christmas and New Year. The last working day will be Friday 23 December, reopening on Tuesday 3 January 2012. FDC wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday over the festive season.

29-30 November 2011
CSB Hotel, Malate, Manila, Philippines

This workshop is designed to help microfinance institutions develop strategies for disaster preparedness, and to respond more effectively in the wake of a natural disaster. It aims to enhance the knowledge of microfinance practitioners on the basic ideas behind disaster management by focusing on each of the following topics of interest:

- MFI Preparedness
- Client Preparedness
- Rapid Response
- Microfinance in Livelihood Restoration

Click here to download the Agenda for the Workshop.

For more details, please click here.

“Linking Migrant Workers Remittances to Microfinance: The Case of ASKI Global in Singapore”

The Banking With The Poor Network in collaboration with ASKI Global is hosting a roundtable webinar to provide microfinance institutions with an opportunity to learn how to link their microfinance services to remittances, by partnering with an overseas organisation that provides financial training to migrant workers in Singapore. The webinar is free of charge and will give all participants the opportunity to raise questions and partake in the discussion. To register now for the webinar, click here.

FDC’s new Strategy Overview is now available online. This document outlines FDC’s new mission, themes, approach and activities, enabling us to work towards better development outcomes in the Asia-Pacific region through collaboration and innovation. Contact FDC for more information.

FDC is proud to be a supporting partner of the Citi-FT Financial Education Summit 2011 which will take place on 28-29 November in Jakarta, Indonesia. The aim of the Summit will be to increase the uptake of financial education initiatives at grassroots levels – especially those designed for micro-entrepreneurs, migrant workers, and low-income youth – and explore the use of technology and media in scaling programmes and reducing the cost of delivery. The roles of national frameworks and multi-stakeholder partnerships in addressing large-scale financial capability and consumer protection needs will also be addressed. To find out more, go to http://www.financialeducationsummit.org/

Following another successful Pacific Microfinance Week in Nadi, Fiji in 2009, the Microfinance Pasifika Network will host the 3rd Pacific Microfinance Week 2011 (PMW 2011) in Port Vila, Vanuatu from July 25 – 29th. PMW 2011 will be a week-long series of events, meetings and gatherings of a range of organisations and individuals which have an interest in promoting the provision of inclusive and sustainable financial services in the Pacific.

This milestone event will bring together representatives from microfinance institutions, development partners, commercial and central banks, learning institutions, government agencies and private companies Pacific wide as well as further afield to discuss and share their achievements, visions and priorities in fostering the growth of microfinance and the development of the industry as a whole.

For more information visit www.pacificmicrofinanceweek.org.

FDC is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Crowe as Pacific Project Officer, based in Suva. Michael will be the point of contact in Fiji for all FDC Pacific projects, including Pacific Microfinance Week 2011. He can be contacted on michaelcrowe@fdc.org.au and +679 3100855.

FDC is deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague Kelera Finau-Elder in Suva on Sunday 17 April 2011. Kelera was a greatly valued team member and friend. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.