-
Social Investing’s Pension Problem: Just a Speedbump, or Something More Ominous?
The respected Center for Retirement Research at Boston College says public pension funds (a $5 trillion market in the U.S.) should avoid social investing because, basically, it doesn’t deliver competitive returns or have much social impact. This bleak assessment runs directly counter to the seemingly endless series of reports attesting to the sector’s competitive returns and growing momentum. How big a setback is this?
- Categories
- Investing
-
The Private Sector’s Perspective on Sustainable Development Goals
With the one-year anniversary of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development approaching in January, a new report reminds us that the UN can and should play a more active role in educating and informing companies on the “universal” dimensions of the SDGs, and of the importance of continuing to translate the new agenda into language and simplified reporting metrics that are palatable for businesses of all sizes.
- Categories
- Investing
-
The Problem of Mandatory Formalization in Financial Inclusion
An opened bank account in and of itself means very little, and a sitting balance in a bank account is literally a waste of money. What does have meaning is what accumulated savings let a consumer buy or borrow at a lower cost at the right time, without having to beg, borrow (at high cost) or steal. And when that asset grows in a meaningful way, then we have something to write home about: development and wealth accumulation in action.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Watch Video of the Live Debate: ‘Digital finance: Full inclusion or empty promise?’
This year's European Microfinance Week concluded with a heated debate on the impact of fintech in microfinance: "Digital finance: Full inclusion or empty promise?" NextBillion live-streamed the discussion, and you can view the recorded video in this post.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Digital Tools for Impact and Scale to Reduce Extreme Poverty
Ana Pantelic writes that Fundación Capital is using tablet-based applications and e-learning platforms to change the way that families living in extreme poverty – and the program mentors who work with them – access information and build local capacity. By integrating digital solutions into its work, the organization has improved and standardized the quality of training, and as a result, scaled national responses to eliminating poverty.
- Categories
- Education, Technology
-
‘Inclusion is Not an End in Itself’: Takeaways from MasterCard Foundation’s Symposium on Financial Inclusion
Financial services providers need a mind-shift, says MasterCard Foundation's Ann Miles: They should not only focus on increasing uptake of a new product or service, but on the lifetime value these offerings have for customers. Their goal should be not just to increase access to formal financial products and services, but to help end-users integrate these new tools into their daily lives.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Weekly Roundup: Social Impact Sector Reacts to Trump With Fear, Uncertainty … Room for Hope?
It may be hard to believe – and even harder for some to accept – but Donald Trump is now the most powerful man in the world. And like many, the social business and global development world was, shall we say, taken aback by his victory this week. As the new reality sinks in and leaders and commentators try to make sense of his election, we’ve compiled a few of their more memorable reactions.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
-
Breaking Out of Silos: Leave Your Disciplinary Ego at the Door
In order to create lasting social impact, program designers, implementers and donors must embrace multidisciplinary approaches and invest the resources and effort needed to execute them effectively. This is the only way we will make real progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We need to work together, and leave our egos behind.
- Categories
- Health Care
