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Moving Beyond Microcredit – While Keeping Lending Costs In Check
The microfinance sector needs to move beyond microcredit. Yet, how can it reduce costs and expand offerings? How will MFIs encourage the poor to save for the long run? Can programs like match savings and financial education have an impact on behavior? Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, answers some tough questions.
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- Uncategorized
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Seeking Innovation? Search Out the Deviants
Researchers refer to "positive deviants" those who demonstrate uncommon but successful behaviors. While subject to the same resource constraints as their peers, they practice rare behaviors with dramatically better outcomes. They exhibit a distinctly bottom-up approach to development
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- Uncategorized
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NexThought Monday: Building Bridges Among Constituencies to End Poverty
In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, old rivalries have re-emerged. On one side are those who champion market-based solutions; on the other we find entities advocating institutional reform and social policies for economic growth. Regardless of who wins, the poor will lose, unless the solutions are as multifaceted as the problems.
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- Investing
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Friday Roundup ? 4/08/11: Honoring Prahalad
Next week marks the one-year anniversary of C.K. Prahalad’s untimely death. And two universities are working to honor and advance his legacy and philosophy that business can address social challenges on a global scale.
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Is 2011 Ghana’s 1978? New National Pension Fund Scheme Could Repeat History
In 1978, U.S. regulations changed to allow pension funds to invest in private equity (PE) firms, including venture capital groups, creating a tsunami of capital to new and growing firms. This year, key changes from Ghana’s 2008 pension law come into effect that might lead to a similar explosion in private equity and venture capital.
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- Investing
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ViewChange Video of the Week: Living Proof, Ethiopia ? The Barbershop
In recognition of World Health Day, our video partner, ViewChange, is focusing on global health. It presents a story of one Ethiopian woman, who, after testing positive for HIV, refuses to give up. Instead, she takes out a small loan to start a business and support her family, while also vowing to educate her community about HIV.
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- Health Care, Impact Assessment
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Distinguishing Microcredit From Microfinance
The term ?microfinance? is used interchangeably with the term ?microcredit?. But just as Kleenex is only one of many brands of tissues, microcredit is only one piece of the microfinance puzzle. Women’s World Banking CEO Mary Ellen Iskenderian discusses the path toward broader financial inclusion, economic empowerment and rights.
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Environmental Entrepreneurs: Mexico’s ‘Échale a Tu Casa’ Builds Green Houses
Mexico needs 9 million new homes in the next 20 years to keep up with demographic demand. Yet construction of millions of houses could have significant negative environmental impact. ?chale lowers the environmental impacts of its homes by including features like rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient stoves and composting; all at a low price.
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- Education, Environment
