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SE OGSÅ: UiA BLIR HOVEDSETE FOR MIKROFINANS

Konferansen holdes på Campus Kristiansand fredag 2. september, og programmet ser slik ut:

International conference
September 2nd, 2011: 09.00 to 16.00
The Norwegian Centre for Microfinance Research invites you to:

Practice meets Theory:

What is the future of microfinance in the post Yunus era?

Microfinance has recently come under significant media attack. Whereas in 2006 the Peace Prize was awarded to microfinance pioneer Yunus and Grameen Bank, now microfinance is being questioned. For instance, Bateman (2010) writes that “. . microfinance is largely antagonistic to sustainable economic and social development, and so to sustainable poverty reduction.”

Professor Yunus is accused for “sucking blood” from poor people – by no less than the Prime Minister of Bangladesh - and has recently been replaced as the managing director of Grameen Bank. Microfinance practitioners are being accused of sky high lending rates, only focusing on making money, and being too vigilant in seeking repayment of loans. This has brought calls for regulations and a ceiling to lending rates. In some parts of the world – the current turmoil is putting the microfinance industry at risk. Are critics about to “throw out the baby with the bath water”?

For too long microfinance practitioners and policy makers have been disconnected from inputs from researchers, and for too long researchers have studied issues irrelevant for microfinance practitioners and policy makers. The newly established Norwegian Centre for Microfinance Research (www.microfinanceresearch.org) brings together practitioners, policy makers and researchers. Several international reputed researchers have already registered for the conference. This is a great opportunity to meet practitioners, policy makers and researchers in a context of face-to-face dialogue.

Participation at the conference is free but registration is required. Please register by August 20^th by sending an e-mail to roy.mersland@uia.no

Session 1: Does microfinance still enjoy political and public support?

A panel of key Norwegian development aid politicians will discuss and interact with the participants

· Norwegian minister for foreign aid Erik Solheim (picture)

· Norwegian parliament member Raymond Johansen (tbc)

· Norwegian parliament member Morten Høglund (tbc)

· Norwegian parliament member Peter Gitmark

Session 2: Does the social mission in microfinance survive the future?

Keynote speeches will be followed by comments by practitioners and open discussions.

· Professor Robert Lensink, University of Groningen, Netherlands: “Are the double bottom lines in microfinance an utopia?”

o Comments by: Andreas Andersen, Alliance Microfinance AS (AMAS)

· Associate Professor Roy Mersland, University of Agder, Norway: “Idealism or pragmatism, what is needed?”

o Comments by: tbc

· Professor Isabelle Guerin, Université Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne – IRD : “What do we actually know about poor people’s money management?”

o Comments by: Peter Blum Samuelsen, Danish Forum for Microfinance

· Professor Øystein Strøm, Oslo University College, Norway: “Are microfinance interest rates too high or too low?”

o Comments by: Johannes Sannesmoen

· Professor Ariane Szafarz, Solvay Brussels School, Belgium: “Is microfinance discriminating the poor?”

o Comments by: Norad

Session 3: Key policy issues to address

Keynote speeches will be followed by comments by practitioners and open discussions.

· Professor Valentina Hartarska, Auburn University, USA: “Is growth the microfinance solution?”

o Comments by: Lars Erik Harv, Stromme Microfinance ltd

· Professor Magne Supphellen, Norwegian School of Economics (NHH), Norway: ““Who is a good micro-entrepreneur?”

o Comments by: tbc

· Professor Trond Randøy, University of Agder, Norway: “Is international influence in microfinance good or bad?”

o Comments by: tbc

· Professor Kjetil Bjorvatn, Norwegian School of Economics (NHH), Norway: “Is human or financial capital needed for microenterprise development?”

o Comments by: NMI

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