For the (Microfinance) Video Generation

With all the hubbub in the press recently about the acquisition of YouTube.com by Google, I decided to check out what these online video services had to offer on the subject of Microfinance.

Youtube.com had a few interesting snippets, but I found some real gems at video.google.com.

They have posted videos from a Social Impact Investing Forum they sponsored in June, 2006. Among others, there is an hour-long presentation by Ms. Maria Otero (CEO of ACCION), a major player in global Microfinance. Highly recommended!

In short, if you are a member of the so-called "video generation," you can learn about Microfinance too.

Please let me know if you find anything else interesting.

My Initial Impression of the EMP (European Microfinance Programme)

One month has passed since the onset of this one year programme in Brussels.

Over all, I'm pleased. The classes are held in the evenings (6pm - 9pm). This is to accomodate the overwhelming majority of students who work. (I am an exception.) Primarily, the classes are lecture-style. All are conducted in English, eventhough the language outside of class is predominantly French. Class size ranges from 20 to 35 people on any given evening. Attendance has been decidedly mixed.

Currently, Monday is "Rural Development" led by Marijke D'Haese from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. I have little to say on this course at this juncture. (We have had only two lectures.) Dr. D'Haese's presentation relies heavily on class discussion and class presentation of research papers. It appears to me that the papers don't always relate directly to "Rural Development," but it is an engaging style.

"Microfinance from Conception to Management" is Professor Marc Labie's course on Tuesday evenings. In a word, excellent! Mr. Labie is an engaging speaker, supports his presentation with interesting anecdotal evidence, and encourages class participation. 3 hours -- a long time to spend in a classroom -- whizzes by in a flash.

Dr. Ariane Chapelle is responsible for "Monetary Policy & Regulatory Framework" on Wednesday evenings. This is the most technical of the courses. Students without an economics background are, might I say, challenged by some of the concepts. I find the subject matter most stimulating. Currency risk is a fascinating topic. Doubtlessly, Dr. Chapelle is a master in this domain.

For those that are interested, you can read more about the professor's backgrounds here.

A Nobel Prize for Microfinance!

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2006 has just been announced.

In what will surely increase the profile of Microfinance and Microcredit around the world, Muhammed Yunus and the bank he founded, Grameen Bank, have been awarded the prize for 2006.

Every social movement has it's rock star. Mr. Yunus is the "rock star" of Microcredit. It was his "experiment" in 1976 to lend $26 to some poor basket weavers in Bangladesh that swelled into a movement that has reached almost 100 million poor people with financial services.

To learn more about how the Grameen Bank operates, visit this site.

Bravo!

17 Days in Brussels

Brussels is now 17 days old in my life.

What is it like? Grey. Pretty. Strong. Cold. Bountiful. Organized. Awesome.

And now for the nouns. It is the beer that is STRONG. Belgians are very proud of their beer. I've heard estimates that over 800 varieties can be had. I tried Moinette. Suffice to say that I will be imbibing more cautiously in the future.

The sky is GREY (surprise!). A bit of an adjustment for me here. Costa Rica (my previous home) is often sunny and bright.

The chocolate is BOUNTIFUL. Chocolate stores are everywhere. Not good for someone with a chocolate fetish like myself.

I am absolutely crazy about the French Fries here; they are absolutely AWESOME. Belgians like to think that French Fries originated here. My research tells me that this is a matter of some dispute. It doesn't matter. They are addictive. One word of advice. Take them with mayonnaise. I ordered ketchup once and received a couple of glares. ("How dare he!")

Brussels is a very PRETTY city: cobblestone streets, gothic towers, and outdoor cafes abound.

The people are a tiny bit on the COLD side. That isn't to say that the people are unfriendly or impolite. That is to say that people are more reserved and self-contained.

The public transport system -- trams, buses and two subway lines -- is extremely well ORGANIZED and efficient.

Next time, I'll share with you my initial impression of the Microfinance course, the University, and my fellow classmates.