The Argentina Microcredit Institution Network (RADIM) took part at the Inter-American Forum of Microenterprises “Access to New Markets and Better Services for the Majority”, realized in Quito, Ecuador from September 13th to September 15, 2006.

This year, the forum explored new markets and services accesses, and too different items critical for the microenterprises sector.

Every year, more than 1000 professionals meet each other in this Forum, to discuss the most recent items in the development of the microenterprise sector. Many professionals from Lartin America and the Caribe, as from other regions, experts in the field, made presentation about the newest  practices and methodologies in microfinances. At the same time, the Forum was an excellent opportunity to know and interact with colleagues of the area and to be related by other persons of the sector.

In this event, the Network realized his firstly international presentation, exposing his project in front of a numerous audience of the sector.
In addition, the forum was propitious to support a series of meetings with out-standing modals of the industry.

Read more: http://www.iadb.org

Seep Network Annual Conference

 
From October 23-27, the Executive Director of RADIM, Evangelina Petrizza, traveled to Washington, DC to participate in the SEEP Network Annual Conference. 
The Small Enterprise Education and Promotion (SEEP) Network is a network that promotes good practices in the development of business and financial services; a global organization whose members are engaged in the fight against poverty.

The annual conferences organized by SEEP are a great opportunity for the diverse actors in the fields of microfinance and microbusiness to share knowledge and innovative field work practices.  This year the theme of the conference was “Invest in the Majority.”

During the conference, SEEP offered an intensive two day course about strategic planning for networks.  More than 25 networks from all over the world participated, with representation coming from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe.  Through her participation, the Director of RADIM had the chance to network with colleagues in the sector, sharing experiences and knowledge.  The conference also provided training in themes related to methodology and good practices in microfinance. Additionally, Mrs. Petrizza had the opportunity to participate in meetings with representatives from BID, MIX Market, Fomin, CGAP, and other important microfinance institutions.

More information: http://www.seepnetwork.org/

Participated more than 2,000 delegates from more than 100, including Chiefs of State and Government and other dignitaries. This Summit offered the opportunity to microcredit agents, supporters, donors and others compromised with the goals of the Campaign, to evaluating the successful advance of the actual goals, discussing the challenges to the achievement of the new goals for the year 2015, and to identify strategies to overcome those challenges.

The Global Summit included: 1) the publication of  the State’s Report of the Campaign of the Microcredit summit 2006, delineating the progress towards our goal of  reaching 100 milliones of the poorest, 2) five new commissioned papers discussed in plenary, 3) 34 official workshops of level beginner, intermediary and outpost, for countries industrialized so much as for developing countries, 4) 34 connected additional meetings organized by the delegates, 5) ten intensive courses, 6) presentation of two Plans of Institutional Action in plenary and of 14 more in the Meetings Councils, and 7) the publication of the most extensive directory of microcredit institutions ever compiled.

Read more: http://www.globalmicrocreditsummit2006.org/

With goals of an improved dialogue between active members and adherent members, and more participation from our supporting instutions, RADIM has decided to form an Advisory Council.

The Advisory Council is made up of adherent partners that have accompanied the network since its foundation.  Members include Carmen Grillo and Daniel Brennan from the Telefónica Foundation, Diego Gojzman from Foncap, Juan Padilla from GPS, Soledad barubio from Etimos, and Martin Zapiola from ProBono.  Additionally, Eduardo Ramos Mejía from Alternativa 3 will be participating in representation of the active members.
Our intention is for the Advisory Council to become a reference, providing guidance for network activities.

During the VIII Interamerican Microbusiness Forum, hosted by BID in 2005, various networks of microfinance institutions signed the Agreement on Cooperation Between Microfinance Networks of Latin America and the Caribbean.  The objective of the agreement was to establish cooperative and collaborative ties between microfinance networks in areas of common interest and to create mechanisms to coordinate activities, with the intention of strengthening the development of microfinance in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This agreement led to the creation of the Directory of Microfinance Networks in Latin America and the Caribbean, which RADIM joined.  This directory provides detailed, current information about the microfinance networks from the Forum.  It is an incredible tool that improves the flow of information between microfinance institutions (MFIs) and explains the activities of organizations that focus on strengthening and consolidating microfinance in order to facilitate access to financial services for the poorest populations of the region.

More information: http://www.comfama.com/contenidos/noticarteleras/20061101/ directorio_de_redes.asp?id_Not=23317

During the first week of November RADIM received visitors from The Mix Market, a platform of global information about microfinance that provides information about MFIs, public and private investment funds, microfinance networks, regulatory government agencies, etc.  Mix Market’s objective is to develop a market of transparent information so that MFIs around the world are able to converse efficiently with investors and donors, promoting greater investment and flow of information.

RADIM has agreed to an alliance with Mix Market, whose first objective is to incorporate every active member of RADIM into the information network.  Therefore, MIX offered a two day training course to the financial administrators of the partner MFIs, bringing them up to date respecting the required information, methodology, etc. 
During their stay in Buenos Aires, the representatives from Mix Market also held meetings with officials from the Central Bank, the Association of Banks, and Lic. Daniel Arroyo, the Vice Minister of Social Development.  These events emphasized the importance of Mix Market’s role as an international authority in the field of financial transparency and in benchmarking for the microfinance industry.

More information : www.mixmarket.org