Daily Archives | social inclusion
Inequality of Wealth in China
April 25th, 2012
READ MOREIn 1978 the Chinese government launched major reforms than have boosted economic growth since then. The country’s economy has grown at an average of 10%. Over the last decade it has surpassed France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan and …
Aakash: A Digital Dream Come True
January 30th, 2012
READ MOREFinancial inclusion, computer literacy and broadband access count among the most important goals in development agenda. As always India has gone a step forward. The government has launched Aakash, an Android-based tablet computer produced by British company DataWind and manufactured …
A Voice of Reason in the Microfinance Debate
January 10th, 2012
READ MOREDue Dilligence: An Impertinent Enquiry on Microfinance is the new book by David Roodman, a member of the Centre of Global Development Research in Washington. The author has found little evidence of microfinance’s impact on poverty or empowerment. Nevertheless he …
The Biggest Hurdles for Microfinance
January 2nd, 2012
READ MOREIn a recent article microfinance expert Brian Schmierer focuses the current situation of the industry. He considers that it suffers several negative conditions: 1. the atmosphere of the financial sector worldwide; 2. the unreasonable expectations on microfinance as a whole …
High Education Finance Fund in Latin America
December 26th, 2011
READ MOREOmtrix, a financial consultancy firm and fund manager based in Costa Rica, has launched a US $35 million High Education Finance Fund to provide higher education opportunities for low income youth. Omtrix will deliver the loans to a network of …
Increasing Broadband Access in the Caribbean
December 8th, 2011
READ MOREMost experts agree: through information and communications technologies (ICT) citizens have an equal opportunity to improve their quality of life and participate in the global economy. The usage of broadband Internet is a critical technology for innovation and a means …
An Affordable Internet Access for Americans
December 2nd, 2011
READ MOREAccording to a recent survey one third of American citizens cannot access the Internet at home and the broadband adoption rate reaches only 68%. The most important obstacle is computer costs and monthly payments that result simply too expensive for …
Broadband Access for the Poor
November 11th, 2011
READ MOREThe Federal Communications Commission of the United States has published information about a new strategy to increase the Internet broadband access among low income families. The initiative is called “Connect to Compete” and is the largest to improve Internet access …
Microloan Program for Naturalization Costs
November 2nd, 2011
READ MOREThe lack of money and English skills are the two main reasons permanent residents in the United States do not seek citizenship. CASA of Maryland, the state’s largest immigrant advocacy group, in partnership with Citi, other financial institutions and nonprofit …
Microloans for Hawaiian Natives
October 28th, 2011
READ MOREMicroloans are also aimed to improve social inclusion of minorities. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is promoting a new microfinance program for natives. The loans can reach up to US $7,500 and are offered at low interest rates to potential …