Annual Meetings 2008
On June 4-6, 2008, CGAP’s Council of Governors, Executive Committee, and Operational Team met in Hyderabad, India over two days to discuss some of the latest issues and challenges from across the microfinance field and review CGAP’s work. They were joined by representatives from a broad segment of the Indian microfinance community, from profit-oriented institutions to government-sponsored poverty alleviation programs.
CGAP CEO Elizabeth Littlefield gave an overview of how quickly the world of microfinance has merged with mainstream financial markets, with all the positive developments and risks that that entails. As a community of funders and practitioners, CGAP’s most critical challenge going forward to harness the best of what market forces offer and ensure that they benefit poor people.
Members of the Operational Team presented members highlights of the four key areas of CGAP’s work -- both the past year’s accomplishments and future workplan:
• building access to financial market infrastructure (technology and transparency)
• expanding access to reach very poor and marginalized client segments
• improving the policy framework
• improving the practices of donors and investors.
Lively debates took place around two panel discussions. The first focused on the challenges of expanding access to marginalized clients and featured Vikram Akula (SKS), Vijay Kumar (SERP), Vijay Mahajan (BASIX), and Achla Savyasaachi (Sa-Dhan), with CGAP Senior Advisor Kate McKee moderating. A second panel debated the evolving role of funders and featured S. Viswanatha Prasad (Bellwether Fund), Sanjay Sinha (EDA CapitalConnect), Nimal Fernando (Asian Development Bank), Adrian Marti (Swiss Development Corporation), and Kishore Kumar (HDFC Bank) and was moderated by Bob Annibale (Citigroup Microfinance Group) and CGAP Team Leader Alexia Latortue.
The last day of the CG Meeting was dedicated to field visits to SKS, BASIX, and the microfinance program of the Society for the Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP). Participants had an opportunity to visit programs and services aimed at reaching the very poor and to meet with program managers and staff as well as with clients, including Self-Help Groups.
|
 |
|
