Agros Blog

On May 8th and 9th, Agros Founder, Skip Li, and Program Director, Laurie Werner, will speak at the 2009 Pacific Northwest Microfinance Conference. They will share observations and insights gained from their years of experience using microfinance as one integral part of Agros’ holistic approach to poverty alleviation for entire communities.

Integrated within the five-component Agros development model, small capital loans provide the opportunity for villagers, especially women, to dramatically increase their income and productivity. This conference is an important local forum for discussion about poverty alleviation and an opportunity for Agros to talk about our unique holistic development model and to connect with other local non-profits using microfinance.

Interest in microfinance as a tool for poverty alleviation has skyrocketed in recent years. The MicroCredit Summit estimates that at least 3,000 institutions utilize microfinance and over 100 million people have participated in microfinance programs. The Conference presents a unique opportunity for local professionals, educators, students, and interested members of the public to connect and engage in a dialogue about microfinance. The diverse group of speakers and exhibits will demonstrate the range of institutions using microfinance, showcase a wide variety of success stories, explore recent innovations, and provide information about how to support local organizations engaged in microfinance.

Chi-Dooh “Skip” Li will deliver the Saturday evening address, “Call to Action”.  In 1982, Li responded to the needs of the landless poor in Central America by founding Agros International, a non-profit with an innovative development model. He will draw on 25 years of experience working with rural poor and observing the effects of microfinance programs. Laurie Werner will be speaking on the panel Beyond Credit: The Integration of Financial and Non-Financial Services Within the Community: looking at the impact of how microfinance can be used as part of a larger, integrated strategy of poverty alleviation.

The Microfinance Conference presents a fantastic opportunity to learn more about microfinance, support Agros International staff members, and connect with local citizens supporting the effort to find solutions to global poverty.

Please come to support Agros and learn more about local microfinance!

2009 Pacific Northwest Microfinance Conference
Upper Gwinn Commons, Seattle Pacific University
Friday, May 8, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and
Saturday, May 9, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Registration: Before April 30th: $40, $10 students (first 100)
After April 30th: $50, $20 students

Additional Information: http://www.spu.edu/depts/sbe/se/microfinance/