Oikocredit hosts Canadian tour by renowned Filipino community leader
Dr. Aris Alip, Founder of CARD MRI
Microfinance pioneer Dr. Aris Alip to speak at public events in Vancouver, Toronto and Kitchener in November.
Dr. Aristotle Alip, founder of the Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) will bring his insights into microfinance, community development and global poverty to investors and supporters of Oikocredit at events in three cities in Canada in early November.
Started in 1986 with nothing more than "twenty pesos and a battered typrewriter," Dr. Alip founded CARD based on the success of Dr. Mohammed Yunus' experience with microfinance in Bangladesh.
Today CARD MRI reaches 2.9 million poor families in the Philippines and has total outstanding loans of more than $240 million. It is now a full-fledged community development institution, having branched out to microinsurance, health care, business training and many other activities. In 2008, it was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service, one of the most prestigious awards in Asia.
In granting the award, the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation noted: "Microfinance is not a panacea for poverty. But as practiced and enhanced by CARD MRI in the Philippines, it is a hopeful path. Through it, says Alip, the poor are gaining control "over their resources and over their own destiny."
Oikocredit is a long-standing investor in CARD, and Dr. Alip is a former member of the Oikocredit International board of directors.
"We're pleased to be hosting Aris in his three-city tour of Canada next month," said Eugene Ellmen, National Director of Oikocredit Canada. "With the recent adoption of the UN Sustainable Dvelopment Goals, Aris' tour of Canada is a timely commitment by Oikocredit in educating Canadians about issues of global development."
All events are free and open to the public.
Dr. Alip's Tour (click on the date and city for information and to register)
Nov. 2, Kitchener - sponsored by Menonite Savings and Credit Union and Oikocredit Canada
Nov. 3, Toronto - sponsored by the Oikocredit Canada Central Support Association
Nov. 4 Vancouver - sponored by the Oikocredit Canada West Suport Association
