----Record of the Launching and Seminar of Microfinance Innovation for Credit Unions---for Trainers and MFI Practitioners

From the afternoon of July 22, 2010 to the morning of July 23, the luncheon and seminar on Microfinance Innovation for Credit Unions—for Trainers and MFI Practitioners was held in the fourth conference room of Cherry Hotel and room 220 of Ningyuan Building, University of International Business and Economics, hosted by the Center for International Business Ethics (CIBE), with the sponsorship of the Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU). Participants in this conference mainly include Mr. Xiangchao Guo---Director of the Overseas Labor Project Management center of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, Mr. Chengyu Bai---Head of Poverty Alleviation Department of International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges of Ministry of Commerce and Secretary General of China Association of Microfinance, Mr. Andrew So---founding President of ACCU, Mr. Longtai Li and Mr. Zhanhong Zhen---Directors of the Hong Kong Police Confederation of Credit Unions and Education Commissioners, and the Director-General Ms. Jieling Fang, and Ms. Zhiqiong Tao, volunteer of Macao Matteo Ricci Public Service. At the same time, many experts and scholars dedicated to microfinance from all walks of life, and more than twenty university students from universities all over the country attended the seminar.

Presently, many organizations worldwide are committed to achieving the United Nation’s goal of poverty eradication, including confederations, microfinance organizations, mutual aid projects and other non-profit financial organizations. One of these is the global confederation of credit unions system with outstanding contributions. Since 1994, microfinance innovation theories and methods have been promoted and implemented among credit unions and cooperatives of ACCU, providing financial services to rural communities to cope with the changeable environment, meet the needs of members, and be devoted to achieving sustainable development.

In the conference, Director Chaoyang Guo first made a profound analysis to China’s national conditions, and placed earnest hope on the development of microfinance. He also said that the book Microfinance Innovation for Credit Unions---for Trainers and MFI Practitioners was playing a very important role in enhancing experience exchanges between China and other countries, in promoting microfinance’s exploration and development in China, and in achieving new progress in China’s poverty relief. Then, Mr. Andrew So gave a progressive introduction to this manual, enabling the guests there to have a preliminary understanding of it. Finally, Dr. Rothlin--- Secretary General of CIBE, Director Chaoyang Guo, and Mr. Andrew So cut the ribbon for the new book.

At the seminar of July 22, first, Ms. Zhiqiong Tao, beginning with the reality, explained what is the confederation of credit unions. Later, Ms. Jieling Fang from the Hong Kong Police Confederation of Credit Unions led the on-site guests to understand the origin, structure, function and meaning of Hong Kong Confederation of Credit Unions. Finally, Ms. Zhiqiong Tao shared the cases of Bird Confederation of Credit Unions with everyone.