Thursday, January 20th, 2005
Microfinance Training Course Begins February 17
Filling the massive gap between microfinance training demand and supply poses a major development challenge
In October last year we announced the development of a collaborative program with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) on training for microfinance. We're pleased to announce that the course, entitled Training of Trainers on Microfinance, will commence on February 17 in a videoconference chaired at the TDLC and connecting Afghanistan, Mongolia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.
The 12-week course is aimed to train about 25 local instructors on microfinance using the workbook and CD-ROM of the UNCDF's Microfinance Distance Learning Course. Selected participants will become UNCDF-certified instructors in microfinance, and will then in turn be able to train others in their respective countries. The course will be delivered with a blended approach, which combines videoconferencing with self-paced study from CD-ROM, moderated online discussion and community building.
The target audience of the UNCDF course is new entrants to the field of microfinance who are working at development agencies or academic institutions with a strong focus on the subject. Other participants who are interested can buy the learning material package (workbook and 2 CD-ROMs) and attend the four VC sessions of the course.
It is a critical development challenge to build a strong core of expertise and knowledge sharing in the field of microfinance, not just throughout the Asia Pacific region but around the world. We hope it can make a modest contribution to the International Year of Microcredit as well as pave the way for more and greater such programs across the GDLN.
For more information, please contact the Microfinance Training of Trainers Client Service Team at the TDLC: adbitdlc@worldbank.org
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Related Links:
International Year of Microcredit
Asian Development Bank Institute
UNCDF page for Microfinance Distance Learning Course
