Thursday, August 16th, 2007

MFToT 4: Expanding Microfinance Capacity Worldwide

Over 650 Participants from 52 Countries Register through Moodle

How can new technologies help build microfinance capacity in developing countries? The Microfinance Training of Trainers (MFToT) course has led the way with its unique blended learning approach, reinventing itself for each new series by adding features to increase outreach and effectiveness.

With three successful deliveries to its credit, the fourth series, which opened at the TDLC on August 16, 2007 set greater accessibility as a goal, not only to participants in cities where GDLN centers are located, but to practitioners worldwide with internet access, taking advantage of webcasting to deliver videoconference lectures. Moodle, an open-source learning management system, was incorporated for the first time – allowing 653 participants from 52 countries to register on-line.

First organized by the TDLC, Asian Development Bank Institute and United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in February 2005, MFToT has successfully accredited 91 trainers of microfinance to date, and localization efforts are underway in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Lao and Cambodia. 11 “graduates” who are now accredited trainers will participate in MFToT 4 as on-line tutors to help course participants achieve a high quality learning experience. Of those registered, 295 from 32 countries have opted to take the course with on-line tutoring services. A final exam will be given, and successful candidates will be accredited as a UNCDF Microfinance Distance Learning Course trainer.

The opening session of MFToT 4 connected the TDLC and China (Beijing), India (New Delhi), Indonesia (Jakarta), Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam (Hanoi), Cambodia and Lao PDR.

Opening the session, TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui praised the course, as it has "never stopped challenging, to broaden the horizon of learning activities, to contribute more effectively to build microfinance capacity".

"The importance of this course cannot be underestimated" said ADBI Director of Research Mario Lamberte on behalf of the organizers.

"Today we live in a world where more than 3 billion people do not have access to formal financial services. Providing access to microfinance is providing people a chance to improve their own lives".

Mr.Lamberte noted that it was the Nobel Prize for peace, not economics, that was awarded to Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen bank in 2006 - "a clear recognition of the contribution of microfinance to world peace and stability".