> Posted by Center Staff
Financial Inclusion Week is fast approaching! From October 17-21, 2016 partners all around the globe will hold conversations focused on advancing financial inclusion, and more specifically, this year’s theme: keeping clients first in a digital world. So far over 30 organizations have signed on to participate in the week, including BRAC, Innovations for Poverty Action, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Here is a rundown of the ways that you can get involved.
Hold a Conversation: We encourage organizations to gather internal or external stakeholders to discuss the theme in any conversation format that works for them. The link to register as a Financial Inclusion Week partner can be found here and you can check out a full list of this year’s events on the Financial Inclusion Week Website.
Talk to a Client: Given this year’s theme of keeping clients first, we are also doing a call for client visits. We encourage you to organize client visits for you and your staff, donors, or other partners – either in addition to or instead of hosting an event. This will provide an opportunity for you to hear directly from your clients on how they are engaging with digital financial services, and what they need from providers and support organizations.
Share the Client Perspective: Given this year’s theme, we will highlight the client perspective throughout the week. Submit client quotes and photos to Sonja Kelly at skelly@accion.org and they will be shared on the Financial Inclusion Week website.
Share Your Insights on Social Media: You don’t need to attend an event to be a part of Financial Inclusion Week. During the week there will be a vibrant conversation happening on Twitter and being captured on this site under the hashtag #finclusionweek. We encourage you to share your thoughts on how to keep clients first in a digital world.
Write a Blog: Throughout the week, we will link to and feature blogs focused on the theme of keeping clients first in a digital world on the CFI blog. We encourage you to blog and share your blog with the hashtag #finclusionweek and we will share it here.
Join a Webinar, Watch Live-Streaming Events, or Attend a Public In-Person Event: Click here for a full list of all public events including webinars, online conversations, and in-person events that will be streamed live. We strongly encourage you to explore these and attend those you find most interesting. Here are a few of the in-person events and webinars that you can participate in:
Financial Inclusion Forum; Monday, October 17; 4-7pm (11am-2pm EST); London, UK
Financial Inclusion Forum is organizing a gathering of industry stakeholders to discuss “Progress and Future of Financial Inclusion,” hosted by EBRD in London. About 250 participants will gather to hear from speakers and panelists from leading industry organizations, including GSMA, Leapfrog Labs, VisionFund, and CFSI. Click here to register!
Digital Frontiers Institute (DFI); Tuesday, October 18; 4:00pm CAT (10:00am EST); Online
DFI will host a webinar focused on ‘People’s financial coping mechanisms’ and how the digital environment affects this. During the webinar, a video on the topic will be shared and Ignacio Mas will present and lead a discussion. Those interested in participating should email DFI at debra@digitalfrontiersinstitute.org.
VisionFund International; Thursday, October 20; 9am and 5pm GMT (5am and 1pm EST); Online Webinar
VisionFund International is hosting a webinar to discuss how it uses technology to lend to smallholder farmers at the right level, and at the right time. The panel will explore the challenges of bringing digital financial services to the poor. Click here for more details and to register for the webinar.
Innovations for Poverty Action; Friday, October 21; 10-11am EST; Online Webinar
Innovations for Poverty Action will host a webinar showcasing the latest rigorous evidence on how digital products can help consumers overcome behavioral barriers. Register for the webinar here.
We look forward to your participation in Financial Inclusion Week, in whatever way works best for you. If you have any questions regarding partnership or social media engagement email Allyse McGrath at amcgrath@accion.org.