Canada declares October 20th National Microfinance Day

News Release

(2005-49) News Release
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Ottawa — The Honourable Aileen Carroll, Minister of International Cooperation, has announced the declaration of October 20th as National Microfinance Day. The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), has invested more than $1 billion over the past 35 years in microfinance initiatives to reduce poverty in developing countries.
"Canada recognizes that microfinance is an effective and powerful tool for reducing poverty and contributing to the achievement the Millennium Development Goals," said Minister Carroll. "Microfinance initiatives provide financial services for the poor, help individuals earn a living and build assets to reduce vulnerability in times of hardship. Microfinance is an important part of our private sector strategy."
CIDA is actively involved in a Canadian Steering Committee that responds to the United Nations' invitation to raise awareness during the International Year of Microcredit. It works closely with Canadian public and private organizations involved in domestic and international microfinance.
To mark National Microfinance Day, CIDA will host a panel session on October 20, 2005, featuring microfinance experts from the UN Capital Development Fund, the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, the Micro Enterprise Financing Limited in Jamaica, Développement international Desjardins, and the Canadian Community Investment Network.
Special events to celebrate National Microfinance Day will take place in communities across Canada and are listed on www.microfinance.ca.
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Information:
Andrew Graham
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: (819) 953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: (819) 953-6534
E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Web site: www.cida.gc.ca

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Canada declares October 20th National Microfinance Day

News Release

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