Summary | Awareness Raising | Training | Technical Assistance
Awareness-raising program
The Challenge of Raising Awareness of Microfinance
"Assisting PlaNet Finance in getting its message across is a unique experience. The first thing you realize is the scale of the task involved: awareness of the idea of microcredit is still in its infancy, not just among the general public, but also many senior figures and those able to shape public opinion. There is still much work to be done in increasing awareness of this issue in people's minds and as part of the public debate."
Jacques Attali, President, PlaNet Finance
PlaNet Finance Japan's microfinance awareness-raising activities
- Annual microfinance conference
A day-long conference that brings together the leaders in the global microfinance movement, development specialists from the Japanese government, academia and NGOs, and representatives of the private sector. The focus will be on the various challenges faced by the microfinance movement and the role Japan can play in addressing those challenges. - Microfinance expert speakers' series
Quarterly seminars featuring well-known experts in microfinance, case studies from PlaNet Finance field officers, and perspectives from Japanese development specialists. - Field trips to observe microfinance programs in action
The PlaNet Finance network includes a federation of more than 700 microfinance institutions in 60 countries. Visits to observe their operations will be arranged. - Support for research on microfinance
Specialists from PlaNet Finance and its global network will be made available to support research into microfinance undertaken by academics and private and public sector researchers in Japan. - Development of PlaNet Finance on-line e-learning courses
Translation of PlaNet Finance's 6-course series covering key issues in microfinance. Provided via the PlaNet Finance Japan website, it will be the first microfinance training course available in Japanese. - Development of a Japanese-language microfinance Web site
The first Japanese-language microfinance website, including learning tools, discussion forums etc. - Microfinance career kickstart internship program
Short-term (3-6 month) internship training programs in PlaNet Finance field offices or in affiliated microfinance institutions, with the opportunity of employment to follow. - Development of a complete microfinance training curriculum
PlaNet Finance will offer all of its 44 courses in microfinance to interested parties, either in person or via the Tokyo Development Learning Center's distance learning facilities. - Creation of a microfinance library
Identification, translation and publication of key texts in microfinance. - Master's Degree in Microfinance
Modeled on PlaNet Finance's European Microfinance Program, which brings together professors from three universities and PlaNet Finance field experts. The program will provide education, field experience, internships and employment. To be co-organized with a Japanese university.