Can partnerships, money pools and investment bring social justice to indigenous and mining communities and boost Canada's economy? Find out at the Toronto International Microfinance Summit, Oct 4

TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2014 /CNW/ - Toronto International Microfinance Summit announced today that partnerships, re-usable funding pools and investment in people will be in focus at its all-day conference examining social justice through a microfinance lens.  The Summit will be held at the Allstream Centre (Exhibition Place) in Toronto on Saturday, October 4.

"We are partnering with one of the largest mining companies in the world to bring financial literacy and gender justice to women in a mining community in Zambia," stated Todd Minerson, Executive Director of the White Ribbon Campaign, Member of the UN Secretary-General's Network of Male Leaders to End Gender-Based Violence and 2014 Summit speaker. "Our goal is to develop a model that is portable and scalable."

"Microfinance at a macro level, as part of a new national dialogue, is critical to community development across Canada and in First Nations," added Isadore Day, Chief of Serpent River First Nation, and returning Summit speaker.  "Canadians for a New Partnership is an opportunity to have a formal dialogue on how microfinance can play a key role in fighting poverty and moving the yardsticks on social justice.  A challenge in front of us is that our communities must also recognize the nuts and bolts of setting up microfinance in a way that is sustainable and provides results. If we do this the right way, everyone wins, including the next generation."

"We are excited to have high level participants at our 6^th Annual Summit," stated James Louttit, Vice President of Toronto International Microfinance Summit and outgoing Chair and President of Rotarian Action Group for Microfinance and Community Development (RAGM). "Our goal is to turn conversation into collaborative action that makes lasting, positive change in the world."

This year, Canada's Premier Microfinance Event is sponsored by Oikocredit Canada-Central, JVL Global Corp and Alterna Savings, with The MasterCard Foundation providing financial assistance for 100 students to attend. The theme is "Microfinance for Social Justice:  Can Microfinance Lead the Way." Global trailblazers, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, KCMG, Founder and Chairperson of BRAC, Rupert Scofield, Co-founder, President and CEO of FINCA International and Marilyn Fitzgerald, PhD, author of If I Had a Water Buffalo, provide keynotes that frame the day. Breakout panels include:

• Financial Inclusion and Social Justice: Microfinance as a Means to Human Development;
• Using your Investment Dollars to Support Microfinance and Poverty Reduction;
• Urban Projects: Scarborough and Detroit;
• Mining, Partnerships, Financial Literacy and Gender Justice;
• BRAC's Holistic Development Model Explained; and
• Sustainable Development: Microfinance and Indigenous Peoples.

Participants will spend an interactive day with development professionals and social finance innovators who fight poverty at home and overseas. There's plenty of Q&A and expert speakers including:  Jannalee Anderson,  Opportunity International Canada; Bonnie Devine, OCAD University; Bonnie Lyn de Bartok, MacCormick IMC; Heather Broughton, My Oral Village;  Mike  Green, ObjectSharp & FINCA Canada; Dr. Thomas Haubenreisser, SolarShare; Emita Latif, (formerly BRAC; Rotman MBA candidate); Michael McCullough, LaunchDETROIT; Todd Ross, Toronto & York Region Métis Council & Casey House.    

Everyone is welcome.  Join microfinance, development and business leaders, social innovators, government officials, politicians, entrepreneurs, academics, students, the media and anyone with an interest in entrepreneurship, social and economic innovation, sustainable development, poverty reduction and social justice.

Follow the Summit @microfinanceTO. Join the conversation at #tims14. Visit the micromarketplace. Watch the microwalk video and post to microbookclub blog www.torontomicrofinancebookclub.com

For TICKETS: www.microfinanceconference.ca or www.bit.ly/1opvsBx 

Our thanks to CNW Group for sponsoring this announcement.

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Toronto International Microfinance Summit is Canada's premier event focusing on domestic and international microfinance. Founded in 2009 and incorporated as a nonprofit in 2011, the organization was inspired by the Rotarian Action Group for Microfinance and Community Development (RAGM) and Rotary District 7070 Microfinance Committee. The Summit's signature Conference (Gala and Course) are run entirely by volunteers of diverse backgrounds and ages. Our vision is a world without poverty through microfinance. Our mission is to hold an annual event that: educates our community on microfinance as a poverty reduction tool; brings diverse people together for dialogue and action; and raises profile and/or funds for those making an impact.  The 2014 theme is Microfinance for Social Justice.  www.microfinanceconference.ca

SOURCE: Toronto International Microfinance Summit

For more information and press passes, contact: Wendy Bodnoff, Marketing, Media & Public Relations, 905 334 3660, [email protected]