BCtA partner perspectives on emerging trends and top priorities in the world of inclusive business
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Interview with Hans Docter, Director Sustainable Economic Development, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
There is consensus on the important role that private sector can and should play in development. What are the priorities for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Dutch MoFA) in 2019 and beyond in terms of engaging the private sector in its development initiatives?
From tracking cattle to bespoke weather forecasts, AI technology is helping smallholders across Asia and Africa. But it is by no means clear yet whether it will be a game changer in eliminating global poverty
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Anyone following tech news these days understands that the coexistence of artificial intelligence (AI) and mankind – and the ethical conflicts that may arise from it – is no longer science fiction. There is unease about AI influencing our online shopping and social media habits; about it replacing both menial and high-skilled jobs; enhancing surveillance and policing, and contributing to the development of more sophisticated weapons.
Financial literacy is a key pillar for financial inclusion, and a critical success factor to achieve at least nine of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For instance, eliminating poverty and achieving gender equality is simply not possible when two thirds of adults worldwide remain financially illiterate and women continue to trail men in financial decision making.
At one time cotton was Haiti’s fourth largest agricultural export, but by the late 1980s, its cultivation largely ceased for economic, political and environmental reasons.
Now however, the Caribbean’s first independent nation is on the cusp of welcoming back cotton production due to the work of Timberland and the Smallholder Farmers Alliance (SFA). Since 2010, the popular outdoor lifestyle brand has supported SFA’s efforts to boost the yields – and the pocketbooks – of Haiti’s farmers.
Thrive Microfinance tailors finance products to low income women in Zimbabwe which helps them open and grow businesses, afford safe housing and build their economic independence
Press Release
HARARE, Zimbabwe, December 20, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Thrive, a microfinance business based in Harare, Zimbabwe believes in lending that leads to economic growth for women and girls who would ordinarily fail to access financial services from the mainstream financial sector. Thrive joins Business Call to Action with a commitment that will provide microenterprise loans and borrowing and business management training for 16,500 economically active low-income women and girls.
Social Enterprise breaking the cycle of poverty in rural Colombia by exchanging recyclable waste for essential household goods such as food, medicine and agricultural inputs
Press Release
Boyaca, Colombia, November 19, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Bancalimentos, a social enterprise that exchanges recyclable goods for essential household goods with vulnerable rural populations in Boyaca, Colombia, joins Business Call to Action (BCtA) with a commitment to increase food security and generate sustainable incomes for 12,500 people by 2022. Established in 2015, Bancalimentos provides essential household goods such as food, medicine and agricultural inputs in exchange for household organic waste and recyclables.
Lockheed Martin employees participated in dozens of volunteer events in communities around the world this October as part of the company’s annual “Month of Giving.” These “Be the Difference” days highlight employees’ commitment to service and giving back.
Arash Ghafoori is the Executive Director of the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY), Southern Nevada’s most comprehensive service provider for homeless youth. Leveraging his diverse background in policy, academia, and the start-up and corporate worlds, Ghafoori has transformed NPHY into a community leader on issues affecting Southern Nevada’s homeless youth.
