Monthly Update
January 4, 2018
FSVC and Carnegie Corporation of New York: Promoting Dialogue Between U.S., Russia, China and India
From le ft: Mikhail Troitskiy, Associate Professor, Moscow State Institute of International Relations; Nancy Gallagher, Director, Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland; Kanti Bajpai, Wilmar Professor on Asian Studies, National University of Singapore; Yun Sun, Senior Associate, East Asia Program, Stimson Center; June 2017 FSVC/Carnegie Symposium; Dubai, U.A.E.
In December 2017, FSVC wrapped up its latest project with Carnegie Corporation of New York. The unique project focused on promoting dialogue among experts from the United States, Russia, China and India, about shared challenges in international finance, energy security and climate change. 

As part of the project, FSVC organized two international symposia gathering experts from the four countries, two policy roundtables in New York and Washington, D.C., and a large panel discussion in New York with senior U.S. and Russian representatives to discuss sanctions, among other topics. These activities resulted in the drafting of two comprehensive symposia reports , as well as a number of articles and papers drafted by participants on topics related to the project. 

The activities also resulted in a call for action by recent project participants, for a greater focus by the media and non-governmental bodies on developing multidisciplinary, multilateral solutions to the chronic challenges of job creation, income inequality and climate change. These global challenges are interrelated, and will require comprehensive responses. Financial resources must be committed to support workable strategies, and this will require the active, innovative engagement of the global financial system and leading governments.

This latest project is part of a series of FSVC/Carnegie projects that have taken place since 2000. The project enables FSVC to provide a forum in which specialists from these four major countries can interact in an informal, non-politicized environment, which is critical in the current backdrop of rising international tensions.  
Help support FSVC's critical work to improve lives in developing and emerging market countries. Make a tax-deductible donation to FSVC today!
FSVC Volunteer Expert Michael Messier Named 2017 VEGA Volunteer of the Year
U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (left) presents Michael Messier (right) with the 2017 VEGA Volunteer of the Year Award; Washington, D.C., December 5, 2017.
On December 5, FSVC volunteer expert Michael Messier received the 2017 Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA) Volunteer of the Year Award. The award was presented to Mr. Messier by his Congressman, Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), at an event on Capitol Hill celebrating International Volunteer Day.  

The International Volunteer Day event on Capitol Hill convened a broad spectrum of skilled volunteers, bipartisan congressional leaders, senior staff from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), volunteer-sending organizations and experts from the private sector to celebrate the contributions of volunteers toward achieving U.S. global development objectives. 
FSVC Board Member John Douglas participated in the panel discussion that accompanied the event. In his remarks, Mr. Douglas discussed his experiences as both a volunteer expert and Board Member for FSVC, and shared his perspective on how leveraging pro-bono private sector expertise can help reduce poverty and promote prosperity worldwide.

For more information about the award and the event, click here.
FSVC Board Member John Douglas;
Washington, D.C., December 5, 2017.
Morocco: Improving Opportunities for Entrepreneurship
Moroccan business incubators discuss ways to attract and empower entrepreneurs and start-ups; Casablanca, Morocco, December, 20, 2017.
FSVC recently began a new program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, to strengthen entrepreneurship in Morocco. For its first activity, in December 2017, FSVC organized a workshop for Moroccan business incubators on how to structure their internal operations. During the workshop, FSVC volunteer expert Lisa Ocampo met with two local business incubators in Casablanca, H-seven and C2TM, and discussed international best practices in attracting business angels, business incubator revenue models and expansion, and developing services tailored to entrepreneurs and start-ups. The FSVC volunteer expert also presented examples of entrepreneurship and business incubation in other regions, such as Latin America, and highlighted relevant comparison points that could serve as a roadmap for Moroccan business incubators.  

Entrepreneurship is particularly important in Morocco, where the official youth unemployment rate is 29 percent and a growing source of inequality. Establishing a business-enabling environment for entrepreneurs and start-ups can help create job opportunities for young people, which will contribute to social stability and economic growth in the country.
Marshall Islands: Strengthening Bank Examinations
FSVC volunteer experts Curtis Faulkner (back row, center) and Frank Hartigan (back row, second from right); Majuro, RMI, December 13, 2017.
Since 2016, FSVC has worked to strengthen the financial sector of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). As part of these efforts, FSVC volunteer experts Curtis Faulkner and Frank Hartigan guided the RMI Banking Commission in how to conduct prudential examinations of commercial banks. The volunteer experts conducted two weeks of consultations to assist the RMI Banking Commission in reviewing off-site and on-site exam procedures and the existing manual for prudential supervision. They also shared U.S. examination best practices for off-site and on-site examinations, in preparation for the Banking Commission's upcoming examination of a local branch of the Bank of Guam.  

By strengthening the RMI's ability to conduct bank examinations, FSVC is helping to create a more stable and transparent banking sector that is compliant with international standards. This is especially important as the RMI seeks to maintain its current correspondent banking relationships with foreign financial institutions.
About Us
The Financial Services Volunteer Corps (FSVC) is a not-for-profit organization that helps strengthen financial sectors in developing and emerging market countries. It does so with the ultimate aim of promoting job creation, economic growth and a better quality of life. FSVC structures practical, results-oriented technical assistance and training missions staffed by senior financial sector professionals who serve as unpaid volunteer experts. Over the past 27 years, more than 9,500 volunteer experts from the international financial, legal and regulatory communities have taken part in 3,000 missions, helping millions of people in 65 countries.