PREMIUM Graduation Caravan in Tacloban;
Microinsurance Forum and Meetings in Manila;
International Development Week 2019;
Updates from INVEST Co-op Indonesia;
#BalanceforBetter - International Women's Day;
Women Mentorship Program 2019!
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PREMIUM Graduation Caravan
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On January 24, 2019, Michele Aasgard, Chair of the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF Canada) Board of Directors and Benoit Andre, CDF Canada Executive Director, attended a Graduation Caravan for the PREMIUM project in Tacloban, the Philippines.
PREMIUM is supported by Global Affairs Canada and focuses on restoring the livelihoods of small store owners, known in the Philippines as sari-sari, that were hit by the devastating Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. The project has been active in more than 40 municipalities, in Samar and Leyte provinces, and has helped over 2,450 sari-sari store owners get back in business, expand their business or introduce new products and services. 94% of beneficiaries are women. The January 2019 Caravan graduated approximately 1,600 beneficiaries.
"On behalf of all of us at CDF Canada, I’d like to thank you for your leadership in rebuilding this community and in building a stronger Philippines. We look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting the farmers, the small business owners and the young entrepreneurs in generating greater prosperity for their households and their communities"
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highlighted Michele Aasgard, Chair of CDF Canada.
Benoit Andre, CDF Canada Executive Director, highlighted that the project would have never been possible without a strong partnership and a very close collaboration with key local partners - CARD, Hapinoy and RIMANSI - as well as local and provincial authorities.
"Thank you all for teaching us that the strength of human character can overcome any challenge and that hope, solidarity and hard work can revive entire communities hit by some of the worst disasters in human history"
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said Benoit Andre.
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Philippines National Microinsurance Forum and Meetings in Manila
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John Holmes, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines (top, center), joined Michele Aasgard, CDF Canada Chair of the Board, Benoit Andre, Executive Director and the CDF Canada team in delivering the opening remarks at the National Microinsurance Forum in Manila. The event was hosted by RIMANSI.
"As a development organization, CDF Canada is mindful of the importance of innovative approaches to advancing financial education in its interventions."
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said Michele Aasgard.
"With support from the Government of Canada, corporate and private donors, we work to advance meaningful and predictable access to financial services, including knowledge and implementation solutions to strengthen the savings, credit and insurance sectors in countries like Malawi, Myanmar, Ethiopia and the Philippines."
CDF Canada has been supporting the development of the microinsurance sector in the country since 2005 and has contributed to an increase in the number of insurance policy holders from just over 100,000 to approximately 6 million.
In meetings with Kris Panday, Canada's Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank and Jerry Pacturan, Country Program Officer at the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the team explored opportunities for expansion of microinsurance work in the region, as well as potential synergies with existing agricultural and environmental development projects.
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International Development Week 2019
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From February 3-9, in celebration of International Development Week 2019 (#IDW2019), CDF Canada showcased its project results. The then Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau attended a number of events hosted by Global Affairs Canada.
A social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter told the stories of the people and communities we support and empower.
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Updates from INVEST Co-op Indonesia Project
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INVEST Co-op Indonesia project held its Second Stakeholders Consultation Meeting in Makassar, on February 1, 2019.
The project works to improve livelihoods and economic opportunities for seaweed, shrimp and milkfish farmers in South Sulawesi province.
"Canada’s involvement in supporting better development opportunities in this region of Indonesia goes back many decades and at CDF Canada we remain focused on helping the people of Sulawesi enhance their prosperity by advancing the co-operative principles, which emphasize the values co-operation, self-reliance, participation and democratic governance"
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said Benoit Andre, CDF Canada Executive Director.
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An aquaculture farmer in Takalar, South Sulawesi, is proud of the quality of his seaweed.
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Takalar community getting together for a beach cleaning activity and awareness raising about environmental sustainability.
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A celebration of International Women's Day at CDF offices!
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As a Canadian development organization, we are proud that our work and workplace reflect a deep commitment to gender equality and embody the values of diversity and inclusiveness that Canada and the Canadian co-op community stand for.
We believe that a gender-balanced world is good for poverty reduction, good for sustainable economic growth and good for building stronger and more resilient communities.
On #IWD2019, CDF Canada took a gender pledge to train 20 credit union women leaders per year, for the next 5 years, and ensure that an additional 100 talented women bring their full contribution to building more prosperous communities around the world!
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Women's Mentorship Program 2019!
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Less than one month to go!
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We are excited to welcome the 2019 Women Mentorship Program participants in less than a month! This year we received a record number of applications from credit union women leaders across the world!
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16 credit unions across Canada have volunteered to host our talented WMP2019 participants! We are still looking for 4 hosts!
This is a fabulous way to invest in women leaders, impact lives and transform communities in countries around the world.
Thank you for your contribution to the success and sustainability of the Women Mentorship Program!
During April and May 2019, follow us on Twitter and Facebook as we share their experiences in Canada!
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Help us make a difference!
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