Can microfinance provide economic and social empowerment to refugees ?
Invitation Microfinance Lunch Break, 5th of February at 12 pm
Migrants and refugees have been at the heart of major political, media and civil discussions in recent periods. Due to the increasing and material importance of this phenomenon, ignoring this crisis is no longer possible. The number of forcibly displaced people has been growing worldwide, reaching an estimated 68.5 million people.
Lebanon has traditionally been a refuge for marginalised groups in the region. It has taken in more than one million Syrians that have fled to Lebanon since the civil war in their country. Refugees now make up about 20% of the total population. The impact of this on Lebanese society is considerable: including growing unemployment and poverty, along with a greater pressure on public services and infrastructure.
Ms. Aliah Farhat will give an overall presentation of the refugees situation in Lebanon, with special focus on the access to finance. She will present the challenges and lessons learnt.
- 12 pm: Welcome and introduction by Franky Depickere, Managing Director Cera, Chairman BRS
- 12.10 pm: Can microfinance provide economic and social empowerment to refugees? by Mrs. Aliah Farhat, NFS Manager, Al Majmoua, Lebanon
- 12.40 pm: Questions and answers
- 1.00 pm: Closing remarks by Bruno Dunkel, General Manager, Inpulse Investment Manager
- 1.10 pm: Lunch buffet
Optional extra session: 2.30 - 4.00 pm: Following the lunch break we offer you the possibility to have a more detailed discussion about the topic with Aliah Farhat and Davide Forcella, author of the study 'Outcomes of microcredit provision to Syrian refugees'.
Auditorium of KBC, Havenlaan 2, 1080 Brussels
Hilde Talloen