Unprecedented Global Event:
Of all of the big hairy systemic issues out there these days, I keep bumping into the question of sustainable finance. From whatever lens one takes -- macro or micro, public sector or private sector financing, driven by ODA or ROI -- the task of understanding money flows is critical for a more sustainable future. 'Cause like it or not, money flows frame the parameters of possibilities in our era.
With this in mind, I found myself at the TBLI Conference in Frankfurt, Germany early November (2-4th). The labour of love of Robert Rubinstein, this was the seventh Brooklyn Bridge TBLI event, which is practically middle age for a conference, not to mention testimony to Robert's ability to consistently attract leaders in the SRI (Socially Responsible Investing) and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) sectors. The next conference will be held in Bangkok, an encouraging signal that this field is spreading beyond the Western markets.
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At this year's Pop!Tech, we heard from the Director of MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms, Neil Gershenfeld.By and large, people working to improve conditions in the poorer parts of the world consider microcredit -- the practice of offering very small loans to individuals starting small businesses -- to be a successful tool. But microcredit isn't as well-suited for people starting up riskier ventures; the funds needed are often substantially higher, and the more significant risk involved in the startup would inevitably lead to a greater default rate. MIT's Neal Gershenfeld, of Fab Lab fame, described in his book Fab the need for "micro-venture" services in the developing world to support the greater risk and greater upside of local innovation. It turns out that he wasn't alone in seeing that need.
Over the last century, corporate headquarters -- as well as churches, universities and government institutions -- have been pillars of the urban environment, embodying the culture, values and aspirations of their societies.
