Posts written by Eugene Ellmen

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1. Investors can help create global impact through responsible microfinance

   July 14, 2015 - by Eugene Ellmen - 0 comments

   The dream of Mohammed Yunus to use microfinance to relegate poverty to museums has taken a beating in recent years. The tremendous growth of the microfinance industry has prompted some aggressive and unethical players to prey on the poor with high interest rates, multiple loans and coercive collections.

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2. Investing in solidarity, not discord

   February 23, 2015 - by Eugene Ellmen - 0 comments

   A new investment offered by Mennonite Savings and Credit Union and Oikocredit enables individual investors in Ontario to contribute to the vexing problem of global poverty.

   ‎If this catches on - at Mennonite Savings and other credit unions across Canada - it could tap into some deep-seated yearnings for global solidarity at a time when so many people feel that the world is becoming more and more divided.

   On Feb. 2, Mennonite Savings and Credit Union (MSCU) and Oikocredit Canada introduced the Oikocredit Global Impact GIC. Offered by MSCU, the GIC is a guaranteed, RSP-eligible investment certificate. It has a term of 12 months, and an initial interest rate of 1.3%, slightly below market for one year certificates.

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3. Building a better banana for the world

   June 18, 2014 - by Eugene Ellmen - 0 comments

   

   In the last few years, organic bananas have been popping up in Canadian grocery stores. No longer segregated to natural food outlets, organic bananas are now featured regularly in the nation’s mainstream food chains.

   Tags: Oikocredit on tour, organic farming

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4. Apartheid struggle transformed not just human rights, but our understanding of money

   December 20, 2013 - by Eugene Ellmen, Moira Hutchinson, Bob Walker - 0 comments

   As the world lays Nelson Mandela to rest, we are reminded of the huge contribution he made to the people of Africa and to the global cause of human rights. But the anti-apartheid struggle he led also helped to bring about a transformation in our notion of money, lifting the veil on the social and moral importance of investment.

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5. The appalling silence of the investment industry on Rana Plaza

   October 25, 2013 - by Eugene Ellmen - 1 comment

   Six months ago, the eight-story Rana Plaza garment factory collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. More than 1,100 people were killed and 2,500 were injured in the deadliest garment factory accident in history.

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