“Realizing Property Rights” (Swiss Human Rights Book Volume 1) a book edited by Hernando de Soto and Francis Cheneval is now out (Publisher: Rüffer & Rub). This book deals with property rights as human rights seen from different cultural and historical contexts and from different thematic angles. It has been an honour for me to have been able to contribute a chapter for this book titled “Microcredit, MicroFranchising and Women Entrepreneurs”
On May 10th a one day microfinance workshop took place in Kantonsschule Zurcher Oberland in Wetzikon. This is an upper secondary level school in the Canton of Zurich. The 21 students who are 17-18 years old got an introduction to microfinance, performed a role play of microenterprises and MFIs and discussed about how to make viable businesses using microloans. In the first hour I introduced the concept of microfinance using 4 cases of successful microentrepreneurs I have met in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador , Guatemala, and Indonesia. The role play done by the students resulted in business plans for 1) production of Banana Beer in Tanzania, 2) sale of refurbished bicycles collected in Switzerland and sold in Romania and 3) a European style bar in a beach in the Dominican Republic. I do believe in involving the youth in changing the world… They are our hope for making the world a better place.
If you thought of microfinance as an effective tool to eradicate poverty you will certainly be impressed by what the next step, MicroFranchising, could achieve. MicroFranchising is in short the replication of small businesses using proven operational methods. Not everyone is an entrepreneur (not in industrialized nations nor in developing countries) but there are many people that are willing to work hard and develop their skills. MicroFranchising will not only create microentrepreneurs but sustainable businesses and employment opportunities. This subject currently brings together a lot of different organizations; NGOs, foundations, microfinance related institutions, academia, social entrepreneurs, social and private investors and MNCs. The best resources on this subjet are BYU, The Academy for Creating Enterprises (ACE) and the reports written by Kirk Magleby. In terms of successful model cases of MicroFranchising I would recommend to read about Scojo Foundation, Grameen Village Phones, and CFW shops.