4 Jul 2022
The Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), was the proud host of the conference which took place from 20th to 22nd June 2022
The Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), was the proud host of the 7th European Research Conference on Microfinance which took place from 20th to 22nd June 2022 at GCU’s Glasgow campus, supported by e-MFP and CERMi. GCU’s Yunus Centre conducts world-leading research to conceptualise and evidence ways that lives of individuals and communities can be improved through a better understanding of various community-based and health-focused initiatives, with a major focus on microfinance.
This first ERCM after the COVID-19 pandemic, focused on microfinance research priorities that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the University for the Common Good, and one of the first universities in the world to adopt the SDGs as a framework for its research strategy, GCU is on the frontline of tackling intersectional social and climate issues building on their proud tradition of supporting communities, locally and internationally, to deliver social impact.
Delegates were welcomed to the conference by Professor Rachel Baker, Director of GCU’s Yunus Centre, and by Mr. Christoph Pausch, Executive Secretary, e-MFP. Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Emeritus Chancellor GCU, concluded the Opening Ceremony with an inspired talk, via an online link from the Yunus Centre in Dhaka.
Following the Opening Ceremony, a plenary session from Professor Robert Lensink, University of Groningen, discussed “Microfinance: state of the art and research agenda”, chaired by Professor Olga Biosca of GCU’s Yunus Centre, with further contributions from Panelists Professor Ariane Szafarz and Professor Marek Hudon, both from CERMi, ULB.
Three parallel sessions concluded the first morning, with discussions on “Measuring microfinance performance and ATLAS database,” “Institutional issues and governance” and “Non-Financial Services.” Nine papers were presented from speakers from amongst others, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, University of Mons and Opportunity International Australia.
The afternoon of the first day saw 16 papers presented at four further parallel sessions on “Markets, policies and regulation,” “Gender perspectives in microfinance,” Institutional issues and governance “and “Financial inclusion and COVID-19.”
The day concluded with the presentation of the Best Graduate Paper Award. The Award Panelists were Dr Britta Augsburg, Institute for Fiscal Studies, Dr Knar Khachatryan, American University of Armenia and Dr Neil McHugh, Yunus Centre, GCU as Chair. The winning authors, Naome Otiti, and Anaëlle Petre, both from University of Agder, presented their work and received certificates from Dr Joana Afonso, Financial Inclusion Specialist, e-MFP.
Delegates were treated to a Civic Reception at the stunning Glasgow City Chambers on the Monday evening to close the first day.
Day two opened with 12 papers discussed at 4 more parallel sessions which preceded Dr Caroline Hossein, University of Toronto Scarborough, presenting a well-received plenary on “Understanding Politicized Finance: Identities, Politics and the Quest for Inclusion in the Black Americas”, with discussion led by panelists Dr. Anastasia Cozarenco, Montpellier Business School and Dr. Bert D’Espallier, KU Leuven, and Chair, Dr. Lucia Dalla Pellegrina, University of Milano-Bicocca.
The second parallel sessions presentations of the day included 16 different research papers. The day closed with a plenary session via Zoom from Professor Mario L. Small, Columbia University entitled “Financial Institutions, Neighbourhoods and Racial Inequality”. The session was chaired by Professor Laura Viganò, University of Bergamo with Panelists Dr. Mathilde Bauwin, ADA Luxembourg, and Professor Cam Donaldson, GCU.
In the evening, guests were met by a piper at Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel where they enjoyed the conference dinner followed by a Ceildh and lots of dancing.
The closing day of the conference commenced with the final parallel sessions seeing 11 papers being presented. Sessions included ”Impact of microfinance and COVID-19”, “Global perspectives in microfinance” and “ Innovation in microfinance products”. The conference closed with a plenary session from Dr. Davide Forcella (Climate and Biodiversity Inclusive Finance Institute, YAPU Solutions, e-MFP GICSF-AG, CERMi) on Green Inclusive Finance. Discussions were led by Panelists, Emanuella Christensen, GCU, Dr. Frédéric Huybrechs, University of Antwerp, Howard Miller, Center for Financial Inclusion, Usman Modibbo, GCU and Chair, Dr. Karin Helwig, GCU.
The conference saw many delegates from outside of the UK, from Europe, Asia, America and Africa, as well as New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, and the Philippines – 31 countries in total. There were 68 speakers at the parallel sessions and 109 delegates.
All agreed that it was good to be able to meet again face to face and to contribute, through our research, to a more sustainable, inclusive and just world.