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Platinum Authors |
International Labour Organization - Click Here To Read International's Articles - As the world's only tripartite
multilateral agency, the ILO is dedicated
to bringing decent work and livelihoods,
job-related security and better living
standards to the people of both poor and
rich countries. It helps to attain those
goals by promoting rights at work,
encouraging opportunities for decent
employment, enhancing social protection
and strengthening dialogue on work-related
issues.
The ILO is the international meeting place
for the world of work. We are the experts
on work and employment and particularly on
the critical role that these issues play
in bringing about economic development and
progress. At the heart of our mission is
helping countries build the institutions
that are the bulwarks of democracy and to
help them become accountable to the
people.
The ILO formulates international labour
standards in the form of Conventions and
Recommendations setting minimum standards
of basic labour rights: freedom of
association, the right to organize,
collective bargaining, abolition of forced
labour, equality of opportunity and
treatment and other standards addressing
conditions across the entire spectrum of
work-related issues.
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Dr. Rob Smorfitt - Click Here To Read Dr. Rob's Articles - Have an MBA and a PhD in entrepreneurship.
Three key areas of ongoing research are
entrepreneurship and innovation in large
businesses, the impact of legislation on
SMEs and SME finance.
Run my own SME blog at
http://sme-smb-smme.blogspot.com as well
as an entrepreneurship and innovation for
large businesses blog at
http://innoveur.blogspot.com
I have been self-employed since 1982. I
have started or purchased in excess of 40
businesses since then. Most were sold
again and a few were shut down because of
a lack of profitability. Many were run by
staff or family while I worked in full
time employment in my bigger businesses.
6 books written in Entrepreneurship and
Project Management educational field.
Written articles for various magazines,
newspapers and websites.
Married with 3 children (22, 21 and 14).
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International Monetary Fund - Click Here To Read International's Articles - The IMF is an international organization
of 185 member countries. It was
established to promote international
monetary cooperation, exchange stability,
and orderly exchange arrangements; to
foster economic growth and high levels of
employment; and to provide temporary
financial assistance to countries to help
ease balance of payments adjustment.
Since the IMF was established its purposes
have remained unchanged but its
operations—which involve surveillance,
financial assistance, and technical
assistance—have developed to meet the
changing needs of its member countries in
an evolving world economy.
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OECD Development Centre - Click Here To Read OECD's Articles - Created in 1962 by the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) in Paris, the Development Centre is
an interface between OECD Member countries
and the emerging and developing
economies.
The Development Centre occupies a unique
place within the OECD and in the
international community. It is a forum
where countries come to share their
experience of economic and social
development policies. The Centre
contributes expert analysis to the
development policy debate. The objective
is to help decision makers find policy
solutions to stimulate growth and improve
living conditions in developing and
emerging economies.
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African Development Bank - Click Here To Read African's Articles - The African Development Bank is the
premier financial development institution
of Africa, dedicated to combating poverty
and improving the lives of people of the
continent and engaged in the task of
mobilizing resources towards the economic
and social progress of its Regional Member
Countries.The Bank’s s mission is to
promote economic and social development
through loans, equity investments, and
technical assistance.
The ADB is a multilateral development bank
whose shareholders include 53 African
countries and 24 non-African countries
from the Americas, Asia, and Europe. It
was established in 1964, with its
headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire,
and officially began operations in 1967.
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Grameen Foundation - Click Here To Read Grameen's Articles - Grameen Foundation's mission is to empower
the world's poorest people to lift
themselves out of poverty with dignity
through access to financial services and
to information.
With tiny loans, financial services and
technology, we help the poor, mostly
women, start self-sustaining businesses to
escape poverty. Founded in 1997 by a group
of friends who were inspired by the work
of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, our global
network of microfinance partners reaches
over 3.6 million families in 25 countries.
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World Economic Forum - Click Here To Read World's Articles - The World Economic Forum is an independent
international organization committed to
improving the state of the world by
engaging leaders in partnerships to shape
global, regional and industry agendas.
Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and
based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World
Economic Forum is impartial and
not-for-profit; it is tied to no
political, partisan or national interests.
The World Economic Forum is under the
supervision of the Swiss Federal
Government.
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United Nations Capital Development Fund - Click Here To Read United Nations's Articles - The United Nations Capital Development
Fund (UNCDF) is a UN organization mandated
by the UN General Assembly and its
Executive Board to provide capital
assistance first and foremost to the Least
Developed Countries (LDCs). UNCDF invests
in LDCs in order to support their efforts
to reduce poverty and achieve the
Millennium Development Goals, especially
in its two main product lines - Micro
finance and Local Development. UNCDF is
part of the UNDP-group and hosts the UN
Advisors Group on Inclusive Financial
Sectors.
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Gold Authors |
David Satterthwaite - Click Here To Read David's Articles - David brings 10 years of experience in
microfinance management, social
entrepreneurship, non-profit
management/fund-raising and microfinance
investment research.
David is the Chairman and President of
Prisma Microfinance, Inc., a retail
“microbank” operating in Central America.
He is also Chief Editor of
MicroCapital.org, a news and information
service for the microfinance community and
its investors. Each month,
MicroCapital.org publishes the
MicroCapital Monitor, the leading industry
newspaper.
David writes and speaks frequently on
microfinance. He has been a quest speaker
at many events, including: Microcredit
Summit 5+: Panel on Private Investment,
Milken Institute Global Conference, United
Nations Year of Microcredit Symposium for
Wall Street, Chicago Conference on
Microfinance, Harvard Social Enterprise
Conference, Dartmouth’s Business
Sustainability Conference, Wharton’s
Conference on Social Entrepreneurship,
Stanford’s Social Enterprise Club,
Columbia’s Social Enterprise Program and
the Net Impact Annual Conference. Through
his work with Prisma and MicroCapital, he
has been featured or quoted in The Wall
Street Journal, the Boston Globe, “All
Things Considered,” Reuters and
SocialFunds.com. David has been
recognized with the Compaq Computer
Corporation Leadership Award, the City
Year Inspiring Leader Award and the
National Social Venture Business Plan
Competition award for Best Social Impact
Analysis.
David has supported many non-profit and
for-profit social enterprises in different
capacities, including Access Technology
Learning Center, Agora Partnerships,
Bridges to Business, City Year, Fonkoze,
Kiva and National Social Venture
Competition.
David holds a B.A. with Honors in
Political Science from Haverford College.
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Erik Hersman - Click Here To Read Erik's Articles - Erik Hersman is a rising international
technology
influencer with a keen eye on the impact
of Web 2.0
advancements in the U.S. and his finger on
the pulse of
technology innovation across Africa. An
avid blogger
Erik writes four different technology
blogs including:
AfriGadge
t; WhiteAf
rican;
African Signals; and Realt
y Thoughts.
When he is not blogging Erik serves as VP
of strategy and marketing at eppraisal.com
an online real estate site providing
on-demand access to home valuations, real
estate professionals, home inspectors and
appraisers. In this position he is
responsible for marketing implementation,
partner strategy and consumer evangelism.
Raised in Sudan and Kenya, Erik brings
unique energy and insight to the world of
technology – bridging the gap between
Africa and Silicon Valley. Erik can be
seen speaking around the world at
recognized conferences including the
TEDGlobal conference in Tanzania and
Inman’s Real Estate Connect.
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G Kofi Annan - Click Here To Read G Kofi's Articles - G. Kofi Annan is a Ghanaian creative
director and strategist (cultural trends,
marketing, branding) who specializes in
the emerging African market. He is the
principal of Annansi
LLC, a boutique consultancy which
bridges the gap between the African market
and the global community. Annansi LLC
produces both Annansi Chronicles and Ann
ansi Clothing Co., a premium
streetwear apparel line.
Kofi is an active board member of the
African Film Commission, and has appeared
and been quoted in influential media
outlets including Reuters,
FastCompany.com, Inc. Magazine, PSFK.com,
i-D Magazine, The Source Magazine,
Complex.com, VH1, and BET. He is currently
researching a book on the relationship
between Africa’s brand image and foreign
investments.
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Uduak Oduok - Click Here To Read Uduak's Articles - Ms. Uduak Oduok is the President &
CEO of Ladybrille Media Group, Inc.,
a dynamic multi-media company
providing local and global niche market
coverage to highly relevant hyper-targeted
audience in fashion, film, music and the
arts. She is also an attorney,
fashion model and journalist with over
seventeen years combined experience in the
legal, fashion and entertainment
industries. Visit www.ladyb
rille.com to learn more about
Ladybrille Media Group & Ms.
Oduok.
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John Wesonga - Click Here To Read John's Articles - Born in Nairobi, Kenya, John Wesonga is a
partner and the Technology Director of Mul
tiple Choices, a communications
company that builds web 2.0 applications
for the Internet and provides strategic
advice on Online Brands. His interests
include: web development, blogging, mobile
technology, Africa, and Kenya. His blog,
Afropreneur, is one of the most
popular online resources for news
regarding business and technology in
Africa. He is also currently a student at
Strathmore University, where he is
pursuing a degree in Business Information
Technology.
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Benin Mwangi - Click Here To Read Benin's Articles - A credit analyst by profession, Benin
Mwangi is one of the world's foremost
experts on the topic of entrepreneurship
in Africa. He is the founder of Benin
Mwangi Enterprises, a consulting firm that
specializes in promoting trade in Africa
as a means to achieve self-empowerment and
community development. His blog, BeninMwangi
.com, serves as one of the most
popular online destinations for those
looking to learn about and discuss
business and entrepreneurship in Africa.
He is also a regular contributor to Global
Voices Online and Kenya Empowerment News.
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Shell Foundation - Click Here To Read Shell's Articles - The Shell Foundation is established to
support efforts to achieve a balance
between economic growth, care for the
environment and equitable social
development - the goal of sustainable
development.
The Foundation's focus on sustainable
development is based upon the Shell
Group's belief that the long-term health
and prosperity of societies of which it is
part, and its own future, depends on the
ability of all stakeholders, worldwide, to
attain such balance.
However, as one of the most significant
international oil and energy groups, Shell
recognises the global dimension of many
sustainability issues related to its
activities. It believes it has a
responsibility and an opportunity to play
its part in addressing these issues.
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Gavin Chait - Click Here To Read Gavin's Articles - Gavin Chait is the principle analyst for
Whythawk Ratings, the trusted advisor for
many of South Africa's most demanding
development initiatives for almost a
decade. Chait specialises in economic and
enterprise development. He both creates
systems for economic and business
generation and then project manages these
through the implementation phase.
Gavin has worked with the University of
Cape Town Department of Management Studies
in the Faculty of Commerce to develop
student entrepreneurial consulting
projects. He has a close relationship
with the Department of Economic
Development and Tourism working on
projects as diverse as tourism development
and support; and the 1000 x 1000 Project
in which 1 000 individuals were given the
opportunity to start a business for R 1
000 each. Gavin assisted with the initial
project scoping and development of his
original idea for implementation at such a
large scale. He further wrote the
training and feedback manuals to be used
in the event and project managed the
event.
Gavin’s qualifications include degrees in
Microbiology and Biochemistry (from the
University of Cape Town in 1994) and a
degree in Electrical Engineering (UCT,
1998).
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Ken Teyie - Click Here To Read Ken's Articles - Ken Teyie works for Mondeas Limited as an
Editorial manager. He previously worked
for All Times Media, a publishing company
based in Nairobi Kenya. He is a regular
contributor in the online business
magazines, www.africanexecutive.com and
played a leading role in the initial
branding of www.smartbizafrica.com and is
in the process of building an
international branding company that will
provide the much needed boost in upcoming
small and medium sized firms in Africa in
terms of identifying new market
opportunities and increasing their
corporate reach. Through his blog,
http://businessinfocus.blogspot.com, Mr.
Teyie has been able to air views about
business in Africa. His contributions can
also be read at http://africareadyfor
business.blogspot.com and
www.kenyaimagine.com.
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Africa Renewal - Click Here To Read Africa's Articles - The Africa Renewal information programme,
produced by the Africa Section of the
United Nations Department of Public
Information, provides up-to-date
information and analysis of the major
economic and development challenges facing
Africa today. Among the major items it
produces is the renowned magazine, Africa
Renewal (formerly Africa Recovery), which
first appeared in 1987. It also produces a
range of public information materials,
including backgrounders, press releases
and feature articles. It works with the
media in Africa and beyond to promote the
work of the United Nations, Africa and the
international community to bring peace and
development to Africa.
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id 21 - Click Here To Read id's Articles - id21 is a fast-track research reporting
service funded by the UK Department for
International Development (DFID). It aims
to bring UK-based development research
findings and policy recommendations to
policymakers and development practitioners
worldwide.
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Microfinance Gateway - Click Here To Read Microfinance's Articles - The Microfinance Gateway (the Gateway) is
the most comprehensive source of
information for and about the microfinance
industry. It includes research and
publications, discussion groups,
specialized resource centers, organization
and consultant profiles, and the latest
news, events, and job opportunities in
microfinance. Its guiding vision is to
enable microfinance industry participants
to generate value, innovate and engage in
the free flow of ideas by effectively
utilizing the Gateway's knowledge assets.
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United Nations University - Click Here To Read United Nations's Articles - UNU is dedicated to the generation and
transfer of knowledge, and the
strengthening of individual and
institutional capacities in furtherance of
the purposes and principles of the Charter
of the United Nations.
The mission of UNU is to contribute,
through research and capacity building, to
efforts to resolve the pressing global
problems that are a concern of the United
Nations, its Peoples and Member States.
In fulfilling this mission, UNU fosters
intellectual cooperation among scholars,
scientists, and practitioners worldwide —
especially those in the developing world —
and functions as:
an international community of scholars;
a bridge between the United Nations and
the international academic community;
a think-tank for the United Nations
system;
a builder of capacity, particularly in
developing countries; and
a platform for dialogue and new and
creative ideas.
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Makerere University Business School - Click Here To Read Makerere University's Articles - The Makerere University Business School
(MUBS) is at the centre stage of Business
and Management Education in Uganda. It is
the leading institution in providing
business and management education at the
certificate, diploma, Undergraduate and
Postgraduate levels and a benchmark for
other institutions both nationally and
regionally.
It also facilitates professional
development, promotes entrepreneurship and
is a leading business Management research
institution in Uganda.
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Silver Authors |
Craft Village - Click Here To Read Craft Village's Articles - Craft Village is a small business based in
England. With the artisans of Kisii
Tabaka, Western Kenya, we have been
developing our unique sculptures and
nurturing this project since 2004.
Recognizing the skill and talent of the
Kisii carvers, Craft Village identified
the need for a new outlook in terms of
design. A progression from the
traditional soapstone statues saturating
the market.
Training rural Kenyan craftsmen to sculpt
caricatures of cartoon characters, and
introducing new production techniques and
quality control methods, Craft Village
have secured approval from 20th Century
Fox and achieved an exclusive license to
produce and sell our Simpsons sculptures.
We are proud to be in a position to supply
Simpsons fans with new, high quality,
unique, animation art, whilst
simultaneously having a positive economic
impact in rural Kenya.
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Henk Boshoff - Click Here To Read Henk Boshoff's Articles - Henk started his career with a diploma in
electrical engineering. He then worked as
an electronic lab and production line
technician gaining valuable experience on
manufacturing and testing processes.
During this time he obtained his BTech
degree in Engineering at the Tswane
University of Technology. Soon afterwards
he obtained a Bsc(Honours) degree from the
University of Pretoria.. This allowed him
to move into an engineering position where
he spent 6 years on electronic hardware
and software designs focusing mainly in
data communications and data communication
protocols.
During this period he obtained his MSc
from the University of Pretoria. His mini
thesis provided a new method of
investigating organisational learning
capability and the management style
requirements to achieve it. With the help
of a case analysis it showed that the
organizational structure and culture
generates a feedback cycle, which can be
used as a baseline for future
organizational learning.
The MSc allowed him the opportunity to
move onto engineering management projects.
Henk then ventured on his own by starting
the company S-Curve technologies, which is
currently 8 months old.
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Development Gateway Foundation - Click Here To Read Development's Articles - The Development Gateway Foundation is an
international nonprofit organization with
the mission to reduce poverty and enable
change in developing nations through
information technology.
It envisions a world in which the digital
revolution serves people everywhere –
creating greater opportunity through
increased access to critical information;
greater reliance on local capabilities;
and more effective, better coordinated
international aid.
To fulfill its mission, the foundation
provides Web-based platforms that make aid
and development efforts more effective
around the world.
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Shona Grant - Click Here To Read Shona's Articles - Shona Grant is the Director of the
Development Focus Area at the World
Business Council for Sustainable
Development (WBCSD) based in Geneva. She
is responsible for managing a work program
aimed at accelerating the business
contribution to development, through
awareness building of “what is possible”,
advocating for improvements in framework
conditions, and brokering real and
sustainable business opportunities between
WBCSD members and other stakeholders.
Shona is seconded from BP and joined the
WBCSD in November 2005. She joined the
Research Division of BP in 1987 and has
since held a variety of roles in the
Exploration & Production and the Executive
Office. Prior to moving to Geneva she was
Asset Manager for a portfolio including
several offshore production facilities and
logistics for their Norwegian operations.
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Andrew Mack - Click Here To Read Andrew's Articles - Andrew Mack is the founder and Principal
of amGLOBAL Consulting. A seasoned,
innovative professional with over 20 years
experience in international business and
international development, Mack has worked
in some 70 countries around the world with
special emphasis on Emerging Markets in
Africa, Latin America and Asia.
Mack is a former World Bank official and
banker, with extensive project design,
management and business development
experience, as well recognized expertise
in private sector development,
public-private partnership, and corporate
social responsibility (CSR) issues. He
has represented international donors,
NGOs, and private sector firms such as
Oracle, Chevron, Motorola, and Volvo in
work with Emerging Markets around the
world.
Mack holds a Bachelor of Arts Magna Cum
Laude from Amherst College and a Masters
in International Relations/International
Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of
Advanced International Studies. The
recipient of Fellowships from Georgetown
and Johns Hopkins Universities, Mack was
twice nominated as a “Global Leader for
Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum in
Davos.
He speaks and works in French, Spanish and
Portuguese.
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Bronze Authors |
Jabu Bags - Click Here To Read Jabu Bags's Articles - Jabu Bags is a socially responsible
business that focuses on skill sharing and
development at the grassroots level. It
involves a group of 12 rural women from
the Kalanga Chiefdom in eastern Swaziland
who make the purses and work as a team in
a sewing hut sharing five hand crank
sewing machines. Teaming entrepreneurship
with social awareness, it was created by
Megan Yarema, a master’s student in Human
Security and Peacebuilding who believes
that small efforts can have big effects.
Jabu Bags is located in Swaziland. For
more information on purchasing a bag or
the project itself contact Megan at
meganyarema@yahoo.ca, or +268 657 4955.
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Judy Wawira - Click Here To Read Judy Wawira's Articles - Judy Wawira Gichoya was born on 27th march
1984. She comes from the densely populated
Kirinyaga district of Kenya, but spent
most of her time in boarding school
throughout the country. She has
successfully completed her training in
primary and secondary school and currently
is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in
medicine and surgery. She studied basic
accounting, i.e. Certified Public
Accountant (CPA) and Information
management systems (IMIS)at Strathmore
university. She has undertaken courses on
project management, proposal writing,
grant fundraising and poverty reduction
strategies among youth.
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dorothyduncan - Click Here To Read dorothyduncan's Articles - dorothyduncan is Dorothy Ghettuba and
Mandy Duncan.
Dorothy and Mandy are the co-founders of
dorothyduncan. For two friends who had
always wanted to work together, this
turned out to be the perfect ad-venture
for allowing them to combine their love
for fashion and their entrepreneurial
skills.
Our mission is to sell a dare to live
attitude and lifestyle. At the heart of
dorothyduncan is the idealistic appeal of
being true to oneself and living the best
life possible.
Our products are designed for women of all
ages, who already feel great on the inside
and want to look just as amazing on the
outside. dorothyduncan aims to serve women
who identify themselves as distinctive,
daring, and inspired. We offer edgy,
dressy fashion pieces that add flair and
personality to an already existing
wardrobe of basics.
We carry unique and exclusive pieces by
independent fashion designers from various
parts of the world. dorothyduncan adds
spice to your wardrobe by offering a
collection of chic, eclectic and
culturally inspired pieces.
At dorothyduncan, we believe in living
life by one’s own rules. Our intent is to
share this philosophy and infectious
dare-to live attitude with you – our
customers.
Dorothy is from Kenya. Mandy is from
Guyana.
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Toka - Click Here To Read Toka's Articles - Bridget Meyer was born in a tiny African
village on the Zambesi River only 5 miles
from the Victoria Falls in Zambia. In
1990, she moved with her husband, Bob
Meyer, to Minneapolis, U.S. There, they
decided to start up a company importing
fine African crafts to America.
TOKA began in the bedroom of Bridget and
Bob’s Minneapolis apartment. As the
business grew they moved into several
larger warehouses. In 2001, they moved
their business to Smith River, California.
Their current warehouse is in Crescent
City, CA and shipping is done from nearby
Brookings, Oregon.
TOKA maintains two warehouse sites in
Zambia and currently works with
approximately 400 African weavers. All of
the weavers work from their home and weave
at their own pace.
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