Blog Archives

World AIDS Day 2011: Ending AIDS in a Generation

Today, Thursday, Dec. 1, is World AIDS Day. This year’s theme, Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination, Zero AIDS-related deaths, is an optimistic one but there is good reason to hope. The latest Report on the Global HIV/AIDS Response by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and UNAIDS indicates that increased access to HIV services has resulted Read more…

Posted in Events, Where We Work
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Top 3 People Not to Miss at the Fall Microfinance Conference in Washington, D.C.

Twice a year, Opportunity hosts a big microfinance conference, bringing in experts in microfinance, poverty eradication and global development to share their knowledge and experience with Opportunity staff, supporters and people interested in learning more about microfinance. This fall, our conference in Washington, D.C. promises to be as inspiring and engaging as ever.  Get to know three Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Events, Our Work, Strategic Partners
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Opportunity Attends the 10,000 Women Leadership Academy

The second annual 10,000 Women Leadership Academy brought more than 100 partners from around the world to Washington, D.C. from June 6-9, 2010. Opportunity International was honored to be in attendance to represent the Emerging Leaders Program, a part of Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women initiative. Goldman Sachs[/intlink] created the 10,000 Women program to empower women Read more…

Posted in Events, Local Staffing, Our Work, Strategic Partners, Training, Where We Work, Women's Opportunity Network
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Providing Financial Services to Women Creates a Better World

Opportunity has long known what U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated in a video message to the “Women for a Better World” conference in Spain on Saturday—that empowering women is the key to global progress and prosperity. While Opportunity serves all people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or gender, we place a special emphasis Read more…

Posted in Our Mission and Vision, Our Work, Women's Opportunity Network
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Development as a strategic, economic and moral imperative

“Women and girls are one of the world’s greatest untapped resources and a terrific return on investment…I have seen for myself the transformative power of microlending in women’s lives and their families and communities.” The above quote is from a speech given earlier this week at the Center for Global Development by Secretary of State Read more…

Posted in Women's Opportunity Network, Young Ambassadors for Opportunity
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Investing in Women and Girls

According the to the UN, women undertake 66% of the world’s work. They produce 50% of the worlds food. In spite of this, they earn only 10% of the world’s income. And they own only 1% of the world’s property. With statistics like these, it is no wonder that the Clinton Global Initiative emphasizes the Read more…

Posted in Our Leadership, Our Mission and Vision, Our Motivation, Our Work, Women's Opportunity Network
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Initiating Change in Education: Opportunity’s CGI Commitment at 2:45 p.m. EST #cgi09

Ambitions soar, hope floats, and change hangs in the air each year at the Clinton Global Initiative. This year is no exception. Today (Wednesday), at 2:45 p.m. EST, Madeline Albright will spotlight Opportunity International as a key player in the advancement of opportunities for children in the developing world. By introducing tuition savings accounts, school Read more…

Posted in Events, Our Leadership, Our Mission and Vision, Our Work
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“There is nothing micro about the human spirit.”

This is a guest post written by Susy Cheston: This was a quote from the speech Maria Otero gave at her swearing-in ceremony as Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs yesterday. Maria spent over 20 years working in microfinance, and had been serving as CEO of ACCION International when she was tapped Read more…

Posted in Our Mission and Vision
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