Location:

Milan, Italy

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

Financial exclusion is now a social phenomenon and a global growth concern. Poverty, old and new, is closely related to situations of social and financial exclusion. Microfinance has been, in recent decades, a major innovation in the fight against poverty and the promotion of sustainable development processes both in emerging countries and in countries with advanced economies. Practices, microfinance institutions and methods are rapidly changing; the current international economic and financial crisis highlights the contradictions and limits of some experience, and indicates new working hypothesis to go beyond the models acquired. Analyze what happens in a structured manner is essential to read the changing processes and to actively participate in the new experiments. We need to look forward, but we must also be able to recall the best forms of mutualism and popular finance who have crossed European and International societies and economies. The course offers two very concrete testbeds to understand the evolution of microfinance towards new forms of financial inclusion. The first concerns the assessment of creditworthiness, through the testimony of a concrete experience of Italian microcredit. The second proposes a presentation of migrant finance in its transnational connotation and its connotation of regional action by countries of origin to host countries. We will also present two case studies that illustrate - with the direct testimony of those responsible - innovative and alternative way to fight against poverty through the development of community-based organizations and business support through the involvement of local social networks. This course, created through a collaboration between ISPI, Microfinance Srl and Giordano dell’Amore Foundation, aims to highlight the main aspects related to microfinance, but also to inspire a discussion on what is now considered the new frontier: the inclusive finance. We will also make available lot of material, studies, data, documents and references to investigate the issue. The course is intended for university students, graduates, professionals in the field of development cooperation, social finance, ethics, and social responsibility, and anyone wishing to deepen his/her knowledge on the issues of microfinance and inclusive finance. Useful for the Diploma in Development and Cooperation.

The ISPI Winter and Summer School offer students, graduates, and young professionals the opportunity to get closer to major international issues through a catalog of intensive short courses on topics such as: Development and Cooperation Humanitarian Emergencies European Affairs Microfinance Human Rights Project Planning Geopolitical Areas The Winter School provides courses of 15 hours each, offered on weekends (Friday and Saturday from 9.30am to 6.30pm). The Summer School provides courses of 15 hours each offered in July and September, developed on two days each (Monday / Tuesday, Wednesday / Thursday, Friday / Saturday) from 9.30am to 6.30pm. The program allows participation to a maximum of three courses per week. The multidisciplinary approach adopted allows an analysis of the historical, political, legal, economic, and cultural issues addressed, providing participants with the necessary tools for further studies. The "traditional" teaching approach is supplemented by testimonials, tutorials, simulations, illustrations, case studies, as well as the active involvement of participants through group work. The ISPI Winter and Summer School courses are recognized by some universities in Lombardy, in order to obtain credits. The Summer School ISPI is also partner of the Summer School of Milan. Thanks to this agreement, each student who attends the Summer School courses ISPI will receive a card with which you can get discounts at various exhibitions and museums of Milan.

Setting Description:

Founded in 1934, ISPI is one of the oldest and most prestigious international relations institutes in Italy, with its headquarters in Palazzo Clerici, Milan. It is a private law association, granted the status of non-profit-making body in 1972, and operates under the supervision of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Where the management is concerned, it is under the control of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the State Auditors’ Court. ISPI’s scientific output has always been distinguished by a sound pragmatic approach, based on monitoring the various geo-political areas and interpreting the major trends in progress on the global scene, so as to provide political and economic operators with reliable information and guidance. Its interdisciplinary nature is guaranteed by the close collaboration of specialists in economics, politics, law, history and strategic studies (from both academic and non-academic circles) and by partnerships with prestigious institutions and research cent

Cost:

Distance Learning The EUR 200 course fee includes all instructional materials