Learning the Business of Microfinance
A CD ROM-based Microfinance Distance Learning Course

A new distance learning course intended to make basic knowledge of microfinance accessible around the globe is now available from the United Nations Capital Development Fund's Special Unit for Microfinance. The course explores why and how microfinance operations grow to provide financial services to poor and low-income people on a sustainable basis. The course brings together advice and best practices from successful practitioners and institutions around the world, from Latin America to Africa to Asia and the Arab States.

The course was designed for working professionals who need to balance the demands of the job with new learning experiences. Staff of microfinance operations will find this course useful — a chance to step back and see how their work fits into global microfinance initiatives. New staff of agencies working in development or staff engaged in other fields can expand their knowledge of microfinance as an important development effort. Students will find this course complementary to their academic pursuits in economics, finance, business and international development.

The course curriculum, presented on a CD-ROM, is user-friendly, inter-active and attractively presented. Using the main menu as a road map, an expert narrator guides the student through eleven modules. Case studies come alive as customers talk about microfinance services and products. Students interview staff members, the board and management of different microfinance institutions to assess the institutional strengths and challenges for growth. Exercises and computer graphics make financial statements easy to understand and analyze.

The Microfinance Distance Learning Course comes in a package with two CD-ROMs -one contains the Computer-Based Instruction, and the other a selection of reading to accompany the eleven lessons. A workbook is included that explores the topics in more depth, offering practice questions and solutions.

The course is now available online in an interactive format. The book version of the course retails to the public for US $49.95 through the following distributors:

Publications can be ordered from your local distributor or directly through: United Nations Publications (New York) (For Orders from North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia and the Pacific) Room DC2-0853, Dept. I004, New York, N.Y. 10017, USA Tel: (800) 253-9646, (212) 963-8302  Fax: (212) 963-3489 e-mail: publications@un.org web: http://www.un.org/publications United Nations Publications (Geneva) (For Orders from Europe, Middle East and Africa) Section des Ventes et Commercialisation Bureau E-4, CH-1211, Geneva 10, Switzerland Tel: 41 (22) 917-2600/2614 Fax: 41 (22) 917-0027 e-mail: unpubli@unog.ch United Nations Bookshop Concourse Level, 46th Street and 1st Avenue,  New York, N.Y. 10017, USA Tel.: (212) 963-7680, (800) 553-3210 Fax: (212) 963-4910 e-mail: bookshop@.un.org Postage and handling: USA: add 5%, US$5.00 minimum  (Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery) Other: US$5.00 per title in addition to US$5.00 handling charge. (Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery). Please fill out this order form. For faster service please fax, e-mail or call-in your orders.

Order direct online at Amazon.com