Access to credit is one of the most critical factors determining economic strength and personal opportunity. Historically, the formal providers of credit were preoccupied with large scale enterprises and dismissive of small-scale entrepreneurs, especially when these were women. Today it is acknowledged that women play a vital role in the organization and development of economic initiatives. However, in economic practice male patterns are defined as normative. Are these assumptions accurate? Or do women's economic initiatives follow a different path? The characteristics of women's economic activities must be identified and defined. This international event will bring together theorists, researchers and practitioners in the field of micro-credit, community development, economic and gender theory and history. The conference will explore the many circumstances in which women found opportunities, or programs, which facilitated economic initiatives. We will also focus on the broader mechanisms and programmes essential for continuing development. Our audience will include academics and students, government officials, representatives of corporate and government agencies, NGOs and interested community people. Credit is the starting point; however, the conference will also assess the related elements which assure asset accumulation and ultimate economic independence for women. The focus will be comparative across time and place. We will introduce the multiple histories of women's economic experience in western and traditional societies. There will also be case studies from a range of institutions, past and present.

Further information can be found on our conference website. Or, contact the organizer, Dr. Beverly Lemire.