2009 Annual Conference outline

POSTPONED

[ outline programme ] [ booking form ] [ conference outline ] [ conference location ]

Key aims

The key aims of the conference in September 2009 are to:

Develop a common agenda between Credit Unions and 3^rd sector partners in relation to strategies for responding to the credit crunch and current global economic recession.
Promote debate about economic justice, financial inclusion and community reinvestment.
Learn from efforts to promote the 3^rd sector as a viable alternative to commercial providers in response to the current economic recession.
Provide an opportunity for delegates to enhance their knowledge/skills in relation to appropriate services and products.

Outcomes

The conference will have a range of outcomes:

A higher profile debate in the UK on responsible lending and financial inclusion.
A clearer advocacy strategy, including identifying policy and practice change objectives in relation to responsible lending, financial inclusion and consumer protection at both UK and EU levels.
Stronger links between credit unions and community finance institutions within the 3^rd sector network and partner organisations in the UK.
Better informed and more "consumer-focussed" Government policy making, including the DWP, Treasury Financial Inclusion Task Force and the FSA.

Who will attend

It is anticipated that there will be in the region of 80 - 100 people attending:

Credit Unions and Community Development Finance institutions.
Money and debt advice agencies and consumer organisations.
People with direct experience of financial exclusion issues.
Representatives of financial institutions with a commitment to combating financial exclusion.
Civil servants and local government workers (representatives from all Government departments and NGOs).
Social policy researchers and academics.
Organisations who work with people affected by financial exclusion.

Conference format

The programme will run over 1 evening and 2 days - starting Wednesday evening and finishing late afternoon on the Friday. This will enable people to get the chance to hear from and meet a variety of people all with differing experiences of financial services in the UK or other countries, but all with a commitment to economic justice.

The programme will include:

Keynote addresses: UK perspectives from high level Government, NGO and private sector speakers.
Panel debates, seminars and workshops on key issues, which are likely to include:
- Responsible lending and community reinvestment: the role of banks and financial institutions in tackling financial exclusion
- Social lending: the role of the public sector and third sector approaches
- Consumer protection: effective regulation of lending
- Responsible lending: markets, self-regulation and enforcement
- Consumer needs: delivering joined up solutions
Visits: Possibility of including optional visits a local credit union within Sheffield
Exhibition space: Space for voluntary and/or private sector exhibitors/displays

Background to the conference

NACUW has held and annual conference since its conception. Traditionally it was organised to serve the needs of development workers and volunteers directly concerned with credit unions. Programme content reflected this and were primarily training and education.

NACUW has moved on and now represent those that work in the industry. Subsequently annual conference has changed accordingly. These days the content is very much about strategy and employment issues. However, training and education still remain but at a higher level reflecting maturity of the financial 3^rd sector.


	training consultancy & research news & events publications contact
2012 Spring Event about NACUW news & events training consultancy & research publications membership contact links terms & conditions	printable page 2009 Annual Conference outline POSTPONED [ outline programme ] [ booking form ] [ conference outline ] [ conference location ] Key aims The key aims of the conference in September 2009 are to: Develop a common agenda between Credit Unions and 3^rd sector partners in relation to strategies for responding to the credit crunch and current global economic recession. Promote debate about economic justice, financial inclusion and community reinvestment. Learn from efforts to promote the 3^rd sector as a viable alternative to commercial providers in response to the current economic recession. Provide an opportunity for delegates to enhance their knowledge/skills in relation to appropriate services and products. Outcomes The conference will have a range of outcomes: A higher profile debate in the UK on responsible lending and financial inclusion. A clearer advocacy strategy, including identifying policy and practice change objectives in relation to responsible lending, financial inclusion and consumer protection at both UK and EU levels. Stronger links between credit unions and community finance institutions within the 3^rd sector network and partner organisations in the UK. Better informed and more "consumer-focussed" Government policy making, including the DWP, Treasury Financial Inclusion Task Force and the FSA. Who will attend It is anticipated that there will be in the region of 80 - 100 people attending: Credit Unions and Community Development Finance institutions. Money and debt advice agencies and consumer organisations. People with direct experience of financial exclusion issues. Representatives of financial institutions with a commitment to combating financial exclusion. Civil servants and local government workers (representatives from all Government departments and NGOs). Social policy researchers and academics. Organisations who work with people affected by financial exclusion. Conference format The programme will run over 1 evening and 2 days - starting Wednesday evening and finishing late afternoon on the Friday. This will enable people to get the chance to hear from and meet a variety of people all with differing experiences of financial services in the UK or other countries, but all with a commitment to economic justice. The programme will include: Keynote addresses: UK perspectives from high level Government, NGO and private sector speakers. Panel debates, seminars and workshops on key issues, which are likely to include: Responsible lending and community reinvestment: the role of banks and financial institutions in tackling financial exclusion Social lending: the role of the public sector and third sector approaches Consumer protection: effective regulation of lending Responsible lending: markets, self-regulation and enforcement Consumer needs: delivering joined up solutions Visits: Possibility of including optional visits a local credit union within Sheffield Exhibition space: Space for voluntary and/or private sector exhibitors/displays Background to the conference NACUW has held and annual conference since its conception. Traditionally it was organised to serve the needs of development workers and volunteers directly concerned with credit unions. Programme content reflected this and were primarily training and education. NACUW has moved on and now represent those that work in the industry. Subsequently annual conference has changed accordingly. These days the content is very much about strategy and employment issues. However, training and education still remain but at a higher level reflecting maturity of the financial 3^rd sector.