INVEST SOCIALLY, AVOID FLIGHT

The international development cooperative Oikocredit is used as an example to show how economic development aid for people in developing countries can help prevent displacement. Complementary to state funds for development policy measures, so-called „social impact investment“ in microfinance is considered a proven alternative. Microloans create jobs, education and thus prospects for overcoming poverty. Oikocredit partner organisations in 70 countries help with fair microloans for people who have no access to financial services. The clearly defined goal: to create sustainable income. Anyone who has the chance to make a reasonably secure living in their home country and can send their children to school will hardly think about fleeing. This is precisely what Oikocredit supports as a social investor. For over 42 years, Oikocredit has been a pioneer in microfinance and has already enabled millions of people to stay in their home countries and thus avoid flight.
The topic of social investment is also gaining a foreign policy dimension in view of the latest migration movements. Only recently, Dr Hugo Portisch called for a „Marshall Plan for Africa.“
Oikocredit investors act out of both social motivation and pure common sense. Because people who have prospects in life help to build up the economy in their home country. Over 5,500 Austrians are currently investing money with Oikocredit, focussing primarily on the social impact of their investment and only secondarily on the financial return. Info: www.oikocredit.at

Keynote: Günter Lenhart, Deputy Chairman of the Board Oikocredit Austria

followed by a discussion with Franz Vranitzky, former Federal Chancellor and Honorary President of the Bruno Kreisky Forum