Make the World Economic Forum work for poor people

At a time when charity dollars are scarce, the best way to fight global poverty is through small "microloans" to individual entrepreneurs, usually women. This proven strategy can be expanded to reach many more hard-working poor so they can lift themselves out of poverty.

Let's ask world leaders to expand microfinance to many more entrepreneurs.

Bob Fertik

Dear Activist,

The WEF Must Focus on Microfinance Ask the World Economic Forum's leaders to prioritize microfinance at their upcoming meeting. Our goal is to gather 10,000 petition signatures by January 21st. Sign the petition now.

In just a few weeks, the world's economic leaders will gather at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2009 to discuss the current financial crisis.

We need your help to make sure that the WEF's chairmen use the meeting to help those hardest hit by the crisis - the 3+ billion people around the world currently living on less than $2 a day.

Our goal is to gather 10,000 petition signatures by January 21st to make sure we've caught the WEF chairmen's attention before the Forum begins on the 28th.

Click the link below to add your name to our petition by January 21st:
http://mail.democrats.com/CT00032804MTY3MjA0MwAA.HTML?D=2009-01-08

Microfinance is one of the most effective ways to help break the cycle of poverty by giving the world's poor the financial tools they need to lift themselves and their families out of poverty, with dignity and pride.

But there is an urgent need to expand these services. Right now, the microfinance community is reaching only 10-20% of the estimated 500 million poor entrepreneurs who would benefit from these opportunities.

The leaders of the upcoming World Economic Forum have the power to advance microfinance world-wide and help eradicate poverty.

Please join us in contacting the Forum's Co-Chairs by January 21st to urge them to promote and prioritize microfinance at the upcoming conference.

Sign the petition at: http://mail.democrats.com/CT00032805MTY3MjA0MwAA.HTML?D=2009-01-08

Then help spread the word by forwarding this message to your friends, family and colleagues and asking them to join you before the 21st.

Thank you so much for your help.

Sincerely,

María Otero
President and CEO
ACCION International