The 2005 FWA International Conference was held March 6 through 13th in the Dominican Republic. The twenty-five delegates had an unparalleled opportunity to learn first-hand about the economy and culture of this nation. Starting from the celebration of Carnival in Santo Domingo on the day of the group's arrival and a tour of the historic parts of the city, and including a visit to a spectacular museum at the Centro Leon in Santiago, the delegates experienced the multicultural basis of Dominican culture. Discussions with bank regulators, publishers, press, and economic authorities gave the group extra insight into present day economic realities–not to mention the indelible impressions left by a field trip to a huge free trade zone garment factory. A reception at the home of US Ambassador Hans Hertell that included a large number of prominent Dominican women, who joined the FWA in honoring International Women's Day, received significant coverage in the Dominican press and television media.
The Women's World Banking affiliate ADOPEM, which had received the Lenore Albom Memorial funds contributed by the FWA, organized two days of visits to its headquarters, a branch bank, a training center, and the microbusinesses of several of its clients. This was a most rewarding opportunity to see how life for the very poorest segments of society is being improved by this kind of initiative. It was particularly meaningful for the group to have Lenore's mother and sister Isabel and Barbara Albom, both FWA members, as part of the delegation. Zembaba Ayalew, an FWA Columbia University SIPA graduate scholarship winner who is specializing in microfinance, also attended the conference.
The trip concluded with a brief exploration of another pillar of the Dominican economy–tourism, as the group spent the final weekend at Casa de Campo in La Romana enjoying the island country's fine beaches.
A detailed list of the speakers, delegates, and sponsors and more photos will appear soon. Meanwhile, special thanks to Goldman Sachs, Prudential Financial, and Don Guillermo Leon for support of the conference.
In the news - Major local newspapers covered the recent international trip.
(Note: Newspaper report is available in Spanish only.)
El Caribe - La Embajada de los Estados Unidos, Thursday, March 9th
Hoy - Un brindis por las mujeres de las finanzas, Thursday, March 9th
Las Sociales - Embajada Estados Unidos agasaja a grupo de damas, Thursday, March 9th
Scenes from the recent trip to the Dominican Republic.
Kelly Mathieson, Mr. Leon, Janet Handal
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Delegates visit ADOPEM |
Free Trade Factory
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Minimart owners / ADOPEM clients |
Reception with the Ambassador
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Kelly addresses the delegates and
Dominican women leaders at the Embassy
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Carnival in Santo Domingo
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Centro Leon
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Centro Leon |
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