an interest-free economy ?

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
Alternative Sustainable Credit - An Interest-Free Economy?
23-27 March 1998 Fortaleza - Brazil
Realization: CEPEMA Foundation
Fortaleza Office: Rua Crate s, 1250, Parquel ndia CEP: 60.455-780
FORTALEZA-CE
Telefax: (085) 281-2346 E-mail: cepema@ibm.net


GENERAL INFORMATION

The CEPEMA Foundation is organizing an International Seminar on Sustainable
Credit in Fortaleza (Cear - Brazil), 23-27 March 1998. The participation of
lecturers from Uruguay, Brazil, Sweden and Chile is already confirmed -
professionally experienced representatives from other countries are also
invited.

The CEPEMA Foundation is a Brazilian NGO established within the fields of
organic agricultural production and environmental education in the State of
Cear , with eight years of experience of co-operation with local
smallholders, working-cooperatives, small scale enterprises and syndicate
leaderships.

Sustainable economic development and rural advancement are in focus for this
International Seminar. Local initiatives and foreign experience will be
disseminated, discussed and developed.
The seminar "Alternative Sustainable Credit - An Interest-Free Economy?"
will be realized in co-operation with the Swedish Institute - SI.


THEMES TO BE ENHANCED AT THE SEMINAR

The themes particularly touched at this seminar will be:

n ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
n ECONOMY AND ECOLOGY
n THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM FROM A HISTORIC-CULTURAL VIEW
n SELF-RELIANCE AND CREDIT COOPERATIVES
n CREDIT COOPERATIVES - AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE BANK SYSTEM?

The seminar will demonstrate several practical experiences of alternative
economic solutions. The following are some examples, which will be explaned
and studied.

J.A.K. - an established interest-free bank system in Sweden. With ca.
20.000 members it supplies profitable loans primarily to building and
residence projects. (Sweden)
Nordiska Sparl n - automatic adjustment to demand of loans and supply of
money. (Sweden)
"The Chilean Case" - the Chilean economic, ecological and social effects
of the globalizing process. (Chile)
"Cr{dito do Amigo" - the Development Bank of Northeast Brazil (Banco do
Nordeste do Brasil) gives profitable loans to workers with small income.
(Brazil)
"Banco do Povo" - the common people's bank; three years experience of
alternative loaning conditions in Bras lia. (Brazil)

"Municipal Bank" - the municipality of Porto Alegre gives profitable loans
to workers with small income. (Brazil)
"Banco Palmas" - a local association in the Fortaleza slum-area has
organized a profitable loan-activity of 10-30 US$ to its members, in form of
credit at local markets. (Brazil)
The doctor's union in Fortaleza is managing a profitable loan-activity for
its members. (Brazil)

Organizations in Spain, The Dominican Republic and Argentina are also being
invited to share their experiences of alternative economic systems.


DETAILES

The International Seminar on Sustainable Credit will be realized 23-27 March
(Mon-Fri 08.30-17.00), in the State Capital Fortaleza, Cear - Brazil, in
organization of the CEPEMA Foundation.
The seminar is turning principally to cooperatives, trade union
representatives, small scale enterprises, NGOs and other institutions. The
interest of the event is steadily increasing and the number of participants
is now estimated to ca. 150 persons.

The registration fees are as follows:
NGOs, Private Associations, Cooperatives, etc: 30US$
Students 50US$
Others 70US$

The seminar will be realized at the Olimpo Praia Hotel in Fortaleza city.
The exact address is Avenida Beira Mar No. 2380 (tel. +55 85-248.9122 fax:
248.2793). The CEPEMA Foundation will be able to offer a special price for
eventual seminar participants, choosing to rent a room at this hotel during
the week.

The CEPEMA Foundation is trying to achieve an agreement with aircraft
companies to possibly obtain reduced prices for foreign seminar
participants.

For further information on the seminar, please contact the CEPEMA
Foundation, Fortaleza office. Our contact person for this event is Mr.
Henrique C{sar, Administrative Sector.
We like to point out that our telefax number in function is +55-85 281 23
46. If you wish to contact us via e-mail, please use either cepema@ibm.net,
or alenca@ibm.net.

Address Fortaleza Office: Rua Crate s, 1250, Parquel dia CEP: 60.455-780
FORTALEZA-CE Telefax: (085) 281-2346 E-mail: cepema@ibm.net


BEM VINDO - BIEN VENIDO - V LKOMMEN - WELCOME








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