Beniamino Savonitto (Director, Citi IPA Financial Capability Research Fund at the Global Financial Inclusion Initiative, IPA) attended the 2014 Asia Microfinance Forum hosted by the Banking With the Poor Network (BWTP), Citi Foundation, the China Association of Microfinance (CAM), and the Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC).The forum brought together a wide range of policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to address a range of challenges and opportunities for the microfinance industry in Asia and the broader movement toward greater financial inclusion.Beniamino participated in a panel discussing the use of behavioral economics in the design of microfinance products and services.

Rachel Steinacher (IPA-Tanzania), Isaac Mbiti (University of Virginia; J-PAL affiliate) and Karthik Muralidharan (UCSD; CEGA, IPA, and J-PAL affiliate) presented at a seminar to promote impact evaluation in Tanzania hosted by Twaweza and the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH).The audience consisted mostly of young, Tanzanian researchers.Isaac and Karthik presented on their education research in Kenya and India and the progress of the ongoing KiuFunza evaluation in Tanzania.

Aishwarya Ratan (Financial Inclusion Program Director, IPA) attended a conference on financial inclusion hosted by the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), the African Development Bank, the National Bank of Rwanda, and the World Bank to commemorate the National Bank of Rwanda’s fiftieth anniversary.The conference brought together key stakeholders in the region to discuss the importance of financial inclusion to alleviate poverty and promote healthy financial systems.During the conference, Aishwarya participated in a panel on the Impact of Financial Inclusion on Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development.