Economic peace?
by Dima on February 19, 2009
in Middle East, activism, development, economics, innovation, positive
The phrase “economic peace” may not be the most popular phrase in the Middle East, since it was utilized for the election campaign of Likud. However, economics seems to be a powerful element and things happen in spite of politics.
I am writing this because I just learned from the Good Neighbors blog about a new initiative by Wharton (I assume MBA) students, called LendforPeace.org. The initiatives seems to be a close replica of the Kiva, which I think one of the most innovative projects combining micro-finance with possibilities opened up by technological progress. The main difference between Kiva and LendforPeace is the geographical focus. In their own words:
LendforPeace.org is a not-for-profit Internet platform that allows individuals like you to make small loans to specific micro-entrepreneurs in the Palestinian Territories.
Our mission is to use micro-lending to promote economic opportunity and political stability in the Middle East.
The website was officially launced at the beginning of this month with a grant from Clinton Foundation after a pilot set of loans ($5000) was successfully returned in about half a year (you can learn more about it on their blog).
One of the “selling points” of the project is that it is established by two Jewish and two Palestinian students. I presonally think that it would be even cooler if it these were two Israelis and two Palestinians in the team. Nevertheless I find these kinds of joint ventures encouraging.
