Conversation with world-acclaimed social entrepreneurs – Philippines‘ CARD MRI and WELgee's Initiatives

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation is pleased to announce Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, the founder of CARD MRI, as the featured speaker for our upcoming event. CARD MRI is a globally acclaimed network that has expanded its operations to include microfinance, microinsurance, scholarships and educational loans, pharmacy and clinic operations, and other activities that cross the boundaries between non-profit and for-profit, NGO and banking, and 26 organizations called “Mutually Reinforcing Institute” that complement one another to eradicate poverty in the Philippines. 

In the 37 years since 1987, when Dr. Alip set out to establish a bank owned by the landless poor, CARD MRI has evolved into a business group that serves 9.37 million members(borrowers) in the Philippines, as well as providing insurance programs to 29.91 million+ people and health programs to 5.25 million+ people. This year, CARD MRI opened an office in Mindanao and began the new challenge of doing business in the region, which is in the transition process following the signing of a peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). CARD MRI's practice is rooted in the importance of adherence to core values and a field-oriented approach, and their achievement validate that business owned by socially and economically marginalized people can have a significant impact. This vision has become an inspiration to people around the world. 

At this event, Dr. Alip will be joined by Ms. Sayaka Watanabe Kankologo, a high-profile social entrepreneur in Japan and the president of WELgee, who is working toward "a society that can build the future together with refugee people". The number of refugees accepted in Japan is far fewer than most developed countries and there are various structural problems for refugees to be accepted and resettled.  Ms. Watanabe and WELgee have been supporting refugees to rebuild their lives in Japan after overcoming persecution and difficulties in their home countries. Through their initiatives, WELgee is bringing about significant changes in Japanese society. 

The dialogue between Dr. Alip and Ms. Watanabe will be moderated by Mr. Tetsuo Kato, the author of Henkyo kara Sekai wo Kaeru (Diamond Inc, 2011) (Changing the World from the Frontier) and the President of the REEP Foundation. The speakers will discuss approaches to addressing difficult challenges and hopes for the future as they work towards turning their vision into a reality.

We will be accepting questions in advance from participants. We look forward to your participation.

Pre-Event Q&A:
Please send your questions and to whom your questions are addressed, to peacebuilding@spf.or.jp by 23:59 on Wednesday, July 3. Please note that due to time constraints, we will not be able to answer all questions.

If you would like to participate, please apply from this page by 23:59 on Wednesday, July 3.

*Please note that this is an in-person seminar. It will not be streamed online.

*After applying, you will receive a temporary registration confirmation email, so please click the registration completion URL in the email to complete your registration. Due to the large number of inquiries due to incomplete registration, we ask that you proceed with the registration procedure to the end.

*If you do not receive the temporary registration confirmation email, the email from spfpr@spf.or.jp may be in your spam folder.

*Personal information received from everyone at the time of application will be used to guide you to seminars, lectures, etc. sponsored or supported by our foundation.