AEO Exchange

The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is seeking to get the message out that microfinance and microenterprise not only work internationally, but also domestically, right here in the U.S.--a point you can hear more about in the podcast of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, speaking at AEO's 2007 Annual Conference. We hope our podcast will help to educate and inform the broader public about how this movement in the U.S. has grown over the last 20 years into a crucial tool for poverty alleviation AND economic development in America. The United States has deep entrepreneurial roots, and the movement is of the opinion that this proven strategy for dignity and economic security should be made available to all. AEO has over 450 nonprofit members who daily work with underserved, low and moderate-income individuals to start or build their businesses; this involves offering microloans and business training, as well as other forms of assistance. More on the various components of microenterprise in the U.S. can be found on our website, www.microenterpriseworks.org, and on that of FIELD, a program of the Aspen Institute that has done wonderful work over the years in the area of microenterprise in the U.S. (www.fieldus.org). The podcast will also serve to distribute relevant audio messages to the AEO membership.