At Opportunity’s Fall Microfinance Conference, Oct. 8-9, in Washington, D.C., the days will be packed with breakout sessions and presentations from microfinance experts, international visitors and globally-minded individuals passionate about eradicating poverty.

For me, this will be my first http://www.opportunity.org/opportunity-international-conference/Opportunity microfinance conference[/intlink], and I’m really looking forward to hearing from guest http://www.opportunity.org/opportunity-international-conference/speakers/speakers[/intlink] like Pulitzer Prize-winnerhttp://www.opportunity.org/blog/sheryl-wudunn-to-speak-at-opportunitys-fall-microfinance-conference-in-washington-d-c/Sheryl WuDunn[/intlink], high-ranking official in the State Department María Otero, Nobel Peace Prize nominee Tony Hall, acclaimed writerhttp://www.opportunity.org/roger-thurow-enough/Roger Thurow[/intlink], and many more. But I’m also excited to meet other globally-minded individuals interested inhttp://www.opportunity.org/what-is-microfinance/microfinance[/intlink], and attendhttp://www.opportunity.org/opportunity-international-conference/breakout-sessions/breakout sessions[/intlink] on a number of technical topics related to philanthropy, poverty, political advocacy, and fields of microfinance.

Here now are just 3 of the many breakout sessions that I’m excited to attend:

1. Innovations in Technology
   We are working on so many exciting http://www.opportunity.org/blog/update-innovations-in-technology/technological innovations[/intlink] to help make it easier and more efficient to bring financial access to our clients, including sustainable electrical and power solutions, biometric smart cards, and cell phone banking technology. Meet session leader and expert, Daryl Skoog, Opportunity’s senior VP of technology.
2. Agricultural Finance: Reaching More of Africa
   Sixty-five percent of the sub-Saharan African labor force is employed in agriculture, yet the region’s agricultural sector receives just four percent of official development assistance. This breakout session, led by http://www.opportunity.org/blog/john-magnay-on-food-security-in-africa-and-agricultural-finance/John Magnay[/intlink], our senior agricultural advisor, will explain how we’re extending financial access to our most geographically remote clients on the continent.
3. Education Finance: Schools for Children Living in Poverty
   Through the Banking on Education initiative, we’ve disbursed over 450 loans to educational entrepreneurs building schools in underserved communities in Ghana, Malawi, Uganda and the Dominican Republic. Plus, we partner with thehttp://www.opportunity.org/blog/irene-pritzker-idp-foundation-honored-with-global-philanthropy-award/IDP Rising Schools Program[/intlink], pioneering a sustainable education model in support of extremely undeveloped schools in rural Ghana. Learn more about expanding educational opportunities through microfinance.

For more about our http://www.opportunity.org/opportunity-international-conference/speakers/speakers[/intlink], our http://www.opportunity.org/opportunity-international-conference/breakout-sessions/breakout sessions[/intlink] and thehttp://www.opportunity.org/opportunity-international-conference/agenda/agenda[/intlink] for the weekend, visit the http://www.opportunity.org/opportunity-international-conference/Fall Microfinance Conference page[/intlink] on our website. Click here[/intlink] to register for the conference. Do not miss the chance to be a part of this exciting event.