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IMPACT FINANCE & TECHNOLOGY

 

Organized by

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26-27 April 2018
Hotel Atlantis by Giardino
Zurich, Switzerland

The Responsible Finance & Investment Summit (RFI Summit) is an initiative of the RFI Foundation and Swiss Arab Network to build awareness of shared values that can bring socially responsible investing (SRI), environmental, social and governance (ESG) and Islamic finance together to increase their positive impact.

This Responsible Finance & Investment Summit brings together key stakeholders within responsible finance to build connections to new growth opportunities and more measurable impact. The RFI Summit will play a vital role in connecting representatives from across the responsible finance industry to build on the growing cooperation between SRI, ESG and Islamic finance.

OBJECTIVES

Identify

Opportunities to bring impact finance at scale

Develop

Knowledge about structuring impact finance

Learn

How to combine good financial and social outcomes

Connect

With other financial professionals around shared focus on responsible finance

Improve

The way that the financial sector engages on impact finance

SUMMIT PILLARS

In panel discussions, interactive sessions and through participant contributions, we will focus on the five pillars of the Responsible Finance & Investment Summit

  • Define our shared objectives

    Sustainable Development Goals promote consistency in our goals

    Advance cooperation by focusing on outcomes and using dialogue to overcome roadblocks

  • Attract new financial resources

    Impact finance is growing much faster but from a smaller base than sustainable finance

    European assets lead growth but the conversation around the objectives of impact finance must be global

  • Make impact more intentional

    The balance between financial and social can vary but commitment to impact cannot

    Measurement should be guided by intention and drive additionality for impact

  • Drive greater inclusion

    Bringing diverse perspectives opens impact finance for the widest audience

    Different experiences and priorities promotes innovation in impact finance

  • Empower greater responsibility

    Technology moves faster than financial institutions across national borders and 80% of the global population lives in emerging markets

    Emerging markets are not just a large market but can be a great source for innovation, including in responsible finance

PROGRAMME

Pre-Summit Roundtables

Hosted by

Co-organizers

Roundtable 1 (co-hosted with European Partners for the Environment and Bank of the Argentine Nation): Blockchain for Sustainable and Inclusive Finance

  • 9:00 - 9:15 Welcome & introductions for morning session

    Chair: Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation
    Beat Bachmann, Head Economic Promotion, Canton of Zug/ Department of Economic Affairs Raymond Van Ermen, Advisor to the President, European Partners for the Environment

  • 9:15 – 9:30 Keynote address/video message

    Javier Conzalez Fraga, President of the Bank of the Argentine Nation (video)

  • 9:30 – 9:40 Keynote address/video message

    Delfina López Freijido, Director for Sustainable Finance, G20 Unit Ministry of Treasury, Republica Argentina (video)

  • 9:40 - 10:20 Introductions – The application of blockchain to advance the implementation of the SDGs

    Inge Relph, Head of Sustainability and Strategic Relationships, Lykke Blockchain potential in sustainable development.
    Jan Ohnesorge, Associated Researcher, German Development Institute Blockchain Technology and its Potential for Financial Inclusion (pdf)

  • 10:20 - 11:00 Blockchain for Sustainable and Inclusive Finance

    10:20 – 10:40 Monitoring Commitments and Blockchain Technology
    Cecilia Repinski, Executive Director, Stockholm Green Digital Finance Stockholm Green Digital Finance has been awarded a grant from the EU‘s main climate innovation initiative, Climate-KIC.

    10:40 – 11:00
    Daniel Ahmed, Co-Founder, Human Crescent
    Human Crescent empowers people to support humanitarian projects through the world’s first Zakah-driven, humanitarian crowdfunding platform.

  • 11:00 - 11:10 Break
  • 11:10 – 12:00 The roundtable discussion will explore the design and the impact of the application of blockchain to address sustainable and inclusive nance in relation with the SDGs and the Climate Agreements. Discussion about future actions will center on how the traceability provided by blockchain can be used across a wider reach of the sustainable nance universe.
  • 12:00 - 13:00 Lunch Break

Roundtable 2 (co-hosted with UN Environment): The Role for Faith-Based Financial Institutions in Sustainable & Inclusive Finance

  • 13:00 - 13:15 Welcome & Introductions

    Chair: Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation

  • 13:15 - 13:35 Keynote address

    Dr. Iyad Abu Moghli, Principal Advisor for Strategic Engagement with Faith-based Organizations at UN Environment

  • 13:35 - 14:15 Consistencies in principles between faith organization on sustainable & inclusive finance

    Presentations:
    Adam C.T. Matthews, Head of Engagement & Secretary of the Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG), Church of England on “Church of England Divestment policy”
    Dr. Abdullatif Bello, Chief Economist, Islamic Development Bank on “Islamic Development Bank‘s Approach to Environmental issues” (pdf)
    Rev. Norman Tendis, World Council of Churches on “WCC policy on investment
    and the protection of the environment”

  • 14:15 – 14:45 Application of faith principles in multi-faith initiatives

    Presentations:
    Lisa Jordan, Director of Shine Invest on “Accelerating investment in distributed
    renewable energy solutions in energy poor regions of the world” (pdf)
    Caroline Bader, Director of Sustainable Living Initiative, GreenFaith on the “Sustainable Living Initiative” (pdf)

  • 14:45 – 15:35 Examples from UNEP FI & RFI members

    Deia Markova, Positive Impact Finance and Environmental & Social Advisory, Société Générale Liesel van Ast, Signatory Relations Manager, UNEP FI
    Nida Raza, Director Advisory Services, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD)

    Moderator: Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation

  • 15:35 - 15:50 Break
  • 15:50 – 16:50 Zug Guidelines and next steps: Do we need global guidelines or faith-specific guidelines?

    Klaus-Michael Christensen, President of the Swiss Impact Investment Association, on behalf of the Alliance for Religion and Conservation (ARC)
    Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation
    Moderator: Beat Bachmann, Head Economic Promotion, Canton of Zug/ Department of Economic Affairs

  • 16:50 – 17:50 The way forward: how to engage new, developing and existing initiatives

    Moderated Discussion with Roundtable Participants

  • 17:50 – 18:00 Concluding Remarks

Conference Day 1

26th April 2018 – Impact Finance & Islamic Finance

  • 8:30 - 9:15 Arrival of participants, breakfast & networking
  • 9:15 - 9:30 Welcome Ceremony
  • 9:30 - 9:45 Welcome Addresses

    Mounir Khouzami, Co-Founder & President, Swiss Arab Network
    Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation

  • 9:45 - 10:05 Opening Keynote

    HRH Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, 14th Emir of Kano and former Central Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria

  • 10:05 – 10:25 Opening Keynote

    Dr. Dr. h.c. Henri B. Meier, Entrepreneurial Leader and Venture Capitalist

  • 10:25 - 11:00 Networking & Refreshment Break
  • 11:00 - 11:45 Panel 1: Spectrum of impact finance & Islamic finance

    Speakers:
    Eric Usher, Head, UNEP FI
    Christian Heyner, President, 1bank4all Founding Association
    Abdulla Al Awar, CEO, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre

    Moderated by Kelly Hess, Senior Project Manager, Swiss Sustainable Finance

  • 11:45 - 12:30 Panel 2: Where do impact finance & Islamic finance connect?

    Speakers:

    • Martina Macpherson, Partner, SI Partners & President, Network for Sustainable Financial Markets
    • Daud Vicary Abdullah, Managing Director, DVA Consulting Sdn Bhd
    • Dirk Elsen, Director of Emerging Markets, Triodos Investment Management

  • 12:30 - 14:00 Lunch Break
  • 14:00 - 14:45 Conventional Impact Investing cases (3 parallel workshops) - Group A, B and C

    Group A: UBS Optimus Foundation (pdf)
    Presented by Sietse Wouters, Director, Innovative Finance at UBS, Optimus Foundation
    Moderated by Amer Vohora, Partner/Chief Client Officer, ValueWorks AG

    Group B: Fawry & ResponsAbility (pdf)
    Presented by Sarah Djari, Investment Director, Equity, Financial Institutions, responsAbility Investments AG
    Moderated by Azzeddine Chaibrassou, Founder, Qard

    Group C: WFN Impact Fund (pdf)
    Presented by Klaus-Michael Christensen, President of SIIA
    Dr. Helmut Fluhrer, Founder and CEO, WeatherTec
    Moderated by Anna Mroczkowska, Strategic Financial Advisor, Topan AG

  • 14:45 - 15:30 Islamic Finance Impact Investing Cases (3 parallel workshops) - Group A, B and C

    Group A: Green Sukuk – CIMB Islamic (pdf)
    Presented by Rafe Haneef, CEO, CIMB Islamic
    Moderated by Kurt Lieberman, CEO, Magni Global Asset Management LLC

    Group B: IFRC – Zakat for Drought Relief (pdf)
    Presented by Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Under Secretary General for Partnerships at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
    Moderated by Stuart Hutton, Chief Investment Officer, Simply Ethical

    Group C: thirdACT (pdf)
    Presented by Diane Schrader, Founder & CEO, thirdACT
    Moderated by Khaldoun Dia-Eddine, Head, Center for Middle East and Africa Business, ZHAW School of Management and Law

  • 15:30 - 16:00 Networking & Refreshment Break
  • 16:00 - 16:35 Breakout groups (Group A, B & C)

    Participants in the Summit will meet to discuss similarities and differences between the conventional and Islamic impact nance cases, and work collaboratively to generate greater understanding of how to use the lessons from the cases to widen the impact nance investor base.

    The objective of the breakout groups will be to identify recommendations to bring together impact-focused and pro t-focused investors from both conventional and Islamic nance market together to achieve shared objectives, focusing on how to overcome challenges that come with mixing different types of investors. Each breakout group will include those presenting the case and will have one or multiple facilitators who will be familiar with the objectives and the case studies in order to encourage a targeted and inclusive discussion.

    Facilitators will include moderators from previous workshops

  • 16:35 - 17:15 Reconvene the full Summit audience and invite each group to nominate one representative to present their ndings to the audience, and to participate in a moderated discussion of similarities & differences between the cases they discussed and how to overcome challenges that come with mixing different types of investors.

    Heiko Specking, Founder & Partner, Specking+Partners

  • 17:15 - 17:50 Featured Interview – One-on-one conversation with Dr. Iyad Abu Moghli who is Principal Advisor for the Faith and Environment Initiative at the United Nations Environment Programme
  • 17:50 - 18:00 Outlook for the next day & celebration
  • 18:00 - 19:30 Flying Swiss & Arabic Dinner

Conference Day 2

27th April 2018 – Impact Finance & Technology

  • 8:00 - 9:00 Registration, Breakfast & Networking
  • 9:00 - 9:15 Welcome Address & Icebreaker
  • 9:15 - 9:30 Morning Address

    Robert Ruttmann, Founder, Redesigning Financial Services, Institute for Customer Insight, University of St. Gallen

  • 9:30 - 9:45 Video Message

    Delfina López Freijido, Director for Sustainable Finance, G20 Unit, Ministry of Treasury, República Argentina

  • 9:45 - 10:00 Presentation of Breakout Group Recommendations & Discussions
  • 10:00 - 10:20 Looking back to last year (RFI Summit 2017) – 3 SDG Challenge Finalists – Where are they now?
  • 10:20 - 10:45 Networking & Refreshment Break
  • 10:45 - 11:30 Panel 3: Visionary Outlook Technology & Innovation

    • Prof. Nisheeth Vishnoi, EPFL, School of Computer and Communication Sciences, Lausanne
    • Dr. Shaun Conway, Founder & President, ixo Foundation (pdf)
    • Inge Relph, Head of Sustainability and Strategic Relationships, Lykke

    Moderated by Heiko Specking, Founder & Partner, Specking+Partner

  • 11:30 - 12:30 SDG Challenge Award – AID:Tech, INBONIS & thirdACT
  • 12:30 - 12:45 RFI Foundation Report Launch: “Environmental Impact & Islamic Finance”
  • 12:45 - 13:00 Concluding remarks, Wrap up, Ceremony and Outlook
  • 13:00 - 15:00 Lunch & Networking

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

sanusi2

HRH Emir Sanusi II

Emir of Kano

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meier

Dr. Dr. h.c. Henri B. Meier

Entrepreneurial Leader and Venture Capitalist

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PANELISTS

Abdul-Al-Awar

Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar

Chief Executive Officer
Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre

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daud

Daud Vicary Abdullah

Managing Director
DVA Consulting Sdn Bhd

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Rafe Haneef

Chief Executive Officer
CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad

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Blake Goud

CEO
RFI Foundation

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Kurt Lieberman

CEO
Magni Global Asset Management LLC

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Stuart Hutton

Chief Investment Officer
Simply Ethical

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schradar

Diane Schrader

Founder & CEO
thirdACT

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Mounir Khouzami

Co-Founder & President
Swiss Arab Network

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swouters

Sietse Wouters

Director, Innovative Financing
UBS Optimus Foundation

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Prof. Nisheeth Vishnoi

Professor
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

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heiko

Heiko Specking

Founder & Partner
Specking+Partners

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Dr. Helmut Fluhrer

Founder and CEO
WeatherTec

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Christian Gueckel

Chief Risk Officer
SEDCO Capital

Relph

Inge Relph

Head of Sustainability and Strategic Relationships
Lykke Blockchain Finance Corp

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Klaus-Michael Christensen

President and Co-founder
Swiss Impact Investment Association (SIIA)

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Raymond Van Ermen

Advisor to the President
European Partners for the Environment

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Sarah Djari

Investment Director, Equity, Financial Institutions
responsAbility Investments AG

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Dr. Robert Ruttmann

Founder, Redesigning Financial Services
Institute for Customer Insight, University of St. Gallen

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Dr. Iyad Abu Moghli

Principal Advisor for Strategic Engagement with Faith-based Organizations
UN Environment

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Christian Heyner

President
1bank4all Founding Association

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Martina Macpherson

Partner, SI Partners & President
Network for Sustainable Financial 
Markets

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Dirk Elsen

Director of Emerging Markets
Triodos Investment Management

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Eric Usher

Head
UNEP FI

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Dr. Shaun Conway

Founder & President
ixo Foundation

Anna Mroczkowska

Strategic Financial Advisor
Topan AG

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Azzeddine Chaibrassou

Founder
Qard

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Amer Vohora

Partner/Chief Client Officer
ValueWorks AG

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Khaldoun Dia-Eddine

Head, Center for Middle East and Africa Business
ZHAW School of Management and Law

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Kelly Hess

Senior Project Manager
Swiss Sustainable Finance

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Dr. Jemilah Mahmood

Under Secretary General for Partnerships
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

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Delfina López Freijido

Director for Sustainable Finance
G20 Unit, Ministry of Treasury, República Argentina

SDG CHALLENGE

The RFI Foundation, in partnership with the Swiss Finance + Technology Association, Finocracy and the Responsible Finance & Investment (RFI) Summit partners, launched the Support Disruption for Good (SDG) Challenge in 2017 to find the most promising ethical, responsible or Islamic FinTech innovation and connect them to the leading institutions in the responsible finance industry.

The return of the Support Disruption for Good Challenge will focus on identifying technology companies, including FinTech companies, whose products are gaining market traction and whose technology helps the financial sector to increase the scale of its financing & investment in the Priority Sectors: Agriculture, Healthcare, Sustainable Cities & Education. Completed applications should be submitted to info@rfisummit.org and must be received by 23:59 (Central European Time) on 23 March 2018.

Support Disruption for Good Challenge Judges

kroessin

Dr. Mohammed Kroessin

Head of Global Islamic Micro nance Unit
Islamic Relief Worldwide

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Rachel Zedeck

Director, Climate Smart Agri and Impact Investment Strategies
Peterson Project and Solutions

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young

Conrad Young, MBA

Managing Director
Food Forward Ltd

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osborne

Julian Osborne

Head of Operations
Swiss Finance + Technology Association

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baharna

Hon. Dr. Nazar Al Baharna

Board Member
Finocracy

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khan

Dr. Farid Khan

Executive Chairman
Simply Capital Partners

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schoon

Dr. Natalie Schoon

Principal Consultant
Formabb Ltd

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Boris

Dr. Boris Battistini

Partner
Metellus AG

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AlDana Banihashem

General Manager
Al Naser Engineering

Congratulations to Tez Financial Services for winning the inaugural Support Disruption for Good Challenge!

SDG Challenge

Left to right, Chris Laurent, CMO & Head of Funding, Pintail, Tanvir Uddin, Head of Operations, AgriFunder, Naureen Hyat, Business Head – Savings & Investments, Tez Financial Services, Claire Vinçonneau-Perrot, Country Head, France and Francophonie, Pintail, Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation

SDG Challenge

All applicants were judged against a transparent set of criteria by an independent judging panel drawn from across the responsible finance and FinTech industry. During the review process judges evaluated the ability of each entrant to effectively scale, contribute to financial inclusion, contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals while being financially sustainable.

 

The following three finalists presented their innovation on 4 May 2017 during the RFI Summit in Zurich:

– Tez Financial Services

– Pintail

– AgriFunder

Delegates cast votes to select the winning innovation.

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Why Sponsor?

Responsible Finance & Investment Summit 2018 sponsors will have their contribution integrated in a way that augments the delegates’ experience to deliver the most authentic engagement for each sponsor through opportunities including:

Thought leadership

Generating borrowed interest via media (online, social)

Introductions to individual delegates

Branding

Use of conference content

Content generation

This is a unique opportunity to create greater awareness of your institution across an audience of influential senior decision makers from the responsible finance sector including senior management, analysts, legal experts and government representatives

Why Attend?

 

The Responsible Finance & Investment Summit gives you an exclusive opportunity to engage with key leaders in responsible and faith-based finance gathered together to identify growth opportunities and strategies to deliver more impact. Here are the few important reasons to attend the summit.

  1. Become a part of the pioneering initiative to connect Islamic finance and ESG together to make the responsible finance industry more impactful.
  2. Learn from the global thoughts leaders in responsible and Islamic finance about the new trends in the industry, particularly in impact finance.
  3. Be the first to learn about initiatives from policy makers and regulators in the industry.
  4. Meet 200 other senior professionals in the industry who are interested in expanding connections within responsible finance markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
  5. Learn about new initiatives using technology to drive impact in responsible finance through the Support Disruption for Good Challenge which will recognize a new leader in enabling impact finance.
  6. Become a part of the critical conversations with a global audience via the social media and engage with others in the responsible finance industry.
  7. Have the opportunity to interact directly with thought leaders in panel discussions and in an open format where you can shape the way forward.

Who’s Attending?

 

In addition to the board of trustees of the RFI Foundation, the summit will be attended by:

  1. International business leaders in the responsible and Islamic finance industry
  2. Dignitaries, policy makers, regulators and representatives of international organizations
  3. CIOs, economists, strategists, business specialists and professionals, mid-level management, business development managers, analysts.
  4. Leaders in rating, accounting and professional services
  5. Global thought leaders and experts in research
  6. Lawyers and legal experts
  7. Professors, academics and journalists

Our Partners for the Responsible Finance Summit

Sponsors

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Partners

Media Partners

CONTACT US

Have an inquiry about the Responsible Finance & Investment Summit 2018?