Following are the issues and our activities that involve Education.

Education is a pathway to independence and opportunity, and many communities do not have the knowledge or capacity to effectively meet their needs. In developing communities, poverty or low income, gender issues, and distance, are barriers to education and training.

Some conditions that developing communities also face:

• Rural populations are mostly engaged in traditional subsistence agriculture, and have low levels of literacy and little or no access to financial institutions

• 85% of the population live in the rural and remote areas (Cambodia)

• based on traditional factors the participation of women in education is low, and women are rarely in positions of influence

For people who are financially independent, development education and awareness is also a valuable way to identify needs, plan solutions and take action on community issues; and understand and realise the value of contribution, and the possibilities it provides.

Through the various programs and activities conducted by CUFA and partners, education is being delivered and development progress is being made.

Developing Communities:

Education to create community capacity:

Building Institutional Capacity Cambodia

• improving member and community participation though research, training, workshops and forums
• increasing credit union management confidence to accept more members and develop their products
• 50% of available training places are for women

Project 2 Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Solomon Islands

• staff of credit unions and the league will enhance their skills to carry out their roles and responsibilities
• development of 5 Micro Rural Resource Centre's
• increasing access to micro loans for income generating activities and providing safe and convenient financial services
• giving special consideration of (very) poor households to have access to loans to help pay for children's education

Project 3 Building Institutional Capacity Timor Leste

• increasing management and staff skill levels, allowing more informed decision-making in credit union procedure
• non-discrimination on the grounds of gender; different collaborations with women's NGOs; equal amount of women to participate
• promote the economic empowerment of women in the financial sector
• by 2010, the 15-29 year age group will represent almost 40% of the population; 43% are unemployed
• improving access to financial literacy and capacity building to facilitate their workforce participation
• improving inclusion in the economic sector

Project 4 The Children’s Financial Literacy Program Cambodia

• financial education to the children from young age; children should be educated with financial literacy
• children become involved in the local credit union for a long term
• the economic growth has been concentrated in urban areas and the rural/urban income gap is widening due to slow growth incomes
• supporting the rural population is important for Cambodia's economic, specially for their social goals; developing a better understanding of financial literacy
• developing a better understanding of financial literacy and a gratitude for the benefits of savings

In Australia, education is provided by:

• Development Education Program
• Roundtables such as the Environmental Roundtable (2008) and the Sustainability Roundtable in 2010
• Financial Literacy Initiative for Children and Youth