Opportunity Global Leadership Conference Oxford 2012

Delegates praising God

For three days, September 10-12, 2012, Opportunity International Network Global Leadership Conference  (OIN GLC) took place in Oxford, UK. The venue was Keble College, one of 38 colleges under the Oxford University umbrella. We stayed at the college's bed and breakfast facility. This OIN GLC is held every 18 months. The previous one was in March 2011 at Chennai, India. This was the third GLC that I have attended after I joined the OI Network.

This year's conference theme was Strategic Blueprint: Shaping the Future.

Under the new leadership of CEO Harry Turner, the GMO (Global Microfinance Operations) presented the strategic blueprint. It was encouraging to see the global leadership come up with the blueprint in unity. The presentations were reasonable and forward-looking.

Harry Turner, GMO CEO

Many leaders and board members from all over the world came and actively participated in the conference. The conference schedule was tight and packed with programs. Unlike previous conferences, I led a couple of working groups and gave a presentation about what UOB is doing through partnerships, particularly with a world renowned payment service provider.

There were six presentations: Social Performance Management, client solutions, global portfolio, channels and partners, operational effectiveness, and people. Each presentation included a key note speaker presentation and a group of panelists who also gave presentations. A questions and answers session followed each presentation session. Afterwards, all members were assigned to working groups that came up with observations and recommendations for each presentation or theme.

Latino delegates leading the praise 

Michale Ramsden, the devotion speaker

There were side meetings over breakfasts, lunches and dinners with different stakeholders. Due to these packed schedules, I did not have sufficient time of discussion with colleagues working in different countries on topics of common interest.

The sessions that I liked and enjoyed most were devotions. Michael Ramsden who is a professor at Wycliffe Hall and European Director of Zacharias Trust. His messages were so inspiring, engaging and profound that I was deeply touched by them. From three familiar parables, he was able to draw profound truths and messages.

Keble College Campus

View from ARCO Building where we stayed

Overall, the conference was productive, efficient and informative. I trust all other participants would also share my sentiment. Praise the Lord! - Jeffrey