Financial Access and Global Peace Efforts

In this episode we delve into the world of financial regulations with an expert panel on the critical need for collaboration between financial institutions, regulators, and nonprofits to ensure that humanitarian efforts are not stifled by regulatory hurdles. Brian Kimari, coordinator of Kenya NPO Working Group on the Financial Action Task Force, discusses how the Financial Action Task Force has produced unintended impacts on peacebuilding and human rights organizations in Kenya with Recommendation 8. Michael Beer, co-director at Nonviolence International, discusses how derisking has impacted Nonviolence International. And Poorvika Mehra, Howard S. Brembeck Fellow at the Charity & Security Network, discusses the challenges posed by de-risking and de-banking practices that often hinder nonprofit organizations from accessing essential financial services. Their combined analysis uncovers the need for a truly risk-based approach that balances compliance with the operational realities of civil society groups. Suggested resources include Charity & Security Network's Civil Society Rights & Resiliency Project (https://charityandsecurity.org/know-your-rights/civilsocietyrightsresliency/), Global NPO Coalition on FATF (https://fatfplatform.org/), and Nonviolence International (https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/).