development 45
The right to self-determination: The Maya Declaration recognises that each country case is unique, and externallyimposed, top-down targets and solutions rarely work. Consequently, institutions have the freedom to determine their own bottom-up targets based on individual circumstances and policy priorities.
A collaborative approach based on new forms of cooperation: The Maya Declaration capitalises on the collective strength of the AFI Network in two main ways. First, it supports the exchange of financial inclusion insights through AFI’ s peer-to-peer knowledge sharing platform. Second, it fosters and promotes new forms of cooperation, including partnerships with the private sector.
To support member institutions in the upcoming months and years, AFI will offer services ranging from peer review and peer advice to providing advocacy support toward the full achievement of institutional commitments made under the Maya Declaration. AFI will also regularly monitor and publicly report on the progress member institutions experience pertaining to their commitments. In fact, the 2012 GPF held
in Cape Town, South Africa, featured the release of the Maya Declaration Progress Report:‘ Commitments You Can Bank On’, which showcased the remarkable progress achieved by pioneering institutional commitments announced at the previous forum. AFI member institutions demonstrated how selfdetermined commitments, monitored through a network of peers, are proving to be catalysts in driving policy and regulatory changes that have an impact on the ground.
For financial inclusion to reach its full potential, it has to be truly inclusive, bringing together the complementary expertise of a broad cross-section of partners. The Maya Declaration might provide the tipping point for financial inclusion but it will require a coordinated global effort to truly make a positive and sustainable impact on the word’ s poor.