Barnert Global Announces Opening of Microinsurance Island
In opening the island, Barnert said “There are multiple sites on microinsurance, they are all specific program oriented. This site makes itself available for projects and people to inform each other on their attempts to provide microinsurance in the rural poor communities of the world.”
“While a two-hundred page case study may be informative, it is not going to be read by farmers in rural villages who might want to form a group on crop insurance. Second Life is the perfect answer for that community”, said Barnert. Second Life is a way for villages to display their programs by building replicas of their projects. Additional materials from the sponsors can be linked and videos links could expand the vision beyond the four corners of the island.
Parcels are organized for rent. A separate space is set up for conferencing - video presentations - classroom style – to fit about 20 people with larger space available on request. There is also a Main Building with offices to rent for organizations that want to set up and use it to interview, distribute grant applications, or present their own programs in a more formal setting.
With tree-lined paths and a sandbox for construction, Microinsurance Island is the only location of its kind on Second Life. Barnert said he expected the huts to be filled quickly and plans to start construction of another island in the near future.
“Donors in the microinsurance community will want to rent space to layout their needs and qualifications for people who want to apply for funding and sponsorship” said Barnert. “Insurance companies and other sponsors will want to rent space to advertise their corporate responsibility in providing these plans.”
In January Barnert gave a presentation in Beijing on Transparency and Disclosure in Microinsurance at the workshop on Expanding Access to Microinsurance for the Poor sponsored by the World Bank, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, and the China Insurance Regulatory Commission.
Barnert Global, Ltd. is an international consulting firm specializing in advising clients on insurance regulatory issues at the national and global level. Mr. Barnert is a member of the Joint Working Group on Microinsurance, a joint effort of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) and the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP). He participated in the drafting of ISSUES IN REGULATION AND SUPERVISION OF MICROINSURANCE, published in June 2007.
Project construction was coordinated by Designing Digitally Inc., a full-service design firm, specializing in organizational branding, interactive learning design, 3d virtual environment design, graphic design, and web design (www.designingdigitally.com).
Designing Digitally, Inc. is recognized as a leader in Second Life development. They have the knowledge and skill to develop and script your vision in a virtual world. Whether you are a new organization, or you are already established, Designing Digitally, Inc. will make your presence known in Second Life. With their talented staff they can direct you through the process of creating your organization's image within this new and exciting environment. Designing Digitally, Inc. will take you through every step of the creative process to ensure that you have a professional and appealing brand within Second Life.
Having a model or environment is great, but what is it worth if it's a just pretty design? Designing Digitally, Inc. will not only develop your concept, but also make it fully interactive to better involve the target audience who will be visiting. If you want your potential customers, clients, etc. to learn more about what you do, then you must engage them in the environment! That is where Designing Digitally, Inc. can exceed your expectations and develop a fully interactive experience for your target visitors.
To get to Microinsurance Island:
For more information, contact Project Manager Lloyd Hutchinson on Second Life.
Read Press Release at: http://www.slpulse.com/content/view/141/2/