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TWGDC - Task Force Reports - Draft Plans of Action

Minutes of the second meeting of the Task Force on Entrepreneurship
Thematic Working Group on disability-related Concerns (TWGDC)

Date:     Sunday 9 December 2001, 15:00 - 18:00 hrs

Place:    Horizon Hotel, Hanoi

Twenty-five people attended the task force meeting. Only six were individuals who attended the past task force meeting. Debra Perry of the ILO Bangkok chaired the meeting. Self-introductions and updating of the email list marked the beginning activity.

The content aspect of the meeting began with a review of the activities of the May meeting and the specific five activities that the group identified at its inaugural meeting. The group agreed to an agenda that included reviewing these activities, noting progress, and making decisions about how to proceed. The five areas of concentration included:

  • Establishing guidelines to encourage government promotion of entrepreneurship, especially at the local level.

  • Fostering inclusion of people with disabilities in poverty alleviation, credit and related entrepreneurship programs.

  • Encouraging and fostering the participation of disabled persons and disability issues in conference and activities related to this topic.

  • Developing successful programme examples and case studies.

  • Compiling stories of successful entrepreneurs that can serve as role models.

Basic outcomes:

Guidelines

The group decided after some discussion that it was a daunting task to develop guidelines for government related to entrepreneurship. While such guidelines are needed, the group felt preparing such was not a realistic goal. Some members felt government commitment was needed not guidelines. The issue of markets for goods and services was also noted as critical to successful programs.

Inclusion Issue

Members discussed and kept returning to the issue of fostering inclusion of disabled people in community development, poverty alleviation, vocational training, business development and other programs. Examples were given of integrative programs from the ILO (Disability Resource Team and Success Case Replication), FAO (Mushroom farming, other activities at local level) and in the Philippines, a Greemen style micro credit program. CBM and HI are working together on a five-year project in Bangladesh, Philippines and India and Thailand (Buffalo breeding, incense and flowers for the funeral industry, massage.).

Case Studies

It was noted that case studies and examples of good practice presented at the meeting do not often go beyond the group and that a mechanism is needed for dissemination. After considerable discussion about the value and constraints of case studies, the group generally agreed that dissemination of good practice and specific human-interest type case studies reflecting individual achievements is a worthwhile activity for this group and one that is achievable.

We briefly discussed the feasibility of using the TWG web pages for this purpose with the JSRPD representatives who handle the web site. It is possible to use the web pages for this purpose. Debra agreed to make the initial follow-up wit regard to this issue. Four members agreed to establish guidelines and data points for inclusion of case studies on the website (including Carson Harte, J.B. Munroe and two others).

The group consensus was that program examples and case studies could be integrated into one document. We were clear that out audience for these case studies are NGOs, IOs and program operators in general who will use these case studies for inspiration, as a source of getting more information and adaptation to their needs and situation.

The group also agreed to use the email list as a list serve so that we could more actively share information and work together. Debra agreed to disseminate the updated email list.

Many other issues were discussed. These included:

  • The need for cost-benefit analysis and good evaluative studies. These should also measure increases in self-confidence and attitudes toward disabled persons and quality assurance issues such as those used in business.


  • Concerns about the aid drain for people with disabilities and the changing priorities, such as the fact that Afghanistan may require resources that are being used in other parts of the region.


  • The group felt strongly that the issue of funding requires some intervention to increasing funding for disability programs, the need for more partnerships among organizations, the need for inclusion of disabled persons in other projects.


  • Challenges to mainstreaming, such as access to basic health care, assistive devices, etc. prevent the participation of disabled persons in mainstream programs.


  • The need to link and advocate with groups like the ADB, World Bank and perhaps even the Asian Confederation of Credit Union.

The meeting ended with twists on a familiar quote. One member stated that "we need to do more than teach a man (or woman) to fish; we need to provide the tools so that he or she can fish." The Prime Minister of Cambodia was also quoted as saying, you cannot teach a man to fish and then put him by the swimming pool. These critical issues of needing to provide tools and resources, in addition to skills, and making sure that entrepreneurial endeavors parallel market needs, ended the meeting.

Prepared by Debra Perry
ILO Senior Specialist in Vocational Rehabilitation

Revised 21 December 2001