Message-ID: <199604191850.OAA02638@conductor.synapse.net> Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 14:50:58 -0400 From: jean-claude Lorin <mailto:jlorin@SYNAPSE.NET> Subject: ENTER-L revitalization To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
ENTER-L revitalizationAbout a year ago, I started ENTER-L a discussion group on Enterprise Development in developing countries with a particular focus on micro and small enterprises. The idea was not only to provide a forum for exchange of information and experiences amongst enterprise development practicioners and/or academics but also to foster discussion and debate on key issues of interest to all of those associated with enterprise development in developing countries including the people working in bilateral and multilateral agencies, the NGO development workers, the educators and the researchers, the bankers, etc and (why not ?) the micro and small business operators themselves.
To that effect, I established a list of potential items or topics for discussion including Definitions, Enabling Environment, Finance, Supporting Systems, Training and Training of Trainers, Education and Enterprise Development, Technology, Markets, The Informal Sector, The Entrepreneur, Networking, Privatization, Employment creation, Urbanization, Enterprise Development Programming and Planning, Gender and Enterprise Development, etc ( For a more complete review of that list and associated questions see within the Informal Credit Home Page the section http://titsoc.soc.titech.ac.jp/titsoc/higuchi-lab/icm/enter-l-def.html )
The result was quite positive in terms of initial interest and subscription to the list, with over 360 members registering within the first two months, but despite a number of very interesting documents being circulated (abstract of World Bank report on microfinance institutions, OECD guidelines for private sector development, etc ) the response of the group has been rather disappointing in terms of actual discussion taking place, especially when compared to much more active discussions groups such as for instance the CommunityDevelopment Banking List or the DFN list.
Enterprise Development, and in particular microenterprise development, is a complex and difficult endeavour. Credit is not the only important issue to look at and all the other aspects mentioned above should considered as well, hopefully in an integrated manner. I am therefore making another effort to REVITALIZE ENTER-L , and following an advice given by Hari Srinivas from the Informal Credit Home Page I am announcing
******************************************************** The ENTER-L Electronic Seminar Series
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whereby we will for a period of one month focus our discussions on one specific topic. The first seminar will take place in May:
*************************************************************** ENTER-L Electronic Seminar # 1 The Informal Sector : definitions, role and potential
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a more detailed announcement specifying some of the issues to be looked at will follow very shortly.
In the meantime I need your help. Tell us of your interests and expectations with regards to the list. Tell us of any relevant research you are carrying. Tell us of your own experiences as an enterprise development practicioner. Tell us of your suggestions for the # 2 ENTER-L Electronic Seminar. Tell us of the relevant web sites which you know, etc. And most of all spread the word around, tell your contacts about
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The ENTER-L Discussion List: Enterprise Development in developing countries
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