Message-ID: <9612021525.aa0858@CCSMTP.NETSOURCE.COM> Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 14:55:00 EST From: mailto:Barletta_Sebastian.OAS_MAIL_2@OAS.ORG> Subject: Microenterprise Development Forum To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
Dear colleagues:
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Sebastian Barletta and I
work for the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C. I
have been subscribed to the microenterprise and the Devel-L
Listservers for a few months, and always enjoy reading the interesting
discussions.
At the Office of Science and Technology of the OAS, we are planning a
forum of experts, to be held sometime during the week following the
Microcredit Summit in Washington, D.C. (Feb.2-4, 1997), with a view to
examine the needs related to business development services of small
and microenterprises. During a meeting of senior scientific
administrators of the Hemisphere in June 1996, it was recommended that
the OAS hold this particular meeting.
There is some general knowledge in Latin America and the Caribbean
about activities related to the financing of small and
microenterprises, however, there is little knowledge related to other
needs, such as access to appropriate technologies, access to markets,
access to training, access to finance/credit, as well as women's role
in economic development and enabling environments. A more 'holistic
approach' for this sort of development will be very beneficial to the
general body of knowledge in this sector.
The strategy in organizing this forum will be to have papers presented
on the different topics mentioned above, in order to initiate the
discussions on each one of the fundamental aspects that must be
considered in this so called 'holistic approach'.
If anybody is aware of institutions/persons that might be interested
in making presentations on the topics mentioned above, please get in
touch with me. I would also like to receive comments from anybody
that would be interested in participating. We are looking to bring
about 25 experts from the region.
Best regards,
Sebastian Barletta
Specialist, Office of Science and Technology
Tel: (202) 458-3339
Fax: (202) 458-3167
e-mail: mailto:barletta_sebastian@oas.org