Message-ID: <3.0.5.16.19990602072126.2aaf0018@pop.synapse.net> Date: Wed, 2 Jun 1999 08:32:44 -0400 From: Jean-Claude Lorin <mailto:jlorin@SYNAPSE.NET> Subject: ENTERWeb News #12 To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
Are you looking for QUALITY sources of information on small business, finance, international trade, entrepreneurship, enterprise development and the economy?*************************************************************************
ENTERWeb News #12 April / May 1999 <http://www.enterweb.org/>
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You will find hereunder the titles ( and short descriptions ) of the new sites which have been added to ENTERWeb during the months of April and May 1999. If you are interested in accessing any of those sites just go to ENTERWeb main page < http://www.enterweb.org/> and press on the "What's new" button which will direct you to the appropriate sections.
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1) Virtual Conference on Business Development Services Hosted by Bellanet and organized by the Committee of Donor Agencies for Small Enterprise Development, this virtual conference focuses on indicators of performance in Business Development Services. Although the discussion list is restricted to invitees the archives are public and key documents can be accessed from the conference site.
2) The Power of Small Change poor giving concrete examples, mostly from Asian countries, showing how it improves the activities of women microentrepreneurs. Includes related sites . 3) CIDA's Microfinance & Microenterprise Development This attempt by the Canadian International Development Agency of putting some sectoral content available on line should be warmly applauded even though the information provided is somewhat limited. Do not miss the "CIDA's Microfinance & Microenterprise Development Institutional Action Plan 1998-2000" or the report on CIDA's programming in this area which can be both downloaded.
4) World Council of Credit Unions The World Council of Credit Unions, which includes regional and national credit union associations, serving Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Fiji, Great Britain, Ireland, Latin America, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Ukraine and the United States, promotes the sustainable development of credit unions worldwide as instruments of economic and social development. Do not miss the publications section and the list of networks.
5) INFO 21 Electronic Commerce and Markets This excellent site, developed by UNDP, provides an overview of electronic commerce issues and of its implications for developing countries. It covers amongst other things the impact of Internet technologies on business processes and looks at issues related to copyright and intellectual property rights. Do not miss the E-commerce ToolKit Resource Page. A key site for developing countries.
6) APEC Investment Mart 1999 APEC's 21 member economies will be going all out to showcase their investment policies, specific investment opportunities and business climates. Each member economy will operate a pavilion offering investors a chance to discuss specific investment projects or opportunities with those seeking investment. Although the site provides details on the program, not much else is available as it is restricted to registered participants.
7) Laval University's Chair in International Development A relative newcomer to the field, the Chair focuses on microfinance and rural finance, poverty reduction and improving living conditions of rural households. This new site contains a few interesting documents "Key Questions in Microfinance and Future Directions" and "Innovation in Rural Microfinance: The Challenge of Sustainability and Outreach" all available in PDF format.
8) Epargne sans Frontière Epargne sans Frontière is one of the oldest and best known francophone NGOs with respect to analytical thinking and information dissemination on decentralized financial systems, and the recent opening of their web site was therefore a welcomed event with definite potential despite some design flaws (one third of the screen only for the active window). Do not miss nevertheless their observatory on microfinance and related links, and their section on publications. An English version should be available soon
9) ISBC 99 The International Small Business Congress (ISBC) acts as a global forum for the discussion of policy issues, small business strategies, concepts, initiatives, institutions and mechanisms for supporting small business. Interesting site which provides basic information on the conference
10) ICSB Conference 1999 The theme of the 44th International Council for Small Business Conference will be "Innovation and Economic Development: The Role of SMEs " and 500 participants from 80 countries are expected. Unfortunately the site offers little information on the conference
11) European Case Clearing House The European Case Clearing House (ECCH) is non-profit organisation distributing case study materials for management education and training. Although any of the 14,000 case studies available have to be purchased, case study reviews which appeared on the newsletter ECCHO can be viewed for free on the website.
12) Gender & Microfinance: Guidelines for Good Practice This personal homepage from Susan Johnson of the Center for Development Studies of the University of Bath is to my knowledge the only place on the web where one can find an analytical document looking at the issue of gender and microfinance. I am looking forward to having more documents available on the website.
13) TradePort TradePort is a very easy-to-use, superbly designed tool offering one place to go for comprehensive trade information, trade leads, and other types of useful information. I particularly liked the way it is structured (see main menu) which reflects the way a small company functions and looks for information. An excellent site
14) ExpoWorld.net ExpoWorld.net is a an international trade meta site providing access to directories and search engines in order to identify and locate events, tradeshows, conferences and exhibitions worldwide. A very good site. What I liked best was their very useful newsletter (free)
15) Product-Oriented Environmental Management Links This personal site by Frank de Bakker contains over 175 links on ecodesign, business and the environment and related issues. A truly excellent site which also includes information by country.
16) Global Recycling Network GRN claims to be " the most comprehensive Recycling Information & Trading Resource on the Internet". It offers a one-stop solution to recycling information needs of business users, researchers, publishers and purchasing agents, while spurring the development of international trade of recyclable goods and services. Do not miss their news section and their excellent resource library.
17) Biotrade Initiative Website Launched by UNCTAD the BIOTRADE Initiative is an integrated approach towards trade, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It therefore encourages the establishment of partnerships between the private sector, local and indigenous communities, and developed and developing countries. A potentially important website which development is unfortunately lagging behind.
18) UNEP Working Group on Sustainable Product Development The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Working Group on Sustainable Product Development seeks to provide support to industry and policy makers who need clear strategic thinking and advice on sustainable products and services in relation to trends in international sustainable production and consumption policy. Although the collapsible "stair structure" of the site is not at all what I would call "user friendly" it leads to extremely interesting information. Do not miss the list of sustainable resources consumption on the WWW
19) International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) was established to contribute to a better understanding of development and environment concerns in the context of international trade. Although the focus is mostly on international trade, environmental issues are also part of the picture. Do not miss the calendar of events and the publications section.
20) Investor Responsibility Research Center IRRC provides research and advice for institutional and private investors on issues related to corporate governance, the environment as well as social issues.Their website includes the Executive Summary of their 1998 Corporate Environmental Profiles Directory.
21) International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement The International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, INECE is an international partnership to promote effective environmental compliance and enforcement through networking, capacity building and enforcement cooperation. Particularly interesting are their capacity building documents and also their special topic and country example papers.
22) Co-operatives and Social Economy Links A very interesting, diversified and complete set of links. From the UK
23) Travel information for small business Are you looking for sources of information on travel, country of destination, airlines, currency exchange, visa requirements, international weather, vaccinations, hotels, local news, etc. all of which are essential when traveling abroad?
24) Virtual Community for Co-operators Created by the International Co-operative Alliance as a centre for co-operators to share resources, content, news, etc using the web as the communication media this young interactive site with potential includes sections on news and events, a resource centre (some urls not working) , and a few working papers (I liked the article on cooperatives and communication technology)
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If you have sites to suggest for review, please let me know. If you have comments or suggestions on the way ENTERWeb should evolve, don't hesitate and drop me a line, and finally don't forget to tell your colleagues and friends about ENTERWeb. The more feedback I receive the better it will be.
Happy browsing