Overview of NIEA's fourth meeting in Hanoi (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The fourth meeting of the Network of Experts onInclusive Entrepreneurship in ASEAN (NIEA) was held online on October 22, withthe theme “Promotion of Inclusive Entrepreneurship towards a Cohesive and ResponsiveASEAN Community”.
The meeting was part of the ASEAN StrategicFramework on Social Welfare and Development, chaired by the Vietnamese Ministryof Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) in the 2020-2021 period.
Attending were those in charge of the ASEANSenior Officials’ Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD), NIEAmembers from the ten ASEAN countries, representatives from the ASEANSecretariat, organisations linked to ASEAN, and international partners such asthe US, the UN, and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and thePacific (UNESCAP).
Speaking at the event, head of MoLISA’sDepartment of Social Assistance Nguyen Van Hoi spoke highly of the roleThailand played in founding and coordinating NIEA during 2017-2019.
With nearly 30 members, the network hascontributed to promoting enterprises owned by people with disabilities (PWDs),sharing information about PWD-related issues, and increasing the quality of theirlives.
To help the network uphold its role, Hoisuggested nations adopt more policies and programmes to enhance PWDs’engagement and promote their approach to employment and business opportunities.
Delegates exchanged views on institutions and policiesto promote inclusive entrepreneurship for PWDs in ASEAN countries, the role ofinvolved parties, difficulties and challenges in this endeavour, links with theimplementation of the ASEAN Enabling Master Plan 2025 on Mainstreaming the Rightsof Persons with Disabilities, and the application of information technology ande-commerce to promote start-ups.
The meeting also prepared a document on commonrecommendations to promote inclusive entrepreneurship for PWDs, which will besent to senior officials and ministers in charge of social welfare anddevelopment to seek their greater focus on PWD-related issues./.
VNA
