STATE CONFERENCE

STATE CONFERENCE OF SHG MEMBERS - INITIATING A VIBRANT SHG MOVEMENT IN WEST BENGAL

[An initiative to bring SHGs, Clusters, Federations, Civil Society Organizations, Banks, Government Departments, Local Self Governments,
NABARD, SIDBI and Insurance Companies for sharing of views and ideas, interaction, linkage and recommendation in rural and urban West Bengal.]

[Come let's join together]

First Ever SHG State Conference - Making of a History

First SHG State Conference in West Bengal was held on February 28, 2002 to March 2, 2002 in Salt Lake Stadium with the slogan ' ' or Come let's join together. 2000 women from corners of West Bengal assembled in this conference. This historical event was as the result of the initiative taken to bring all stakeholders, individuals and donor agencies involved in promoting SHG & micro finance in West Bengal under a single banner. Honorable Governor, Mr. Viren J Shah and respectable MICs, Health, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, W.B, Cooperative & Consumer Affairs Department, WB, Relief & Jail Department, WB, Youth & Technical Education Department, W.B, Municipal Affairs & Urban Development Department, W.B. graced the occasion. This historic event was well supported by Government of West Bengal, SIDBI and UNICEF and CARE.

Main objectives of this conference was

• Have mutual sharing among the MF players if different districts
• Highlight operational issues and policy constraints and facilitate interaction with the policy makers
• Strengthen the MF Forum to bring major stakeholders together

Programme Design

   Inaugural Session
   Technical Session - Panel Discussion

• Microfinance - Prospects and Constraints
• Status and Functioning of SHG's in West Bengal
• Women's Empowerment and Social Development
• Collective Role of Women SHG's in Enhancing Standard of Life
• Role of Women SHG's in Response of Disaster Management
• Let's Join in Togetherness

   Sum up of discussion and presented by SHG members
   Charter of Action

Detail Report