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The Consortium of women entrepreneurs of India-cwei has been created keeping in mind the dire need of women at this juncture, to explore new marketing linkages and exchange of technology within the country and overseas. The other burning issue is of finding alternative and innovative methods of financing women enterprises. Our aim is to bring together on a common platform delegates and participants from SAARC, Asia Pacific region, the Far East, Africa and developing countries to deliberate on issues concerning the economic empowerment of this region with special emphasis on women. This Consortium consists of NGO's Voluntary Organisations, Self Help Groups's, Institutions & individual Enterprises who collectively support and benefit from the above activities. It would act as an Alternate Trading Organisation (ATO) linking with Nodal agencies in India and abroad for direct marketing both domestic and export. cwei- In the forefront for the cause of women entrepreneurs. In its young years of operation, cwei, with Mrs. Shashi Singh Chaudhary as the Chairperson, has successfully otganised varioustrade events, buyer-seller meets, wide ranging workshops, seminars and conferences for women entrepreneurs in both organised and unorganised sector, rural artisans and for tribals as well. These achievements were possible with the support of Ministry of Industries,Govt. of India, NSIC, IDBI, SIDBI, Dept.. of Women & Child development, National Commision for Women, Dept.of Science & Technology, Central Social Welfare Board, DC Handicrafts, ILO, UNIFEM, APCTT, NID & EDII Ahmedabad. * First International Women Entrepreneurs's Meet and Conference- Focus SAARC AsiaPacific Region,IITF,New Delhi, Nov 14-27,1996 cwei's major focus is on marketing.For the first time in India International Trade Fair, an exclusive entrepreneurs pavilion was created for the participants of this region to provide a platform for the exchange of information and technologies, networking and marketing amongst women manufacturers across the developing regions of South Asia. There were participants from 18 countries. cwei has established focal points in all these member countries for further trade linkages. The cross cultural evenings during the conference gave an informal insight into the talents and dedication to the peace and prosperity of the region. * Delhi Trade Fair, Kidwai Nagar Grounds,Jan 12-30,1997. This fair provided marketing linkages for established urban entrepreneurs of Delhi. * 'Shakti Rupa'-Mahila Shakti Mela, Dilli Haat, March 1-9,1997 The Mahila Shakti Mela had participation from 26 states and more than 62 stalls. "Women Power for Higher Productivity" was the theme of the workshops. The focus was on identifying NGO's and Production groups to uplift and encourage individual women artisans mostly in the unorganised sector. Development of skill, technology upgradation, designing, marketing and micro credit financing were the key technical inputs. The fair helped in empowering women to come in direct contact with buyers, gain confidence and marketing skills, and improve the quality of products according to the market needs. During the desigm workshops, tool kits were made available and prototypes were developed with special training on quality control. * Celebration of International Women's Day, New Delhi, March 8, 1997 The culmination of the Mahila Shakti Mela was the celebration of the International Women's Day in the 50th year of India's Independence and to pledge the decade asthe "Decade of Women". The theme of the cultural evening depicted the transition of women and their changing attitudes in harmonising the tradition in the modern era and imbibing our cultural heritage in various facets of life. Tribal Dance from the ancient villages of Ladakh,Western Tibet and the Himalayan region today need our support and guidance and a commitment to help them merge into the economic mainstream. Lalleshwari-the embodiment of women power was a dance ballet based on Lal Dayad, an enlightened revolutionary poetess from Kashmir of the 12th century, choreographed specially for the day. Dr. M.B.Athreya, a vedic scholar and management expert beautifully gelled his thoughts relating to the historic past with the mission of the Modern Indian Women. Thematic Design Show portrayed the various periods of ethnic fabric evolved through design development by self employed women artisans. cwei INVOLVEMENTS: * Social Development Fair , ITPO,New Delhi, April 12-20, 1997 * Seminar on Self Employment & Entrepreneurship,April 18, 1997, ITPO, New DElhi * Sajavat, ITPO, New Delhi, 12-20 Aug, 1997. * National Seminar on Role of Women in Growth & Development, Aug14, 1997, (In collaboration with IMM), New Delhi * Mystic India, 20-26 Oct,1997, ITPO,New Delhi * Seminar on Today's Women Entrepreneurs-carrying on the Traditional Mileu, 20 Oct, 1997, New DElhi *