The Zero Project Conference 2017 was held during 22-24 February at the United Nations Office/Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria.
YPSA was selected as one of 56 innovative practices and policies by the Zero Project’s selection committee of renowned disability and accessibility expert. Exemplary in the area of innovation, impacts, chances of long-term growth and success and sustainability. Employment generation for the person with disabilities through inclusive financing is outstanding in providing a practical solution to improve accessibility for person with disability.
YPSA’s inclusive finance program in Bangladesh is a joint initiative along with Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), an apex development organisation, established by the Government of Bangladesh.
This three-day program discusses Employment, Work and Vocational Education and Training (VET) – Innovative Practices and Policies for Persons with Disabilities.
A session titled “Microfinancing to kickstart self-employment of persons with disabilities” takes place on the second day of the conference. Solutions in this session focus on projects and activities that offer microfinancing to people with disability, allowing self employment with small credit financing, mostly for women.
This session was chaired by Joshua GOLDSTEIN, Microfinance Advisor, United States; Vashkar BHATTACHARJEE, YPSA – Young Power in Social Action, Bangladesh; Retta Getachew DIMISSE, ECDD – Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development, Ethiopia; John ALEX, Equitas Holdings Limited, India and Mohammad Salim MASTOOR, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Afghanistan.
Md. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive of YPSA also joined the Zero Project Conference .
Representatives of Innovative Practices and Policies were invited to present, discuss and inspire, jointly with world leaders from all sectors of society, with and without disabilities. Keynote speakers include high level representatives from International Organizations, leading managers from multinational companies, representatives from leading NGOs, self-representatives, entrepreneurs, and many more.
56 Innovative Practices in the field of employment, work and vocational education and training, selected jointly with the Zero Project network of experts with and without disabilities from all over the world. Many of their representatives were key presenters at the conference.
