On 11-12 January 2006 Brussels held a working meeting of heads of MAP (Micro Enterprise Acceleration Program) programs from different countries. The meeting was attended by Victor Stroganov, IIS Executive Director, Director of MAP Moscow Program.

МАР Program is a benevolent program conducted by Hewlett-Packard (НР), and aimed at bridging the Digital Divide among SME workers. The program covers creating education centers equipped by HP hardware and software and conducting practical work on developing SME workers’ skills of conducting business using ICT.

During the working meeting representatives from different countries shared experience of creating such centers in their regions taking into account local specifics and situation with SME. The meeting covered seminars on different aspects of MAP centers organization and operation. The meeting gathered representatives from Germany, Ireland, Egypt, Malta, Russia, France, Portugal, Israel, Nigeria, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and USA.

The meeting was conducted by: Didier Philippe, Director CSR and Micro-Enterprise Acceleration Program EMEA, HP International Sarl; and Jelena Godjevac, Programme Officer, UN Institute for Training and Research .

The opening of the Moscow education Centre is planned for 21 March 2006.