Greetings from ePoor.org and Pakistan! Appended is an introductory document about "Consumer Information and Empowerment Programme" of Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) and ePoor.org. I hope, it gives you an overview of the initiative, rationale, and deliverable. ePoor.org is providing technical support while CRCP would be providing content for this initiative. We eagerly look forward to your participation, insight, and guidance for this programme. Looking forward to hearing from you. - Zubair. --- Consumer Information and Empowerment Programme ----- CRCP: http://crcp.sdnpk.org email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ePoor.org: http://ePoor.org Introduction The goal of CIEP is to harness the potential of information technology (IT) for protecting and enhancing consumer rights. To this end, it seeks to bridge information gaps, undertake policy advocacy, support capacity building and empowerment, and help establish networks of consumer organizations. Why CIEP In Pakistan, consumer protection is a neglected area. Although some relevant provisions do exist on the statute books, the sale of harmful products, false advertising, adulteration, malpractice, and inadequate after-sales service is widespread. A major reason is the weakness of the system of governance, because of which neither have existing laws been implemented effectively nor the needed legal reform measures introduced. An alternative source of consumer protection, the emergence of ethically responsible business practices is also inadequately developed in Pakistan. There is little willingness or capacity in the private sector for voluntary measures or codes of conduct. The main channels through which businesses get an incentive to move in this direction are consumer pressure or visionary leadership. While the emergence of visionary leaders by definition cannot be predicted, it is quite possible to predict the manner in which consumer pressure can emerge, namely through organizations and networks that organize consumer boycotts, construct ethical investment portfolios, and engage in other activities that help apply pressure or ensure proper monitoring. In Pakistan, a number of organizations have taken the lead in organizing this process. Foremost amongst these are the Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP), the Network, and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). Between them, they have published information on consumer rights and consumer concerns, identified cases of malfeasance, undertaken public interest litigation, and formulated and advocated policy and legislative options. Compared to the magnitude of the problem, however, these efforts are far from adequate or significant. The problem is likely to become more acute with globalization and the consequent expansion of markets as well as the erosion of the ability of governments to regulate economic activity. The level of awareness and support for efforts to protect consumer rights will play a central role in determining the character of the emerging market economy. This project focuses on one aspect of the need, namely the harnessing of information technology to enable consumer organizations to become more effective in their work through information sharing, development of a consumer protection network, cataloguing and dissemination of information on consumer rights, and gathering and organization of information about products, services, and vendors. BENEFICIARIES Beneficiaries of the proposed project will include consumer groups, relevant government agencies, journalists, researchers, college/ university students, lawyers, judges, active citizens, and participants of training programs organized for or by various consumer groups. CD, in addition to the Internet, will particularly be helpful in terms of increasing the reach-out of consumer groups to the marginalized communities in the country. As the project envisages a CD and the portal is bilingual comprising Urdu (local/national language) and English, it is expected that a greater number of citizens will have the opportunity to benefit from it. DELIVERABLES The deliverables are related to the web site, but besides the web portal itself, they have been conceptualized in the form of stand-alone modules: 1. Web portal 2. Training module (materials on CD-ROM as well as the web). 3. Know Your Rights module 4. News And Events module 5. Brand Name Information module (contains research studies as well) 6. Public Interest Litigation module (contains actual and proposed laws on consumer protection) 7. Black List module 8. Institutional Links Each module will be an evolving one. The aim is to construct the platform that can enable future information to be added seamlessly. The web site will be essentially a user-friendly search engine in both English and Urdu. It will cover the following broad headings: Know Your Rights, Training Modules, News and Events, Public Interest Litigation, Black List, Brand Name Information (search engine), Institutional Links, search, and contact. [ends] ------------ ***GKD is an initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. 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