(December, 2007)
Conducted by ECES under the international project of the UN High-Level Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor, this research project attempted to contribute to ongoing efforts aimed at empowering the poor in the areas of labor, establishing businesses, real estate property rights and access to the rule of law. Research findings were discussed at four expert group meetings held at ECES that brought together specialized professionals, civil society organizations, academics, representatives of the banking system as well as several government officials. The results were also discussed in a large one-day conference organized on 9 September by ECES in collaboration with the Social Fund for Development (SFD) and the UNDP. The purpose of the four studies was to establish a national dialogue on the link between exclusion, poverty and the law.