To focus on issues of inclusion, it was at first decided to devote one session specifically
to this topic. But it soon became clear that this would be inadequate for in-depth analysis
and discussion which could lead to an understanding of the constraints and possible
approaches to overcome them. It was felt essential to provide more time for a deeper
exploration of the theme of inclusion. Soa preliminary one-day brainstorming was held,
with the support of FAO, at the end of June 2007, on the theme of "Strategies for
Gender and Social Inclusion with regard to Technology and Sustainable Lvelihoods"
with a smaller group of non-governmental organisations, who had worked intensively
with different categories of excluded groups in different sectors and with different
approaches, and who would be able to share their successful strategies for social
inclusion. Eight presentations were made at this meeting and discussed by a larger
peer group, and a consolidated paper summarizing and commenting on their experiences
was presented at the main Consultation in July.