NLR India country policy development workshop was held at Agra from 1-4 November 2011. 25 participants including Mr. Rens Verstappen, Head Project Department, NLR Amsterdam, Mr. Daan Ponsteen, Project Officer, NLR Amsterdam, ILEP member reps. Central Leprosy Division, NLR staff, other NGOs and persons affected by leprosy participated as major stakeholders. The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Jos Brand.

Participants were divided into 5 discussion groups for the first two days. These groups were NLEP, NLR management, NLR LPAs and coordinators, other ILEP + 1 NGO and rehabilitation specialists. 

After presentations by NLEP, findings of strategic review by Dr. P.L. Joshi, two main topics were discussed in small groups: NLR SWOT and responsibilities of the main stakeholders for 10 results (9 original NLEP results identified in Hyderabad workshop + general disabilities). Groups provided opinions on who has more and less responsibility. Important for this discussion was that NLEP has main responsibility and that others cannot be held responsible for implementation. At the end of the second day, the groups provided suggestions as to what NLR’s contribution may be in achieving the 10 results.

Designing the policy directions

Days 3 of the workshop comprised of 9 participants, 5 NLR India, 2 HO and 2 NLEP, including the DDG(L). The 10 results were further elaborated as to NLR’s directions and expected progress. 



Day 4 (half day) was a discussion among NLR staff about reviewing the directions and pondering over organisational arrangements: staffing and competencies. The final result was an agreed upon outline of NLR’s directions for the coming years.