The global research policy network Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) held their fifth General Assembly in Belo Horizonte in Brazil.  The ACC hosts WIEGO's urban policies and dissemination work. 

Despite travel restrictions due to the volcanic ash, 77 participants from 17 countries attended.  The week started with visits to various waste picker cooperatives.  At the first day of the General Assembly, participants heard about the activities of the international alliances of street traders, home based workers, waste collectors and domestic workers as well as WIEGO's activities and plans.  On the second day there were discussions with and feedback from WIEGO's two core constituencies membership based organizations of the working poor and researchers - and the new WIEGO board was elected. 

After the General Assembly, local informal economy representatives, policy makers and academics were invited to join WIEGO members at a public event entitled "Inclusive Cities for the Working Poor".  Activists and academics presented promising examples from around the world, not least from Belo Horizonte, of what can be done in support of the urban working poor. The day concluded with a book and exhibition launch of Working in Warwick: Including Street Traders in Urban Plans. The book is authored by among others Caroline Skinner.