If solidarity economy is such a great idea, then why is its extent and scope so limited? What are the socio-technological conditions that impede its spread? Our hypothesis is: Solidarity economy is a far more evident procedure than is usually being perceived. Yet, it cannot work under currently dominant institutional set-up. After a short introduction, we will move on to collectively work on the political parameters for a solidarity economy. At four different tables, we will delve into specific topics.
Speaker:
Corinna Vosse, Andreas Siemoneit, Heike Birkhölzer, Dieter Haselbach, Severin Halder
Annual assembly of the RIPESS Europe network. The strategy for the next three years and alliances will be discussed, as well as the activities of members and related networks. It’s open to observers. RIPESS ist the Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of Social Solidarity Economy (SSE) (with observer status at the UNCTAD).
Innovative alternative instruments of finance have been developed worldwide in the context of the Social Solidarity Economy in order to overcome the economic crises. This includes Social Banking, as well as non-monetary instruments which in some cases derive from self-help movements in the global south. We will provide an overview and discuss the transferability to the German situation.
What are the key manifestations and criteria? What are the areas that are shared, and how can they be strengthened? This forum will bring together practitioners, both producers and consumers interested in how food as a human right lies at the heart of solidarity economy, CSAs, Community Gardens, allotments, Social inclusion gardening in terms of bringing together local food systems and responsible consumption.
Austerity policies led to de-industrialization processes at the global level until committees were formed within trade unions that offered resistance by promoting workers cooperatives to take over their enterprises. There are each around 200 industrial enterprises under workers' control in Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela. Also in the South of Europe austerity policy has led to de-industrialization and devastating unemployment rates. Takeovers require special training on multiple levels: political, legal, economic, social, psychological etc.
Speaker:
Flávio Chedid, Walter Vogt, Alessandro Viola, Bruno Roelants, Moderation: Kristina Bayer
The ecological advantages of renewable energy have been emphasized countless times, however until now the social possibilities, which can be opened up through a de-centralized energy production, have been largely ignored. These advantages are the development of municipal common goods and the strengthening of local self-administration.
Speaker:
Silke Helfrich, Peter Kolbe, Yannik Hake, Alexander Sladek, Harald Bender, Norbert Bernholt
With this session, we invite scholars to share their experiences and to collectively think about possible avenues of cooperation, such as common calls for action and the formation of an international university network around the theme of building Solidarity Economies. Brazilian universities play an important role in incubating Solidarity Economy enterprises. Two university networks exist comprising around 40 universities each, which explicitly promote such incubation processes.
Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Rosangela Alves de Oliveira, Dr. Flávio Chedid Ph. D. Isidor Wallimann, Josette Combes, Moderation: Veronica Kienen Dias
How do pupils’ cooperatives work and what demonstrative examples can be identified? How can pupils’ cooperatives be integrated into everyday school life? What role do partners outside school play and how can young cooperatives contribute to regional development in a sustainable way? This forum is geared towards educators and teachers that already work with pupils’ cooperatives or that would like to incorporate these into their teaching. It will also be of interest to (young) people looking to learn more about the topic.
Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Nicole Göler von Ravensburg, Mona Schmidt, Moderation: Barbara Schweitzer (angefragt)
This Forum will include speakers from urban initiatives, who are especially focussed on alleviating the current crisis. Also people from the rural areas who can give a model for resilient economic structures. Due to the current situation there are predominantly projects from Greece, but there will also be speakers from Spain and Portugal. There will be specific examples from the following sectors: agriculture, health, emergency help during crises and educational/culture. We will endeavor to present the networking situation.
Speaker:
Yiannis Barka, Joana Dias, George Ploumpidis, Gorka Pinillos, Theodore Makris
Food sovereignty and land grabbing, exploitation of resources and expropriation - issues for the global South? Not only them! Brandenburg is being sold out, extensive farming by conventional agricultural businesses in Berlin’s surrounding areas and exploitation of the soil and regional structures, mono-cultures and seed limitations are erasing the eco-diversity of our maps, consumers are losing the contact to their food and their consumer habits are forcing exploitative work structures, production chains and land speculation.
Speaker:
Frank Wesemann, Paula Gioia, Julia Bartal (angefragt),Yahel Rohde (angefragt)
