After some opening words by the organisers and a keynote by Paul Mason under the title „Capitalism is dying – What next?“, a panel discussion will engage with the role and strategic relevance of three transformational dimensions:
1.) Practice (concrete alternatives, solidarity economy) – from niched initiatives to widespread recognition
2.) Regime (economic and political structures and institutions): How can the global transformation towards an ecologically and socially just economy and politics be achieved?
Speaker:
Clarita Müller-Plantenberg, Josette Combes, Gabriele Wendorf, Paul Mason, Ursula Sladek, Christoph Bautz, Barbara Muraca, Moderation: Silke Helfrich
The podium theme is the Solidarity Economy movement in Brazil. The development of the Solidarity Economy in Brazil grew out of the Forum on the Solidarity Economy, as well as the necessary political frameworks via the National Secretariat of Ministry of Labour. The questions in this panel will focus on the organisational structures, networking and ability to realize and implement goals as well as political frameworks and look towards perspectives for transformation.
In order to tackle the multiple crises, a radical transformation of our economic system is necessary. In many places, different alternative economic models are already discussed and tried out, movements arise. On this panel, we link degrowth, solidarity economy and the work of unions. What chance do practical projects of alternative economies have in the surrounding growth economy? Does solidarity economy need macro-economic degrowth concepts in order to gain a certain stability, or are solidarity companies the answer to missing growth in the global North?
Speaker:
Luis Salcedo, Norbert Reuter, Janna Aljets, Moderation: Nina Treu
How can the impact be strengthened through the development of common strategies, whilst still retaining the individual identities of participating organizations? The plenum will be participatory and use the “fish bowl” method to discuss the topics in three rounds. The topics include the presentation of the organizations, their work areas and their specific challenges as well as the work on joint campaigns aimed at improving the external perception of the movement.
Speaker:
Jason Nardi, Pat Conaty, Silke Helfrich, Michel Bauwens, Christian Felber, Nina Treu, Thomas Dönnebrink, Victor Meseguer, Moderation: Eric Lavillunière und Dagmar Embshoff
Making the alliance to stop TTIP and all other “free trade” agreements while developing the fair and solidarity international trade. What impact do TTIP, TISA,TPP, EPAs and the ISDS mechanism have on local economies and food sovereignty? What is our response? A panel to debate how to join forces among the different social movements and Solidarity Economy initiatives, including Fair Trade, as well as the international institutions who promote the rights of the people vs the profit of the corporations.
Speaker:
Brid Brennan, Rudi Dalvai, Jürgen Schwettmann, Florent Marcellesi, Christian Felber, Moderation: Monica Di Sisto
The role of Solidarity Economy compared with other economies will be discussed against the background of the current crisis in Southern Europe. The discussion will focus on both new and more established initiatives and projects. It will also address the relationship of alternative approaches to the possibilities and the constraints of economic policies. A thorough presentation of Southern European Projects will take place in its own Forum and will be followed up with in-depth workshops, which in turn link into this podium.
Speaker:
Georgia Bekridaki, Gorka Pinillos, Prof. Skevos Papaioannou, Alexis Passadakis
At this closing plenary, we reflect upon the congress and discuss ideas for the future. We start out with two presentations of the main results of the regional forum initiatives and the transformation forum. With four speakers from different backgrounds, we then shed light on various threads of the conference. Did we bring the different strands of solidarity economy together? What are limitations to spreading it further? How to better disseminate our solidarity practices and cooperative networking to improve our impact and influence ?
Speaker:
Eric Lavilluniere, Georgia Bekidraki, Sven Giegold, Thomas Brose, Moderation: Nina Treu
