Media advisory - Global Social Economy Forum - GSEF2016 - Day 2

Presentations of Success Stories from the Social and Solidarity Economy

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 7, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - After a first day with a wealth of discoveries and shared knowledge, the Global Social Economy Forum – GSEF2016 continues today in the Palais des congrès de Montréal with numerous workshops and working groups on inspiring initiatives here and elsewhere.

Schedule for Thursday, September 8, 2016

The following are some of the interesting initiatives demonstrating fruitful collaborations between actors in the social economy and local governments that have contributed to the sustainable development of a city or neighborhood:

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Initiative: Participatory Governance for the Revitalization of the Local Social and Solidarity Economy
Workshop: Urban Transformation: Revitalization and Gentrification
Location: Suwon, South Korea
Description: A transformation of the socio-economic structure has been taking place in Korea since the 1990s. Although community building and the social economy have both had a huge growth in numbers, both sectors have faced criticism of their qualitative growth. To address this situation, Gyeonggi-do (the largest local government in Korea) is proposing the development of a system of governance that promotes the convergence of social economy and community building projects.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Initiative: CERES: A Long-Term Collaboration Between a SSE Environmental Organization and Local Government For A Sustainable Future
Workshop: Natural Resources
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Description: The Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES) is a 4-hectare community and visitor centre in Melbourne, Australia, created by local people on a rehabilitated landfill site. Through social enterprises, education and training, employment, and community engagement, CERES provides the means by which people can build awareness of current local and global issues, and join in the movement for economic, social and environmental sustainability.

4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Initiative: Lantegi Batuak: A Social Entreprise Transforming Market and Company Needs into Opportunities for People with Disabilities in Bilbao
Workshop: Innovative Partnerships with the Private Sector
Location: Loiu, Spain
Description: Lantegi Batuak is a social enterprise created in 1983 by Gorabide, an association of families and people with intellectual disabilities. The enterprise operates in the outsourcing sector, with more than one thousand private and public customers from a wide range of sectors (industrial and service). Over the last seven years, in the midst of the economic recession and crisis (2009–2015), more than 500 new positions for people with disabilities were created in collaboration with local businesses and public administrations, such as the City of Bilbao. Today, more than 3,000 people (85% with disabilities) work at Lantegi Batuak.

Initiative: The Tool Library: Beyond Electronic Media
Workshop: The Commons
Location: Toronto, Canada
Description: Public libraries need to adapt their service offerings to continue to be relevant in the 21st century. From loaning tools and sporting equipment to offering innovative workshops and Makerspaces, many libraries are already making the transition. Find out more about the future of libraries and how to transition to a more shareable society.

The complete schedule is available at http://www.gsef2016.org/programme/gsef2016-preliminary-program/?lang=en.

About the Global Social Economy Forum (GSEF)
The Global Social Economy Forum (GSEF) is an international association bringing together local governments and civil society stakeholders committed to supporting the development of the social and solidarity economy (SSE). Its mission is to promote cooperation among social and solidarity economy organizations and local governments to stimulate the creation of quality jobs, equitable growth, and the advancement of participatory democracy and sustainable development. During the association's founding meeting in 2013, its members issued a declaration laying out their intentions and objectives. In 2014, members adopted a charter establishing its principles and operations, including the holding of a forum every two years.

The first two editions of the GSEF took place in Seoul in 2013 and 2014 respectively and each brought more than 1,000 people together.

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SOURCE Forum mondial de l’économie sociale - GSEF2016

For further information: and GSEF2016 accreditation: Amély Tremblay/Mélodie Ménard/Isabelle Paquette, Morin Relations Publiques, [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected], 514-774-8522 / 514-561-1966 / 514-581-8981. Media representatives are invited to get their badges at the press room located at the Palais des congrès de Montréal (room 523b).