More than 2,000 participants expected - Montreal to host the third Global Social Economy Forum - GSEF2016 in September

MONTREAL, April 1, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - After the Conference of Montreal on the economy and the Living Together Summit, Montreal's mayor, Denis Coderre, joined by Monique Vallée, member of the city's executive committee in charge of social and community development, and Jean-Martin Aussant, general director of the Chantier de l'économie sociale, was pleased to announce that the city will be hosting the third Global Social Economy Forum, or GSEF2016.

"Montreal is a united, inclusive city where partnerships with social economy enterprises are well established. A sense of initiative, participation and solidarity have always been important values for Montreal. In hosting the GSEF2016, Quebec's largest city is committing to encouraging better networking and greater coordination among players working internationally for the transfer of best practices and garnering recognition and support for the social economy in international structures," said Mayor Coderre.

This major international event, which is being organized jointly by the Ville de Montréal and the Chantier de l'Économie sociale, will take place on September 7, 8 and 9 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Focusing on the theme "Local Governments and Social Economy Stakeholders: Allies for the Intelligent and Sustainable Development of Cities," it will bring together more than 2,000 participants involved in the development of SSE in more than 50 countries.

"For many years now, the social economy in Quebec has enjoyed international recognition. The Quebec model of developing the social economy is of widespread interest, particularly with respect to the collaboration between civil society and public authorities in the co-development of public policy. Quebec is far from alone: it is part of a growing international movement calling for a more equitable and sustainable economy in which collective entrepreneurship plays a key role in local development. GSEF2016 will undoubtedly provide many opportunities to reflect and share ideas so we can learn from each other," added Mr. Aussant.

"The social economy makes a concrete contribution to people's quality of life. The creation of SSE enterprises directly impacts the economic development of the territories where they are established, by creating non-relocatable employment and generating local responses to community needs," explained Ms. Vallée.

The board of directors organizing the GSEF2016 in Montreal is chaired by Mario Fortin, president and CEO of Cinéma Beaubien, and includes the following members:

• Danielle Laberge, professor with the department of technology management at UQAM and chair of the board of Centraide du Grand Montréal;
• Léopold Beaulieu, president and CEO of Fondaction;
• Jacques Ménard, chair of the board of BMO Nesbitt Burns and president of BMO Financial Group, Quebec;
• Alan Shepard, president and vice-chancellor of Concordia University.

The three-day program will feature more than 90 SSE initiatives from all continents, presented in the form of workshops or discussion groups. There will also be some 20 site visits to social economy enterprises in Montreal and elsewhere in Quebec, in addition to complementary events that will take alongside the Forum.

"I invite cities and social economy stakeholders to attend the GSEF2016 in large numbers to share their initiatives and their achievements, so that together, we can reap the benefits of greater solidarity," concluded Mayor Coderre.

Registration for the GSEF2016 is now open at on the GSEF2016 website.

About the GSEF
The Global Social Economy Forum (GSEF) is an international association that brings 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. At 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 holding of forum every two years. The first two editions of the Forum took place in Seoul and attracted more than 1,000 people each.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif