2016 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
Side Event organized by the Governments of France and Costa Rica
in collaboration with the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy
Wednesday 20 July 2016, 1:15 – 2:30pm
United Nations, New York
“Social and Solidarity Economy
as a Strategic Means of Implementation of the SDGs”
Summary Report
Background Information
To realize the transformational vision of the 2030 Agenda, comprehensive, holistic approaches are needed. Alternative development strategies and innovative economic models that are optimized for sustainability and inclusiveness are emerging in many parts of the world. These alternative forms of production, trade, finance and consumption are being designed to respond to global social, economic and environmental challenges. The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) encompasses a diverse range of organizations and institutions that pursue social and/or environmental objectives rather than profit-maximization.
Many national and local governments, as well as UN agencies, recognize the development potential of SSE in the context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and International Development has launched the “Innover Ensemble” strategy which coordinates the support of public authorities to the different SSE actors that generate social, environmental and economic benefits in the global South. Additionally, the UN Member States of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Luxemburg, Morocco & the State of Quebec (observer), have formed an International Leading Group on SSE, and have adopted a joint declaration to implement a range of supportive policies and programmes to scale up SSE activities around the world.
The UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy, founded in 2013, strives to raise the visibility of SSE in international knowledge and policy circles, and to showcase its strategic value in implementing Agenda 2030 through concrete social, institutional and innovative practices. The Task Force, which brings together 19 UN agencies and 9 observers, seeks to harness the linkages between SSE and the 17 SDGs and draw attention to the SSE's potential as an alternative development model that can address the structural deficits of exclusionary and unsustainable development.
Side Event in the 2016 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
The HLPF side event on "Social and Solidarity Economy as a Strategic Means to the Implementation of the SDGs" took place on 20 July 2016. It was sponsored by the Governments of France and Costa Rica, in collaboration with theUN Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy, and moderated by UNRISD Director Paul Ladd.
The event provided an opportunity to learn more about the SSE’s potential to contribute to fundamental changes needed in our economies to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Opening Remarks were offered by Mr. ViniciusPinheiro, Special Representative to the United Nations and Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office in New York, followed by a Statement from the European Commission by Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Director of Global Sustainable Development. The panellists included H.E. JesúsGarcía, Secretary of State for International Cooperation and for Ibero-America, Government of Spain; M. François Gave, Head of the Sustainable Development Department, Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations in New York. A statement was also presented on behalf of the Vice Minister of Labour of Italy, H.E. Luigi Bobba. Ms. Berenice AlcaldeCastro, Deputy Director General of the Mexican Institute of Youth also intervened from the floor. Unfortunately, due to technical problems the recorded statement from H. E. Carlos Alvarado Quesada, Minister of Labour and Social Security of Costa Rica could not be presented.
Other panellists of the HLPF event included Mme.CélestineKetchaCourtés, Mayor of Bangangté, Cameroon and President of theRéseau des Femmes Elues Locales d’Afrique du Cameroun (REFELA-Cam),also representing the Global Task Force of Local and Regional Governments; Dr Denison Jayasooria, Deputy Chair of RIPESS Asia; and Mr. HeeradSabeti, Managing Director, Fourth Sector Network.
The government representatives from Spain, France, Italy and the EU emphasized the importance of SSE in terms of job creation and income generation in the European context, as well as the key role SSE will have in implementing the SDGs.The EU is supporting the creation of social enterprises in Europe and abroad, aiming at enhancing their visibility and impact. The three European countries noted that they have changed the law to improve the status ofSSE and have put into place policies to promote and support SSE. This underscores the high political priority attributed to SSE by these governments.The French representative also presented their recently launched initiative “Innover ensemble”, the French strategy for the promotion of innovative SSE models. The Italian representative emphasized the role of SSE in overcoming structural inequalities, whilst the Mexican representative pointed to the SSE’s potential for job creation, particularly for the youth.
Non-governmental speakers found different entry points to the debate. Mme.KetchaCourtés emphasised local actors and territories as key to the expansion of SSE. Dr.Jayasooria gave examples of grassroots movements in Indonesia, India and Nepal to highlight how SSE is making progress. He also pointed that SSE initiatives embrace agro-ecological approaches, like low-impact farming and crop diversification, which contribute to environmental sustainability. Finally, Mr. HeeradSabeti presented the Fourth Sector of the economy as the convergence between the for-profit and the not-for-profit sectors.
Speakers highlighted steps being taken at the country level by governmentsand civil society to improve SSE policy and legislative frameworks, financing and indicators.As H.E. J. Garcíasummarized: “This is the moment of the Social Economy, as it is an effective response to our priorities: first, to encourage job creation; second, to foster collective enterprises; third, to ensure stable and quality employment; and lastly, to give opportunities to those more in need”.
1