Sunday, September 30, 2012


International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development

Newsletter #92

1st October 2012

 

Summary

 

The Resilience Imperative : Cooperative Transitions to a Steady-State Economy

Book review

 

Message from the editorial team

 

Ever since we began publishing our newsletters in 2003, we have presented various examples of grassroots organisations. They are mainly structured according to the principles of social solidarity economy. Their activities are aimed at improving their own lives through job-creation, food production, providing housing and ensuring all their basic needs.

 

Most, if not all of the examples in this book by Michael Lewis and Pat Conaty demonstrate solidarity between people and various organisations in the same geographical area. In most cases, the activities are developed to meet the needs of disadvantaged groups, as in the case of access to housing for low-income families. Even if the book does not include many examples from countries of the South, we know from various examples in articles we have published in this newsletter that the approach is the same. Our newsletter has illustrated many examples of this kind, such as ASSEFA in India (#60), cooperatives in Mozambique (#19), forestry users in Nepal (#17), and even solidarity economy in rural districts of China (#81). We have also illustrated the way in which grassroots organisations in different countries come together to share information, support one another and jointly carry out advocacy.

 

We know the two authors of the book we are reviewing in this issue, and they have used examples to systematically illustrate these and other examples, in order to demonstrate that it is possible to live differently without seeking to achieve growth at all costs, or destroying the ecosystems of our planet. Not to mention the accelerated depletion of the earth’s resources.

 

The book enables us to get a glimpse of a different way of life, based on things that already exist, of what the authors call “a steady-state economy” that would be more respectful of all human beings, who take the future into their own hands and organise in all regions of the world.

 

Judith Hitchman

Yvon Poirier

Martine Theveniaut

 

The Resilience Imperative: Cooperative Transitions to a Steady-State Economy

 

Book review

by Yvon Poirier

 

The two authors of the book The Resilience Imperative: Cooperative Transitions to a Steady-State Economy, Michael Lewis from Canada and Pat Conaty from the UK have achieved the masterpiece of analysing the current socio-economic situation and demonstrating from existing alternative practice that we have all we need to switch to a more respectful community-based human society, one that also respects the planet.

 

On the basis of existing case studies, they clearly demonstrate that the current growth-based development model is not so much the fruit of the capitalist model per se, but rather the result of the use of almost-free energy based on oil. As they illustrate in an allegory, it is as though we had found a hidden treasure buried in the basement of our house. At least in the case of part of the world’s population, we help ourselves to it and spend recklessly. We have therefore used up the planet’s resources at breakneck speed; this is true for the natural resources, water, the oceans, as well as land and all the ecosystems. In less than 2 or 3 generations the impact has been greater than all human activity combined since the start of life as we know it. The capitalist system as it exists today, particularly in its neo-liberal form, accentuates this frenetic race of consumption and dilapidation of resources and is taking us to the brink.

 

Yet scientific studies have undeniably proven that not only is this not a viable model, but the very future of life itself will be considerably disrupted by factors including climate change, - something that is now almost inevitable – unless we make rapid major changes. In this respect, we like a quotation by Kenneth Boulding, taken from the book. Having explained that we are living in a world of finite and not infinite resources, he declares “Anyone who believes that economic growth can go on forever is either madman or an economist!”. We apologise to the “real” economists who obviously know that this is dogmatic, and based on ideology and that it has no scientific basis.

 

Alternatives exist

 

The authors explain that there is nothing new about the awareness that we need to adopt a lifestyle that is more respectful of humankind and life. In the 18th and 19th centuries many actors proposed different visions, often qualified as Utopian or idealistic, but that often led to genuine alternatives. Robert Owen, for example is said to have inspired the first cooperative in Rochdale in 1844.

 

With the economic crises, the ever-increasing gap between the rich and the poor, the unemployment of the last 30 or 40 years, people have become aware that it was necessary to create organisations that respect human values and sustainable development. The authors present many success stories to illustrate this, such as:

 

  • The Seikatsu Club Cooperative Union in Japan. Founded in 1968 by women, it now brings together 32 cooperatives with 350,000 members who buy basic food supplies direct from producers.
  • Community Land Trusts in the United States and the United Kingdom that remove land from property speculation, make housing accessible to “ordinary folks”. The one in Champlain, Vermont, in the United States is a pioneer in this regard. It has enabled the creation of 2,200 affordable homes.
  • Italian solidarity cooperatives provide social services to communities including disadvantaged people in their salaried workforce.
  • The Mondragon group of cooperatives in Spanish Basque country belongs to its 70,000 workers. Over and above the industrial production the group includes a credit union, schools as well as research and development activities.
  • Various financial cooperatives and credit unions that have not, generally speaking been affected by the 2008 crisis, or at least not very much. The authors mention the network of 220 community credit unions savings banks in the United States that are active in the disadvantaged communities around the country. Mortgages were healthy and they have lost little in spite of the increase in unemployment within these communities.

 

The authors illustrate their ideas with many other examples. Nevertheless the examples mentioned above allow us to understand that by fighting against the forces that are perpetuating the dominant model, how it is possible to live differently.

 

These activities, as the title indicates, are more resilient, as they are based on the involvement of people and communities. They are also more resilient for the planet, as they show how it is possible to live in a more balanced world that does not depend on the unreasonable exploitation of the planet’s resources.

 

Canadian Center for Community Renewal-Centre canadien de renouveau communautaire (EN+FR)

http://communityrenewal.ca/resilience-imperative

 

New Economics Foundation (EN)

http://www.neweconomics.org/

 

About the Newsletter

 

This Newsletter is published in French, English, Spanish and Portuguese, It has been produced on a totally voluntary basis since the first issue in 2003.

 

The Editorial team wishes to thank the following volunteers for their support in translation and revision:

Michel Colin (Brazil)

Paula Garuz Naval (Ireland)

Évéline Poirier (Canada)

Brunilda Rafael (France)

 

We also wish to thank the Civil Policy Research Institute (CPRI) of Seikatsu Club in Japan for the Japanese translation.

 

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:

http://local-development.blogspot.com/

www.apreis.org/

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):

Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

 

Saturday, September 01, 2012


International Newsletter of Sustainable Local Development

Newsletter #91

September 1st 2012

Summary

Community Economic Development (CED) in Canada

Message from the Editorial Team

At the request of COMMACT India, Yvon shares how he introduced the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) to this group and gives an overview of its international activities. Keenly involved in the international activities of the network since 2002 and Chairman of the International Committee of the network since 2007, Yvon explains some of his actions in Asia.

The article was first published in the last August 15th COMMACT India Newsletter. It is a follow-up to talks which took place during the Kochi meeting in March 2012 (see Newsletter # 87).

Community Economic Development (CED) appeared in North America before the concept of social solidarity economy (SSE). There are many similarities, but also a significant nuance. The concept of "community" as used in North America and Asia clearly implies the local community leadership, whereas SSE emphasizes the collective initiative to a greater extent.

We have published our newsletter since 2003. One important reason why we do so is precisely to demonstrate the various approaches that place people's needs and those of the whole planet at the heart of daily concerns, even if they are often designated by different names for circumstantial or historical reasons.

Judith Hitchman

Yvon Poirier

Martine Theveniaut

Community Economic Development (CED) in Canada
 

 
 
 
By Yvon Poirier

Chair: Canadian CED Network International Committee

As in India and in most countries in the world, many communities face social and economic challenges. And in many cases, these challenges have increased in recent decades.  Increasing gaps between rich and poor countries, and within countries, are a worldwide phenomenon.  In all countries, people organise to survive and improve their livelihoods through different approaches such as community organisations, collectively-owned businesses such as co-operatives and similar initiatives.  And in most countries, these organisations network to improve their work, and to advocate for better policies and programs.

In most parts of North America, over the last 30 years or so, efforts to revitalize urban communities with high concentrations of poverty, to support the empowerment of First Nations (aboriginal) communities, or to save small towns and villages from devitalisation, popped up all over.

In Canada, people involved in this work gradually felt the need to get together to share knowledge, engage in joint advocacy and push for better policies and programs at local, provincial or federal government levels. This led to the creation of the The Canadian Community Economic Development Network in 1999.

The vision and mission statements clearly demonstrate the focus of the organisation.

Our Vision:

The Canadian Community Economic Development Network believes in sustainable and inclusive communities directing their own social, economic and environmental futures.

Our Mission:

We are a member-led organization committed to strengthening communities by creating economic opportunities that improve environmental and social conditions.  We bring people and organizations together to share knowledge and build a collective voice for CED action. Our members are part of a movement creating community-based solutions to local and global challenges.

International

Ever since its inception, CCEDNet has recognized the importance of including an international perspective in its work. We recognize that communities are affected by what happens in the global arena. Delocalisation of manufacturing to countries with lower wages, economic crises of different types (such as we are currently experiencing) affect, mostly negatively, many communities.

The present style of globalisation, aptly named neoliberal, has clearly showed its limits to abolish poverty or assure sustainable livelihoods for all.  Even worse, present trends increase global warming which wreak havoc in many places.

This is why CCEDNet has increased ties and networks with many organisations.

In particular, CCEDNet has been actively involved in the International Network for the Promotion of the Social Solidarity Economy (RIPESS) since 2002. CCEDNet has also developed relations with COMMACT since the Liverpool conference in 2004.

Besides acting as Chair of CCEDNet’s International Committee, I have devoted a lot of effort to build ties in Asia for the promotion of a more people-centered development. This came about after realising that the Social and Solidarity Economy movement, even if developing rapidly in South America, and in French speaking countries, was practically unknown in other parts of the world, and even more so in Asia.

The outreach has probably helped a bit.  In 2005, there were only a few participants from Asia at the 3rd RIPESS meeting in Dakar (Senegal). Eight years later, in 2013, the 5th RIPESS meeting will be held in Asia (Manila in October next year).

These are important steps. But, considering the challenges facing us all, we will need to continue, day by day, to build a people-centered economy, from the local community to the global community. There is no other way.

CCEDNet http://www.ccednet-rcdec.ca

RIPESS http://www.ripess.org


 

About the Newsletter

This Newsletter is published in French, English, Spanish and Portuguese, It has been produced on a totally voluntary basis since the first issue in 2003.

The Editorial team wishes to thank the following volunteers for their support in translation and revision:

Michel Colin (Brazil)

Paula Garuz Naval (Ireland)

Évéline Poirier (Canada)

Brunilda Rafael (France)

We also wish to thank the Civil Policy Research Institute (CPRI) of Seikatsu Club in Japan for the Japanese translation.

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:

http://local-development.blogspot.com/

www.apreis.org/

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):

Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca