International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development

2011-12-01T07:48:00.000-08:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #84
December 1st 2011

Summary
Cloughjordan: An Irish Eco-village

Message from the Editorial Team

In this newsletter Judith describes the only Eco-village in Ireland. It is situated in Cloughjordan, a little over an hour’s drive from the capital, Dublin.

The interest of this project is that it reaches beyond the strict framework of organic agriculture or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

The holistic approach of a local community is typical of the types of initiatives that we have written about in previous issues, and strengthens our conviction that a better world is not only possible, but is being built on a daily basis in many parts of our planet.

Our next Newsletter will be published on February 1st 2012.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Cloughjordan: an Irish Eco-Village

By Judith Hitchman

Cloughjordan is Ireland’s first and so far only Eco-Village. It is situated in North-West Tipperary, just over an hour’s drive from Dublin, but a good 3 hours from my family home in County Waterford. Fergal Anderson, who has just left his job in Brussels with the Via Campesina to start working his own farm in Galway and I were warmly welcomed by Davie Philips, Chair of the Cloughjordan Community Farm. We also met other members of the Board, and visited the lower farm. The weather and time constraints conspired to stop us from visiting the upper farm.

Origins

Born in 1999 - the initial members were involved in the Dublin Food Coop, and met there – the project is an overall concept that was designed as a model for sustainable living. The site was chosen for a number of reasons: it is easy to access Ireland’s capital, Dublin; there is a train station, the existing community is one of religious diversity, so tolerance is higher… The village includes 50 families, essentially neo-rural rather than of rural origin. 80 of the 130 potential sites have been sold. It also includes a 32-bed hostel, which is used not only for visitors, but for the many training courses run in the village (Agro-ecology, bio-dynamic agriculture, permaculture, community resilience, leadership etc…). There are plans to develop part of the site to include a green social enterprise community. As the overall principles of both the village and the farm are based on co-ownership and community development in the best sense of the term, the added value of such a project would be enormous. A traditional wood-fired bakery is about to open on the site. The baker is already famous in Dublin for his bread.

Much has already been written about the Eco-Village per se. It is situated on a site some 67 acres of land. What makes it very unique is that unlike many other such projects, it is actually right in an existing small old village, and rather than create friction and making locals flee, it has revitalised the existing community, who, although initially wary, have moved on from wariness to genuine acceptance of many of the “strange” things that are all a work in progress. This includes Ireland’s only community solar panel array and renewable energy district heating system providing hot water and heat to all the houses, genuine participatory community decision-making and self-built housing of various kinds (cob, hemp and lime…). Sadly the Local Authorities declined to give a discharge licence for a reed bed system for purifying sewerage, although this method has been accepted elsewhere in Ireland, where all Local Authorities are independent decision-making bodies…

Activities

The main aim of this article is to describe the somewhat unique Community Supported Agriculture project that is part of the Eco-Village. It is a separate project from the Eco-Village, but is nevertheless part of the same overall approach, with 60% of the CSA’s members coming from the Eco-Village. While Grow-it-Yourself and Allotments and even Community gardens have become very popular in Ireland, Cloughjordan is Ireland’s first genuinely structured CSA farm. There are now an increasing number of box schemes and other CSA projects being operated in Ireland. The farm is not certified organic. There is just no need to go through any costly process as the consumers are also the owners of the produce and the farm is therefore not selling anything; it is very much a trust-based community project. The farm does however use organic and biodynamic principles. There are two parts to the farm (upper and lower). The land is leased, with 12 acres on the lower site, 28 on the upper. The farm also organises many educational projects: cookery classes, picking sessions, activities for schools and children of all ages.

The unique nature of the farm is that it is contiguous to the village. It is right behind the houses. This means that for the most part, the 57 families involved are far more involved and aware than is usually the case. Although there is a very reasonable weekly contribution based on family size and income, when I visited, the fresh vegetables were being put in the open, unlocked collection shed three times a week, and members are free to help themselves to what they want and need. There have been no problems with this either. In other seasons, the veggies are dropped off only twice a week. A few members of the scheme come from neighbouring towns like Nenagh, situated 10 km away. This means that there is also a need to have a box scheme that operates once or twice a week..

The farm also provides raw milk from Kerry cows to its members. This is possible, in spite of the constraints of EU regulations that now forbid the sale of raw milk, as it is not sold: the members are actually considered owners through their membership of the collective scheme. It includes eggs and grains as well as the vegetables. A number of heritage and heirloom varieties are grown as part of the scheme. There are plans to develop “edible gardens” throughout the village. For those members that are not vegetarian, there is a meat-share scheme, whereby for an additional sum members can share a pig or lamb. I counted about 15 different varieties of vegetables growing in the fields, which is a good range for the area’s climatic possibilities. Wwoofers (an international network of volunteers in organic farming) from all over the world also visit and help with the work. There have been several different people in charge of the farm in the past, but this has now stabilised. One of the most amusing features is how the crops are stocked: an old container truck was bought for a mere 200 euros. The inside has been converted into a storage shed, with compartments for all the different vegetables. It is well aired, and out of reach to the wild animals that might otherwise help themselves.
Local farmers who were originally wary of the innovations involved on the farm were initially sceptical. The fact that it works, that the quality of the vegetables is so high, has gradually gained acceptance for the approach that is used.

The decision-making method used on both the farm and indeed in the village is an adapted form of VSM (Viable Systems Model). The adaptation enables those involved to have a maximum autonomy; it also facilitates engagement and organisation amongst the members. The result is genuine participatory democracy that has a coherent organisational structure. The level of genuine involvement in the various different projects has led to truly sustainable community-driven thriving and sustainable local development.

The farm is planning to hold an all-Ireland CSA conference next February. The idea is to create an Irish network, and to map what exists in various forms. Cloughjordan farm is now a member of Urgenci, and has invited Urgenci to participate. We are already looking forward to that!

http://www.cloughjordancommunityfarm.ie/
http://thevillage.ie/
http://www.cloughjordan.ie/mainpage/index.htm
http://www.wwoof.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 Policy Research Institute for the Civil Sector (PRICS) 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

2011-11-10T12:29:00.001-08:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #83
November 1st 2011
Summary

The social economy and municipal authorities: For sustainable development in local communities

Message from the Editorial Team

Ever since we first started publishing our Newsletter in 2003, we have stated that solutions need to be built bottom-up by communities and local resources; this is the path that leads to a true perspective of human justice and sustainable development.
This article by Yvon was written for the magazine called Développement Social in Quebec. It was published in the special number for the International Social and Solidarity Economy Forum (FIESS), that took place in Montreal from 17th – 20th October last. Yvon examines the relationships of various socio-economic actors who have organised at municipal or other levels in the province of Quebec; the second largest in Canada with a population of 8 million (Canada 34,5 M). The full issue, including the article, is available in English and French on the magazine website at www.revueds.ca.
His article is well researched and precise. It illustrates how the local development tools in Quebec work: they all have the support of a legitimate legal framework, use collective joint management systems, implement an entrepreneurial development strategy that may connect from different sources, financial tools for investment. It has a framework that is specifically adapted to solidarity economy (this is known as social economy in Quebec), which is fully recognised in Quebec. As these tools were created many years ago, it means that it is now possible to measure the results in terms of job and enterprise-creation as well as their sustainability over a period of time. The philosophy behind the system recognises profit but it is not considered as THE end goal (lucrative for a few to the detriment of the community). The method involves local authorities in a participatory process and stimulates general mobilisation. The article confirms the maturity of the economic alternative. The FIESS has highlighted this by bringing together all the achievements that are providing bottom-up responses to essential needs at global level.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

The social economy and municipal authorities: For sustainable development in local communities

By Yvon Poirier

In Quebec, the relationship between the social economy and municipal authorities – and by extension local communities – is original and worth examining. This connection between municipalities and the social economy exists in part through local development centres (CLD) and regional committees of elected officials (Conférences régionales des élus – CRÉ) which each support in their own way the existence of the social economy.

CLDs: Technical and financial support for the social economy
In Quebec, responsibility for local development and entrepreneurial support belongs to regional county municipalities (municipalités régionales de comté – MRC) and larger cities. However, the law specifies that this work can be delegated to a local development centre. There are 120 such centres in Quebec: 111 CLDs proper and in some areas of Montreal 9 community economic development corporations (CEDECs) that have a CLD mandate . They are all non-profit organizations whose role is to accompany private and collective entrepreneurs in accomplishing their business projects and to provide a set of front-line services for businesses. CLDs and CEDECs form a link between the municipal world and social economy.

The Government of Quebec adopted Bill 171, creating CLDs, in December 1997. The bill followed Quebec’s Summit on Economy and Employment in 1996, which recognized social economy as a strategic area for development. The effort was in part to adapt business support policies. Under the legislation, CLDs have the mandate to prepare a strategy for entrepreneurial growth, including the social economy. At the same time, the government gave each organization an economic development fund, called Fonds de développement des entreprises d’économie sociale (FDEÉS), for specific support to social economy businesses. The organizations no longer have the obligation to keep such a FDEÉS, but a large majority nonetheless maintains a specific financial tool for the social economy. According to data from the ministère du Développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation, more than $100 million has been invested through the FDEÉS in social economy businesses in 10 years (1998-2008), creating and maintaining more than 47 000 jobs and 5700 businesses.

Quebec City and the social economy
In 2008, the Government of Quebec adopted the Plan d’action gouvernemental pour l’entrepreneuriat collectif to increase the positive effects of collective entrepreneurship. It seeks to give leaders in this area concrete means that are adapted to their realities, to enhance the strength of the regions and to meet community needs according to a sustainable development approach.

The plan is for each CRÉ to sign a specific social economy agreement. Under its mandate, the Chantier de l’économie sociale du Québec guides the implementation of these agreements, particularly by supporting the creation of regional social economy poles in each region, a strategy which is also specified in the action plan.

In the Quebec City area, social enterprises have a social economy pole composed of 27 members. It adopted a number of rules for that composition, including balance between cooperatives and non-profit organizations, parity between men and women, representation of the sub-regions (Charlevoix, Portneuf), and representation of the various activity sectors. The organization is part of the CRÉ de la Capitale-Nationale, and the latter confirmed the rules set for nomination of pole members .

For the Quebec City region, the social economy offers a promising model, since the rate of survival for regular businesses after 10 years is just 19.5%, compared to 44% for cooperatives . Further more, because social economy businesses work so closely with their communities, they are committed to maintain their activities within the community and do not even think of ever “delocalizing”.

The City of Montreal’s policy
In 2009, the City of Montreal inaugurated its Social Economy Partnership for Community-Based Sustainable Development, the first public municipal policy in this area in Canada. The partnership is the result of cooperation between social economy leaders and the City of Montreal.

The partnership’s goals are to formally recognize the social economy’s contribution to the economic, social, and cultural development of the city; to support the social economy by drawing on the accomplishments of the past, by reinforcing existing means, and by adopting new methods to enable its growth; and to consolidate and increase the contribution of social economy members to the sustainable development of Quebec’s metropolis through the creation and development of collective businesses that meet citizen needs.

The partnership intends to function in five main areas, which are: support for collective entrepreneurship, solidarity supply practices, integrated promotion of the social economy, an increased role for the social economy in major metropolitan development projects, and an expanded role for the social economy in improving the quality of life of citizens through action in culture, recreation, tourism, housing, and sustainable development.

In 2007, turnover in the Montreal social economy was estimated at $2 billion. About 3600 establishments generated 61 500 jobs, representing 7% of total employment on the island of Montreal (as much as the tourism industry).

Cooperatives serving local populations
Outside large urban centres, social economy businesses are often key to the very survival of towns and villages.

Usually with the support of municipal governments, local populations have implemented activities to develop or maintain essential local services to avoid onerous travel and migration toward larger centres. These social economy initiatives prevent rural exodus and in some cases even reverse the trend.

In the past 15 years, for example, over 40 health cooperatives have been created and are still operating in various regions of Quebec. Most of these cooperatives were established to ensure better access to primary health services. Clinics therefore offer one or several physicians and sometimes other professionals, such as nurses and pharmacists. This is because, in smaller communities, doctors have been abandoning their private practices to set up in larger centres, leaving local populations without this essential service.

Citizens therefore created the cooperatives to establish a work infrastructure more appealing to doctors, including avoidance of lengthy travelling (50 to 100 kilometres) for basic medical attention. In most cases, either the municipality itself, the local Caisse Desjardins, or the two entities together, have initiated or guided the process of creating the cooperative (providing space, facilitating meetings for cooperative training, etc.). Usually, more than 80% of the local population is member of the cooperative. However, non-members have access to the services covered by the public health insurance plan.

In many small towns and villages, essential services such as gas stations and grocery stores disappear due to their lack of sufficient returns for large corporate owners whose only criteria is economic profitability. Again, to avoid costly travel and loss of time, citizens and municipalities have worked together to create multi-service cooperatives to provide the community with basic services, including postal counters and Automated Teller Machines. The vast majority of these projects adopts a solidarity cooperative approach, which involves more than one category of member.

Challenges remain
Although relations between local authorities and the social economy sector have been growing since 1998 through CLDs and CEDECs, they have often remained occasional or indirect, especially in regions where the social economy lacks a strong network.

In the rural world, municipalities are often very active in implementing and supporting collective businesses. In many sectors, such as housing, recreation, culture, local and citizen services, and waste management, municipalities depend on social economy businesses to meet community needs.

In urban areas, it has only been through the adoption of Montreal’s 2009 policy and the implementation of agreements under the Plan d’action gouvernemental pour l’entrepreneuriat collectif that formal partnerships between local authorities, through the CRÉs and social economy leaders in various regions, have developed, in part to promote and strengthen the social economy. In most regions, such partnerships are still in an initial phase and much remains to be done to consolidate them; however, they are already opening up an expansive work area to develop social economy businesses in each region that are capable of meeting citizen needs in every municipality of Quebec, whether in the environmental sector, sustainable transportation, or local services.

Original article (in French and English) published in magazine Développement Social, Volume 12, No. 2, October 2011
http://www.revueds.ca/

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Message from the Editorial team
The production of this Newsletter published in French, English, Spanish and Portuguese is entirely done by volunteers.
We wish to thank the following volunteers for their support:
Michel Colin (Brazil)
Paula Garuz Naval (Ireland)
Évéline Poirier (Canada)
Brunilda Rafael (France)
We also want to thank the Policy Research Institute for the Civil Sector (PRICS) of Seikatsu Club in Japan for the translation to Japanese.
To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2011-10-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #82
October 1st 2011
Summary

Nyeleni Europe: an important step forward for the European Food Sovereignty movement

Foundation Congress of RIPESS Europe, Solidarity Economy Network Barcelona, September 8th, 9th and 10th 2011
Message from the Editorial Team

Judith presents the progress of the food sovereignty movement in Europe. We are encouraged by the development of this approach, in all the different continents.
We are also glad to share good news – the foundation of RIPESS Europe. Martine and Judith participated in this historic meeting, last September 8 to 10 in Barcelona.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Nyeleni Europe: an important step forward
for the European Food Sovereignty movement.

From August 16th – 22nd, over 500 participants from 40 countries came together in Krems - Austria, to share their experience and develop the future of both networks and actions for increased food sovereignty in Europe.

Methodology and content

The methodology, based on the first Nyeleni meeting held in Mali in 2007, ensured that all the groups and sub-groups were highly interactive. The programme was divided into 5 strands, dealing respectively with models of production, markets and organisation of distribution chains and food networks, social aspects and work conditions, access to land and other resources, and public policies. Particular attention was paid to ensure that at least 30% of those attending were young people, as well as to gender balance. There were also regional and constituency (farmers. NGOs, etc.) meetings, and many self-organised activities, as well as an excellent awareness raising fair and actions in one of the town’s many squares in the historic quarter.

Volunteers

As befits such a meeting, food was all local and organic, and the excellent vegan (non-animal) meals were cooked by a team of volunteers, by far the highest standard of any catering for such large numbers that I have ever encountered. A large team of very dedicated volunteer interpreters covered a wide range of Eastern, Western, Southern and Northern European languages.

Characteristics of the week’s work

The predominant aspect of the meeting was the dedicated working atmosphere, and how hard all the participants worked, in a quiet, constructive way. Was it because we were in a Central European country? The fact that there were so many incredibly committed young people present? Or the fact that in this time of crisis, that the obvious solution seems not just to criticise, but rather to build genuine alternatives to the neo-liberal system?

Many networks like the Via Campesina, Urgenci, (the International Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) network), Friends of the Earth and other members of the Food Sovereignty movement were key actors in the process. Questions like CSA and other forms of direct sales, access to public procurement for local small-scale producers, participatory guarantee systems (PGS) as peer-to-peer alternative certification for organic producers, the need for regulations that favour small-scale family farming and processing rather than industrialisation, GMO-free agriculture and freedom to exchange and sell farm seeds, were all perceived as the way forward to a European Food Sovereignty movement of economic and social alternatives, and a move towards territorial social dialogue between multiple stakeholders at all levels.
It was an inspiring week, particularly with so many energetic and dedicated young people present.

The Nyeleni Europe Final Declaration can be found on the website at www.nyelenieurope.net.

Judith Hitchman

Foundation Congress of RIPESS Europe, Solidarity Economy Network Barcelona, September 8th, 9th and 10th 2011.

In line with the RIPESS International strategy, and two years after the 4th meeting of Globalisation of Solidarity that was held in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, around a hundred delegates and representatives of European Networks founded RIPESS Europe. This event was held on a shoetring budget, and could not have succeeded without the mobilisation and efficient, convivial organisation by XES, Xarxa Economia Solidaria, both members of the Spanish REAS network. Around 50 people were accommodated in people’s homes! The countries present were : Belgium, Catalunya, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Romania. There was also a delegation from the neighbouring Mediterranean countries of Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.

The Congress agenda included the discussion and validation of proposals that had been prepared by a Committee of active members involved in the preparation of the European Lux’09 Forum in April 2009. They included a Manifesto, and the Articles of Association. A first Organising Committee was designated. It is made up of a balanced panel of national platforms, regional and inter-regional, sectorial and inter-sectorial networks, resource people and researchers.

The broad outlines of the activities for the next two years were determined based after sharing the work that was carried out in 6 Work Groups:
GT1-- Mapping, extension, identity and cooperation
GT2 Social Services of General Interest (SSGI), the relationship between the public sector and SSE.
GT3 - Territorial development, solidarity economy, food sovereignty, local pacts : what convergence for building collective solutions?
GT4 – Responsible consumption, fair trade and solidarity tourism, ethical finance: building a social market.
GT5 - SSE as an alternative to the capitalist market
GT6 – RIPESS Europe : strategies, positions, methods and added value: how to be fully present in the European debate.

The transversal territorial approach particularly emphasized by the European P’ACTES plays an important part in the foundation process: with Priscila Soarès, a woman with 30 years experience in participatory regional development in the Algarve, in the South of Portugal as female delegate, and France Joubert. GT3 set the objective of creating convergence through learning journeys, as a useful tool for learning from one another. 2 or 3 are planned for 2012: Morocco, Catalunya, and Romania.
From a collective of actors to a collective actor, the conditions are now right for Europe to make its contribution to the great transition!

Announcement

The Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of the Social Solidarity Economy (RIPESS) has a new website, in French, in English and in Spanish.
www.ripess.orgi
It will be updated regularly with news and announcements.
Take note that you can now subscribe on the website for regular updates and news.

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Message from the Editorial team
The production of this Newsletter published in French, English, Spanish and Portuguese is entirely done by volunteers.
We wish to thank the following volunteers for their support:
Michel Colin (Brazil)
Paula Garuz Naval (Ireland)
Évéline Poirier (Canada)
Brunilda Rafael (France)
We also want to thank the Policy Research Institute for the Civil Sector (PRICS) of Seikatsu Club in Japan for the translation to Japanese.
To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2011-09-05T06:14:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #81
September 1st 2011
Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

In this issue, we are pleased to present an article on social and solidarity economy in China. It is the summary of the academic work of a Chinese student (who prefers to remain anonymous) at an American university. As you will see, people in China have also realised that cooperation and pooling energy and resources is the best way to achieving collective and individual improvement. This is in spite of the official ideology that has been implemented since 1979. This was when everything was privatised in China. Towns were broken up into individual properties and companies established with capitalist articles of incorporation, including shareholders. Nevertheless in the Chinese rural areas, some people failed to accept this turn of affairs, and maintained a shared collective approach. Others came back to it after some time. These villages became a reference in the poor rural areas of China. The per capita income was often ten times higher than the national average. More recently, many small-scale farmers’ cooperatives have been created to sell local produce, which helps protect individual producers from middlemen. About 13% of Chinese small-scale farmers are members of these cooperatives, and the income of these families is higher than that of individual farmers. This shows remarkable progress, as in many cases these cooperatives were created without the support of local authorities. The Central Government is beginning to admit that this is a positive development, and has established dedicated funds to support such projects. One major consideration is obviously to avoid any further increase to the rural migration to urban areas. It is indeed a recognised fact that it is rural poverty that causes this migration.

We never cease to wonder at the strength of local community-driven initiatives throughout the world, when people realise how much their situation and lives can be improved by pooling their efforts. Even in China, in spite of the reigning individualism, farmers and fisherfolk, coffee and banana growers are deciding to improve their living conditions by working together. As we have often shown in previous articles, when people decide to work together, they often start paying attention to other vital issues like housing, health and education. This also leads to a sustainable approach to their future and that of our planet, one that is similar to that of indigenous peoples who have a proverb that says “Development should be thought out for seven generations”.
We are not trying to pretend that this is the antidote to all capitalist markets. Nevertheless, it is obvious that this represents both a means of resisting and building solidarity and cooperation, that we believe will eventually replace the current dominant predatory and unsustainable model.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Social Solidarity Economy in Rural China

Under the new communist leadership, China implemented a full land reform from 1949 to 1953. Land was taken from the landlords and distributed to the peasants. Starting in 1958, the government organised communes so that the peasants could organise large-scale farming with machinery, marketing and some manufacturing. In 1979, the new leadership decided to privatize the land to the farmers and the collectively owned industries were sold to private capitalists.

The reason invoked for this change was that the peasants in the communes had no individual motivation. This new system was called Household Responsibility System. In most communes, peasants agreed, or were forced to agree to the new system. However, a few refused and decided to remain as communes. For many of those who went to the new system, they went backwards. Tractors and other machinery were scrapped since they were not needed. But, many farmers could not even afford to buy a horse or an ox for work. This led to much poverty and this is recognized as one to the reasons that has forced tens of millions of people to move to large industrial urban areas in China.

Today, some of these communes show great success:
• The 30,000 villagers of Huaxi now have reached a total yearly income of 10 billion yuan (approximately 1.5 billion US). Besides farming, they own a steel plant, a horticulture company, a clothing plant, and others. The total sales revenue in 2010 was 50 billion yuan (8 billion US). This allows the village to provide free health services, education (up to PHD), housing, retirement benefits and other needs of the villagers.
• Nanjie village is located in a poor, agricultural province, Henan. The villagers collectively own Nanjie Group, which consists of 29 companies involved in food processing, ink production, pharmaceuticals, handicrafts, plastics, printing, farming and travel services. Similar to Huaxi, all basic public services, such as education, health care, housing and retirement benefits are freely provided by the commune. The village population is 3400, yet there are 7260 employees. Interestingly, jobs in agriculture are better paid than in factories since its considered harder work. The household income is about ten times more that average villages in the region.
• Xixiakou village, a commune in Shandong has a population of 1300. Over a 40-year span since 1970, this fishing village has accumulated more than 6 billion yuans worth of assets. Most households have private cars and the commune also built the largest zoo in Shandong Province.
• Liuzhuang, a commune in Henan with a population of 1700, was still deep in poverty in the 1980s. By 2009, it has raised the disposable income of members to 23,000 yuans per capita, more than ten times the national average.

In recent years, there has been a huge increase in collective enterprises, using the name «cooperative» which is less politically sensitive than «commune» which is identified to the Maoist era.

In Shanxi Province alone, there were more than 24,000 rural cooperatives (Han Yuhai, Peking University, 2010). Since 2003, the central government, understanding that relying only on individual households was not the best option has recognized that organising rural cooperatives was a way for these peasants to grow out of poverty. Otherwise, the peasants are pushed away from their land through forced land sales and renting. The government has devoted special funds to help reorganize rural households into cooperatives. By 2006, rural cooperatives covered 13.8% of the Chinese rural population. Even if much smaller in scale than the communes mentioned above, the income of their members is at least 20-30% higher than peasants who are not involved in any cooperative. The rationale behind the cooperatives is the same as communes – collective savings, higher investment, and shared profit. For example, they can buy vehicles to transport products instead of being totally dependant on middlemen. They can collectively own machinery and purchase goods.

Rural areas in China are facing huge challenges in irrigation. Individual households cannot take care of this system. Allocation of water to each lot of land is a huge problem. In a few rural areas, such as in Jiangxi Province, farmers still collectively run the irrigation system. In most of China, the irrigation system is in bad shape. This is why the central government is planning to spend 620 billion dollars in the next ten years on irrigation, since it has to pay for everything. This is why collective management and maintenance of irrigation is the only long-term approach to sustainable growth of agricultural production (Li Changping). Since the People’s daily has articles on these subjects, it shows growing awareness in China about these alternatives approaches.

The Chinese student says in her closing remarks. The prospect of the rural cooperatives is yet to be confirmed by future developments. Nevertheless, it is increasingly clear that a system where everyone cares about nothing other than one’s self interest does not truly maximize the welfare of individuals.
Yvon Poirier
News about Nanjie (in English)
BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8278128.stm

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Message from the Editorial team
The production of this Newsletter published in French, English, Spanish and Portuguese is entirely done by volunteers.
We wish to thank the following volunteers for their support:
Michel Colin (Brazil)
Paula Garuz Naval (Ireland)
Évéline Poirier (Canada)
Brunilda Rafael (France)
We also want to thank the Policy Research Institute for the Civil Sector (PRICS) of Seikatsu Club in Japan for the translation to Japanese.

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2011-07-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #80
July 1st 2010
Summary

Objectives of the RIO+20 Summit

Message from the Editorial Team

The 1992 Rio Summit can be credited with putting environmental concerns and principles of sustainable development on the agenda of global policy issues. The representatives of the socio-economic world, states and civil society have been obliged to confront reality: how to transform the production model and consumption to ensure a viable future for both humanity and the biosphere. Twenty years later, we have come to the realization that resources are limited, and we know that the classical solutions of economic recovery will be powerless to solve problems. Globally, the situation has worsened: there is more enduring poverty, and extreme poverty is increasing in less developed countries. Food dependency has risen, social and economic inequalities are more marked. There is a loss of biodiversity, unsustainable pressures on ecosystems, accelerating climate change and global warming.
The question is whether we are now able to break away from the political schizophrenia, with one side promoting fair and sustainable green solutions, and the other demanding strategies and actions that are clearly heading in the opposite direction, in the name of competitiveness and free trade. The real challenge of RIO + 20 will be to redefine the debate on the basis of these realities. The event is scheduled to take place in Brazil, June 4th – 6th 2012. It will indeed be difficult to achieve a political determination to reach consensus. If we, as society, allow ourselves to become trapped in the cacophony of partial or biased views or expert solutions that have no democratic basis, if we do not bring concrete systemic proposals to the negotiation table, who will do so? As we wrote in the Newsletter #78 (May 2011), we believe that alternative approaches are more realistic than the irresponsibility that currently prevails at the top, and that has generated the current crisis. The urgent outcry of "freedom" by people to abolish autocratic and self-proclaimed regimes and the indignation of the world's youth whose future is at stake, are good reasons not to despair. The new generation is taking its place, and asking how it can transform the unacceptable into hope.

This issue of our Newsletter is devoted to initiatives involved in the framework of preparation for the Earth Summit. Until June 2012, we plan to relay those specific dynamics that assert citizens’ participation as a viable political choice. Active participation of communities is an essential aspect if we are to successfully change course. People need to solve the issues that concern them. The global and the local cannot be separated.

RIPESS International will contribute to the intercontinental exchange: The FBES (Brazilian Forum of Solidarity Economy) is actively involved in the umbrella organization of Brazilian NGOs and social movements that is leading the preparation of a People's Summit to be hosted in Rio de Janeiro from June 4th – 6th 2012. It is a call to join and contribute to "Reinvent the world."

The next issue will be published on September 1st

We are pleased to inform you that our newsletter is now available in Japanese. It is translated by Yuko Wada of the Policy Research Institute for the Civil Sector (PRICS) of the Seikatsu Club Co-operative Union of Japan. The latest available issue is number 78. It is available on request.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

The Objectives of the RIO+20 Summit
According to the UN resolution A/RES/64/236 - the Conference has three objectives: to obtain a renewed political commitment for sustainable development, evaluate progress and difficulties in the implementation of desired outcomes, and meet new and emerging challenges. The Conference will have two official themes: 1) green economy in the context of poverty eradication and sustainable development and, 2) the institutional framework for sustainable development. It is clear that we need to go further than this.
The green economy, a new oxymoron, does not guarantee the fundamental principle of sustainability or the commitment to fight consumerism, individualism or short-termism. The concept does not fit with democracy, the fourth component added to the Curitiba Charter in 1992 to the 3 others (economic, ecological and social). It remains a very weak link, used to launch the implementation of Agenda 21. A critical and constructive assessment at international level would be of great interest to all.
The institutional framework, the principle of national sovereignty and the right to compete for economic activities are inappropriate or contrary to the implementation of the principles of higher interest. We hope to advance this idea by promoting binding agreements.
Finally, how can we establish legitimate authority in a world where interactions are enmeshed? What is our individual responsibility in terms of economy, society, culture and nature? How can we link these major areas with one another and to our own lives?

The unprecedented context requires us to invent new answers.

The creation of the French RIO + 20 Collective

In late 2010, a small group of organizations led by the 4D Association began the initiative of involving as many actors as possible in the transition towards a new state of the world in the twenty-first century. It now brings together many different civil society actors as well as trade unions. It has two objectives:
 Consider possible change and make concrete proposals in 5 working groups. Each group will produce a 10-page discussion paper, highlighting both disagreement and consensus. This will then feed into proposals for formal negotiations aimed at stimulating debate and public discussion.
 Prepare to mobilize by examining events in France from an international perspective, working jointly with our international partners on other continents to input content that is relevant to the general public, as well as on projects that create change and a shift to a different paradigm, that support the transition, and advocate the need for international solidarity.

Since March 2011, the Europeans P'ACTS have joined the Work Group on the green economy.
Their involvement on this subject has enabled the collective to put forward its views to:

1. The French RIO + 20 Collective to illustrate ideas through examples and declarations and to propose Rebuilding the Economy on a territorial basis. :
"Territories perform core functions in the coordination of relations between actors and between different levels and scales in society; they also allow people to invent answers to key issues in the real economy and invent ways for “how to live together”. Territories must therefore be recognized as social and economic actors in their own right.

Organised answers to issues of employment, food, sustainable local development, culture, funding, local services, transportation, and citizenship all exist at territorial level.... These projects already act as a lever for the local economy. The organisations involved have various legal statuses, both for profit and non-profit making; they all reject and work outside the existing economic system that is solely aimed at profit making. They also produce and reinvest profits and create territorial social capital”.

2. The European debate: Priscila Soares, Project Coordinator at In LOCO Association (Algarve, Portugal), a member of P'ACTS, participated in the «Public Consultation on the EU position for the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development»

Two proposals she made are of particular interest:

The place of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in the transition:
“The Global Compact Initiative mainly involves big corporations (…), but it would be much needed to mobilize the Small and Medium Enterprises too. Nor UN neither one of its bodies can reach them directly but it is possible to approach, to promote and to encourage experiences and movements all over the world that count on the involvement of SME in local and regional processes oriented towards sustainable development and participatory democracy. This option will open to the understanding of how SME serve the communities and territories they are associated with and how they are interconnected with other actors also implied in the same experiences and movements.”

The second is how P’ACTS targets a specific European level:
“The European Union needs to be a more coherent reality – in political, social and economic terms – in order to play a key role at the Summit. Without an intrinsic change in that direction UE will lose the capacity to furnish new ideas and the credibility to mobilize citizens, civil society organizations or states around them. How can Europe ensure a generous financial support for governance and capacity building if there is no common European position in relation to the financing of UN and its bodies?
EU can and should mobilize the European civil society for a deep engagement in the preparation of the Summit, in the event and in the subsequent dynamics.
Following its tradition EU can and should propose and promote a large and deep participation of civil society in the process of achieving Sustainable Development at European, national, regional and local levels. By doing so Europe will pursue this main goal within its territory and will provide examples and models of governance that can be useful and inspiring at international level.
In parallel EU can promote the integration of sustainability responsibilities into corporate social responsibility, improving and enlarging its conceptual and for-action framework.
Equally important it would be to integrate the European Sustainable Development Strategy in the European Strategy 2020, overcoming a fragmented and sectoral approach to sustainable development.
On the other side, it seems clearly necessary to strengthen UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) but the possibility of creating a World Environmental Organisation has to be pondered in order to avoid multiplying the UN bodies without assuring the transversal coordination among them?”

3- The roadmap for the European Network of Social and Solidarity Economy that plans to hold its Foundation Congress in Barcelona, September 9th and 10th 2011. P’ACTS will jointly be leading a work group with the Catalonia Solidarity Economy Network « Xarxa d'economia solidària » (XES) on SSE, territorial development, and food sovereignty: what convergence can we jointly build?
In French: http://wiki.ripesseu.net/index.php/Groupe_de_travail_3

4- Share useful information through the international Newsletter

Information on civil society mobilisation :
Article 21 of Resolution 64/236 of March 2010: « …Commits all major groups to active participation in the preparatory activities at all stages ». A stakeholder Forum will take place beforehand to promote the participation of civil society organisations with links to the UN. It is worth bearing in mind that the UN considers NGOs, trade unions, companies, Local Authorities, scientific communities, women, youth, farmers, indigenous peoples as these major civil society groups.
http://www.earthsummit2012.org

Existing mobilisation:

The facilitation Committee of Brazilian civil society was founded on 3rd November 2010 at the instigation of Brazilian environmental and social organisations and Brazilian social movements. It is called « The Peoples’ Summit » and is characterised by « its independence. It aims to combine plurality with the possibility to dialogue with official bodies and other dynamic sectors ».
http://www.ong-ngo.org/IMG/pdf/CALL_FOR_CSFC_RIO20_final.pdf
http://vitaecivilis.org/rio2012/images/stories/pub/Venez_reinventer_le_monde_a_Rio.pdf

The Peoples’ Summit has essentially been initiated and supported by IBASE. (Instituto Brasileiro de Análises Sociais e Econômicas) (in Portuguese) http://www.ibase.br/
The Foundation for the Progress of Humankind is devoting its resources and those of several of their partners’ to the preparation of the Peoples’ Summit. The following website has been created to « provide an overall vision of international mobilisation. »
www.rio20.net in 4 languages

Martine Theveniaut

For more information (in French and partially in English)
www.association4d.org/
www.affinitiz.net/space/rio2012 a space to facilitate exchanges between members of the RIO+20 Collective
The following are available in English and Portuguese:
Calendar of events concerning Rio-2012
http://collectif-france.rio20.net/files/2011/06/Agenda_RIO_20_2011_2012.pdf
UNEP Green Economy report: http://www.unep.org/greeneconomy

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Brunilda Rafael (France) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation
Évéline Poirier (Canada) for the English translation
Judith Hitchman for the final revision of the English version.

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2011-06-01T08:45:00.001-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #79 – June 1st, 2011
Summary
Message from the Editorial Team
Summary

Barcelona Consensus Declaration 1.0
Announcement: RIPESS Info #18

Editorial Message

After more than ten years, the World Social Forum has helped civil society to develop many networks that have now become internationally recognised. But the vocation of the Forum has never been action-oriented : it is a place for exchange and networking. This has, over the years led to some understandable frustration for those networks that want to reach beyond mere discussion, and the resulting creation of some networks that reach beyond the World Social Forum, even though many of the participants are also active within the WSF process. This is the case of the Via Campesina and the Assembly of Social Movements that brings together many different networks.
In this issue we would like to share one of the initiatives led by movements that, although in many cases involved in the WSF process, have decided to come together with others to create an action called The Barcelona Consensus. Given the number of organisations, it would be unfair to name some and not others. All the names of the people and structures that have participated to date are listed on-line in the annex of the declaration at www.barcelonaconsensus.org
The Barcelona Consensus is a process that began in 2008, under the guidance of Marti Olivella of Nova in Barcelona, Catalonia. The initiative is born from the desire to act and build sustainable alternatives. 250 thinkers and leaders of social movements from around the world have contributed to developing shared objectives.
As of May 3rd, when the Barcelona Consensus was officially launched, any organisation may sign up to the Barcelona Consensus, and choose which of the 67 objectives they wish to implement as a Transition Plan. This is a concrete way of making other worlds possible, and making sure that the actions and alternatives are firmly rooted in sustainable local development, that are the core preoccupation of our Newsletter. Judith had the privilege of taking part in the Consensus meeting in Barcelona, as usual in the role of interpreter. She felt that the Declaration would interest all our readers. It is a truly global approach to linking up actions that can contribute to sustainable change.
The public ceremony to launch to Declaration was a truly multicultural event. As well as the four « official » languages interpreted by the team of volunteers (Catalan, Spanish, English and French), those delegates who took part in the ceremony also read part of the text in their native tongues : Kiswahili, Bambara, Chinese, Kikuyu, Hindi, Lithuanian, Philipino, Burmese and Togolais… !. Enabling people to express themselves in their own language is a powerful indication of the intentions of the Barcelona Consensus to act at grass-roots level.
Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Barcelona Consensus Declaration 1.0
Committing to a Sustainable and People-centred World for All

People deserve a decent life, simply because they are human

The current global situation is unacceptable: it is structurally violent, unjust and unsustainable. We are living through one of the most decisive periods in the history of humankind, both in terms of gravity and scope. A crisis of consciousness and responsibility underlies our current predicament. Most current leaders have shown neither the ability nor the willingness to radically renew the existing economic or decision-making structures. Nor have they adopted the values needed to drive a transformation.
We live not in a time of change, but a change of times. Citizens and communities can and must respond to this multiple crisis, which threatens to engulf us all. We acknowledge innovative social political and economic practices; we witness the awakening of peoples; and uphold the sovereignty of all persons to choose their own destiny.
In order to re-build a sustainable and people-centred world for all, we must ensure that each and every person has access to adequate resources for the sustainable and equitable satisfaction of their basic needs.
We propose a new social, political and economic contract, promoted by people and communities, engaging with institutions, governments and business from different territories to build an alternative to the Washington Consensus.
The progressively implemented proposals of the Barcelona Consensus and related actions will enable us to achieve a gradual transition from a culture of constraints, domination, violence and war, to one of dialogue, conciliation, partnership and peace. We shall move from a culture of force to a culture of words, facilitated by remote electronic participation and innovative policies being pursued by some countries.
The new social contract, represented by the Barcelona Consensus, is an urgent call to reorganise our societies and to rearticulate our presence on Earth. In practical terms we propose the collective creation of Transition Plans , as ways to implement robust nonviolent processes. These shall have clear goals, methods and timelines for execution.
We call on all people in all communities to freely and deliberately commit to implementing a Transition Plan in their respective territories and fields of action (neighbourhood, town, city, sector, organisation, etc.). Summoning the imagination of everyone everywhere, together we can create a sustainable and people-centred future for all.
These plans will enable all groups to select shared goals to implement the following transitions:

1. Transition to a participatory and deliberative democracy in order to:
• Involve society in the selection of political policies for resource management and equitable distribution.
• Avoid weak or poor implementation of laws and strengthen the legitimacy of the rule of law.
• Guarantee social, health and education services and the protection of the common good of the entire population.
• Eliminate corruption and improve public management, prioritising participatory budgets; introduce information and public administration systems that guarantee the right to access information; transparency and accountability of governments.
• Facilitate the participation of vulnerable groups, first of all, women, in collective decision-making, promoting democratic practices and organisations, with effective representation, parity of men and women, in all fields.

2. Transition to environmental sustainability in order to:
• Revive a vision of human life as interdependent, intrinsically linked to living beings, nature, sun, air, water and Earth.
• Generate a new sustainable lifestyle, responsible consumption and the use of renewable energies, and progressively reduce fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
• Promote models for the regeneration and decentralisation of human settlements.
• Establish and apply stricter national and global tax policies for sustainability, introducing ecological taxes, penalties and ecologic and social incentives.
• Protect the rights of present and future generations and extend the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court to environmental and economic crimes.

3. Transition to a social, equitable and sustainable economy in order to:
• Drastically revise the economic system and lifestyle, and replace misleading economic indicators.
• Stop land grabbing and the seizing of natural resources, as well as the concentration of wealth, property and power, applying the principle of “Those who have more or earn more, contribute more.”
• Guarantee the right to dignified work , to a basic income and a decent living as this is a human right.
• Abandon the “development aid” policies that have become a way of exploiting people and resources, and establish global cooperation and exchange systems based on solidarity.
• Replace unrestricted competition with cooperation and self-management and promote the “relocalization” of production and services.
4. Transition to a non-speculative financial system in order to:
• Prosecute speculative financial activities, tax financial transactions and effectively abolish tax havens.
• Limit public indebtedness to the financial system, and recover financial sovereignty with public, social and transparent authority for monetary creation.
• Prevent money from being a means of profit and money for its own sake, and introduce alternative and transparent monetary systems under social and public control.
• Free people from slavery to servicing a public foreign debt, through renegotiation, debt relief or unilateral cancellation.
• Prevent banks from supporting businesses and projects that are hazardous for life and the planet and favour ethical financing.

5. Transition to a society of shared knowledge and democratic communication in order to:
• Consider and evaluate knowledge and the capacity to generate it, as well as to share it, as a common heritage of humanity.
• Prevent control of intellectual resources, the media and communication systems by large multinational corporations and/or political parties and support media by the people and for the people.
• Prevent the manipulation of the emerging information and communication society, giving access and control to all.
• Promote more open models of multidisciplinary scientific research and exchange of knowledge.
• Prioritise the right to health and life, and the right of all people to receive adequate healthcare and medical treatment, as opposed to paying royalties on medical patents.

6. Transition to a world beyond war and violence in order to:
• Move towards a more peaceful world, and oppose the structural causes of war and violence.
• Promote peaceful co-existence, tolerance and respect for sexual, religious, ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity, and to oppose patriarchy, femicide, caste segregation and racial prejudice.
• Advance disarmament, particularly through the prohibition of all weapons of mass destruction.
• Eliminate structural impunity for trafficking of human beings, organs, weapons, drugs, and money-laundering.
• Reinforce the right of peoples and communities to resist injustice.

7. Transition to a democratic world governance, in order to:
• Prevent plutocracy – the power of money, and progress towards an inclusive democratic world governance system based on the interests of people not of countries, including a reformed United Nations System.
• Guarantee global security and coordinated action aimed at reducing the impact of catastrophes caused by humans or nature.
• Ensure that the norms and entities of international regulation act in the public interest, in accordance with the new social and human objectives of “buen vivir” and are respectful towards the environment.
• Protect the human rights of migrants and progressively open migratory flows, working towards the free movement of persons.
• Escape from the global financial disarray caused by speculators and the International Financial Institutions, and create a new financial system and global reserve currency.
As we move forward with these transitions, we pledge to take urgent actions for survival, in order to:
• Eradicate hunger and malnutrition locally and globally, and provide clean drinking water and adequate sanitation.
• Confront the damage caused by “development” and climate change in impoverished countries.
• Avoid having recourse to armed interventions and wars, even if they are pursued in the name of “democracy”.
The financing of the proposed shared objectives can be obtained through savings made on the cost to society of weapons, corruption, tax havens and illegal trafficking, and through increasing resources thanks to social funding and public monetary creation, as well as the taxing of financial transactions and unsustainable activities and introducing a wealth tax.
And as people or groups in transition, we commit ourselves to exercising our rights as citizens not to cooperate with, collaborate with, buy from, serve or obey organisations or institutions that prevent or hinder the transition.
People and groups thereby take responsibility for choosing their own objectives and carry out their own transition strategies , sharing their proposals, actions and results with the community formed around this declaration.
All organisations may also commit to annually proposing and implementing initiatives for agreed Actions for a Common Transformation (ACT!) .

To this end

WE PLEDGE OUR SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT TO TAKE PART IN, DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT TRANSITION PLANS FOR A SUSTAINABLE PEOPLE-CENTRED WORLD FOR ALL

Barcelona, 3rd May 2011
www.barcelonaconsensus.org

Announcement: RIPESS Info #18

The Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of the Social Solidarity Economy (RIPESS) has recently published RIPESS Info #18.

Available in French, English and Spanish at :
http://www.chantier.qc.ca/?module=document&uid=1034

Our Newsletters are available online:
http://developpementlocal.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Our thanks to:
Brunilda Rafael (France) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation
Judith Hitchman (France / Ireland) for the English translation
Évéline Poirier (Canada) for proof reading (FR-EN)

Contact (for information, to subscribe or unsubscribe)
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2011-05-01T07:47:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #78 – May 1st, 2011
Summary
Message from the Editorial Team
Summary

RIPESS - Press Release
FIESS – Programme and registration

Editorial Message

The Board meeting of RIPESS national that was held in Paris from March 28th – 31st is the basis of the main news item for the 78th number of our Newsletter. This was the first time since 2009 that almost all the Board members had been able to get together for long enough to have time to become familiar with each others’ activities and discuss fundamental questions and stakes. This was all possible thanks to the invitation extended by the FPH (Fondation pour le Progrès de l’Homme) in the context of their partnership with the RIPESS coordination; Nancy Neamtan of the Chantier de l’Economie Sociale du Québec currently takes rsponsibility for duties of the secretariat.. It flags an important moment that marks both the conclusion and a fresh starting point for the solidarity economy movement as a whole. Key issues were ironed out, ensuring that values are genuinely shared. There was agreement on the roadmap for the collective project of the next two years; it will be carried forward by a truly international team, grounded in concrete practice and implemented at intercontinental level. A work procedure and timeline were built around an international citizens’ agenda. The first stages are included in the Press Release published on April 6th. We have included it in this issue.
For all three of us, this was a particularly satisfying moment, as our ongoing involvement enabled us to participate in the non-official business of the Board’s exchange. It is also very encouraging, and helps inspire us to continue our work of sharing information on community and local initiatives, as well as events in the networks we are in contact with at global level. There is a clear commitment to mutualisation and proving what works by illustrating through existing examples, as well as organising new forms and levels of solidarity. The approach includes a clearer perspective of how to link the global to the local, and to reconstruct an economy that is grounded in our respective local territories. And far from being a contradiction, the global dimension is present in the local. This is all very concrete; it is still however very complex to gain acceptance for democratic complementarities and cooperation in terms of local practice, general organisation, regulation and behaviour... It involves huge challenges to achieve a peaceful shift to new development perspectives, to reduce inequalities, stop the destruction of natural resources, move away from nuclear energy and gain acceptance for the idea of transforming the dominant growth model that is not a viable one. How can we manage to move forward from the current situation to a planet that will be viable for us all to share?
Two requests that were made during the meeting focus on the alternative dimension that solidarity economy has already considered in recent decades. Members of RIPESS whose countries are in Regions that are currently witnessing popular uprisings against dictatorships wonder how they can help the democratic culture of their societies to develop. Our networks have accumulated collective learning experiences, but we have yet to invent ways and means for supporting transfers of this scale; it is a real challenge for citizenship and global peace. Our Japanese friends have also sent us an appeal. They are coping with the consequences of a situation that is not of their making: they have requested we revive discussion on the nuclear issue, as nuclear disasters are destructive of all the most fundamental aspects of life. For aid to be effective, local solidarity is the first essential step; but medium and long term perspectives for developing the kind of world we want for future generations, means reopening discussion on these issues. If we fail to discuss the kind of future we want, how can we achieve a strong enough consensus to stay the course? And given our experience and outcomes we have already achieved, if we don’t take up these issues, who else will do so?
Our Newsletter hopes to contribute to these perspectives through its ongoing editorial line: independent, bottom-up, our modest voluntary contribution to a commitment to share concrete examples and collective convergence that will help us all become more influential and develop our ability to speak up. We remain convinced that alternative approaches are a more realistic option today, that they are more desirable than the current irresponsibility, accelerated by its own impetus, and that reigns at the highest levels and is driving us all towards destruction. We have always attached great importance since we started publishing our Newsletter, to building solidarity that reaches across cultural and linguistic divides. That is why we publish in four languages, because there is still far too little exchange of knowledge and too few horizontal relationships between local inhabitants wherever they happen to live, with those in other countries, who speak other languages, at different levels of society, with those who are also trying to build and gain recognition for new forms of solidarity, aimed at changing our current model of society.
So we would like to call on all of you, as subscribers to this Newsletter, to express your opinion on the usefulness, the subjects and content, as well as sending us your ideas for increasing and multiplying the impacts...so that we can all join in helping these objectives to develop in the current difficult times. And publish more of your stories in the various parts of the world.
Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Participants at the RIPESS meeting in Paris

Seated: Jean-François Aubin (Canada), Françoise Wautiez (France), Emily Kawano (United States), Judith Hitchman (Ireland), Martine Theveniaut (France)¸Alejandra Garcia Paton (France), Nancy Neamtan (Canada), Yves Tixier (France) Standing: Madani Koumaré (Mali), Ana Leighton (Chile), Christine Gent (United Kingdom), Noureddine El Harrak (Morocco), Daniel Tygel (Brazil), Ben Quiñones (Philippines), Carlos Amorìn (Uruguay), Éric Lavillunière (Luxemburg). Denison Jayasooria (Malaysia), William Elie (France), Yvon Poirier (Canada), Sunil Chitrakar (Nepal)

RIPESS - Press release

April 6th, 2011
From March 28 to 31, in Paris, the Board of Directors of RIPESS (Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of the Social Solidarity Economy) met and took note of the significant advances of the social and solidarity economy movement in all the continents... During the meeting, the Board confirmed its determination to pursue and reinforce the promotion of the social and solidarity economy as an answer to the crisis facing our countries.

RIPESS, a network based on the dynamics of five continental networks, brings together thousands of social and solidarity organisations and enterprises... During the four day meeting, the Board reiterated its belief that, more than ever, the social and solidarity economy (SSE) is a necessary alternative to the dominant development model which continues to generate poverty and exclusion and has lead the world into a deep environmental crisis..

Information sharing permitted the Board to observe that continental networks are consolidating themselves in Africa, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, Asia and North America. The Board adopted a strategy to facilitate communications and pursue the work to build strong continental networks.

Representatives from different continents brought to the Board’s attention situations which require both immediate support and a long term reflection... The mass movements in Arabic countries raise the question of the path and the economic strategies necessary to respond to the aspirations expressed by these popular uprising. Beyond the immediate and concrete solidarity that we must express to our Japanese brothers and sisters, how must we respond to the questions about our development model that this nuclear crisis has raised? Finally, the current repression against the popular movement in Honduras reminds us that the development of a social and solidarity economy must go hand in hand with the respect of human rights and the exercise of democracy.

In the next months, the RIPESS Board agreed to profit from several international events to continue its work of promotion, collaboration and proposition of the social and solidarity economy. The first event will be the International Forum on the social and solidarity economy (FIESS), which will take place in Montreal, Canada, October 17th to 20th 2011. This forum will bring together representatives of governments and civil society, to reflect on the policies needed to support the development of the social and solidarity economy... The Asian Solidarity Economy Forum (ASEF), which will take place in November 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, will allow representatives from several Asian countries to give themselves a common strategy for the development of the social and solidarity economy in Asia. In 2012, it will be in Tunisia where the African network will meet to consolidate a SSE rooted in Africa’s realities... Finally, in response to an the invitation from RIPESS Latin-America and Caribbean (RIPESS-LAC), RIPESS agreed to meet again in RIO, during the RIO+20 event, to reinforce the contribution of social and solidarity economy to a larger movement for a more human, more sustainable and more equitable development model.

In conclusion, the RIPESS meeting in Paris underlined the fact that, in spite of different realities, social and solidarity economy actors around the world share a common vision and values. They are determined to continue to deepen their exchanges in order to better articulate and above all build a social and solidarity economy which places people and the future of our planet at the centre of its concerns.

For more information:

Maude Brossard
Chantier de l’économie sociale-Canada-Amérique du Nord
info@ripess.org

FIESS – Program and Registration

Dear colleagues, collaborators, partners and friends,
We are extremely pleased and enthusiastic to announce that the Program of the International Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy (FIESS) is now available online, and the Registration is now open.
All registration to the event, which will take place in Montreal from the 17th to the 20th October 2011, will be done online at www.fiess2011.orgWhen registering, you will also be able to reserve a hotel room for your stay and enrol in other activities organized around the FIESS, in particular field trips to visit local social economy organisations.
On the website, you will also fin detailed information on the activities and presentations that will take place during the FIESS, practical information on Montreal and the Palais des Congrès where the event will be held, and a FAQ section to answer any other eventual questions you may have.
We look forward to seeing you in great numbers this October!
Le Chantier de l’économie sociale
forum.international2011@chantier.qc.ca

Our Newsletters are available online:
http://developpementlocal.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Our thanks to:
Paula Garuz Naval (Ireland) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation
Judith Hitchman (France / Ireland) for the English translation
Évéline Poirier (Canada) for proof reading (FR-EN)

Contact (for information, to subscribe or unsubscribe)
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2011-04-02T07:28:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #77 – April 1st, 2011
Summary
Message from the Editorial Team
Towards shared social responsibilities: A draft European Charter
Earth Summit - RIO+20 –2012

Message from the Editorial Team

The catastrophe that has occurred in Japan, the earthquake, tsunami and risks of nuclear contamination have deeply saddened us all. All three of us have had the opportunity of visiting Japanese organisations working towards a more human kind of development, particularly in the field of healthy food. So we would like to address a special thought to our friends involved in the Teikei system (community supported agriculture) as well as the Seikatsu Club (a consumers’ food co-operative). We wish them strength and courage.

Martine shares information on a very interesting European initiative, that of the idea of a European Charter of Social responsibilities. This is the kind of approach and particularly of the concrete implementation of new regulations that are grounded in human values, applicable at local, regional, national and international as well as European levels, as well as to all the inhabitants of our planet, one that will allow us to work towards a more just and equitable world for all people.

Although at first sight the second article is dedicated to what appears to be a very different theme, the «Earth Summit» that is scheduled to take place 20 years after the first one, held in Rio, it deals with the same fundamental issues. Both address the fundamental question of «living together» on our planet, a planet that is increasingly threatened.
The Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Towards shared social responsibilities: A draft European Charter

On February 28th and March 1st, over 400 people from 40 countries took part in the workshops and a conference in Brussels, to examine the draft of a « European Charter of shared social responsibilities ». It was instigated by the Council of Europe, and more specifically by Gilda Farrell, Head of the Division for Research and Development of the Directorate General for Social Cohesion. This meeting was held under the joint auspices of the European Union and the Council of Europe, aimed at fully including social cohesion as a European objective for Europe as a whole, and not just limited to the 27 member States of the European community. It is also aimed at the 47 Member States of the Council of Europe; a certain number of these countries took part in the two-day programme. Shared social responsibility requires achieving a broad consensus in order to move forward, and achieve the concrete implementation of fundamental rights and the protection of common goods – both material and immaterial – as a source of fulfilment for present generations and a heritage for generations to come. Including the aspect of interdependency of actors and citizens is perceived as a requisite for the success of the project.

All too often citizens and their organisations are still considered as « weak actors » in the decision-making process. What are the mutual commitments do we need to develop to face today’s challenges and live together respecting our diversity and guaranteeing that there is a state of law, and a genuinely democratic society? This is a key question at present, as far as the borders in the South of Europe are concerned, as well as the increasingly frequent way in which the most vulnerable of our fellow European citizens are treated.

An inspiring text aimed at concrete realisation of the guiding principles

The draft project is ultimately aimed at becoming a «recommendation», to be validated by the 47 Member States of the Council of Europe. The participants felt it was very inspiring for the following reasons:
- The clarity of the appreciation it makes concerning the «growing gap between the formal recognition and the application of the principles of justice, which undermines confidence in the possibility of improving living conditions, especially for the least advantaged, and fuels feelings of insecurity in the face of these changes».
The broad scope of this text in terms of: principles as well as and perhaps especially:
The perspective of realisation that is applied to the definitions, the objectives, the policies and initiatives that it implies. The members of the ad hoc group that produced this work have hedged their bets that the implementation of shared responsibilities will «be capable of building a future climate of trust and developing social and moral resources to help the people of Europe to jointly work for the well-being of all, for social cohesion and sustainable development».
Both speakers and participants expressed the opinion that the European dimension should not stop the question from being considered at global level, where Europe has certain responsibilities it should assume. The first of these is to work on its ecological footprint in the countries of the South! There was an expression of interest that this text would be written in such a way as to allow the so-called «weak» actors be able to use it for collective construction, for legitimising their action. Reinforcing the text would be a step towards a progressive move from moral to a more binding commitment.
This all bodes well for future work, and our hopes of jointly changing things.
Martine Theveniaut
EN: http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/socialpolicies/socialcohesiondev/Conference2011_en.asp
FR: http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/socialpolicies/socialcohesiondev/conference2011_FR.asp
Earth Summit - RIO+20 –2012
Twenty years after the historical summit of 1992, RIO 2012 will take place June 4th-6th next year in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. This conference will be organised by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.
In January 2011 there was an initial meeting of the preparatory working group at the UN headquarters in New York.
The following extract of the conclusions of this meeting are of interest to us all.
« Almost all agreed that we need to be thinking in terms of bottom-up approaches to a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, defined by national and local priorities and through national and local stakeholder processes.
Many countries raised concerns and questions about a green economy, which will need to be answered if we are to find a way forward towards an agreed outcome on this theme at Rio 2012. A few of the areas of concern include the relationship between:
(i) green economy and poverty eradication,
(ii) green economy and employment,
(iii) green economy and trade,
(iv) green economy and technology,
(v) green economy and finance.»
here is already much preparatory work being done in different countries and many working groups are already up and running. International NGOs have come together via the « Earth Summit 2012 » initiative.
Yvon Poirier
Official site is in English only. This site has only been on-line since the 23rd of February. Other languages are expected soon.
http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/
NGO site (in English)
http://www.earthsummit2012.org
NGO site (in English)
http://www.earthsummit2012.org/

Our Newsletters are available online:
http://developpementlocal.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Our thanks to:
Brunilda Rafael (France) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation
Judith Hitchman (France / Ireland) for the English translation
Évéline Poirier (Canada) for proof reading (FR-EN)

Contact (for information, to subscribe or unsubscribe)
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2011-03-03T07:32:00.000-08:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #76
March 1st 2011

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

The Social Forum movement in Africa

The Human Economy
Nyéléni Bulletin

The ILO (International Labour Organization) Social and Solidarity Economy Academy

Message from the Editorial Team

Judith is back from the World Social Forum, which was held in Dakar from February 6th to 11th. She shares her impressions with us.
For our readers who understand English, we would like to recommend a book, The Human Economy, edited by Keith Hart, Jean-Louis Laville and Antonio Cattani. The editors have assembled a citizen's guide to the building of a human economy. This book for English readers is a major effort to share the state of global knowledge, particularly the reflection and analysis of works written in French, as well as Spanish and Portuguese. It does not cover Asia, which will be described in future works.
Many concepts explored in this book are familiar, like solidarity economy and local development, fair trade, microfinance and local currencies. Other essays analyze elements such as the current state of globalization and alter globalization. It also deals with very relevant concepts such as social capital or common resources.
Essentially, this book is a successful attempt to collect and present a fairly complete set of concepts relevant to understanding the challenges facing the planet, from the global to local level, as well as the range of people-centred initiatives. In this sense, it is a work of reference and training tool.

As is the case with our newsletter, we find it extremely important to allow for the exchange of knowledge across languages and cultures. In this sense, the book's editors, as well as the diverse essays from various continents fill important gaps particularly in the English-speaking world.

In this issue, we also wish to share different information, including upcoming events.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

The Social Forum movement in Africa

The 2011 edition of the World Social Forum was held at the Cheik Anta Diop University in Dakar, the capital of Senegal from February 6th -11th. In the ten-year history of the WSF, it was the third time the Forum came back to Africa, following the polycentric WSF in Bamako in 2006, and that of Nairobi in 2007. Most people living outside Africa are not aware of the depth and vibrant nature of the social forum process and growing strength social movements throughout the continent, with the many national, regional and thematic fora that have also taken place there in recent years.

Africa is the continent that is probably suffering most severely from the combined effects of the neo-liberal crisis of our civilisation. The impacts of migration, climate change, land- and common goods-grabbing are widely felt by a broad cross-section of the communities. There has long been a chronic lack of adequate investment in infrastructure and basic public services in all African countries, although there are considerable variations from one country to another. The traditional informal economic model does not generate tax, and the imposed neo-colonialist exploitation of resources by multinationals pays little into the coffers of the States. These combined factors have resulted in the destruction of the traditional solidarity-based society, massive threats to peasant agriculture and commonage, insufficient education and healthcare systems and megalopoles that are lacking in basic services… In Senegal alone, the State can only cover 70% of the needs in electrical power at any one moment, so power cuts are a daily occurrence, frequently lasting for as much as 48 hours. Basic food costs are also rising at an alarming rate, as a result of Economic Partnership Agreements that favour the importing of cheap surplus production rather than encouraging food sovereignty and local production and processing. Remittances from migrants living abroad, a mainstay of many African families, and a key source of income throughout African society, have fallen sharply as those living abroad suffer increasingly from unemployment. It is therefore not surprising that there is increasing unrest and riots and that civil society is organised in strong local networks.

Strong grassroots mobilisation

It is against this background that caravans from all over North, West and Central Africa converged for the Forum. At the opening march, there were an estimated 70,000 participants. The Forum itself probably brought together over twice that number (an estimated 75,000 people participated). No exact figure is possible, as it was a truly open space, with no gate controls and a far greater grass-roots participation than any previous edition. This mobilisation in a country like Senegal (total population 13 million, 3 million living in Dakar), is in itself a significant dimension. There were 10,000 registered participants from countries of the North. Students, local inhabitants groups, small-scale farmers, migrants’ associations, trade unionists and members of other social movements made up the vast majority of participants, all mingling in the chaos of the Forum. Fewer intellectuals, far more local mobilisation than ever before. A significant sign of the times.

The Forum was held at the same time as historic events were sweeping through countries a little further north: the fall of dictatorships and revolutions, first in Tunisia, then in Egypt provided a meaningful background to the meetings. Mubarak’s decision to stand down coincided with the closing ceremony of the Forum, providing a very special kind of energy. The fact that these uprisings were the result of civil society’s expression of discontent rather than organised by political party based movements, is a key factor of change, and one that resonates with the Social Forum approach to organised civil society.

Unfortunate and unnecessary chaos to the Forum was caused by the newly nominated Rector of the University’s decision not to make the promised rooms available for meetings. This was compounded by the knock-on effect of breakdown of other related logistics (failure to allocate rooms impacts printing a programme, doing effective booth planning for interpretation etc…). Although it was a nightmare for the Local Organising Committee, the participants took it all surprisingly in stride, and made do with much good humour. A crisis management unit worked day and night to solve the most pressing issues (renting tents, allocating existing space…) Nothing was going to stop the mobilisation… Was it prompted by fear of the strength of what organised civil society can represent, or political sabotage? At the end of the day, the result is the same.

Local languages

Language is political. West Africa is probably the region where local languages have best survived colonialism, and in Senegal most people actually speak a local language rather than French. Women, who left school early, often have minimal French. It was very important therefore for Babels to be able to train locals in basic interpretation techniques and to help facilitate interpretation for the three main local languages: Wolof, Bambara, and Poular. The logistical chaos greatly reduced the potential of this contribution, but it was nevertheless important, particularly for the meetings in the women’s tent and for the Via Campesina. Sign language was also used throughout the Forum.

Effective solidarity economy in action

The week prior to the Forum has always provided an opportunity for various groups to meet. Until now, these meetings have always used private sector services for the provision of interpretation and equipment. We successfully used ALIS equipment during this week, (Alternative Interpretation Systems), and Babels provided the interpreting for these prefora as well as for the WSF. The funding (where available) was paid into the WSF account, thereby mutualising the available human, technical and financial means. The events covered were organised by the Science and Democracy Forum, Trade Union's Forum, Habitat International Coalition, International Alliance of Inhabitants, The Forum on Health and Social Security, a seminar on Fair Trade, the Fishing Forum, as well as the Migrants Forum that was held on the island of Gorée (an island off Dakar, historically associated with slave trafficking).

The official restaurant tent catering was well organised by small local women’s groups. This catering used only local products, and directly benefited small-scale farmers and women’s groups.
There was also a convergence Assembly on Solidarity Economy and Fair Trade (the latter was particularly aimed at developing South-South relations). This brought some 100 people together, who came up with a good final declaration. (http://openfsm.net/projects/ecosol/summary)

Conclusion.

African civil society is moving towards a more joined-up movement. The World Social Forum continues to provide a space for developing connections and dialogue across borders and differences. It may not be a space for action per se, but it does provide the basis for developing actions that reach beyond the few days of the Forum. This particular Forum took place at a historic moment for Tunisia and Egypt, and will certainly leave its mark on Africa and indeed global civil society.

Judith A. Hitchman
(Original article in English and French)

The Human Economy
Keith Hart (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Jean-Louis Laville (Conservatoire national des arts et métiers) et Antonio David Cattani (Université fédérale de Rio Grande do Sul)
Published in English only
Polity Press
320 pages, 2010
http://www.polity.co.uk/book.asp?ref=9780745649795

A brief review by Yvon Poirier

The global financial crisis has renewed concern about whether capitalist markets are the best way of organizing economic life. Would it not be better if we were to treat the economy as something made and remade by people themselves, rather than as an impersonal machine? The object of a human economy is the reproduction of human beings and of whatever sustains life in general. Such an economy would express human variety in its local particulars as well as the interests of all humanity.
This project is not a dream but is part of a collective effort that began a decade ago at the first World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and has gathered pace ever since. (1)

It is still necessary to explore the concepts and understand the deep issues we are facing to build a people-centred economy. People in our movements need to understand better what they are doing and the challenges they are facing. This book, published in English, is an effort to share concepts that are sometimes better known in other continents such as South America or in French speaking countries. Two of the editors, Cattani from South America and Laville from France, are well known in their respective cultures. The essays in this book are new, but they are similar to a previous book published in South America. In particular, Dicionario internacional da outra economia by Cattani, Laville and Gaiger.

(1) Description by the editor
For other descriptions or information :
http://www.ecosolux.lu/fileadmin/ripessEU.net/files/files/News/news_15102010_human_econmy_Introduction.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb8jQXRTTHE
http://richmedia.lse.ac.uk/publicLecturesAndEvents/20110127_1830_theHumanEconomy.mp3

Nyéléni Newsletter

The Number 2 of the Nyeleni Newsletter is now available online in three languages: English, Spanish and French! 
This edition of the newsletter has a special on factory farming.
The Newsletter is published every two months on the www.nyeleni.org website.

The ILO (International Labour Organization) Social and Solidarity Economy Academy

The second edition of the ILO Social and Solidarity Economy Academy will be held in Montreal (Canada) from October 24th to 28th 2011.

The Academy participants will also have the opportunity to participate in FIESS (International Forum on Social Solidarity Economy) during the week prior to this event.

http://socialeconomy.itcilo.org/en/academy-2011

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Paula Garuz Naval (Ireland) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation
Évéline Poirier (Canada) for the English translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2011-02-04T07:27:00.000-08:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #75
February 1st 2011

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

The promotion of a cooperative territorial economy to combat against poverty and social exclusion: Towards European P’ACTS
Practice and potential of a co-operative territorial economy for the future of Territorial Pacts
Four scenarios of local economic development

Message from the Editorial Team

Already a decade into the 21st century has elapsed. As all of you, we see that the global situation has not improved and we find scandalous that a billion people live on incomes of less than $1.25US per day. As all of you, we see that the global situation has not improved and we find scandalous that a billion people live on incomes of less than $1.25US per day, and that attaining the Millennium Development Goals is proving less likely in many areas.
However, the past ten years opened new perspectives. The vast majority of humanity considers it necessary to implement measures to save the planet itself. Despite the failures, or near failures, of the Copenhagen and Cancun meetings, the thrust is very strong for firm commitments in most countries.
The end of this decade illustrates the obvious failure of neo-liberal capitalism as an economic system able to meet the needs of most people. At the same time, we are very encouraged and eager to continue our efforts: we are thrilled to see the advances in building concrete alternatives that provide answers to basic needs, particularly those that combine the social economy with sustainable local development. We also recognize the considerable progress of social movements in building the global dimension of their advocacy, including the workings of World Social Forums.
It goes without saying that the challenges are enormous. Reversing the dominant trends and making these alternatives mainstream will take much effort. We will not necessarily see this outcome in our lifetime, but we hope that younger generations will realize it and live it!
It is in this perspective that we wish to continue our modest work.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

The promotion of a cooperative territorial economy to combat poverty and social exclusion: Towards European P’ACTS

Committee of European Regions, Brussels, November 23, 2010

This meeting was one of the follow-up events to Workshop 7 “Democratic participation and territorial anchorage” organised by Pactes Locaux at the Lux'09 Forum in April 2009, about which we keep you regularly informed. Building on the consensus achieved at this event, we are promoting the results for public debate in Europe. In the 2010 European Calendar of events, a Year for combating poverty and social exclusion was included.

This meeting was prepared by a European organizing committee composed of a dozen individuals and organizations, all volunteers, who wish to become «a permanent collective resource pool». Its composition is inclusive of languages other than French, and opened to other topics and new networks (1). This is an opportunity to hold a meeting of upstream work, widely open to Europe and the Intercontinental, with financial support of the FPH. Hosted by the Committee of Regions in Brussels, November 23, 2010 the group publicly announced the birth of P'ACTS.

The committee members chose to start from the grassroots – from their results and their analysis - to create a dialogue with citizens organized on a territorial basis, towards regional and local governments, businesses, researchers. They opened a stimulating reflection on "the global in the local." “We are all meeting to defend a cause that we have long supported, one whose solutions can be found at the local level, and that should also dare to include a global dimension. All of us have contributed at our various levels of governance, contributed in our own ways, with our complementarities, so that all people may become actors of their own development. With mutual respect, trust and perseverance, we developed significant relationships that have progressively contributed to our work being perceived as a legitimate contribution to real solutions to the crisis. We have consistently promoted that citizens themselves are the cornerstone to jointly design and build the best response to their own needs and take shared responsibility for their future. This approach means that structures and institutions need to fundamentally rethink their role and way of working. We, as organised civil society, are here to help, to talk things through and come up with answers and solutions. As they so nicely say in Quebec “Solidarity means looking people straight in the eye.” Introduction: France Joubert, president

The approach developed by peers, now recognized by those peers

Concrete achievements in duration and diversity of contexts provide answers to basic needs such as employment, food, local sustainable development, culture, finance, services, and citizenship. They all show great potential for socio-economic transformation and democratic innovations to rebuild the real economy and community life. The public spaces of debate and resources they stimulate meet head on the difficulties of reconstruction responses through cooperation on a territorial basis. The anchoring of their organizations combines multiple levels of relationships on an inter-sectorial base, horizontal and not hierarchical: regional and local jurisdictions in their lives, European by their culture and politics, intercontinental, because they are also citizens of the world. In reality, they are organized into networks that have diverse functions: geographic (employer groups, purchasing groups, cooperatives, living areas...) a place for exchanges and debates in order to link together to exert advocacy, resource centers to inform, sustain, promote, report progress in public policies, from the local to the European level. They are often linked to research organizations (academic or not) that can use levers for the interaction between action and research for the improvement of the actions. They are also areas of organization or even negotiation. This also allows for older generations anxious to pass along knowledge. In summary, they are prototypes to "take the helm" where they live, and to "stay the course on social, economic and ecological change in turbulent times" (Mike Lewis). To continue on this road, they build convergence.

P'ACTS intends to become a public space for multi-level dialogue enshrined in the European Agenda.

How to do more with less? How to open and "make do" with the new players that are the Regions and Cities, but also the actors of organized civil society? In fact, these are the major players in the real economy and the renewal of democratic life. The new Lisbon Treaty allotted this development in 2010: territorial cohesion has become the third pillar of the European project, but in practice, resistance is powerful, because power is concentrated in the Commission, and subsidiarity under the tutelage of Member States. "Multi-level governance", a concept promoted and adopted in 2010 by the Committee of European Regions is the new instrument that will allow local and regional authorities to transform things. Finally, after being abandoned for ten years, “local development” is inserted in the 2020 strategy of cohesion and whose budgets are now being decided.

The P’ACTS plan to relay and organise sustainable local development that serves a cooperative territorial economy by learning from practices they have used to build concrete responses. Considering the pertinence of the “Learning journeys”, (a tool for learning from each other via local visits) P’ACTS initiated a new European cycle for 2011 and 2012, to “ pool the expertise acquired through practice in consolidated territorial projects to increase the number of people and territories that volunteer to acquire this integrated form of territorial action”. Because re-scaling is blocked, by the idea of "the best practice" (the oasis in the desert), or procedures that lock the initiative in a cage they prevent them from taking off. A report for the European Commission underlines “the almost total lack of investment in reliable, solid mechanisms for pooling and sharing new ways of working, exporting acquired skills and know-how in other geographical and economic contexts as well as those of other countries” (2).

Sustainable local development can provide a positive road to overcoming the current crisis, if certain conditions are respected: “A strategy designed and applied to provide concrete answers to essential everyday issues: managing shared resources, activities and employment, living conditions and services all aimed at providing the perspective of a joined-up opening and solidarity between territories. A strategy aimed at providing a medium- and long-term legal framework to local and regional issues (territorial interactions and co-operation). The key principle is based on shared responsibility. Multi-level governance is the instrument. It includes organised civil society as a stakeholder in building and implementing actions, as a collective actor in the real economy and in territorial governance. A strategy based on different sources of funding in a programme framework that facilitates; the rules for implementation should be simple and transparent. The objectives for results should be defined with both quantitative indicators (how much/many) as well as qualitative indicators (how/what impacts) such as: satisfying essential needs in the real economy: the collective quality of our lives, resilience, the vitality of our democratic and cultural existence, a lesser dependence on fossil fuel as well as on imported food or foreign finance.”

An action plan leading up to the 5th Intercontinental RIPESS meeting in 2013

Scheduled for Asia in 2013, this time-frame opens opportunities and stimulates us to continue building on the results the Lux'09 workshop. At the Kuala Lumpur meeting in 2011, P'ACTS hopes to participate actively on “the territorial approach of a cooperative economy” by sharing key advances based on its case studies. The theme of this meeting is: "Social Enterprises as a vehicle for socio-economic transformation of communities."

Martine Theveniaut
Pactes Locaux

(1) http://aloe.socioeco.org/page73-projet_fr.html Here you will find a report on the meeting (in French only), and the appeal to launch P’ACTES (French and English). At the following link you will find all presentations made on November 23. http://www.pactes-locaux.org/ They can be downloaded. .
(2) Cohesion support for Local Development: Best practice and future policy options (2009-2010) DG REGIO Ref: CCI n.2009.CE.16.0.AT.081. Head of Project: Marjorie Jouen (Notre Europe), ADETEF, AEIDL City Consult

Practice and potential of a co-operative territorial economy for the future of Territorial Pacts

Presented in Brussels, November 23, 2010, by Karl Birkhölzer, economist, Technologie-Netzwerk Berlin e.V.

Four scenarios of local economic development

What do we mean with local economic development? We could distinguish between a descriptive or analytical approach and a more activity oriented or political one. From a descriptive perspective local economic development would cover all economic activities which happen at local or regional level and/or have any impact on the localities.
But far more interesting is the political perspective of local economic development: It is definitely more than just “economic development at local level”; it is a special way or certain type of economic development and different from other forms or types of economic development, and the argument here is that social enterprises play a key role in developing such strategies. To understand its specific character I will present four scenarios:

The first scenario is called “development from above”: The main actor here is the state, working top-down from central government to regional government and local authorities. In this scenario the local actors, people, enterprises as well as authorities wait for decisions as well as resources coming from above, because they believe that the state is either mainly responsible for all kinds of development or has only the power to do so. This attitude is often found in societies with centralized governments, not only in authoritarian regimes, but also in strong welfare states. This scenario is usually accompanied by a high degree of dependency and arbitrary measures. And it is finally not working anymore, if the state runs into political or economic troubles.

The second scenario is called “development from outside”: It often follows the breakdown of the first option. What they have in common is that the local actors believe they cannot do anything on their own. Therefore, outside “investors” are needed to bring in the necessary resources, especially money. In all parts of the so-called “underdeveloped” world everybody is desperately looking for investors. I wonder where these strange animals live and how to attract them. All I can see is a disastrous competition between communities, regions and countries where only the investor benefits from an inevitable dumping process with low wages, property prices, tax reductions and so on. Furthermore, communities which try hard sometimes spend their last available resources in dubious infrastructural programmes which should attract investments like golf courses, luxury hotels and conference centres, industrial sites and office space, business development centres and so on. And like in any other competition the winners are always only a happy few, the majority are losers. I am not arguing against infrastructural programmes as such, but there is definitely something wrong, if they are only designed for the needs of outsiders. And even in case of success the objectives of the investor might not be the same as the community ones’. Financial investments of this type are nowadays highly dynamic and flexible so that they can easily move from one place to the next, if they can find better conditions or if plans have changed. From the view point of “sustainability” attracting investors from outside is a very risky business.

The third scenario could be called “wait and see”: The local actors remain more or less passive waiting for things to come. Some might look at it as a quasi natural process of selection, some might have resigned as a result of the failures of option one and two. The traditional “solution” in this scenario is migration. In fact, this is the most popular option, although it becomes more and more difficult to find places to go, not only because of political restrictions, but also for economic reasons, because the islands of prosperity around the world become smaller and smaller in size and numbers.

The final scenario I would call “development from within”: As option number one is dominated by the state, number two by private investment and number three by fatalism, in this scenario the local actors, the people themselves play the key role. And here we are at the heart of Local Economic Development: It starts when people realize that neither the state nor the market economy serve their needs or solve their problems, and if they are unwilling or unable to leave their homes. In this situation people embark (usually after a period of not successful protesting or campaigning) on strategies of economic self-help which often lead to the foundation of new types of (social) enterprises.

One of the pioneers of local economic development, Sam Aaronovitch from the Local Economy Policy Unit in London (Aaronovitch 1996; Birkhölzer 1999) put it in a nutshell: “There is no escape from self-help!”
After outlining the failures which are brought on by the first three scenarios, Karl Birkölzer presents with supporting examples, the components of what makes the success of “development from within”: responding to unmet needs is to rediscover that one is never better helped than by the confidence one places on one’s own capabilities, in cooperation with others. This is what generates and regenerates the capital. First it is confidence that recreates local economic cycles. “One of the most disastrous attitudes is if people believe, they cannot do anything without access to money. This leads either to the “wait and see” scenario or to the dependency on donors which might have their own ideas about what their money is for. But localities or areas of economic crisis are usually characterized by the lack of it (social capital)... the most important resources are the capacity of the local people, its knowledge and abilities. Therefore… the local economic development process has to start with at the first glance non-economic activities which are centred around community building and community development.”

Karl Birkhölzer Technologie-Netzwerk Berlin E.V.

www.technet-berlin.de
http://www.pactes-locaux.org/

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/
Special thanks to:
Paula Garuz Naval (Ireland) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation
Évéline Poirier (Canada) for the English translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2010-12-01T17:50:00.000-08:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #74
December 1st 2010

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team
Nekasarea: a Basque network serving the everyday struggle for Food Sovereignty

New web sites
International Network for the Promotion of the Social Solidarity Economy (RIPESS)
International Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy (FIESS)

Message from the editorial team
In this issue we are happy to publish an article that was sent to us by the URGENCI Secretary General Jocelyn Parot.
The Basque Nekasarea network is important both in terms of its vision and its scope that reaches well beyond community supported agriculture (CSA); it is a good example of how CSA can be integrated into the broader development of the community itself. In this sense, it is a beautiful demonstration of sustainable local development.
As our next issue is scheduled for February 1st 2011, we would like to send our readers our best wishes for the New Year.

The Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Nekasarea: a Basque network serving the everyday struggle for Food Sovereignty

Nekasarea is a network of organized producers and consumers that have operated in the Biscaye Province of the Spanish Basque country for the last two years. The Farmers’ Union Ehne-Biscaye, a founding member of La Via Campesina in 1996, has recently devoted a lot of time and effort to the implementation of initiatives of partnership and short-chain supplies in food production and distribution. These initiatives are inspired by the French AMAP (Community Supported Agriculture), as well as other similar experiences. In 2010, the Basque network already includes nearly a hundred farmers who organize their production and sell directly to consumers.

The Ehne Union is an historical actor of the social and political landscape at local level. Initiated during the 1970s the struggle to defend the price of the milk rapidly led it become the expression of the farmers’ fight against Francoism, and for the democratisation of society. In recent years it has become the first Farmers Union of the Biscaye province with more that 1000 members (affiliados), which represents a 60% rate of unionisation of the farmers of the region. The Union staff team is composed of ten employees, ranging from the communication team to the network management team. The employees are in charge of the operating systems for direct sales; these are organised on a partnership basis. There is an ongoing negotiation between farmers of the Union and the groups of activist consumers on the economic and social conditions, as well as the organisation of the logistics. Currently, there are about thirty consumer groups, all of whom are committed to the process and distribution througout Biscaye, but mostly in the capital, Bilbao, and its surroundings.

Like all tried and tested recipes, that of Nekasarea is simple. But it requires some experience to get things right. The network is under the wing of a Union which is anchored in 40 years of history of farmers’ struggles. It also requires the right ingredients, like those of the local land, varied as those found in the Zeanuri grocery store. And patience, as demonstrated by the project leaders as they follow training courses carried out tirelessly week after week.

1. Building an alternative aimed at restoring the true meaning of exchange
Through the Nekasarea network, Ehne aims to provide constructive solutions to clearly identified problems, through action rather than by taking a critical stance or protesting.

The Network’s values

The network is built on values that clearly resemble those of the CSA and AMAP models. The notion of shared risk is thus central, as the consumers pay for their orders when they are placed (even if it is a monthly payment), and they commit for the whole year. The price of each “basket” prepared by the network that includes the produce from several producers can be fairly expensive (up to 200 Euros per family per month for a complete basket). The baskets are delivered on a weekly basis.
The annual commitment is based on a basket that has a constant content. This helps avoid planning difficulties. Each family usually begins with a trial period of three months before committing for the whole year. The important development of Nekasarea over these two years can also be explained by a local tradition that is very ingrained. Gastronomes, local food activists and Farmers’ Unions regularly gather in “gastronomic dining clubs” of which there are many in each town in the region (there were four in the town of Durango alone). These clubs support old, local traditions.

Their first objective is to provide a possibility to exchange and create social links around a meal prepared from local products. Social links and exchange: these two terms were central to all the meetings we had. They are twin concepts that guide the actions of the Ehne Union orientation of information and training, even if as Umrafu explained to us, the golden rule of Farmers’ Union is that “the more you talk, the more enemies you have, and the more efficient you are, the more threats you receive”.
Nekasarea, a pedagogical tool aimed at serving the movement
The members have considered it is necessary to reach beyond to the experience of direct sales, and include a new dimension by making Nekasarea a pedagogic tool that serves the food sovereignty movement.
One of the key assets of this kind of trade-union based local and solidarity partnership system is that it guarantees ongoing consistency between local actions and the global dimension. The considerable work that has been done in the fields of communication and training linked to global evolution has led to an overall homogeneity among the CSA actors. This means that the new Basque partnership model has avoided becoming a kind of club for the wealthy. The network reaches beyond the “just between friends” and reaches out to society. It reaches beyond a small in-group of the initiated, to become part not only of the local community but of society as a whole.

The technical staff working in Ehne is dedicated and able to carry out training as well as being leaders. Isa is not only the leader of the Nekasarea network but also a consumer in the empowered consumer cooperative in Vittoria. As such, she manages a cooperative bar-restaurant project that follows local peasant agriculture criteria and that employs 6 people. This bar-restaurant aims to show that ecological actions are not limited exclusively to the elite but that all segments of society can organize to build alternative chains that are socially more viable.

2. Other actors of alternative chains: the case of the Zeanuri grocery store

Zeanuri is a village that holds a pleasant surprise: the centre of this little town that curls into the Pyrenees is very busy around the local grocery store. The existence of this grocery store in the village centre is a good example of a local project. It sells mainly local products, and operates through cooperation between the local authorities, local NGOs and producers. The Ehne trade union doesn’t play a central role in this project, but it has nevertheless played an essential supporting role.
The village grocery store at the heart of the revitalization of a rural project zone.

Several years ago, with the inevitable rural exodus, the municipal authorities decided to launch a competition to renew the life of this small mountain village and its surroundings.

The grocery-bar-restaurant project was launched by a young woman who is very aware of the local agricultural issues as she comes from a family of local farmers. When her father died, her brothers chose to keep all the cows in the mountains out of their love for the work more than for profits’ sake. She thought up the grocery as a direct sales’ system and a community space. The grocery store is based on a direct sales’ system: two shepherds provide ewe’s mild cheese; a vegetable producer sells her organic production. The owner herself works on her farm where she grows food mainly for her own consumption, selling any surplus in the shop. Initially Irena did everything by herself: taking care of the livestock, the daily management of the shop and the farm, selling in the shop and baking the bread. She then transmitted her knowledge to others and now she is increasingly handing on the work. Eight people are involved in the kitchen and behind the bar.

This grocery store is first and foremost a community centred space: every day works to the hourly rhythm of different activities. It is a very lively space where people gather, eat and stay in touch.

The coordinating role of Nekasarea

The Nekasarea network plays a coordinating role. It helps bring producers and the grocery store together. It also allows the members to discuss the grocery project with those who are more aware of the importance of consuming locally. This does not involve all of the inhabitants of the village who usually shop in supermarkets instead of coming into the centre of the village, says the owner. The grocery store is actually the ideal place to discuss social issues, especially those that are food-related.

CONCLUSION

Nekasarea demonstrates the social force of change that becomes possible through coherent social organization. It provides the possibility for genuine local development, the preservation of the agricultural and cultural heritage and the realization of collective projects of “better living together”.
Jocelyn Parot
www.urgenci.net
Baserribizia, the monthly network newsletter,
in Spanish and Basque, is available at:
http://www.baserribizia.info/
Info :
http://blog.urgenci.net/?p=461 (FR only)
http://blog.urgenci.net/?p=467 (FR only)
http://blog.urgenci.net/?p=470 (ENG only)
http://blog.urgenci.net/?p=474 (ENG only)

New web sites
International Network for the Promotion of the Social Solidarity Economy (RIPESS)
RIPESS annonces that it now has a new website.
http://ripess.org/
International Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy (FIESS)
This is the website for the meeting that will be held in Montreal 2011, October 17 to 20 under the theme «Government and Civil Socity».
http:/www.fiess2011.org

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Brunilda Rafael (France) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation
Évéline Poirier (Canada) for proof-reading English and French versions

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2010-11-01T07:53:00.001-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #73
November 1st 2010

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

2009 Nobel Prize for Economics awarded to Elinor Ostrom for her work on “Governing the Commons” (1

Wind of (institutional) change

Message from the editorial team

Awarding the 2009 Nobel Prize for economy to the political scientist, Elinor Osrom is most encouraging and important, as it reinforces the main approach that we try to promote in our Newsletter. Martine helps us to explore the concept of “commons”. Yvon has been in a position to witness the community management of the Nepalese forest, which Ostrom quotes as an example, as a genuine success in terms of the preservation of the biosphere, while at the same time allowing local people to improve their living conditions.

As already mentioned in previous issues, the survival and promotion of small-scale local family farming is definitely a solution for feeding people and overcoming poverty for the majority of the poorest inhabitants of our world. Just to remind you, 70% of the one billion people who live in extreme poverty live in rural areas. Judith shares the positive developments within the Food and Agriculture Organisation agency of the United Nations (FAO).

The Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

2009 Nobel Prize for Economics awarded to Elinor Ostrom for her work on “Governing the Commons” (1)

This approach, which is central to all of Elinor Ostrom’s research is not mainstream, to say the least, or on the radar of the economists from the Chicago School of Economics (world leaders with the most Nobel Economics Prizes!). It may even be considered marginal according to the article by the renowned Garrett Hardin “The Tragedy of the Commons” (2) that deals with the dominant neo-classical paradigm!

The current pressure on natural resource management problems places the research of this 76 year-old woman at the heart of everyday preoccupations. Essentially her book examines the managing of common pool resources (CPRs), and shows that the way collective action operates does not follow the usual assumptions of economics (rationality and perfect information of the actors). In reality, actors make more appropriate choices in terms of collective gain, than those related to the predictions of rational choice theory. This is explained partly by the importance of face-to-face or personal relationships, which encourage mutual commitment, as well as by the actors’ capacity to innovate or adapt which allows them to increase collective gain by modifying some of the rules.

Her reflection has constantly evolved since the 60s, based on supporting evidence; it aims to escape the intellectual trap of the tragedy of the commons: starting with her thesis on water management in Southern California (1963), inshore fisheries in Turkey, irrigation systems in Spain and the Philippines, and more recently, the exploitation of forests in Nepal (3). Elinor Ostrom and Amy Poteete have thus shown that regulation of the use of forests by local communities is strongly linked to
 the attitude of local people vis-à-vis the forest resource;
 the size of the forest, as it must be monitored;
 the attitude of government agencies, which should not impede local efforts and provide institutions to facilitate the resolution of conflicts;
 the attitude of political power towards lobby groups with antagonistic interests to the modes of forestry management;
 the nature and size of interest groups (small sizes with homogeneous interests or large sizes with different interests).

Contrary to intuitive judgments, direct management by the communities does not always guarantee the preservation of the resource, but this type of institutional arrangement has a high probability of leading to sustainable management of forests.

“Instead of presuming that optimal institutional solutions can be designed easily and imposed at low cost by external authorities, I (Elinor Ostrom) argue that “getting the institutions right” is a difficult, time-consuming, conflict-invoking process. It is a process that requires reliable information about time and place variables as well as broad repertoire of culturally acceptable rules.”(4) “What is missing from the policy analyst’s tool kit – and from the set of accepted, well-developed theories of human organization – is an adequately specified theory of collective action whereby a group of principals can organize themselves voluntarily to retain the residuals of their own efforts.” (5)

“Examples of self-organized enterprises abound… But until a theoretical explanation – based on human choice – for self-organized and self-governed enterprises is fully developed and accepted, major policy decisions will continue to be undertaken with a presumption that individuals cannot organize themselves and always need to be organized by external authorities.” (6)

New collective regulations are possible.

To reduce the gap between current theories of collective action and empirical examples, “what is needed … is a somewhat different orientation toward the theoretical endeavor related to policy analysis.”(7) Rather than relying on the choices of individuals assumed to be capable of maximizing short-term but not long-term results, who are trapped in their dilemma and directed to governments as users of their programs, when in fact the decisions are taken with an idealized vision of the market or state. The change of vision which her analysis opens, gives consistency to the initiatives of individuals and their collective social inventions as “users … struggling to find workable and equitable solutions to difficult problems within arenas provided by courts, by legislative bodies, and by local authorities.”(8) This theory has now emerged from marginality. It is widely backed by empirical data. It opens a legitimate path that practitioners can implement. In the long term, a framework for documentation, the analysis and lessons learnt are needed to describe the added value of “good governance”, equipping, evaluating and anticipating the pursuit of a shared responsibility to all the territories. The local level needs to be rehabilitated to be valued at global level. The path which we will continue to follow consists of mutualizing the results of “I illustrate, I discuss, I propose”(9). We can walk this road with increased confidence. It is a safer way than “I know what’s best, therefore I’ll tell you what to do and you do it.” (10)

Martine Theveniaut
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elinor_Ostrom
http://www.elinorostrom.com/
http://shesc.asu.edu/ostrom

1. Ostrom, Elinor, Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action, Cambridge University Press, 1990.
2. Science, December 13, 1968, number 162, pp 1243-1268.
3. Poteete A.R., Jansen M.A, Ostrom E., Working Together: Collective Action, the Commons, and Multiple Methods in Practice, Princeton U. Press, 2010
4. Ostrom, Elinor, Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action, Cambridge University Press, 1990, p. 14
5. Ostrom, Elinor, Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action, Cambridge University Press, 1990, p. 24-25
6. Ostrom, Elinor, Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action, Cambridge University Press, 1990, p. 25
7. Ostrom, Elinor, Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action, Cambridge University Press, 1990, p. 191
8. Ostrom, Elinor, Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action, Cambridge University Press, 1990, p. 216
9. This expression is specific to the format of the Lux’09 meetings, which we discussed in a previous issue.
10. Expression used by France Joubert, president of Pactes Locaux.

Wind of (institutional) change

With over 1 billion hungry people in the world, and 10,000 children dying daily of hunger-related illness, the question of what forms of local development can best feed people in a sustainable manner is one of the core issues the world needs to address.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is the dedicated United Nations Agency that has responsibility for this question. Until one year ago, the Committee for Food Security (CSF), one of the key bodies within the FAO, was limited exclusively to governmental representatives. The reform that was enacted in 2009, gives civil society as well as major businesses a consultative say in matters of food security. The ultimate say, through voting rights, remains with the governments.

The World Food Summit of 1996 defined food security as existing “when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life”(1).

This is precisely where the debate between food sovereignty and food security is situated. The latter does not necessarily take things like the “green revolution” based on GMO-modified seeds, or Economic Partnerships Agreements (EPAs) with the ACP (Africa, Caribbean & Pacific) countries into account. The green revolution has a disastrous effect on small-scale farmers (who feed most of the world’s population), on as well as agricultural workers, nomadic pastoralists and landless rural populations; it pushes them off their lands and into the cities. Their traditional community-based agriculture, seed exchange and local food systems sit poorly with profit-hungry multinationals and neo-liberal governments. The system of EPAs also allows imports that are nothing but dumping of subsided factory-farm products that wipe out local agriculture and processing in many of the APC countries, again with the same results as the green revolution, pushing people off their land so that they can no longer feed either themselves or others.

This is why the concept of food sovereignty is a more far-reaching politically embedded concept. It is defined as follows: “Food sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems. It puts those who produce, distribute and consume food at the heart of food systems and policies rather than the demands of markets and corporations. It defends the interests and inclusion of the next generation. It offers a strategy to resist and dismantle the current corporate trade and food regime, and directions for food, farming, pastoral and fisheries systems determined by local producers. Food sovereignty prioritises local and national economies and markets and empowers peasant and family farmer-driven agriculture, artisanal - fishing, pastoralist-led grazing, and food production, distribution and consumption based on environmental, social and economic sustainability. Food sovereignty promotes transparent trade that guarantees just income to all peoples and the rights of consumers to control their food and nutrition. It ensures that the rights to use and manage our lands, territories, waters, seeds, livestock and biodiversity are in the hands of those of us who produce food. Food sovereignty implies new social relations free of oppression and inequality between men and women, peoples, racial groups, social classes and generations”(2).

This is where the extraordinary work of a range of civil society organisations has come together through the IPC (International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty)(3) and their remarkable work of lobbying the FAO. They have been at the core of working to develop the Civil Society Mechanism for the Civil Society Organisations that wish to have their voices heard in the reformed CSF (Committee for Food Security) of the FAO(4).

After a long year spent working on the details, a three-day meeting of Civil Society organisations took place in Rome last week (8th-10th October), organised by the IPC, and officially funded by those member states of the CSF that supported the reform. Three hard long days’ work it was too, to prepare for the first meeting of the reformed CSF that took place in Rome the following week. The first echoes that have filtered down are of how surprised most States were by the highly organised positions of civil society, their good sense and use that they made of the allotted slots.

So a wind of change is blowing in the FAO. Perhaps not enough to change as much or as fast as many would like, given the strength of the multinational corporations and those States that support an industrial profit-based approach to agriculture and food security that is neither local nor sustainable. But it is nevertheless a significant step forward for the voice of the real solutions to feeding the world and preserving a sustainable environment and local development.
Judith Hitchman
1.http://www.who.int/trade/glossary/story028/en/
2.http://www.nyeleni.org/
3.http://www.foodsovereignty.org/new/
4.http://www.fao.org/cfs/cfs-home/en/

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Paula Garuz Naval (Ireland) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation
Évéline Poirier (Canada) for proof-reading English and French versions

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2010-10-03T08:56:00.001-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #72
October 1st 2010

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Development and international cooperation Summer University
An ”alternative” press agency

Message from the Editorial Team

In this issue, Judith, responsible for recruiting and coordinating the team of interpreters gives us an overview of the rich knowledge exchange at a Summer University held last July. This meeting on present day development issues was attended by 1000 participants.

We also encourage you to visit the IPS News website. Subscription is free.

The Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Development and international cooperation Summer University

Founded in 1976 by eight French NGOs, the CRID (le Centre de Recherche et d’Information pour le Développement) now brings together a multitude of French NGOs that have built partnerships with similar organizations in the South and East that are involved in development projects for their communities and that represent a broad a network.

According to the CRID website, “Development is a global process improving the standards of living of a community on an economic, social, cultural and political level. Development should be efficient from an economic point of view, but should also create a long-term perspective, should be sustainable for the environment, fair at a social level, democratic, acceptable at a geopolitical level and allow for cultural diversity. Development therefore does not merely consist in economic growth. It has to contribute to the satisfaction of fundamental needs (food, education, health…) that are recognized as rights”.

The summer university, which is held every two years, was the first to involve such a major international dimension and was attended by over 1,000 people. It took place in Pessac, a suburb of Bordeaux, from July 7th – 10th. The backdrop was the global situation of multiple crises, and the wide-ranging subjects in the workshops demonstrated the high level of involvement and concern not just of the speakers, but of the participants in development issues. As one of the young Spanish interpreters remarked: “It is impressive to see how mobilised people are in France. The way retired people have become involved in associations is an important aspect. There is nothing like this in Spain… “.

The organisation included a team of 20 Babelit@ interpreters from 8 countries and 3 continents, that I had the pleasure of coordinating as a self-managing team, working closely with the CRID steering committee. Babels is an international collective of voluntary interpreters, involved mainly in the Social Fora, aimed at providing alternatives to commercial interpretation and allowing people to speak in the language of their choice. It was a very positive experience for everyone involved.

The local radio station, France Aquitaine Radio Libre took up residence on campus for the duration of the event. There are numerous interviews about CRID (in French) which are available through their archives, including one with David Leyendecker, an interpreter from Senegal and myself: http://www.farl.net/universite_ete_solidarite_2010.htm

“I would call this University both participatory and committed” said Nathalie Marzano, the General Secretary of the CRID. 130 organisations took part, as well as the many NGOs that had stands and the 45 NGOs from countries of the South or the East. We expect the latter to increase even more in the future, as they were deeply involved in the modules and different workshops. In previous summer universities, the organisations were free to choose the themes of the modules and workshops. This year the CRID opted for the World Social Forum model and the “semi autonomous model”.

The theme of the University was “Towards Dakar 2011”, and as such, many of the foundations for participating in the next World Social Forum have already been laid. Civil society has taken on an increasingly organised dimension that can no longer be overlooked, whatever the field.

Judith Hitchman
Original article written in both English and French
http://www.universite-si.org
www.crid.asso.fr/
www.babels.org/

An ”alternative” press agency

Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS NEWS) is a website that presents news from a people’s and civil society viewpoint. In fact, we could talk about different websites since the Agency has news in fifteen (15) different languages. Content varies much from one language to the other. The English website is very global while the others are less. For example, the French version is in fact IPS Africa, so they have more news about Africa. The Portuguese website is run from Brazil.

If you want news and analysis that is different than the mainstream Western world media, you may subscribe on one of the following websites.

http://www.ipsnews.net/ (EN)
http://www.ipsinternational.org/fr/ (FR)
http://www.mwglobal.org/ipsbrasil.net/index.php (PT)
http://www.ipsnoticias.net/ (ES)

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Brunilda Rafael (France) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation
Évéline Poirier (Canada) for proof-reading English and French versions

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2010-09-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #71
September 1st 2010

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

The Editorial Team members – who are we?

US Social Forum, Detroit, June 22nd – 26th 2010

International Forum on Social and Solidarity Economy: Public Authorities and Civil Society
October 2011, Montreal (Canada)

Solidarity Economy I: Building Alternatives for People and Planet
New publication

Labour Unions and the Solidarity Economy: The Quebec Experience

Towards the European P’Actes: Promoting co-operative territorial economy as a means of combating poverty and social exclusion

Message from the Editorial Team

As we begin our 8th year of publication, we have continued to see new readers join our mailing list. So we would like to use this opportunity to remind everyone of the origins of our publication, as well as provide some more information on the members of the Editorial Team.

As well as a brief article on the Social Forum held in Detroit last June, we are including announcements for several upcoming events, and a review of a book that includes an article by Yvon.

The Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

The Editorial Team members – who are we?

We first got together in the company of our late friend Franscico Botelho from Portugal, when we were preparing for an international meeting of actors involved in sustainable local development that was scheduled to take place in Portugal in 2002.

Although the meeting was cancelled, we decided to continue promoting the development of sustainable local development, as we believe it is a fundamental prerequisite for developing alternatives to the current global crisis.

We are particularly convinced that it is important to build bridges between people living in different parts of the world. This is why we publish our newsletter in four languages: French, English, Spanish and Portuguese.

The first number of our newsletter was published in November 2003. Our initiative is strictly private, and completely based on voluntary work. We hope to be able to continue until such time as an organisation will continue our work, in the same spirit. Even if we are all involved in different projects and organisations, we do not act on their behalf. All three of us are also involved at different levels in the RIPESS (Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of the Social Solidarity Economy).

Judith Hitchman (France/Ireland)

• Member of the steering Committee of the Pactes Locaux, a French NGO supported by the Foundation for the Progress of Humankind (FPH)
• Special Envoy to the International Committee of Urgenci, the international network of Community Supported Agriculture networks
• Member of Babels and coordinator of interpreting teams for many projects within the World Social Forum Process.

Yvon Poirier (Canada)

• Member of the organising committee of an international meeting on local development held in Sherbrooke, Quebec (Canada) in 1998
• Chair of the International Committee of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNET)

Martine Théveniaut (France)

• General Secretary and Coordinator of the Pactes Locaux, a French NGO supported by the Foundation for the Progress of Humankind (FPH)
• Actively involved in various local development projects involving social and solidarity economy in her region in France (Languedoc-Roussillon).
• Author of Le développement local: Réponse politique à la mondialisation (1999)

US Social Forum, Detroit, June 22nd – 26th 2010

Last June, about 15,000 activists gathered in Detroit for the second US Social Forum. This represented a 50% increase in participants compared with the first edition that was held in June 2007. The deepening economic crisis in the U.S. no doubt partly explains this increase.

Hosting this event in Detroit was a deliberate choice. The historical capital of the automotive industry is one of the cities most affected by the economic and housing crisis. In the last 30 years, more than one third of the population has left, either for other parts of the country or to outlying cities. The vacancy rate for all types of housing is 17%. The mayor is pursuing a deliberate policy that is detrimental to disadvantaged neighbourhoods. There is a policy in effect to demolish entire sections of neighbourhoods to sell land to speculators. Parks and schools are being closed. In order to counter this situation, there are strong social movements in Afro-American and immigrant communities, since the golden days of the automotive industry had attracted high immigration. Detroit is the American city with the largest Muslim community as well as the largest Palestinian community. One resistance initiative and alternative industry is urban agriculture. It is the largest such movement in the USA, both to feed itself and to create work opportunities, especially for young people.

This was the context that motivated the US Solidarity Economy Network (SEN) and allied groups to organize a series of workshops. It is important to note the strong presence of the movement related to food issues, that represented community supported agriculture or peasants’ and small-scale farmers’ movements who are members of Via Campesina. Interestingly, a meeting was held to organize a US network for Food Sovereignty.
As with other Social Fora in the world, many of the participants adhere to the anti-globalization movement, and many are members of a wide variety of political movements such as anarchists, socialists and Trotskyites.

Even if it is interesting to see all these movements, we found that the construction of alternatives was not a major concern for most involved. The third plenary on June 25th focused on this issue. Thanks to the US SEN, the forum organizers had invited Daniel Tygel from the Brazilian Forum of Solidarity Economy to present the perspectives of solidarity economy. He reported on the progress of solidarity economy in Brazil, including the creation of a movement that is now rooted throughout the country. He stressed the importance of reaching beyond the capitalist discourse (strong at the Forum) and the importance of "hands-on work". This means concretely building economic activities that are self-managed by the people involved. The fact that these activities are solidarity-based is in itself a reflection of their political impact, an affirmation that another possible is not only possible, but it is already being built.

Yvon Poirier

International Forum on Social and Solidarity Economy: Public Authorities and Civil Society
Montreal (Canada), Palais des Congrès, October 17th – 20th 2011

The main theme of this international forum is the need for a State – civil society dialogue to develop public policies for social solidarity economy.

This event is organized with the support of the Government of Quebec and the city of Montreal. The organizing committee is composed of key members and partners of the Chantier de l’économie sociale du Québec. Several international partners such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the OECD’s LEED Programme as well as political bodies such as the State Secretariat for Solidarity Economy in Brazil are also helping to organize the Forum.

For further information (FR-EN-SP):
www.chantier.qc.ca
ecosoci@chantier.qc.ca

Solidarity Economy I: Building Alternatives for People and Planet
By Emily Kawano
Paperback: $25.00
E- Version : $5.00
www.lulu.com
Another world is not just possible.

It is being built.
So many of us wish for something more—an economy we can feel a partf, not that makes us feel like a disposable cog in a soulless machine. That something exists and it’s called the Solidarity Economy. This kind of economy starts from entirely different premises than those of the ruling model of neoliberal capitalism which enshrines individualism, competition, materialism, accumulation, and the maximization of profits and growth. The solidarity economy by contrast seeks the well being of people and planet. It holds at its core these principles: solidarity, equity in all dimensions, sustainability, participatory democracy, and pluralism.
This book is about vision and hope. It provides many examples of real solutions in a wide array of sectors. These practices are currently too isolated from one another. The task of the solidarity economy is to bring these practices together to build a whole and humane economy that works for people and planet.

The book is the result of the Forum on Solidarity Economy organised by US SEN, March 2009, in Amherst Massachusetts.

Labour Unions and the Solidarity Economy: The Quebec Experience

Quebec province labour unions have supported the social and solidarity economy. They have created investment funds and credit unions. Most day-care centers (non-profits) are unionized. One union in particular, the Confédération des Syndicats Nationaux (CSN) has been at the forefront of this activity. How did this come about? This article tells part of the story.

This article written by Yvon Poirier is published in the book entitled Solidarity Economy I: Building Alternatives for People and Planet described above.
This article is also available in English and French directly from the author.
Yvon Poirier (ypoirier@videotron.ca)

Towards the European P’Actes: Promoting co-operative territorial economy as a means of combating poverty and social exclusion (2010 – a key year for Europe)

As a follow-up to Lux’09, the Pactes Locaux are organizing a meeting entitled Towards European P’Actes: Promoting co-operative territorial economy as a means of combating poverty and social exclusion. The meeting will be hosted by the Committee of the Regions in Brussels on November 23rd, 2010. The meeting is based on concrete experiences structured around 3 key issues:

1. Reorganise the economic and social spheres on the basis of local realities and resources rather than expecting institutions to take care of everything.
2. Implement co-responsibility in terms of democratic territorial governance of the economic and social spheres.
3. Learn from one another to prepare for a change of, direction: bring learning stories together and connect them. ‘We need to understand what we have learnt in order to jointly put forward proposals’.

Info:

Aloe has hosted the Pactes Locaux project on their site since 2009. We plan to continue with this co-operation in 2010-11. We jointly invite you to contribute to these activities.
http://aloe.socioeco.org/page69-projet_en.html
www.pactes-locaux.org

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Judith Hitchman (France) and Évéline Poirier (Canada) for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael (France) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2010-07-01T07:26:00.001-07:00

International Newsletter of Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #70
1st July 2010

Summary

6th European Conference of Sustainable Towns and Cities
May 19th – 21st 2010 : An invitation extended by the Urban Community of Dunkirk.

2010 National Summit on a People-Centred Economy (Canada)
PRESS RELEASE!!
It Matters!!

Annoncement
Autumn School of Social Economy and Local Economic Development in Quebec

Message from the Editorial Team

In this issue, we are including and article jointly written by Martine and Judith on the Dunkirk 2010 meeting that took place last May. It is about the place of European local and regional government in the implementation of RIO + 10 and sustainable development.

The other text is a press release sent out by Ethel Côté after the 2010 National Summit on a People-Centred Economy, that took place in Ottawa from May 30th to June 1st. Yvon was actively involved in this event.

We are happy to announce some wonderful news: Brunilda Rafael, who has been translating our newsletters into Spanish since 2006 has just given birth to a little girl called Oumy.

The Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

6th European Conference of Sustainable Towns and Cities.
(Dunkirk 19th - 21st May 2010)

Two members of our editorial team took part in the event: Judith was there as an interpreter, and Martine as a journalist officially representing our Newsletter. They decided to jointly write this report. They agree on their overall impressions: it was an important meeting, rich in concrete illustrations and a voice of hope. All the hotels were full, and the event was generous, lavish even in these hard times. The entire town joined in, with all the generosity and warmth of the culture of the North of France. The organisation ran like clockwork. At the end of the day 1 800 people too part in the event: members of local governments from many towns and cities, companies, associations and NGOs from 55 European countries and beyond (www.dunkerque2010.org).

This European conference was organised by ICLEI: the International Council for Local Ecological Initiatives. Since 1990 ICLEI has been the voice of Local Governments in the “Rio” process, with the mission of launching and serving an international movement of towns, that is proving that towns can contribute to a marked improvement in the global ecological situation and the conditions of sustainable local development. Founded in 1990 under auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Union of towns and local governments and the “Centre for Innovative diplomacy”, it acts as an international ecological agency for Local Governments. (www.iclei.org).

The workshops illustrated a wealth of concrete achievements

Workshop A9. Biodiversity: Why Local Authorities are key actors

A bird’s eye view from the interpreter’s booth…

Biodiversity issues are not restricted to the countryside alone. One side of the coin is urban agriculture which is an increasing fact of life, with rooftop gardens, beehives and many new architectural features. The flip side are the millions of tons of chemical weed-killer still being used by some local authorities to keep towns and cities free of weeds, combined with the increasing urban sprawl that threatens all sorts of local flora and fauna... This workshop was a highly significant moment in what was certainly an interesting conference. Given my deep personal interest in nature and agriculture, I was more than happy to have been designated to work on this particular subject.

Local Authorities have recently begun to use their mandate to protect and increase biodiversity in not only rural areas, but in towns and cities. This approach can prove very effective, especially when it is coupled with citizen’s involvement and co-responsibility, as the workshop so clearly showed. It was organised by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. ICLEI is running this programme together with IUCN.

The issues covered were many and varied. They ranged from preserving the presence of bats to combat mosquitoes, to protecting owls to hunt rodents, and the preservation of a rare species of fritillaries... The importance of raising awareness and involving citizens to participate actively in identifying and cataloguing existing resources was a core element. Awareness-raising involves reconsidering cultural attitudes to “manicured, weed-free gardens”, and learning that trees, grass, wildflowers and a more natural approach to pruning and the preservation of designated green corridors is the key to a more balanced urban environment. Learning that nature involves all sorts of chain reactions, and that local authorities need to take joint ownership with citizens for preservation, is something still quite novel for many people. I was reminded of the council worker I witnessed in Kobe, who was weeding the grass from under a tree on a central street using a knife... How many cities would have just preferred to spray on selective weed-killer?

The workshop clearly demonstrated several things: acting locally can have global impacts; citizen’s empowerment is a key factor; and shared responsibility leads to successful governance. It also implicitly demonstrated the need to revive folk-knowledge of nature for a whole generation that has grown up with little or no contact with nature.

www.iclei.irg/biodiversity
http//www.iucn.org

Taking up the challenge after the disappointment of the global Intergovernmental conference of Copenhagen

“Instead of being a hindrance, it should be the basis of our determination to change and mobilise. We need to share our best experiences, to discuss the challenges, draft our roadmap, pool our energies and send out a very clear message to our governments and to the European Institutions” said Michel Delebarre, the President of the COTER of the committee of European regions, and deputy Mayor of the town in the opening ceremony. “Our territories use most of the wealth produced, the cities are where most exchange occurs, and when the system shakes, the problems are felt by one and all”. But local government accounts for between 75 and 80% of public investments in Europe and only 10% of public debts in France!

Over the last ten yeas the European campaign for sustainable towns and cities has been raising awareness in European cities on issues of sustainable local development. The Aalborg Charter was adopted in the first conference, in 1994. The cities that signed up committed to a strategy similar to a local Agenda 21. In 2004, over 230 local governments had signed the Charter, including 30 in France. The objective of “Aalborg + 10”was to facilitate and accelerate the active sharing of the lessons learnt over the last ten years. This lies behind the text entitled “The Aalborg Commitment”, that has been signed by 110 Local Governments. It includes ten themes that form a priority commitment: governance, sustainable local management, shared natural resources, responsible consumption and lifestyle choices, urban planning, improved mobility and traffic reduction, local health, sustainable local economy, equity and social justice, from local to global levels. The added value of the Aalborg Commitments is that it provides practical guidelines for action and local implementation and strengthens the attempt to achieve sustainability through awareness-raising of the need to act in a holistic manner if we are to meet the growing challenges to sustainability. (www.localsustainability.eu).

Other tools for mutualising work were presented: the Leipzig Charter of European Sustainable Cities that is an official document of the Member States dating from May 2007, the Mayor’s Convention, signed by 130 towns. It was launched in 2008, and encourages local authorities and citizens to move beyond the objectives set by the European Union in terms of climate change and energy issues by further reducing carbon emissions another 20% by 2020 with the introduction of increased energy efficiency produced by renewables. The Convention has been signed by 1700 local governments. Those authorities that fail to achieve the desired results can be excluded. Joan Antoni Baron, Mayor of Mataro and President of the provincial Council of Barcelona (Spain) set the example during a recent drought. The inhabitants of Barcelona had to cut back on their consumption. They have continued to do so.

The meeting concluded with an official declaration:
(http://www.iclei-europe.org/fileadmin/templates/iclei-europe/files/content/ICLEI_IS/Newsbits/)

Conclusions: How to consolidate the role that civil society already plays in the social organisation of territories in terms of sustainable local development?

In the plenary sessions and the workshops, in both the official speeches and those from the floor, as well as in the final declaration, the citizens who inhabit the towns and cities are called upon to play their part as allies. Local and regional governments claim they are “the level of governance that is closest to citizens”. Yet they are almost totally absent from those invited to speak. One workshop was dedicated to multi-level governance, yet no member of organised civil society was present among the panel of speakers.

Little was said about the difficulties that exist within Local Government to reach agreement, an issue that all too often hampers progress and is an obstacle to the convergence that is required to achieve positive outcomes. Territorial cohesion is included in the Treaty of Lisbon, that became law in 2009. It is the third pillar of the European project, and is still something that is being defined in terms of European strategy. The territorial approach completes and adds dynamics to the economic/social tandem that was the dominant approach until now. 2010 is a decisive year, because it is now that the budget for the next ten years is determined. The Committee of the European Regions has adopted multi-level governance as a guiding principle in 2010, in order to weigh against the vertical powers of the European Commission and the Member States. But there is still a long way to go! This is why the success of the 6th Conference in Dunkirk is so important.

Citizens are already active, and have been for a long time, in their own way, without expecting institutions to take care of everything, and they are doing a great job! They are often responsible for starting up local initiatives that are then taken up and multiplied. They mobilise local communities’ resources, as this newsletter has so often demonstrated over the years. The role they play is essential in the required shift towards democratic governance... For is it by starting at grass-roots level, by taking the problems that need to be solved, the environmental resources, the human potential that exists at territorial level, that we can indeed hope to make this shift become reality? Referring to citizens in speeches should not just be a way for local and regional governments to claim legitimacy...

Maybe the next steps to be taken before the 7th Conference should be to see how co-operation can genuinely be placed at the heart of projects for sustainable towns and cities? And to develop the means that will allow us to live together on a positive and converging path that leads to the shift in attitude whereby elected representatives become genuinely closer to citizens, and become actors who share responsibility for the future. This is indeed the perspective that is opened by this successful meeting, that was held at a time of systemic and human crisis that is forcing everyone to look beyond conventional solutions.

Judith Hitchman and Martine Theveniaut

2010 National Summit on a People-Centred Economy (Canada)
PRESS RELEASE
It matters!!!!

May 30th to June 1st, the 2010 National Summit on a People-Centred Economy welcomed more than 350 participants from 10 provinces and 2 territories in Canada, and 5 continents internationally. It was a fully bilingual event; all Summit activities had simultaneous translation. Speakers from all elected parties in the House of Commons, including two Cabinet ministers, brought significant messages of support and shared their views on the importance of a people-centred economy for revitalizing rural and urban Canada. A joint declaration proposed by Summit organizers and debated by participants was presented and a large number of specific actions were announced in the closing plenary. All key organizations and networks who organized this event, and many more, confirmed their commitment to continue working together and building the momentum of a process that will engage even more partners.

“The National Summit was a modest but important step. We have much to learn from and with each other in our sector. Just as important, we must be sure to reach out to the many other constituencies working for a sane and decent transition to a very different kind of economy. Labor, the environmental movement, and the increasing numbers of progressive credit unions and triple bottom-line investors are among those we must engage with on a much more strategic basis. It is a long road and we need to travel together. Who knows? It might be a shorter journey than I think. The ferment for change is growing everywhere. Convergence is happening. People are taking systematic and positive action. We must keep nourishing each other with inspiration, do the grinding work to reweave our economic life, and celebrate the process. It matters!!!!” Michael Lewis, Executive Director of the Canadien Centre for Community Renewal.

“The discussion around major global issues, the relationships, ongoing collaboration, the commitment of key networks and national organizations to continue to work on public policies, and finally the recognition of women’s presence and contribution in the people-centred economy are all key to moving forward. As a First Step, we do have a draft declaration unveiling a collective voice and many recommendations to mobilize our efforts. Now more than ever, the globalization of solidarity make sense in Canada.” Ethel Côté, Social Enterprise Development, CCCR.

Ethel Côté, Social Enterprise Development, CCCR.
For information (EN-FR)
http://www.ccednet-rcdec.ca

Annoncement

Autumn School of Social Economy and Local Economic Development in Quebec
Concordia University, Montréal, Canada 25th-29th October 2010. Organised by ART-Universitas of the UNDP and the Karl Polanyi Institute

Registration is now open to all practitioners, decision-makers and researchers from North and West Africa and Latin America. If you are interested in signing up, please send a curriculum vitae to Ana Gomez of the secretariat before 15th July 2010 latest to polanyi@alcor.concordia.ca

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Judith Hitchman (France) for the English translation
Paula Garuz Naval (Ireland) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2010-06-04T10:45:00.001-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #69
June 1st 2010

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

The concept of "Living Well"
A Bolivian viewpoint

Message from the Editorial Team

In this number we present a text issued by the Bolivian government. It was published internationally in April by the Bolivian delegation to the United Nations.

Although the text is longer than usual, we are publishing it in full as we find that there is a strong similarity to the views that we have been promoting in our Newsletter since 2003.

Furthermore, as our readers already have no doubt become aware, this vision of "Mother Earth" and of life in general is present all over our world.

The cultural diversity of languages often plays tricks with nuances or subtleties when it comes to writing. Martine pointed out that in French "explore less, so long as it’s an improvement" is an acceptable and even positive expression in French. The interest of this newsletter is that it is published in 4 languages! This provides us with a good opportunity to express our warmest thanks our authors as well as to our translators for their good work.

We hope you enjoy reading this text

The editorial team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

The Concept of “Living Well”
A Bolivian viewpoint

We should live in a simple way for others to be able to live as well.
Mahatma Gandhi

He who is richer is not who has more, but who needs less.
Zapotec saying, Oaxaca, Mexico

We suffer the severe effects of climate change, of the energy, food and financial crises. This is not the product of human beings in general, but of the existing inhuman capitalist system, with its unlimited industrial development. It is brought about by minority groups who control world power, concentrating wealth and power on themselves alone.

Concentrating capital in only a few hands is no solution for humanity, neither for life itself, because as a consequence many lives are lost in floods, by intervention or by wars, so many lives through hunger, poverty and usually curable diseases.

It brings selfishness, individualism, even regionalism, thirst for profit, the search for pleasure and luxury thinking only about profiting, never having regard to brotherhood among the human beings who live on planet Earth. This not only affects people, but also nature and the planet. And when the peoples organize themselves, or rise against oppression, those minority groups call for violence, weapons, and even military intervention from other countries.

Living Well, Not Better
Faced with so much disproportion and wealth concentration in the world, so many wars and famine, Bolivia proposes Living Well, not as a way to live better at the expense of others, but an idea of Living Well based on the experience of our peoples. In the words of the President of the Republic of Bolivia, Evo Morales Ayma, Living Well means living within a community, a brotherhood, and particularly completing each other, without exploiters or exploited, without people being excluded or people who exclude, without people being segregated or people who segregate.

Lying, stealing, destroying nature possibly will allow us to live better, but that is not Living Well. On the contrary, Living Well rather means complementing one another and not competing against each other, sharing, not taking advantage of one’s neighbor, living in harmony among people and with nature. It is the basis of the defense of nature, of life itself and of all humanity, it’s the basis to save humanity from the dangers of an individualistic and highly aggressive, racist and warmongering minority.

Living Well is not the same as living better, living better than others, because in order to live better than others, it is necessary to exploit, to embark upon serious competition, concentrating wealth in few hands. Trying to live better is selfish, and shows apathy, individualism. Some want to live better, whilst others, the majority, continue living poorly. Not taking an interest in other people’s lives, means caring only for the individual’s own life, at most in the life of their family.

As a different vision of life, Living Well is contrary to luxury, opulence and waste, it is contrary to consumerism. In some countries of the North, in big metropolitan cities, people buy clothes they throw away after wearing them only once. That lack of care for others results in oligarchies, nobility, aristocracy, elites who always seek to live better at other people’s expense.

Nobody says : I will only take care of myself
Within the framework of Living Well, what matters the most is not the individual. What matters the most is the community, where all the families live together. We form part of the community as the leaf forms part of the plant. Nobody says: I will just take care of myself; I don’t care about my community. It is as absurd as if the leaf said to the plant: I do not care about the community; I will only take care of myself. It is just as preposterous as if the leaf would tell the plant: I do not care about you, I will only take care of myself.

We are all valuable, we all have a space, duties, and responsibilities. We all need everybody else. Based on complementing each other, the common wealth, organized mutual support, the community and the community life develop their ability without destroying man and nature.

Work is happiness
Not working and exploiting our neighbors will possibly allow us to live better, but that is not Living Well. When one is living well, work is happiness. Work is learning to grow up, melting into the fascinating reproduction of life. It is an organic action such as breathing or walking. Within the Living Well framework, work is general, for everyone and everything, from a child to a grandfather. It’s for men, women and even nature itself. Among us, nobody lives to benefit from the work of others. Private accumulation is unknown and unnecessary. Community accumulation always fills the warehouse.

In our communities we do not seek, we do not want anyone to live better, as development programs tell us. Development is related to living better, and all the development programs implemented among different States and governments, starting from the church, have encouraged us to live better.

Development depends on an ever-increasing use of energy, primarily oil. We have been led to believe that development is the salvation of mankind and that it will help us to live better, but without oil there is no development. And for us, with or without oil, sustainable and unsustainable development means anti-development, which is the cause of major disparities in nature and between people.

Development can be a disaster
Consequently, Living Well is contrary to capitalist development and goes beyond socialism. For capitalism, what matters the most is money, making a profit. For socialism, what matters the most is the man, because socialism tries to meet the increasingly growing needs of man, both material and spiritual.

Within the Living Well framework, what matters the most is neither man nor money; what matters the most is life. But capitalism does not care about life, and the two development models, the capitalist and the socialist, need rapid economic growth, causing a dissipation of energy and an insatiable use of fossil fuels to boost growth.

Therefore, development has proved to be a failure, as evidenced by the crisis of nature and the severe effects of climate change. It is now the leading cause of global crisis and the destroyer of planet Earth, because of the exaggerated industrialization of some countries, addicted consumerism and irresponsible exploitation of human and natural resources.
The industrialization and consumerism of Western “civilization” threatens Mother Nature and the subsistence of the planet, to such a degree that it must not be spread to the whole of humanity, because natural resources are not enough for all of us nor renewable at the same pace in which they are being exhausted.

Living Well in the Global Crisis
The most important crises are:
• The exponential increase of human-induced climate change affecting all regions of Earth;
• The water crisis, where urbanization, industrialization and increased use of energy is lowering the level of groundwater resources;
• The crisis in food production by the impact of climate change and the increasing production of biofuels;
• The imminent end of the era of cheap energy (we are reaching the peak of oil production). In the lapse of 100 years we are finishing fossil energy created over millions of years, and this is bringing about dramatic changes in all the theories about the operation of society;
• The significant depletion of other key resources both for industrial production and for human welfare, including fresh water, genetic resources, forests, sea and wildlife, fertile soils, coral reefs, and most of the local, regional and global elements we have in common.
Unless they are reversed, this combination of dangerous tendencies may soon bring global environmental and social crises up to an unprecedented scale, and they may also cause the collapse of the most basic economic and operative structures of our society.

On the verge of catastrophic change
Climate chaos and global warming threaten the loss of much of the world’s most productive lands, physical upheavals in many places caused by storms and rising waters, desertification of many agricultural lands, and economic and social tragedy that will last for long in the future, with very severe problems for the most impoverished nations and peoples.
Without having found alternative sources of energy that can replace inexpensive oil and gas supplies in the amounts to which we have become accustomed to (and alarming new evidence regarding the limits of accessible coal), Peak Oil threatens the long term survival of industrial nations and industrialism itself, at its present scale. Long distance transportation, industrial food systems, complex urban and suburban systems, and many commodities basic to our present way of life —cars, plastics, chemicals, pesticides, refrigeration, etc— are all rooted in the basic assumption of an ever-increasing inexpensive energy supply.
Other scarce resources — fresh water, forests, agricultural land, biodiversity of many kinds, are dramatically decreasing in number due to the overuse of industrialized nations that every year surpass 30 percent of the resources that the Earth can regenerate, rendering the survival of humans and other species far more difficult than at any other time throughout the history of mankind. We also face the possible loss of 50% of the world’s plant and animal species over the next decades.

So the planet’s ecological, social and economic systems are on the verge of catastrophic change, and very few societies are prepared for this. Efforts by governments to respond to the impending emergency are thus far grossly inadequate. Efforts by corporations and industries to reform their behaviors remain largely enclosed by structural limits that require continued growth and profit above all other standards of performance.

Living Well Life to counteract against the Global Crisis
In this Global Crisis, all the problems have the same structural base, and can be faced using the same structural changes. The solution for each one is the solution for all. All the new models must begin by accepting there are fundamental limits to the capacity of the Earth to sustain us. Within those limits, societies must work to set new standards of universal economic sufficiency and a Living Well conception that does not depend on the excessive use of the planet’s resources.

The construction of a Living Well vision to counteract Global Crisis in this era of climate chaos and diminished resources in our finite planet, means ending consumerism, waste and luxury, consuming only what is necessary, achieving a global economic “power down” to levels of production, consumption and energy use that stay well within the environmental capacities of the Earth.

It also means stopping energy dissipation, i.e. bringing about a rapid withdrawal from all carbon-based energy systems, and rejecting large-scale so called “alternative” energy systems designed to prolong the industrial growth system. These include nuclear energy, “clean” coal, industrial scale biofuels, and the combustion of hazardous materials and municipal waste, among others.

Equally important is a dramatic increase in the practices of energy conservation and efficiency, i.e., powering down, decreasing the personal consumption in countries where it has been excessive, and reorienting the rules of economic activity — trade, investments, norms. It is also important to modify all of society’s main activities that are related to those norms (transport, manufacture, agriculture, energy, building design, etc). Our current dependence on export-oriented production, enormous amounts of long distance transportation, ever-expanding use of resources and global markets, cannot possibly be sustained in a finite planet.

Local production for local consumption
In order to adapt ourselves to the true reality of a post carbon era, we will have to satisfy our fundamental needs such as food, housing, energy, production, and means of support, from local systems and resources. This means encouraging regional and local self-sufficiency, sustainability and control; economic localization and community sovereignty, local production for local consumption, local ownership using local labor and materials.

Thus Living Well means redesigning urban and non-urban living environments, the restitution of the local, regional and national communal goods, and a quick transition towards renewable energy at a small scale, that must be oriented to the locality and also owned by the local community, without hampering the natural balance, and including wind, solar, small scale hydro and wave, local biofuels.

Living Well also means promoting an orderly reconstruction of the countryside and the revitalization of communities by way of an agrarian reform, education and application of eco-agricultural microfarming methods, based on our cultural and communal practices, the wealth of our communities, fertile land, clean water and air. All of these approaches are in preparation for the inevitable de-industrialization of agriculture, as cheap energy supply declines.

Furthermore, Living Well means reallocating the trillions of millions destined for war in order to heal Mother Earth who is injured by the environment issue.

Less will be more
Our Living Well proposal emphasizes on harmony between humans and with nature, and the preservation of “natural capital” as primary concerns. It is well known that the protection and preservation of balance in the natural world, including all its living beings, is a primary goal and need of our proposal, and that mother nature has inherent rights to exist on the Earth in an undiminished healthy condition.

Living Well also means unplugging the TV and internet and connecting with the community. It means having four more hours a day to spend with family, friends and in our community, i.e., the four hours that the average person spends watching TV filled with messages about stuff we should buy. Spending time in fraternal community activities strengthens the community and makes it a source of social and logistical support, a source of greater security and happiness.

For societies that now accept the images of “the good life” widely promoted in the media, this “good life” is based on hyper consumption of commodities, the new strategies to use less resources, to accumulate less, and to be ruled by modest standards of living also become arguments for greater personal fulfillment. Driving less and walking more is good for the climate, the planet, and our health. Buying less means less pollution, less waste, less time working to invest in shopping. Less stress, more time for the family, friends, nature, creativity, recreation and leisure which are activities on which people spend little time nowadays.

Among presently over-consuming societies, less really will be more. Basic compliance with Living Well conditions include sufficient food, shelter, clothing; good health and the values of strong community engagement; family security; meaningful lives; and the clear presence and easy access to a thriving natural world.

We are part of Mother Nature
In this context, Living Well means living a sovereign and communal life in harmony with nature, where we can work together for our families and for society, sharing, singing, dancing, producing for the community. It means living a modest life that reduces our consumption addiction and maintains a balanced production.

Rather than eroding the Earth, depredating nature and within 30 or 50 years ending with gas, oil, iron, tin, lithium and all other non-renewable natural resources required for a living better, Living Well guarantees life for our children, for the sons and daughters of our children and for those that will come after them, saving the planet using our rock, our quinoa, potatoes and cassava, our beans, broad beans and corn, our mahogany, coconut and coca.

In the construction of Living Well, our economic and spiritual wealth is tied directly to a high regard for Mother Earth and a respectful use of the wealth that she gives us. The only alternative for the world in this Global Crisis, the only solution to the crisis of nature, is that human beings acknowledge that we are part of Mother Nature, that we need to restore the complementary relationships, the mutual respect and harmony with her.

Boosting community energy with creativity and collective action
For this new experience of facing global crisis, for this new experience of Living Well to be successful, it will be necessary to boost local and international actions. We should follow the example of the millions of people on this Earth who are not waiting for official recognition of the global crisis, we should follow the example of the uncountable numbers of people and communities across the planet who, with creativity, enthusiasm and joint action are already actively trying to create or update a great variety of alternative practices at local, community and regional levels, in both rural and urban contexts.

Out of our own initiatives in our communities and also with help from governments that boost Living Well, with a broad unity of forces and social movements, we have to wake up community energy, boost community energy in our communities, which is the main capacity we’ve got to transform society and build a Living Well vision. We have to follow the example of these people and communities, starting to rebuild our communities and nations OURSELVES, with our own hands, our own hearts and our own brains, starting to take responsibility for the building of a Living Well Life for all within the limits of nature. We cannot rely only on governments and international movements to solve our problems.

Powering down
Out of our own initiatives in our communities and also with help from our governments, let us begin to regain our ancestors’ harmonious living, strengthen our own way of life, the identity and spirituality in our communities. Let us begin to organize our productive and community life in the countryside and in our neighborhoods, making education work, as well as communication and health, let us build our schools and roads, resolve between all of us our internal relations and the issues of land and territory, water, forests, and so on.

Let us build a Living Well vision and the sovereignty of our communities within the balance between man and nature, where we can rebuild our bonds, respecting everyone’s right to consultation when making our own decisions, where we can freely determine our own aims, our forms of organization, the joint planning of our communities, the designation of our authorities, all based on the knowledge we have of ourselves and with full awareness of the responsibility that this entails.

To start powering down, we can reduce significantly our energy use: driving less, flying less, turning off the lights, buying local seasonal food (food takes energy to grow, package, store and transport), wearing a jumper instead of turning on the radiator, use a clothesline instead of a dryer, going on holiday closer to home, buying second hand things or borrowing them before buying new ones, recycling.

We can also nurture a Zero Waste culture at home, within our school, workplace, church, community. This means developing new habits, such as using both sides of the paper, carrying with us our own mugs and shopping bags, making compost out of food leftovers, avoiding bottled water and other over packaged products, repairing and mending rather than replacing…

Our own health, learning and communication
Out of our own initiatives in our communities and also with help from governments that boost a Living Well vision, let us start to run our own health system taking after the ways that have always kept us healthy, where the health of the community is as important as that of our own body and where abundant healthy food free of chemicals is our medicine. Faced with the growth of increasingly manipulated consumption, let us rebuild the healthy domestic food production. Let us prevent diseases instead of looking for drugs to cure them, and let us use our own natural medicine which will not cure a disease by creating another.

Let us start to run our own education, or rather our own communication, learning in the way that we have always taught our children in our communities as part of the community practices and responsibilities, i.e. through community learning, through which we create communal energy and learn through daily work, within the social school that would be the community, where we learn that we cannot live outside of communal life. Rather than education, let us re-establish our own communication; strengthen the real communication between father and son, between students and teachers.

Let us protect our own seeds
Let us defend the women, traditional defenders of the seeds and food safety, custodians of natural variety and of local and quality food for our families, whose life revolves around fertility, child care, countryside, seeds, the care of water, trees and other resources, and whose farming practices in the communities are part of communal life in harmony with nature.

We do not solve world hunger with Terminator seeds from agricultural business, but bringing back and protecting our rich ancestral seeds, storing them and fighting against their usurpation by large transnational corporations that defend themselves through intellectual property, patents and the use of transgenic seeds having as an excuse productivity increase.

Let us protect the life of indigenous country communities, which allows the cycle of seed and inputs to be closed within the very same communities, freeing us from the need to import them. Let’s practice a small-scale production, which will protect natural resources for the present and future generations, and give us all healthy and varied food.

Let us build a Living Well vision, retaking our own appropriate technologies, which are not expensive and can be managed through community administration, monitoring and control, using our own funds from our own savings banks or credit unions. We can do our own self-training, which can mature if we bring together researchers and professionals who have a vision of sympathy, support and respect for reorganization processes of the communities and the peoples.

To strengthen all our procedures…
Living Well means giving back fertility to the planet, now in the hands of sterile corporations, reforesting the world, living a modest life close to soil in communities or small family farms, which are those that have preserved the trees and the harmonic variety of species, that have more water at their disposal and survive better.

Waking up the ethical and moral values of our peoples and cultures, we can make this new millennium, a millennium of life and not of war, a millennium for Living Well, for balance and complementarity. Together we can build a culture of patience, the culture of dialogue and fundamentally the Culture of Life, a way of life that is not dependent on excessive consumption of non-renewable energy that emit greenhouse gases but is based on the harmonious relationship between man and nature.

In order to strengthen all the procedures that may lead us to Living Well, we encourage a broad discussion and debate regarding this proposal, so we can find a common approach that will lead to a fundamental change in the way societies operate, and how we live, as communities, families and individuals.

Article distributed in English by the Bolivia delegation at the UN. April 2010

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Judith Hitchman (France) for the English translation (editorial)
Paula Garuz Naval (Ireland). Tatiana Castilla (Columbia) and Karol Bailey (Bolivia) for the Spanish translation (editorial)
Jinane Prestat (France) for the translation to French
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2010-05-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #68
May 1st 2010

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Terre de Liens (Land of connections) is an NGO (association) that was created in France in 2003.

Message from the Editorial Team

Land, both urban and rural is considered as just another coveted good that is subjected to speculation, not to mention the resources that are concealed underground, or the waterways. The history of humankind is a long succession of wars and expropriation. But in modern times, the manner in which peoples have become dispossessed has taken a dramatic and unjust turn: written laws have been opposed to the oral cultures of First Peoples, who have used their ancestral lands since time immemorial, all over the world.

People are fighting all over the world to reinstate justice and the full rights to their land. This is true in Canada, Brazil, India and Tanzania as well as elsewhere, as this Newsletter has already reported.

In another vein agrarian reform, which is so hard to achieve is underway. In many countries citizens' movements are implementing concrete measures to remove land from the field of financial speculation. Land trusts are a tool that is being used more and more frequently. In the USA and the UK Community Land Trusts are non profit-making structures. By becoming the land-owners the CLTs can preserve land from speculation and make it accessible for affordable housing to support social inclusion. American CLTs were not at all affected by the mortgage crisis in 2008!

More recently, a similar land trust movement has developed in Europe and North America. The French Association Terre de Liens is putting all its efforts into recovering agricultural land to protect it from being abandoned or falling victim to speculation. They are using it to help farmers who want to run organic farms and grow local produce.

In this issue, we are presenting a concrete case study, that of Echausses, that illustrates this innovative practice, a perfect example of sustainable local development. We would like to thank the collective of Echausses for their contribution.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Terre de Liens (Land of connections) is an NGO (association) that was created in France in 2003.

Its mission is to "contribute to the creation of environmentally responsible and socially interdependent rural activities, by supporting people with projects and the collective acquisition of agricultural land and buildings. It is also to raise the awareness of civil society, and challenge politicians, unions and associations in order to reinclude land management at the heart of their concerns." It is inspired by the Triodos Bank, a Dutch green bank that started a green fund to invest in and buy land for organic farming in the 1980s. This thinking became more widespread in the ‘90s in popular education, ethical finance, organic, biodynamic farming and environmental protection movements.

One objective was to devise a tool that would allow people to go beyond the solution of the GFA (agricultural land acquisition groups) or the SCI that can prove to be fragile structures in the long run, because if any one partner decides to withdraw, the whole operation is jeopardised.

To implement its action plan, the association of Terre de liens created two tools: one for solidarity investment, the Terre de liens Landholding Trust, which has a savings’ fund that is used to acquire agricultural land that is then rented out to farmers, and the Terre de liens Foundation. Recognised as being of public interest, the latter may accept donations of money and farms. Terre de liens is now present in 15 regions of France.

The example of "Echausses" in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Eight adults between 28 and 40, with five children shared a collaborative project and were looking for a multi-purpose property. "Echausses" in Limoux seemed an ideal place. The real estate is composed of 7 ha of alluvial deposit land, 2 barns, a hayloft, a wood-fired old-fashioned bread-baking oven, 580 m2 of habitable space and 120 m2 that could be converted. It is situated in Limoux, in the south of the Aude department (county) very close to the Pyrenees. The financial weight of the project and their determination to ensure the land would continue to be put to use to grow food, inclined the group to favour a collaboration with the Terre de liens Landholding Trust.

The total cost of the transaction was € 520,000. The price of the residential buildings and the mixed nature of the project helped the group to determine the value by separating the assets as follows:

• The living quarters: € 310,000 of residential buildings acquired by the SCI “Fermacultures” created by the collective.
• The agricultural land and buildings acquired by the Landholding Trust (150,000€ for agricultural land and buildings, 60,000 € for roofing, masonry, restoration of wasteland, etc, spread so that 16% was put up by members of the collective project and 84% borrowed from local savings banks and non dedicated funds). This guarantees the possibility for those involved to continue to live on site if their farmland were sold on at a later stage (upon retirement or departure of members involved in the collective).

What was their project? "The diversity of our professions, our paths and our daily lives create both the richness and challenges of the project" they wrote in the description of their project.

"One of the challenges was to find a legal arrangement that reflected the true state of our money matters, solidarity and the division of power: Working together one day a week and one weekend per month to strengthen our ties and jointly build a certain independence (a shared vegetable garden, renewable energies) and to develop some cultural life on the farm (film evenings, games, discussions, concerts ...). All this involved many different things: Develop and manage all shared areas by consensus; develop our “committed” professional activities on site, all that involves a lot of dedication. We also had to find means of sharing materials (agricultural, household, workshop and cultural property) and shared income; cultivating open and non-violent communication; having fewer material goods but growing more as human beings…. We had to jointly buy organic and local the food we did not produce."... Moving step by step towards an ideal situation is no easy thing: for example for the SCI, separating the capital from the personal cash deposits has helped even out the difference in capital and achieve a fairer, more horizontal way of sharing. The development of a legal plan has been sometimes challenging, at times a frustrating and confusing state of affairs, especially where there were no definitive, reliable legal answers, even though we consulted professionals.

Even if the shared time fosters bonding among the residents, the professional economic activities and dwellings remain individual. Each person is responsible for developing his or her own professional and personal project: Vincent is setting up an organic market garden for vegetables while Gaëtan is growing organic fruit; both fruit and vegetables will create added value through direct sales (markets and box schemes). The land will be worked whenever possible using mules rather than tractors. Gaëtan will also keep up his consulting business in forestry management alternatives. Lisbeth, a midwife, moved her holistic support birthing offices to the site (she specialises is home births). Cécile is planning to accommodate senior citizens. Michaël, a special needs teacher, is planning to occasionally host disabled individuals or troubled youths. Jocelyn, who makes string-instruments and is a musician, wants to move his workshop to Echausses. Nina, a teacher, is planning to create educational activities for young children.

The collective agricultural and cultural project is centred on the choice of working together one day a week and one weekend a month. They hold regular meetings the funding and organization of the project. The resources are shared, and there is almost daily exchange. Household running costs (water, electricity, gas ...) are divided according to a variable schedule that is jointly defined on the basis of the estimated individual consumption.

The project milestones.

The SCI was created in April 2009. The property was purchased and in May, the pioneers moved in (3 adults)! By the beginning of July, 5 adults and 1 child were living in Echausses and the interior renovation of the SCI began. In the summer they sorted out the fences on the land. With the help of Moutsie from Nature & Progrès, they carried out a complete botanical inventory using bio-indicators. A nice welcome party on August 15 was followed by a lively collective effort to begin the renovation of roofs of the property (400 m2) and to stabilise the retaining wall of the bakery.

By late August, 7 adults and 3 children were living in Echausses and the roofing work continued. Vincent bought two beautiful cross Pyrenean-Portuguese donkeys (Ulis and Quetzal) and he began to train them. At the start of September, 4 ha of the land authorised for agricultural purposes that had been lying fallow was restored (by heavy grinding, ripping, chiseling, plowing, and harrowing). A pedologist (soil specialist) using the Hérody-biodynamics approach considered that the work had been well done, the quality of the soil was improved: bushes had not started to grow again, the earth was coming to life (aeration) and the vegetation had significantly changed.

In autumn, the group completed the renovation of most of the roof. Lisbeth began her work as a midwife in Echausses, Gaëtan continued with his forestry activities and prepared to plant his orchard, Josselin continued to prepare his workshop for making string-instruments and to organize Occitan concerts, Nina was preparing for an educational entrance exam, Cécile was working as a trainer in the region, Michaël as a special needs teacher in Limoux, and Vincent was preparing to farm the land. Work on the interior of the buildings (walls, floors, electricity) will continue through the winter, as well as the organization of the workshop in one of the Terre de Liens barns. Vincent and Gaëtan continue to develop their plan for the market garden and organic fruit trees with ADEAR 11 . Vincent is pursuing the training of his donkeys for tillage (they’re starting to get the hang of it!) as he prepares for his first season.

In March 2010, eight adults between 28 and 40 and five children from 1 to 11 are now living in Echausses. Béatrice, Michaël’s wife, has moved in with her two daughters.

And what now ?

"We are planting hedges just about everywhere! Firewood, many small daily tasks and meetings for the management of the SCI ... We are testing the well (it flows well!) and beginning to install irrigation and buy farm equipment. Vincent sowed his first plant bed after tillage and installed his first greenhouse (after some administrative problems). Gaëtan ordered his fruit trees and got his stakes (from a forest that he manages!), the collective vegetable garden has been started ... Long live the sun!
In one month ... the project will already be one year old! We had to accept that ... the world was not created in one day, and Echausses will not be completed in a year! Life at a place helped by "Terre de Liens" ... the happiness of a great adventure! Thank you to everyone who has supported us from near and afar. "

For further information:
Terre de Liens, « Une richesse à cultiver » : http://www.terredeliens.org
mouvement@terredeliens.org
Terre de Liens in Languedoc-Roussillon : lr@terredeliens.org

Summary by Martine Théveniaut (from documents submitted by the Echausses collective).

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier (Canada) and Judith Hitchman (France) for the English translation
Paula Garuz Naval (Ireland) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2010-04-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #67
April 1st 2010

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

The Urgenci International Network, Kobe Conference 2010: Community supported foods and farming

Solidarity Economy in Nepal

Message from the Editorial Team

There are many varied initiatives in Asia in the field of local and community development, social and solidarity economy.

In this number Judith Hitchman shares the results of her participation in the URGENCI network Symposium that was held in Japan. Yvon Poirier took part in a meeting organised by the recently developed Nepalese Solidarity Economy Network.

In both instances, the field trips allowed us to observe how rich and strong a more community-oriented economy can become, when it is anchored in the needs of the local population.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

The Urgenci International Network, Kobe Conference 2010: Community supported foods and farming
The background
With the world in a state of on-going economic, financial, social and environmental crises, the relevance of local actions is greater than ever before. The importance of food sovereignty at local community level has taken on a new meaning. Not that Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a new phenomenon. The concept was first developed in Japan in the early 1970s, to try to guarantee healthy organic food at a time when mercury poisoning had led to Minemata disease, mother’s milk poisoned their children, and pollution was causing increasing environmental havoc. Three separate initiatives came together, led largely by Yoshinori Kaneko, to form the Japanese Teikei system. A similar unrelated birth occurred in Switzerland around the same period. As Elizabeth Henderson, one of the leading figures in the field of CSA and the global fight for local solidarity-based partnerships between producers and consumers so rightly says: “A century of ‘development’ has broken the connection between people and the land where their food is grown in many countries, North and South. A few decades of free trade have driven family-scale farms to the point of desperation. A long series of food scandals - illness from food-borne pathogens, milk and other products contaminated with GMOs and chemical pollutants - have led to a crisis of confidence in imported foods from industrial-scale farms. CSA offers a return to wholeness, health and economic viability”.

The Urgenci International Network brings together the many different national networks of consumer-producer partnerships from different countries all over the world. Its key aims are to disseminate and promote the concept of Community Supported Agriculture, as well as other related issues, such as the preservation of biodiversity and access to land. It also includes other similar concepts, such as farmers’ markets. The current global situation is leading to a natural development of the phenomenon, and it is a vital part of building a new solidarity-based economy.

An exemplary case-study: Tamba city local authorities play their part.
Japanese culture is largely based on the concept of harmony and peace, which is not an easy challenge in a country where 21 per cent of the population are over 65, agricultural land increasingly lying fallow, more food imported from abroad, young people moving from the rural to the urban lifestyle… Food also plays a very central role in Japanese lifestyles, and is traditionally one of the finest cuisines in the world.

We had the unique opportunity of a field trip to Tamba city before the Kobe conference took place, to visit a local initiative. Tamba city is the result of 6 different towns merging some years ago. It has a population of 71,000, and is situated in the Hyogo Prefecture, about an hour’s drive from Kobe. It is where Shinji Hashimoto, one of the members of the Urgenci International Committee lives and farms. The region is famous for both its beautiful scenery and its food.

In order to develop the Teikei system, and address some of the challenges stated above, Shinji was largely instrumental in convincing the Local Authorities to financially support some 20 young people from various cities who wanted to become farmers to gain access to farmland. He helped to initiate an apprenticeship scheme so that the young people could learn their new profession, alternating between internship and working their own rented farms. The initiative has proven highly successful, with over 1,000 consumers benefiting from the box scheme and able to buy reasonably priced organic fruit and vegetables for ten months of the year.

The producers and consumers involved in the scheme prepared one of the finest banquets I have ever eaten for our group, all from local produce, all cooked by members of the Teikei scheme. The ceremonial speeches were moving, with the mayor and other local figures speaking and toasting the farmers and the group of foreign visitors. The farmers all introduced themselves to the group, and presented their individual projects. Most had left factory jobs in cities to take up a rural life and serve their community by producing healthy food.

Using and preserving nature
The search for harmony already mentioned above can best be illustrated by the approach to growing organic rice and preservation of the wetlands: the paddy fields are populated with ducks. They keep them clean, provide natural fertiliser, and good healthy meat. The Oriental Stork (konotori), is a bird that is very sensitive to pollution. It became extinct in Japan due to “modern” farming practices killing off its food supply of frogs, fish and other wetland animals. The last bird died near Kinosaki in 1971.

Konotori no Sato Park was built to reintroduce the storks to Japan using birds obtained from Russia. The storks themselves are now designated a special protected animal by the government, and have become a symbol of the Tajima region around Kinosaki where I spent several days, where even the local airport is named after them (Konotori Tajima Airport).

Located 10 km south of Kinosaki, the Konotori no Sato Park is part museum and part breeding habitat, where visitors can learn about the storks, the breeding program and conservation, as well as see the birds on the sanctuary grounds.

The aims of the program are being realized as local farmers are altering their farming practices to preserve the wetland habitat, and the storks are being successfully reintroduced into the wild. In May 2007, for the first time since 1964 a stork chick hatched in nature. Its parents were born at the sanctuary and released into the wild. The Teikei farmers of the region are very proud of their storks, and rightly so!

Challenges and threats
One major challenge facing all forms of alternative economic production in general, and food in particular, is that of standards and quality. In a world where the transnational agribusiness has imposed quality certification costs that are prohibitive for small-scale producers, there is an even greater risk of being excluded from the market. The participatory guarantee system (PGS), such as Nature et Progrès in France, does however provide a positive answer to this. A similar system operates in Japan. A far greater and more insidious threat is the industrial-scale production of organic food by transnational corporations, trying to cash in on the ‘niche market’ of the increasing number of people who have understood the dangers of GMOs and pesticides, but are unable to distinguish between industrial-organic and family-farm produce, and who see the organic food sold in supermarkets as an attractive option. It seems important to me to raise public awareness on this issue.

Scaling up the local approach and building networks
Like so many of the case studies illustrated in other articles of this newsletter, the Teikei system and other CSA approaches (AMAP in France, GAS in Italy, farmers markets in the UK, Equiterre in Quebec, Vodelsteams in Belgium, Reciproco in Portugal…) are all based on a form of sustainable local development. Local food, local jobs, less fuel, fewer food miles… As Elizabeth Henderson states: “Each local food project takes its shape from the tastes, talents, needs and resources of its creators. The more we can learn from and support one another, the faster we will move toward sustainable and peaceful communities”. To achieve this, the Urgenci international network intends to continue disseminating the Local Solidarity Partnerships between Producers and Consumers (LSPPC) approach, and build alliances and partnerships with other networks to strengthen the ability of civil society to fight the multiple crises.

Judith Hitchman
Activist and special envoy in charge of intercultural relations
with the International Committee of URGENCI
Original article in English
http://www.urgenci.net/

Solidarity Economy in Nepal
On March 4th, the Solidarity Economy Network (SEN-Nepal), currently under construction, organized a workshop to better understand the origins of different concepts such as social economy and solidarity economy, the history of the SSE movement, the current global issues and the challenges of networking. Approximately thirty (30) people from more than twenty (20) organizations attended the workshop. Among these organizations, there were some from social economy enterprises such as cooperatives in agriculture and in savings and loans, a national association of groups of forest users, micro-finance, fair trade organizations and advocacy groups, etc.

For this occasion, the coordinating committee's provisional network invited me to make a presentation on how to meet their targeted objectives. Since this was the first time that several of the organizations were participating in a network meeting (the most important meeting to date), the coordinating committee presented its action plan for the year. One objective of the plan is to become better known and recognized, especially in the media. Various opportunities can be used for the advancement of the social solidarity economy. The restoration of democracy with the king's forced abdication in 2006, and the end of armed insurrection provides a more favourable environment for development. The Constituent Assembly elected in 2008 is under the legal obligation to adopt a new constitution before the end of May. With the establishment of a federal republic and the elections that will follow, Nepal will work to rebuild an economy that meets the urgent needs of the population. The situation is therefore more conducive to proposing the inclusion of the social solidarity economy in public policy.

At the request of the organizers of the workshop, the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), a Canadian international NGO, the costs of my participation were covered through a short-term mission of the UNITERRA program.

I cannot conclude this short article without mentioning the importance of a vast organization of forestry users that I first got to know when I met them at the World Social Forum in January 2005. FECOFUN (Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal) consists of 12,500 user groups (who have been entrusted with the forest), representing a total of 1.7 million families, or about 9 million people. Considering that the population of Nepal is 28 million, 1/3 of the population is a member of the association. This association, which considers itself as part of the social solidarity economy is by far the largest civil society association in Nepal. It is also an active member of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international certification organization dedicated to the responsible management of the forest.

I wish to thank Sunil Chitrakar from the Nepal Fair Trade Group and member of Board of Directors of RIPESS for organizing my participation in the workshop and the CECI office in Nepal for their hospitality and support.
Yvon Poirier
Member of the International Comittee of CCEDNet
(Canadian Community Economic Development Network)
and Comité international du Chantier de l’économie sociale du Québec
(a social solidarity network in the province of Quebec)

For information:
http://www.fecofun.org/
http://www.fsc.org/

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier (Canada) and Judith Hitchman (France) for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael (France) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2010-03-15T13:13:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #66
March 1st 2010

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Sustainable Local Development and traditions: the Parakuiyo Maasai challenge

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The 2010 Pan-Canadian Summit on a People-Centred Economy
The 2nd US Social Forum

Message from the Editorial Team

In this number Judith Hitchman shares the challenges facing the Maasai in Tanzania. Like most other indigenous peoples of our planet, « modernity » as imposed by the dominant form of globalisation, creates the exclusion of indigenous peoples and undermines their traditional lifestyles; in some countries this even goes as far as threatening the very existence of these peoples as such.

In order to cope with this situation, the Maasai in the village of Parakuyo have developed a form of community organisation that places the education and schooling of their children at the heart of the response to this challenge.

We also would like to draw your attention to two events that are scheduled to take place in North America in the upcoming months. As Yvon Poirier will be involved in both events, he will share his observations with us later in the year.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Sustainable local development and traditions: the Parakuiyo Maasai challenge

Traditional life-style and local development

One of the most complex and difficult issues facing the indigenous peoples on our planet is how, or indeed whether or not to reconcile their traditional life-style with what can be considered true sustainable local development. I recently had the very great privilege of spending a week visiting my Maasai friend Adam Kuleit ole Mwarabu in Parakuyo, Tanzania. I had met Adam in Tunisia last year during the work I did with the civil society lobby at the negotiations on FAO Treaty on Plant Genetic Ressources, and had greatly admired his way of reconciling tradition and modernity. After all, there aren’t many people who can stand up in front of a UN meeting in full Maasai traditional dress (which he always wears) and make a Powerpoint presentation… I took the opportunity of a visit to my Kenyan son Ruwa, north of Mombasa last October, to hop on a plane from Mombasa and fly down to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and travel by bus to visit him and his family…

All too often, our vision of sustainable local development is culturally clouded by Western concepts of progress, and fails to take the issues of the wisdom of local traditions on board. Worse still, many indigenous peoples are buying into so-called “modernity”, to the detriment of their traditional practice. And the combination of outside exploitation of mineral and land resources, human greed, climate change and loss of biodiversity and of the natural balance of traditional ecosystems all add up to a kind of local development that is ultimately anything but sustainable.

But education can be seen as part of the way forward. This article tries to tell some of the story of the Maasai population of Parakuyo, a small village approximately 60km from Morogoro in the Kilosa district of Tanzania, of Adam Kuleit ole Mwarabu and his family, his colleague Pololet Mgema, and Peter John Mruma, Headmaster of Parakuyo secondary school. It is the result of some very privileged time spent there last November. The village has a population of more than 4000 inhabitants keeping livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys in an area of 30,000ha.

A traditional society based on a harmonious balance between men, women and nature: a little background information.
Few people are aware of the complex traditional balance of Parakuiyo Maasai society. They are pastoralists, with land that is traditionally a common good. Their territory covers both Kenya and Tanzania. Their society is based on traditions that are transmitted from one age group to another. It has an open-minded, humanist basis, with a structured profound spiritual wisdom, knowledge of medical virtues of plants and trees, and a social practice anchored in honour, loyalty, sharing and respect. Their society is also based on the wisdom of mediation and conflict resolution rather than aggression.

Their pastoral practice is anchored on a deep historical knowledge of their land and the alternating dry and rainy seasons. It used to include cohabitation with wildlife, and a naturally balanced difference between the way that cows graze (they eat the long grasses), and other animals that eat only the shorter grass and browse the acacias trees and other plants. Drought is not a new phenomenon in these regions, but the historic access to highland pastures alternating with grazing the steppe in the plains used to mean that ecosystems and cattle survived. Contrary to the loudly expressed opinions of many so-called development agencies, the Maasai never destroyed the land. Quite the opposite: their rotating grazing systems were a mighty factor of preservation! Until very recently they were a wealthy people, with herds of many thousands of heads of cattle, even though they do not necessarily attach much traditional importance to money per se as they have always used a barter system and paid livestock for dowry and peace making.

Land reform, land-grabbing and the violation of human and animal rights.
Colonial and post-colonial land reform frequently granted private land rights to both natural wildlife reserves and parks (to be used to exploit tourism), and introduced Western style cattle ranching on the best lands that were allocated to both black and white elites.

The Maasai have progressively become marginalised and dispossessed of their lands. They have been excluded from their traditional grazing lands such as the Mara (now the famous Maasai Mara game park in Kenya), and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. For a people to whom land is a communal territory containing resources, rather than a resource to be appropriated by individuals, (or the State) the above are totally at odds with the way in which traditional Maasai have always governed by social and political conventions designed to reduce the risk of unpredictable climate and semi-arid conditions. The balance of culture and nature enabled the Maasai to live in harmony with other creatures on their lands.

An example of one of many land-grabs is illustrated by one of several incidents that took place in 2009 (previous similar incidents took place in 2006). Non-pastoralist communities massively evicted pastoralists in Tanzania from their traditional lands with governmental support and collusion. They introduced modern intensive cattle ranches aimed at exporting meat. Farmers entered land that was not theirs, gained deeds to the land, and started to farm. The government supported them, stating that the Maasai were uneducated and poor. Cows were impounded and died of hunger and thirst. There were physical fights over land, and even deaths. Maasai homes were burnt. Access to water for grazing became a serious issue. Cows were rounded up, and the Maasai had to pay 30,000 Tanzanian shillings (about 18 euros) a head as a fine for “damaging the environment” and 1,500,0000TZS (880Euros) to put them into trucks that they had to rent (a further expense) to remove them from the “camps”. During the evictions, traditional leaders and the Maasai Bishop Jacob Mameo of ELCT Morogoro diocese went from village to village, organising traditional meetings to organise advocacy. The evicted nomadic pastoralists informed members of the parliaments, the European Union, the United Nations, the African Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights and Local governments of great violation of human and animal rights, but the impact of this information has yet to be felt on the ground.

From considerable wealth (their cows) the Maasai were quickly reduced to a destitute community: typically, people went from owning from 300 cows to nothing overnight. Children were out of school, with parents who could no longer afford to pay the school fees. This was of course not only unconstitutional, but also a violation of the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous People’s Rights, Human Rights and also animal rights… The Prime Minister created a commission in 2007, but over two years later, the report still has not been published. The government position has remained one of prioritising foreign investment in land and tourism… The regions of Arusha, Rukwa, Morogoro and Mbeya have been the most affected. A population of 10,000 pastoralists have lost more than 300,000 livestock. The affected families have been left by the government to die of hunger and disease.
Fighting against the odds

The Parakuiyo Pastoralists Indigenous Community Development Organisation, was founded by the community as an informal NGO. It uses traditional Maasai leadership as a natural form of governance. In 2006 it became a formal structure to enable it to receive outside funding for local projects. It continues to do much successful work at international level in terms of advocacy and defending Maasai and pastoralists’ rights. It is a member of PINGOs Forum, a national platform established in 1994 to defend indigenous peoples’, pastoralists’ and traditional hunter-gatherers’ rights. The four objectives are human rights, land rights, education (both secondary and higher) and capacity building.

In Parakuyo village itself there are several public standpipes and flush toilets in the village, and some non-traditional houses even have their own showers and flush toilets. Young girls can now go to school and not have to walk more than a couple of hundred meters to draw water for cooking: a major impact on their access to education. There is also a primary school. Vicky, Adam’s wife is a teacher there. The financial crisis has meant that her salary has been cut, adding further to their financial difficulties. Their daughter, Winnie, lives about an hour’s drive away with Vicky’s parents, so that she can attend Kindergarten school, as there is none in Parakuyo. Her parents pay someone to take her to school on his bicycle every day, and only see her during the holidays and once a month…Their son, Longishu, is still a toddler, and full of the joys of a life full of love and relative (if closely supervised) freedom. They live in one room in a house provided by Vicky’s school. Internet connections are an acrobatic business, and Adam (who is very tall) often has to put his computer on a series of chairs on top of the table to get a signal… As a Junior Elder, and much-respected leader, Adam is constantly consulted on all sorts of matters when he is at home.

The heart of the village project is the Parakuyo Secondary School. It was founded in 2005, and opened in 2007. There are 220 pupils. It is the only Parakuiyo Maasai secondary boarding school in Tanzania. It has been essentially community-funded by the Maasai families whose children attend the school (90%). There is also an annual grant of 20,000 shillings for every child who attends. There are classrooms and dormitories for forms 1-3. (The secondary school system includes forms 1-4). There is an almost equal gender balance, with 45% girls and 55% boys attending. 90% of them come from pastoralist families. Five years ago, very few girls attended, but there has been successful awareness-raising of the importance of education, supported by the traditional elders. Parakuyo Secondary School was built for Parakuiyo Maasai children in the Morogoro and adjacent regions. 90% of the children in the secondary school are Parakuiyo Maasais.

The school also uses traditional approaches to help young people develop their sense of community responsibilities, such as allocating them plants and trees to tend. After school, the day pupils also participate in traditional activities of herding and village life.

There are many challenges facing the school, some of them urgent. Those children who have gone through forms 1-3 now have no classrooms or dormitories for form 4. They are currently out of school. There are no science labs or equipment. The kitchen, little more than a sheet of galvanised metal over an open fire, uses wood rather than gas or solar energy to prepare meals, not an optimal ecological solution by any means. Apart from trying to raise funds for the much-needed classrooms and dorms, there is also an adult education project…

As the article says, Maasai communities today are facing multiple challenges: human rights issues, climate change, land grabbing, economic survival and the inevitable migration not to new pastures and grasslands but towards the major cities and tourist resorts, with all that this implies. Whatever the future impacts of government policy or climate change on the pastoralist community, the emphasis in Parakuyo is on education, both through the modern school system and Maasai traditions that are part of the Parakuiyo project. It is an important element that will help these young people to preserve their identity and face whatever the future holds in store.

* There are two spelling variations used in this article : Parakuiyo for the Maasai community, Parakuyo for the village and the school.

Judith Hitchman
Original article in English

http://pingos.moportfolio.com/about_us
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/drip.html

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The 2010 Pan-Canadian Summit on a People-Centred Economy
This summit will be held in Ottawa (Canada) from May 30th to June 1st 2010.

The 2010 National Summit on a People-Centred Economy will be an unprecedented gathering of leaders and representatives of the community economic development, cooperative and social economy sectors to build a common agenda and mobilize action for a secure, sustainable economy that puts people and the planet first.

The summit will focus on six themes: Finance and Investment, Enterprise Development, Territorial Revitalization, Organizing the Social Economy Marketplace, Partnerships, International.

For further information:
http://www.ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/summit

The 2nd US Social Forum

From June 22nd – 26th 2010, some 20,000 activists are expected in Detroit to attend the 2nd US Social Forum. The current context of different and serious crises in the United States makes this event even more important than ever.

http://www.ussf2010.org/

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier (Canada) and Judith Hitchman (France) for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael (France) for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin (Brazil) for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2010-01-31T11:19:00.000-08:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #65
January 1st 2010

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Recipes from Rome: the World Summit for Food Security

Message from the Editorial Team

A full decade of the 21st century has already gone by!

We are living in a time of paradox. We all know that the requisite knowledge to solve the fundamental issues facing humanity exists, be it those of food, health, education, peace or creating harmony between peoples and within nations.

The same can be said of the environment. We now know that scientifically speaking, the degradation of the biosphere is a fact. We also know that we collectively consume more resources than our planet can provide. It is an established fact that we would need at least three times our planetary resources if all countries were to follow the consumer model of the so-called “developed” countries.

And progress towards the key objectives, such as the Millennium Development Goals for poverty reduction or even that of reducing greenhouse gas, is at a standstill, or even regressing.

Conservative forces that uphold the ideology of “it’s all working fine”, be it the neoliberal voices of the United States, or newer powers such as China or India (all of which are remarkably similar), still support an ideology of economic growth. Yet we are acutely aware that the answers to problems can not be found in the thought processes that created them in the first place, an idea first put forward by Einstein.

We can see for ourselves that these forces are still blocking the essential elements of the reforms that are fundamentally needed, as witnessed by President Obama’s attempts to push through reforms, the failure of the Copenhagen conference, even if some small reform is being carried through in order to control the financial system. Nothing is being done to change the most essential aspects, even though the need is greater than ever.

So in terms of concrete, positive results, no significant progress has been made.

But there is major progress happening at other levels.

In particular, there is a new level of global awareness of the key issues. Most NGOs and social movements in countries and at the international level agree on their analyses, even if their strategies are still somewhat divergent. The World Social Fora and many other meetings, such as that organised by RIPESS testify to this progress.

The vision of economies and alternative societies is increasingly based on approaches such as solidarity economy, that are inclusive in nature, and that are generally more localised. Connecting the approach more closely to people’s local environments increasingly appears as a viable alternative to the so-called development as known hitherto.

It would indeed be preferable to implement a “different” model that is more compatible with the limited resources of our biosphere. If we fail to do this, our planet will self-destruct, and this is likely to be extremely brutal. So it is advisable to do something, or things will be even worse for most of the inhabitants of our world.

This is the tenor of the article that we are publishing in this issue on the question of food. There are two conflicting “models” out there, as clearly shown in the text on the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation) summit held in Rome last November. As the participants in the People’s Forum that took place at the same time clearly stated, the choices we are facing are between a productivist agricultural model aimed at growth (of profits) and a model based on local agriculture aimed primarily at feeding people (rather than share-holders). For our part, our choice is clear!!

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Recipes from Rome: the World Summit for Food Security
The World Summit for Food Security was recently held in Rome (16th - 18th November) under the auspices of the FAO (the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation), headquartered in this city. The timing could not have been more appropriate, as the pretentious title of the meeting suggests: “Imagine. Achieving food security in times of crisis”. This notion of food security is aimed at food for all, even at the height of current global financial turbulence, with over one billion people in the world suffering from hunger. The aim of the first Millennium Development Goal - to halve the number of people suffering from hunger by 2015 compared with the figures for 1990 - is far from today’s reality. If we add the uncertain impacts of climate change on agriculture, the profit-driven interests of agribusiness and predatory attitudes of governments, the outlook for the most vulnerable is indeed pessimistic.

A parallel meeting: People’s Forum on Food Sovereignty
Civil society rose to the occasion, and organised their own space for discussion in the People’s Food Sovereignty Forum that was also held on the same dates in Rome, parallel to the FAO Summit. I had the privilege of being a member of the volunteer interpreting team that was responsible for supporting the communication between over 400 delegates who had come from all over the world. The objective was to promote the right of rural communities to define their own agricultural model that respects their ecological, social, economic and cultural traditions. Food sovereignty prioritises local consumption, access of small farmers to natural resources, to land, seeds and agricultural biodiversity. It condemns the use of food production as either a trade or a political weapon. A great number of civil society organisations participated in the Forum. The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty represented them in their discussions with the “United Nations system”, mainly the FAO and IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development).

The final declaration text from the People’s Forum, from which I have extracted a few key points, mentions the importance of considering the Food Security Committee of the FAO as the privileged body for developing international policies on food and agriculture, especially as the recent reform that has been approved confers a greater role on the representatives of civil society. The declaration also discusses the appropriate financial support provided by members of the FAO to enable the Committee to carry out its work in an adequate manner, guided by the human right to food. Financial resources have been proposed by the World Bank and other international financial institutions, whose past mechanisms of governance have shown a lack of democracy and transparency; this means there is a risk of the same mistakes being made as in the past. “As long as institutions such as the WTO continue to privilege commercial interests over the globally marginalised and malnourished, hunger will continue to stalk the world”.

The text also defends the need to respect ecological supply chains, and condemns the aggressive mercantile approach to nature and knowledge. It requests a global moratorium on GMOs and invites all States to take immediate adequate action to protect and regulate national food markets by managing supplies to guarantee the availability of food, decent pay and fair prices. States should guarantee joint control of land through integrated agrarian reform that respects both individual and collective access to land, and control over territories.

Concerning the control of resources for food production, the Declaration condemns the alarming land- and water-grabbing currently practiced by certain countries and multinationals. In less than one year, 40 million hectares of fertile land in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe have been usurped through agreements that favour this practice and displace local food production in favour of export crops. The Declaration also opposes intellectual property rights aimed at protecting living resources such as seeds, plants and animals.

Finally, the text commits civil society to building alliances via the International Planning Committee and presents the input from the different work groups that took place during the Forum: Women, who defend their role in food sovereignty, youth who plead for education and training in agricultural practice, fishing and animal husbandry, indigenous peoples who demand the right to land and who consider nature as a living being that is essential to the identity and culture of their communities.

The FAO Summit Declaration
The official declaration of the FAO Summit expresses good intentions and pompous commitments in their five Principles of Rome for sustainable global food security: 1) invest in national plans to channel resources aimed at NGOs and well-designed results-oriented programmes, 2) encourage strategic co-ordination of national, regional and global plans in order to improve governance and promote a better distribution of resources, 3) work towards food security through direct emergency measures aimed at the most vulnerable groups, in order to fight hunger and poverty, 4) guarantee the role of the multilateral institutions, 5) guarantee the commitment of all to investing in agriculture, food security and nutrition, in order to fund pluri-annual plans and programmes.

The civil society Forum criticised the FAO for grounding the achievement of the above principles in the creation of a High Level Action Group on the crisis in food security at the instigation of the Secretary General of the United Nations. This is in the context of the reform of the Committee for food security. Civil society’s disagreement is due to the fact that the Action Group supports the multinationals that are patenting seeds and commercialising GMOs in order to implement projects with many large international philanthropic foundations who are operating on funds from the World Bank.

Civil society condemns the fact that the FAO also delegates “the strategic co-ordination of national, regional and global plans” to a “global Alliance for agriculture, food security and nutrition”, created by the industrialised countries of the G8 that - and this is no mere coincidence - control most of the food system by imposing production models that are contrary to the interests defended by small-scale farmers.

The principles of Rome also includes the World Trade Organisation, and suggests on paper that global markets become more open to small-scale farmers from developing countries, in order to enable them to increase their productivity, and compete in more equal circumstances. Civil society organisations again reproached this attitude: Although the WTO is a multilateral institution representing countries of all sorts, and with a decision-making system based on the principle of “one country, one vote” it is important to realise that in the corridors of power some countries club together to defend their interests more than those of others, in terms of the available resources, the size of the economic and legal lobby and their influence. Once again, the developing countries have a handicap in negotiations before they even begin.

Challenges for the years to come
It’s time to square up on the chess board: one camp defends food sovereignty, protected by rural tradition and the ancestral knowledge of peoples and communities, while the other is in favour of technological green revolutions, the industrialisation of agriculture and GMOs. These are the black and white, even grey squares on the board... Can there be no meeting of the ways in this struggle for power?

Ethical commitment and respect of the environment, of ecosystems and subsistence means of rural populations should take priority; it is necessary to avoid ideological and political prejudice as well as economic interests that may block the path. If we really wish to reach a reciprocal commitment of all stakeholders, we need to consider that achieving a joint solution is a moral obligation that broadens our field of vision.

Food sovereignty implies a sense of responsibility. On one hand, governments need to guarantee supplies of accessible food that is culturally acceptable and nourishing, and to facilitate emergency access to those in need of help, without undermining the principle of sovereignty. On the other, farmers and producers should participate in the decision-making process as to how to grow and distribute food. Their know-how is both their heritage and their contribution. Food is life. It comes from the land that we work and from animals that we raise or hunt. It is nature, culture, tradition, religion, the identity of peoples and nations. We savour it, appreciate it, dream about it; it awakens feelings and emotions in our hearts; it brings us together, satisfies us, makes us aware of our essential being and our shared identity. As citizens, we can, through our acts, set the example for future generations, through responsible consumption, by cultivating our curiosity as to the origin and way in which food is produced, and by drawing closer to nature. We are all involved in the future of our planet and we can no longer remain dependent on decisions taken by others.

Jorge Soriano Bugnion
voluntary professional interpreter and activist
Original article in Spanish
http://www.fao.org/wsfs/
http://peoplesforum2009.foodsovereignty.org/

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Judith Hitchman for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2009-11-01T10:02:00.000-08:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #63
November 1st 2009

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Reclaim the Fields
An initiative of the peasant youth of Europe

Changing indicators
A societal debate on development that we want

Inner City Development Cooperative (Manila, Philippines)
A disaster

Message from the Editorial Team

We are presenting two articles written by Judith and Martine in the light of their respective participation in two recent meetings in Europe. Even if both meetings had completely different themes, they dealt head on with alternative approaches to development as we know it.

For their part, young farmers are establishing approaches and strategies for environmentally responsible local agriculture anchored in local communities. On the other hand, we all know that the dominant economic indicator is the calculation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, this indicator is totally inadequate to measure the well-being of individuals, the true wealth of societies. For example, the recovery and recycling of waste adds more to GDP than the reuse of well-planned products designed to last longer. The theatrical play "Erika’s Paradox” demonstrates how this ecological disaster was transformed into a growth indicator of GDP in France! We could list many other examples. Therefore, it is very important that other indicators be put into place.

Finally, we wish to inform you of the natural disaster that hit the neighbourhood of Tatalon in Manila. We described in Newsletter #44 the inspiring work of the Inner City Development Cooperative. Now everything has to be rebuilt.

We want to express our solidarity with the members of this community.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Reclaim the Fields
An initiative of the peasant youth of Europe

Reclaim the Fields held a gathering of about 300 young farmers and landless youth with agricultural projects of various kinds from all over Europe. It took place on a collective farm at Cravirola, near Minerve, in the South West of France, from September 30th to October 4th. It was organised by Reclaim the Fields, a youth movement tightly linked to Via Campesina. It was created in Rostock, Germany at the time of the anti-G8 meeting in May 2007.

The camp was essentially self-organised (camping, collective kitchen, workshops and plenary sessions…). It was aimed at addressing various issues that have become increasingly critical in the current multiple global crises (financial, economic, climate change…). The participants were a mixture of people who had either started up their own projects or who intended or wanted to do so. The key issues discussed were those of access to land and to seeds (especially the traditional rights of farmers to save, exchange and resow their seeds). Some of the discussions also addressed the questions of fair prices for agricultural products and direct sales’ circuits from farms to consumers, the social recognition of farmers, the opposition to the dominant industrial farming model, and the need for fair agricultural policies. Other discussions included ideas on how to achieve self-empowerment and capacity building that is adapted to a non-industrial model, and how to make it possible for those who want to farm to do so. But the most recurrent and central theme was that of access to land, a question which varies according to the law and availability and price in each country.

The importance of local communities and sustainable local development
One of the most central and recurrent questions was the best way to articulate and organise things at local level. Peasant agriculture is probably one of the most effective ways to fight climate change, improve health and maintain a sustainable local economy. Some of the most interesting discussions were those on gaining acceptance within local communities. This concerned not only new arrivals within the communities, but also how to manage change in the case of transmitting the farm within the same family, particularly when the transmission was from father to daughter, and when the new generation wanted to change the way the farm was run (a shift to organic agriculture, or from raising livestock to market gardening for example). Becoming an accepted member of a rural community is one of the key levers to success.

Access to land
The idea of learning to work within local communities, to get support form local authorities and have land set aside for peasant farming and market gardening was often mentioned. This also needs to take the notion of collective property and projects as well as individual land-ownership into account. One idea for the future was to develop an on-line community to inform people of available land that might suit their project. Structures like Terre de Liens and the Nef in France are a help, but are not sufficient. Too much land is lying fallow, and although the first option is always to gain access to land through peaceful, legal means, a deep and total agrarian reform is needed to provide more equitable solutions. The Brazilian MST movement and their practice of occupying unused land is highly effective too… Each country has its own legislation, which can either facilitate or prove to be a major obstacle. Access to land is highly controlled in France, which is often a major obstacle.

Selling produce in direct supply chains
All the existing networks and solutions, such as the CSA (AMAP) were of course mentioned as part of the answer. But maintaining and even developing local farmers’ markets, direct sales on the farms, linking sales to agrotourism and other initiatives also need to be supported. There are also many atypical projects that do not fit into any mould, and that also need to be considered. The move to including organic local suppliers in public tenders in France is a positive thing too. Again, this requires lobbying and communication with local structures.

The urban dimension was also included as an important aspect, both in terms of urban and peri-urbans market gardening, but also in terms of linking up with other social movements to improve living conditions and access to healthy affordable food.

The camp ended with a peaceful sit-in outside the regional offices of the SAFER, the Société d'Amenagément Foncier et d'Establissement Rural, a State body that plays a powerful role in the sale and acquisition of land. This clearly showed the determination of so many young people to gain access to land, to build a European movement of young peasant farmers.

Author: Judith Hitchman
Original article in English and French

http://reclaimthefields.org/
http://reclaimthefields.org/content/action-à-la-safer
http://www.terredeliens.org

Changing indicators
A societal debate on development that we want

Our indicators make us blind! The present crisis we are experiencing goes far beyond a financial and economic crisis. The primary indicator of wealth is gross domestic product and its development, namely economic growth. However, this indicator only takes monetary exchange into account, and ignores the elements that have no "price" as they are often incalculable... Researchers are examining alternative measures of well-being. While GDP growth has served as a reference to progress since World War II, it has become even more necessary to rethink progress in terms of well-being for all people, including future generations. This means reducing disparities, sharing of resources, social cohesion and sustainable development....

In the whole series of recent initiatives and works devoted to this subject, the Stiglitz Commission report has opened the door to this.

Two recent meetings placed that focus on indicators for territorial well-being.
Territoires de Coresponsabilité held their first meeting September 25th 2009 in the town of Mulhouse. This town is a recognized pioneer in this process.

In its strategy for social cohesion, the Council of Europe defines the latter as « the ability of society to ensure the well-being of all through the joint responsibility of the various stakeholders (public and private actors, citizens). A link to sustainable development is created by including the well-being of future generations, making the welfare of all generations a goal for societal progress ». With this impetus, several territories have begun to implement this new approach, using this definition as their starting point, and by using a method in which citizens are invited to rethink the organization of the society in which they live, based on the real needs identified in a concerted approach.

The method was first applied in the city of Mulhouse, France in 2005 with the help of Samuel Thirion (Division for the Development of Social Cohesion). This experience helped develop the foundations for this methodology. It is still the most advanced that exists. As a result, applications have also been introduced in the Department of Timisoara in Romania, the Autonomous Province of Trento in Italy and in Paris, Ile-de-France Region. They have led to the introduction of the concept of Territoires de Coresponsabilité.

This method is currently being used nationally in the Rural Poverty Alleviation Program (PLPR) in Cape Verde, co-funded by IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) placing it within an institutional framework that links the community, the regional and national levels. A link between the local approach and regional policies is also on track in the Walloon Region (Belgium). Several other territories, regions and/or countries are currently planning to use or take inspiration from this method, including Brittany (France) with the support of the NGO PEKEA (Political and Ethical Knowledge on Economic Activities) and in Gabon.

The implementation of this strategy involves: development of indicators to define and measure the well-being of all; especially with citizens; the collaborative sharing of responsibilities to ensure progress towards the well-being of all, including that of future generations; the follow-up and evaluation of societal progress realized.

For further information : http://spiral.cws.coe.int

The ISBET Program (Societal Indicators of Territorial Well-being) presented its first results on October 5th in Rennes (France): "Counting what really matters in a territory" Organized by PEKEA and a Local Governments Club.

PEKEA stands for Political and Ethical Knowledge on Economic Activities. Over 900 people are members. It is recognized as an NGO in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The members of this think tank come from research programs, universities, and especially NGOs; they are all leaders in alternative actions on the field and concerned citizens. Some fifty countries have participants. The network organization and the extensive use of the Internet provide an international dimension to the organization whose global headquarters is located in Rennes. The online texts are published in three languages: French, English and Spanish.

Why is there a Local Governments Club (LGC)? At the initiative of Rennes Métropole, the idea of a club was discussed and worked among some elected local authorities. Formally, three local governments created the club in 2006: Rennes Métropole, Département d’Ille et Vilaine and Région Bretagne, joined in 2007 by the Région Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The LGC is chaired by Alain Yvergniaux, Regional Council of Bretagne.

The priority for Local Governments is to improve the well-being of the members of their communities. That is to say, these Local Governments need to make decisions and design policies able to improve this well-being, or to increase global societal value. The convergence is clear between this first PEKEA project to give content to the concept of « societal value » and assist Local Governments wishing to have a better understanding of the level of well-being of their local communities for which they are responsible. Attaining this objective will increase the capacity to select appropriate policies that will increase this level of societal well-being.

The project ISBET (Societal Indicators of Territorial Well-being), financed by the Bretagne Region and promoted by PEKEA, follows this perspective. From an analytical point of view, the project is built on three axes:
1. Calculation of a regional IDH (Human Development Index) and its deflection at local level (IDH2, IDH3, IDH4…) ;
2. Construction of territorial indicators of well being with the participation of citizens and stakeholders on two territories in Brittany.
3. Theoretical discussion on procedures for the participatory construction of indicators.

The process of collective construction of indicators for well-being (axis 2 of the project) takes inspiration from the approach promoted by the Council of Europe. It aims to visualize what really counts for the citizens and to formulate proposals that would feed into the elaboration of public policies in domains such as territorial social cohesion, sustainable development, etc. Participation of citizens, stakeholders, associations, economic actors and others in the construction of a shared definition of well-being of all and for all is considered an essential pre-condition when it comes to identifying what really counts for them.
This approach is being piloted in two areas of local communities of peri-urban Rennes: Val d'Ille and Pipriac in the Ille and Vilaine Department.

Contacts : PEKEA, Michel Renault, coordinator of project ISBET with information from Claire Cartieaux
http://www.pekea.org

Martine Theveniaut (participant at both meetings)

Inner City Development Cooperative (Manila, Philippines)
A disaster

We introduced the Inner City Development Coop (ICDC) in Newsletter #44, December 1st 2007; Yvon had the opportunity to visit this cooperative in October 2007 at the first Asian Forum on Solidarity Economy.

Now a tragedy has affected the community. Typhoon Ondoy hit the Philippines very hard on September 26th. As described in a message from Zeny de Jesus of ICDC, the disaster struck the whole community, including 99% of the cooperative members. And that is not all, since a fire destroyed 600 homes at the same time. The message explains the situation well.

As it often happens, the poorest are most affected when natural disasters strike, especially because the slums are located in areas more conducive to flooding.

Nevertheless, with the tool they have collectively, their cooperative, members immediately took charge of the situation to assure their survival and their community’s.

Having witnessed the strength and the will of the cooperative and its members, I am sure they will succeed in rebuilding their community and renewing their efforts to lift people out of poverty.

Author: Yvon Poirier

Although the following article is in French, the pictures show the extensive damage done.
http://blog.lefigaro.fr/babyloan/2009/09/manille-ou-lirresistible-montee-des-perils.html

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2009-10-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #62
October 1st 2009

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Transition towns
An international network of local initiatives to meet the challenges of peak oil and climate change

Message from the Editorial Team

The main article prepared by Judith delves further into information and ideas presented in previous issues on the lasting effects of the energy crisis on the whole of society. In our previous issue, we reviewed a book by Jeff Rubin which shows that if the crisis is global; its impact will spread as far as local levels of society and disrupt people's lives.

The Transition Towns’ approach is therefore practical and highly prospective, as it prepares and helps us to adapt to the idea that our daily lives will be disrupted. Now is the time to start organizing the transition towards communities capable of living together in a sustainable manner with the existing resources of our planet. We have every reason to be inspired by these precursors.

A REMINDER

In our previous issue, we invited you to share your own experiences and reflections. We wish to reiterate our call.

In this Forum, we are assuming that we are all, to varying degrees, actors and practitioners of solidarity economy, all rooted in a singular territorial context, but living and sharing many matters which we have in common.

In the interest of better knowing you and building a shared diagnosis, we wish to invite you to participate in the following manner (a 1-2 page document).

1 - Introduction: You and your organization: address, mission, goals.
2 - Who is behind these initiatives (citizens, civil society, technicians, NGOs, local authorities, etc. )? followed by a brief account of these
3 - Lessons learnt: obstacles and opportunities
4 - Key issues; courses of action?

For further information:
ALOE http://www.forums.socioeco.org//info/atelier7-w7tf
AA4SE http:/www.aa4se.com

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Transition Towns
An international network of local initiatives to meet the challenges of peak oil and climate change

Although Totnes in the U.K. is often thought to be the home of the Transition Town movement, it actually all started in 2005 in Kinsale, a small town in West Cork in Ireland. This is where Rob Hopkins, the founder, was then lecturing in the Kinsale College of Further Education. It is also where he started the first full-time 2-year permaculture course in the world. The movement is based on the concept that our planet is facing the dual threat of peak oil and climate change, and that all people and local communities need to develop a bottom-up energy descent action plan to become less energy dependent, build resilience and capacity, and learn how to become responsible consumers in all ways. The movement has spread rapidly: today it is not just Transition towns, but also Cities, Islands, Hamlets, Valleys and Forests... The approach has developed already developed extensively in the English-speaking world (it is increasingly widespread in the UK, Ireland the US, Australia, NZ and Canada), although there are also some initiatives in Latin America and mainland Europe.

What it is and how it works.
The objectives are to
• Build resilience and develop the capacity within the community to prepare for the transition away from the dependence on fossil fuels to a safe and sustainable future
• Ensure a supply of fresh local food, support local farmers and food producers
• Relearn from our elders how to grow our own food as well as all sorts of other traditional skills
• Develop community solutions to reducing carbon emissions
• Protect the local environment, its ecosystems and biodiversity.

The emphasis is on “local” and “small-scale”, and convincing people to grow their own food in their gardens or allotments is one of the key goals of the movement.
There is no blueprint, although there is a handbook, based on 12 steps. Each community has to empower itself to find its own solutions. This means that the speed and way in which each community works is variable and unique. Some initiatives have even gone as far as developing local currencies. (Kenmare in Ireland, Totnes and Lewis in the UK.).

An interesting comment by Sally Sweeney, instigator of an initiative that started up under a year ago in Tramore in Ireland: “It’s important to learn how not to be alarmist so that you can make a difference, make people aware of how serious the situation is; and make people want to act.” In the case of Tramore, both the “energy” group and the “food” have developed well and fast, and there are mutual visits between similar group in other towns, which helps empower, create emulation and also helps maintain interest and enthusiasm.

The stage of interfacing with local authorities is a critical aspect. Once a local community becomes empowered, with a dedicated core group, they become credible. And this in turn helps to develop a virtuous circle where local authorities introduce measures that support the approach. The outcomes are citizens’ empowerment, a more committed approach to responsible consumption and sustainable local development.

Author: Judith Hitchman
Original article in English and French

For more information:
http://transitiontowns.org
http://transitionculture.org
http://www.villesentransition.net

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2009-09-01T08:09:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #61
September 1st 2009

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Principles of Community Economic Development
A global approach

Why your world is about to get a whole lot smaller
Oil and the end of globalization

Semences Paysannes Meeting, Le Roc, France, June 22nd – 25th 2009

ANNOUNCEMENTS
A - Asian Forum for Solidarity Economy
B - Local Initiatives/ Territorial anchoring of the Solidarity Economy: an invitation to contribute

Message from the Editorial Team

Things move very quickly: in fact the consequences of a globalized and deregulated economy are getting worse (and it's not over as shown by the analysis of the work of Jeff Rubin).

In this context, the territorial approach is trying to show the innovative nature of social relationships established in local or regional initiatives. Today they are essential players in the organization of solidarity. The vision of Community Economic Development presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Network for Community Economic Development (CED) bears witness to this fact.

This evolution confirms the analysis developed in this Newsletter. As you can see in the Announcements Section, Yvon and Martine are directly associated with follow-up applications that resulted from Workshop 7 at the Lux'09 Forum. Given the innovative nature of this approach we now need to adopt a methodological approach in order to prove and convince people that economic solidarity, rooted in local life, and connected with the outside world, can become a sustainable component and alternative to neoliberal capitalism, in the mainstream economy. We also want to demonstrate how it can bring together strategies for change, that are capable of meeting the challenges of a more responsible kind of globalization.

Finally, we wish to remind our readers that you may send us news or articles we can publish, taking into account our limited capacity, since the publication of our newsletter is a strictly volunteer endeavour.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Principles of Community Economic Development
A global approach

At the annual meeting of the Canadian Network for Community Economic Development (CED) held in Winnipeg, Manitoba last June, Stephen Ameyaw from Simon Fraser University (Vancouver) gave a presentation on the Canadian government’s policy regarding the economic development program in place since 1989 in the Inuit regions of Canada. Community economic development is at the heart of this strategy, currently under review.

We wish to share with you an excerpt from this presentation.

PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CED is:
 development by people, for the people. In this type of development the community takes the lead right from the beginning and control the process to the end.
 a process. At times, communities may attract outside experts, and practitioners to help plan development projects, but the goals and the things they need must be set by the people. Examples include: Local materials, and labour and ideas.
 a long-term process — people will stay involved, get organized so that they achieve their goals.
 holistic - CED includes, physical, spiritual, social, natural environment, land, sea and rivers, their culture, health of the people and the environment are all intertwined.
 inclusive - Every member of the community participates in community affairs and is represented in several committees.
 the development of the people; the leaders are committed, organized, work together.
 founded upon sustainability - can the community sustain all the initiatives it is undertaking?
 Innovate communities find new ways to create opportunities, natural resources and materials.
 aims for diversification - means creating opportunities for change
 collaborative - communities build partnerships with industry, government, international organizations and others to accomplish goals.

This description is very similar to the principles developed in our Newsletter since its inception in November 2003. In light of our experience and the experiences of others in other countries, we wish to add some elements: CED strengthens social cohesion, relationships of non-violence and peaceful conflict resolution in the community; the building of a vibrant local economy that relies on its own human and material resources; openness to the outside world and awareness of the interdependence between the local and global, and ability to find better local solutions to current challenges.

This is why CED is a valuable resource for planning one’s development in terms of future generations.

Author: Yvon Poirier

Why your world is about to get a whole lot smaller
Oil and the end of globalization

Jeff Rubin, former chief economist of World Markets for a major Canadian bank, CIBC, has just published a book entitled Why your world is about to get a whole lot smaller.

In 2000, this economist was one of the first to predict that oil prices would soar. In his book, he demonstrates how the end of cheap oil will dramatically upset the economy and society. He speaks of the end of globalization to describe the phenomenon.

With supporting data, he shows that for several years now, oil consumption has risen by 4 million barrels more than the amounts found in new explorations. Even with camouflaged or limited access to data, there are major signs that deposits currently in production are being depleted. For example, the main oil field in Saudi Arabia is starting to contain salt water, a sign that sea water is being pumped to increase pressure, which is also a sign of depletion. Another example in the United States, where the historical production was 10 million barrels per day, now is only 5 million bpd. The operation of oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico was supposed to cover this production drop, but was virtually destroyed by Hurricane Katerina.

Meanwhile, despite the current economic crisis, sales of automobiles continue to increase by about 10% per year in India and China. The author also shows that alternative energies are far from being able to replace oil in the foreseeable future.

Book review: Yvon Poirier

Rubin, Jeff, Why your world is about to get a whole lot smaller, Random House Canada, 2009, 287 p.

Semences Paysannes Meeting, Le Roc, France, June 22-25th 2009.
Semences Paysannes is a network that aims to support small-scale farmers in their work to defend the right to conserve, re-sow and exchange seeds, which is a fundamental historical farmer’s right. These practices have been outlawed in many countries, under pressure from multinational seed companies and the pro-GMO lobby. The traditional practice of participatory breeding (selecting the ears of wheat that look best to the farmers, in their own and other farmers’ fields and using the seed to re-sow the next year’s experimental crop) also helps traditional local varieties of crops to adapt to local conditions and climate change, so is very important. It is equally important to preserve historic varieties that are part of our agricultural heritage.

This particular meeting brought together 150 participants from 18 different countries, and was dedicated to three aspects: visiting Jean-François Bertholot’s magnificent in situ collection of historic wheat on his farm, where the meeting took place, workshops for exchanging know-how on milling and sour-dough bread baking between traditional artisinal, small-scale bakers, and a one-day seminar on existing regulations and how to overcome obstacles.

The importance of enabling small-scale farmers and artisinal bakers to produce traditional sour-dough bread that is both high in quality and nutritional value is an imprtant dimension of the struggle for sustainable local development.

Author : Judith Hitchman
Original article in English and French

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A-Asian Forum for Solidarity Economy

The second Asian Forum on Solidarity Economy will be held in Tokyo, November 7th -10th 2009. This is a follow-up meeting to the first such forum held in Manila in October 2007.

Four thematic workshops will deliberate the following topics:
Social Finance/Microfinance & Solidarity Economy
Fair Trade & Solidarity Economy
Social Welfare & Solidarity Economy
Local Initiatives/territorial anchoring of Solidarity Economy

http://solidarityeconomy.web.fc2.com/en/program.html

B – Local Initiatives/ Territorial anchoring of the Solidarity Economy: an invitation to contribute

Workshop 7 which dealt with the theme "Democratic participation and territorial anchoring to create another economy" is continuing its systematic approach to ensure that this process will become a major pillar of development strategies in solidarity economy.

«Territorial anchorage comes into view when we look at the reality of Solidarity Economy (or SE) in a territorial approach, from the local to the global. An important advantage of this approach is to provide a realistic view of the level of development of SSE in communities, countries and continents. It allows for more rigorous efforts to examine various facets and dimensions of Solidarity Economy at its peculiar stage of development in a given locality. This improves the vision of how the thematic aspects or dimensions of SSE need to be enhanced and stimulated in order to advance SSE as a sustainable alternative economic reality in a given locality. »
«More importantly, territorial anchorage sharpens the focus on the role of governance in the promotion of the Solidarity Economy as an alternative economy, in the context of the globalization process. »

Taking into account the holding of the 5th meeting of the Globalization of Solidarity in Asia in 2013, the Asia Alliance for Solidarity Economy (www.aa4se.org) is the main partner in the process. Pactes Locaux (www.pactes-locaux.org) has agreed to assume responsibility to implement the consensus of the Workshop 7, with the support of the FPH.
To carry out this process, based on exchange between practitioners (or catalysts) of project areas, a provisional steering committee has been formed of:
Ben Quiñones (Asian Alliance for Solidarity Economy).
Denison Jayasooria (Asian Alliance for Solidarity Economy)
Yvon Poirier (International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development)
Martine Theveniaut (Pactes Locaux)

This step is open and inclusive. Depending on the country and the continent, the meaning of territory and territorial anchoring are different: one speaks of community economic development in North America, community development in India, local development in Europe, Francophone Africa as well as North and South America. Regardless of these different terminologies, we know that beyond lie great similarities in approaches and practices.

We invite all interested readers to join the on-line open forum until October 30th 2009 and describe your experiences. Your contributions will go directly towards the preparation of the 4th Workshop of the Asian Forum for Solidarity Economy - Local initiatives / Territorial Anchoring of the Solidarity Economy to be held in Tokyo, Japan, November 7th – 10th 2009.

You can find the presentation text and a guide to respond to this invitation on the following websites:

ALOE http://www.forums.socioeco.org//info/atelier7-w7tf
AA4Se http:/www.aa4se.com

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2009-07-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #60
July 1st, 2009

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Silent March of The Invisible Force
ASSEFA : 40 years of community development in India

Message from the Editorial Team

In this issue, we wish to share the very significant progress achieved in recent years by the Association for Serva Seva Farms (ASSEFA) of India. This development highlights the potential for increased and better quality alternatives and growth implemented by a territory over time. In this case, the villages are the basis of this initiative or mechanism. But these villages are not withdrawn, these communities are connected by a global project and a bank adapted to the needs, which acts at the regional and national level, allowing solidarity to be organized more broadly and solidly.

We have already introduced this association in Newsletters #4 (2003) and #12 (2005) available on the website listed below. In August 2002, Yvon was the guest of ASSEFA as part of an international delegation. At that time, the association consisted of approximately 3,500 villages. Six (6) years later, they were 9,800 villages! From Yvon’s perspective, this is still a most inspiring association to be acknowledged.

In the coming months, we shall explore with you the path of our Newsletter in regards to the outcome of the meeting in Luxembourg (see previous issue). The awareness that accompanies ongoing crises, particularly the announced end of cheap oil will undoubtedly have tremendous impact. A large number of analyses predict the return of the territory, the "local" level to the place of (re)composition of human activities and management of natural resources and monitoring of ecosystemic resilience. The time has come to put all our human energy at the service of peaceful alternatives to the global macroeconomic model which relied on exploiting with disregard natural resources that we thought inexhaustible. "It is too late to be pessimistic", as says Arthus-Bertrand in the documentary Home.

Next edition: September 2009

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Silent March of The Invisible Force
ASSEFA : 40 years of community development in India

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Association for Serva Seva Farms (ASSEFA) of India published a collection of various articles about its activities in a book with a revealing title: Silent March of the Invisible Force.

In March 2008, this Gandhian inspired movement was composed of 9,766 villages in 8 different states of India. Altogether there are 803,000 families, over 3.5 million people, who benefit from the many activities of ASSEFA. By 2010, it is expected that over 1 million families will be involved in the movement.

In this article it is not possible to describe in detail all the activities ASSEFA. We are presenting a set of elements that give an idea of the work which has been accomplished since 2002, when Yvon Poirier first conducted a site visit. We wish to invite readers to consult Newsletters #4 and 12 to get a better idea what has been achieved in the past 7 years.

Vision: A Holistic Approach
At the beginning in 1968, the purpose was to help the landless to create villages on land obtained by the Gandhi movement. In the beginning, ASSEFA worked for the villagers. In the next step ASSEFA worked with everyone, including the poor. For the past 15 years, it is more appropriate to speak of development by the people, in which the association is involved with planning and support. This approach is holistic and aims to create self-sufficient and sustainable villages.

The concept of trustee is at the heart of the principles that prevail. « Everyone should live on this Mother Earth as a Trustee with all that he has and acquires for the benefit of the community in which he lives.” Therefore, ASSEFA puts its trust in the community and the villagers. They are free to organize themselves, manage money and material resources in order to obtain mutual benefit, and if possible to benefit the nearby villages.

Micro-finance: an empowerment tool for women
The organization of villages rests largely on women's self-help groups (SHGs). In March 2008, there were 32,000 WSHGs bringing together 500,000 women in 113 Sarvodoya Mutual Benefit Trusts (SMBT). In 1996, SMBT became owners of Sarvodaya Nano Finance Limited, a financial institution recognized by the Bank of India. Therefore, micro-finance has been the property of women since 1998. It is managed by them, with the help from ASSEFA professionals. In 2008, there were 172,000 women who received loans. The repayment rate was 99.66%!

In this holistic approach, ASSEFA ensures that villages can meet their needs: health, education, housing, income-generating activities (such as milk production, small businesses, direct sales of agricultural products in markets, etc.).

Building social cohesion
A major emphasis is the building of peace in the communities. As we stated in 2005, ASSEFA with the contributions of organizations in Europe and the support of various Nobel Peace Prize recipients, including the Dalai Lama of Tibet, Mairead Corrigan Maguire of Ireland and Aug San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, has obtained that the UN General Assembly declare “2001-2010 International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World." This training is integrated into the ASSEFA school curriculum.

Community weddings are another important activity that has been introduced in recent years. In India, marriage remains an important institution. Beyond the two people, it is a sacred rite that unites two families. However, most marriages are arranged. Although this is a festive event, for many poor families it is a financial disaster. Even if bringing a dowry has been illegal since 1961 in India, it remains the norm. Therefore community marriages, which simultaneously unite Hindu, Muslim and Christian couples do not just promote respect among religions but also strengthen the community and the fight against poverty. With the assistance of WSHGs organizing such marriages reduces the cost to concerned families by 50%. In January and February, 2006 in 7 villages of Tamil Nadu (a state in southern India), 340 couples were married and 49,000 people attended the celebrations. Involving the villagers puts in place the conditions to help the newlyweds, if needed. « In short, the community wedding becomes a potent tool to build social cohesion and self-help villages.”

Prospects for the next 40 years
The priority remains to achieve social and economic justice, and create prosperous villages. Even if the “empowerment of the most vulnerable is a «work in progress» in every society, while sustainability is no longer just a matter of the survival of projects and organisations but must be a global concern; and our ability to understand the implication of inter-dependence may be the key factor in determining whether humanity survives the next century”.

Globalization worsens the gap between rich and poor worldwide and within each country. “The post-petroleum economy opens new opportunities but will create dislocations and real pain for many people. Without effective means to manage the global economy and ensure that people’s basic needs are met, including adjusting to changes in our environment, a secure future for humanity is at risk.”

Author : Yvon Poirier¸
Silent March of The Invisible Force
Sarvodaya Action Research Centre, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, September 2008, 248 p

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2009-06-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #59
June 1st, 2009

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

4th Intercontinental RIPESS Meeting, Globalisation of Solidarity – Lux’09 Forum, April 22-25, 2009 Schifflange (Luxemburg)
The contributions of Workshop 7: Democratic participation and anchoring the SSE at a territorial level to create another economy.

Message from the Editorial Team

As we announced last April, the entire Editorial Team attended the Lux'09 Meeting. From our perspective, this meeting was a success, especially since several working groups are taking action on proposals elaborated during workshops.

We wish to invite you to visit www.lux09.lu to view the results of thirteen thematic workshops as well as the final Declaration.

Since we were involved from the beginning in organizing Workshop 7, Democratic participation and anchoring the SSE at a territorial level for another economy, and since it is the essence of the mission of our Newsletter, we wish to share the preparatory process of the workshop and its main results.

We are very satisfied with this result, especially as in many other workshops, the concept of local development, which for us means territorial anchoring was present. In conclusion, in the vast majority of sectors of activity, whether responsible consumption and fair trade, solidarity finances, food, energy, housing, etc., the importance of the local level or territorial anchoring is a constant.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

+++++++++
4th Intercontinental RIPESS Meeting, Globalisation of Solidarity
Lux’09 Forum, April 22-25, 2009, Schifflange (Luxemburg)

The contributions of Workshop 7: Democratic participation and anchoring the SSE at a territorial level to create another economy.

In the current context of deep crisis of democracy and the growth model, the French association of Pactes Locaux, supported by the Foundation for the Progress of Humankind (FPH) devised a mobile, learner-centered capitalization process, that involved a broad working platform at European level. In December 2007, the preparations for Workshop 7 agreed to hold 5 regional meetings. They were hosted by locally active organizations involved in territorial issues. Considerable progress if the following key issues was made:
• Poitou-Charentes: citizen’s participation and creation of 340 employer’s groups to meet needs, create jobs through the foundation of a European Resource Center (France Joubert)
• Auvergne: responsible tourism, a laboratory for territorial solidarity economy, that is both harmonious and sustainable, as well as being a tool for development for the local population. (Alain Laurent and Jean-Claude Mairal)
• Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: Objectif Plein Emploi is a network of 820 employees in jobs that cannot be relocated as well as 400 volunteers. It focuses on local development, solidarity economy and promoting the Third Sector in Europe (Ben Goerens)
• Ile-de-France (Paris Region): the Equitess Collective in Fontenay-sous-Bois introduced new socio-economic practices that contribute to better together in urban areas. (Christine Bourdel, Françoise Hutinet, Joël Cacciaguerra)
• Nord-Pas-de-Calais: metropolis agglomerations (Lille, Kortrijk, Arras and Calais, Dunkerque, Boulogne) and their adjacent territories: How to organise solidarity and economy, and avoid a fatalistic approach were the watchwords of this meeting. (Bruno Deffontaines and Mireille Charonnat, Development Council of Pays de Saint-Omer, with the rural regions of the Green Zone).

The five meetings were concluded in January 2009. The results were highlighted using the same criteria, and charted on a grid. They were discussed between peers and led to concrete proposals. They were enriched and extended at international level between February and April 2009. Thius was done by:
• Using illustrative charts prepared by the speakers and other guest contributors from around the world who were members of workshop 7: Europe, Georgia, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, Madagascar, Quebec, Chile, Malaysia and the Philippines.
• Hosting an international delegation in the Aude before the Lux09 meeting, from April 16th - 21th : Yvon Poirier and Jacques Fiset (Quebec), Denison Jayasooria (Malaysia) and Ben Quiñones (Philippines), President and leader of the CSRSME Asia (Coalition of Socially Responsible SMEs). This is the organisation responsible for carrying the torch for the 5th meeting to Asia in 2013.

Much material, many questions, suggestions and proposals of great value were gathered through this participatory process (www.pactes-locaux.org). Luxembourg ‘09 is a milestone and a new starting point, as evidenced by the general conclusions of Workshop 7. :
85 people registered, about forty actually were present for all 3 sessions of the workshop:
1) "Illustrate and discuss views from the North."
2) On the following day, "Views from the South"
3) "Comparing our vision" on the third day and identification of converging ideas and similarities between actors at all levels of responsibility; making joint proposals from local to European and international levels, potential answers through regulations, organisation, co-operation and decisions.

Workshop 7 considers the idea of territorial anchoring is of central importance.
The gravity of the current crisis provides an opportunity to revise fundamental aspects of the economy by connecting them to the other dimensions at the most relevant level. This means at local, territorial level. It implies that people are the central starting point for both analyses and action. At this level it is possible to adopt a holistic vision. Territorial anchoring makes it possible to adopt a transversal, across-the-board approach and achieve joined-up thinking (environment, social, culture, finance, governance etc.). It also allows for the involvement of all social groups, especially the excluded; it is essential that SSE develop socially inclusive policies. This approach is a pillar of the social solidarity economy and will be placed at the heart of the 5th meeting of RIPESS in Asia.

For this concept to be understood and disseminated, the learning approach of the Pactes Locaux is an appropriate tool. It the concrete translation of the expression “experience shapes and takes shape”. The learning journey (as it is called in Asia) contributes to the co-construction of a shared vision of the territory and about the territory. This type of tool needs to be improved and adapted.
Capacity building and training are indispensable. The target groups for this are elected representatives, municipal staff and the civil services in general.
Participation must be the norm, but it must be facilitated by reaching out to the most excluded and the most needy, through listening and dialogue rather than by preaching. This is essential.
It is important to have facilitators, storytellers and moderators in daily local life. The same applies to effective tools like the African tradition of sitting under a tree to talk things through.
Taken together, all these elements help to establish the link between representative democracy and active democracy.
The networking and exchange of North-South experiences is also important. There is a need to strike a new balance between exchanging experience and knowledge.
The use of regulations, in other words of policies, is inevitable in order to establish links between local, regional, national, continental and global levels.

There were specific proposals that mark the shared will to continue a meaningful dialogue to explore two issues in the framework of the International Asian Forum in 2013:
• What contribution can the territorial, cultural, environmental, and social dimension bring to the various themes that the Forum intends to address?
• What contribution can be made to the development of global projects?
A number of actions have been listed, and are being explored in terms of their potential implementation.

This approach was reinforced in the concluding speech to Lux09 made by Romain Biever, Chairman of INEES (European Institute for Solidarity based Economy), in which he emphasised the following 5 points:
• "continue to conceptualize basic research in the field of economic science;
• continue applied research on various themes through projects because the skills are embedded within the projects;
• emphasise the value of territories in democratic governance;
• strengthen networking;
• enable all citizens to participate, to develop critical thinking, fight dogmatic positions, participate in the media ... We must combine these 5 points, and help them to grow from the territories, to become new locomotives. We need to develop a knowledge-based society and create centres of excellence in our territories and internationally. "

Article by Martine Theveniaut

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2009-05-28T07:31:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #58
May 1st, 2009

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Economic Justice from the Bottom Up
The Solidarity Economy Movement Emerges in Its First U.S. Conference

Message from the Editorial Team

A first conference on solidarity economy was held in the U.S. last March. In this issue we are reproducing an article by Carl Davidson, a Coordinating Committee member of the U.S. Solidarity Economy Network (USSEN).

In the current economic, financial and environmental crises, the development of a solidarity economy movement as public policy within a country that promotes neo-liberal globalization is a sign of fundamental change, which follows the election of Obama as president of the USA. The challenges are enormous in a context where large corporations do not wish to relinquish being major players. For example, Exxon is trying to get their hands on wind power projects!

The movement is young, but it is rooted in a variety of social movements, spread in all regions of the U.S.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Economic Justice from the Bottom Up
The Solidarity Economy Movement Emerges in Its First U.S. Conference
By Carl Davidson
SolidarityEconomy.Net

Nearly 400 organizers and activists gathered at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst March 19-22 for the first national gathering of the U.S. Solidarity Economy Network, exceeding the expectations of its organizers.
The deepening economic crisis made the meeting quite timely. The overall theme was 'Building Another World,' and drew participants from the East Coast, South and Midwest of the US, even Alaska and Puerto Rico. Internationally, delegations came from Quebec, Venezuela, Peru, Mexico, and Canada. People represented economic justice and green jobs projects, food coops and credit unions, worker coops and labor unions, and peace and justice organizing efforts.
"Our diversity was very dynamic and creative," said Julie Matthaei, a USSEN coordinating committee member. "It served us well in affirming our unity, discussing differences, and helping us reach a deeper understanding of the solidarity economy in our context."

The solidarity economy is a grassroots movement widely known throughout Latin America, arising from people turning to each other for survival in the face of the slashing of social safety nets imposed by globalization and neo-liberalism. It consists of peasant cooperatives, workers seizing abandoned factories and a variety of organizations of the urban poor. In Europe and Quebec, it's also known as part of the social economy, with deep ties to the trade unions, worker-owned cooperatives and the non-profit sector in social services. Together, the social and solidarity economy are quite strong there, with successes in pushing public policy.
USSEN was launched at the US Social Forum in Atlanta, 2007, which drew some 12,000 participants. SEN activists had organized over 80 panels and workshops, and the network was founded from among the participants. It has added to its numbers since then, with the Amherst meeting its first major U.S. project. It was co-convened with the Universidad de los Andes from Venezuela and RIPESS-North America, the Intercontinental Social Solidarity Economy Network.

Emily Kawano, USSEN director, welcomed everyone at the opening plenary and took note of this history. "We know the solidarity economy is new to activists here in the U.S., but we're very excited about how it is being taken up. We're very clear on its core meaning, but at the same time, we like the concept that we build the road as we travel it." Ethel Cote followed with a description of how the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNET) she was representing was facing new challenges in coming to scale in the new period of crisis, while Benito Diaz of the Venezuelan University on the Andes described the large cooperative movement launched as part of the Bolivarian revolution in his country.
The conference was organized around some 70 workshops in eight time slots, with four major plenary sessions, as well as an opening tour of local examples of the solidarity economy in practice in Western Massachusetts. A total of 199 speakers made presentations and facilitated discussions.

A broad range of topics
The topics covered a wide-range: A common policy agenda in the context of Obama's recovery plans, cooperative housing, fair trade, credit unions, alternative currencies, cooperatives in Venezuela, worker takeovers in Argentina, feminist economics, the social economy in Quebec, the role of labor unions, worker cooperatives, green jobs alliances, solar power and many more.
The Friday morning plenary was packed. Elandria Williams from the Highlander Research and Educational Center in Knoxville, Tennessee fired people up with descriptions of organizing battles for economic justice. "We've been engaged in the solidarity economy for our survival for and long time. We just never applied that name to it." She shared the platform with Ethan Miller from the Grassroots Economic Organizing network. He delighted the session with an extensive graphic mapping of all the interconnected features of the movement cast on a giant screen.

Solidarity Economy and green jobs
The question of the solidarity economy's connection with the wider "green jobs" movement came up early in an opening round workshop on shaping a common policy in the context of the Obama stimulus. The issue was underscored by the recent appointment of Van Jones of Green For All to the White House team--Green For All and Jones are highly regarded here. While there was no consensus answer, almost all agreed that there was considerable overlap between the two, and the solidarity economy projects had an important role in the green jobs movement.
"They're not exactly the same," said one participant. "T. Boone Pickens, the Texas millionaire guy who wants all those wind turbines to make the Midwest the Saudi Arabia of wind power is clearly part of the green economy, but he's most likely indifferent at best as to what makes for a solidarity economy, worker and community ownership and the like. But that's where we come in, what we can offer to the green jobs movement."

Two main questions structured the discussions
The "Obama debate" emerged in several workshops over the weekend. There were a range of views on the new White House, with many sympathetic to Obama. Some declared themselves as Green voters, however, and a few didn't bother with the election. In fact, there are two major underlying discussions and debates in the solidarity economy movement almost everywhere.
• One is whether SE projects operate as alternatives to markets or as a dynamic option within them.
• The other concerns the state, and whether SE projects grow mainly by linking horizontally outside of government, or whether they partner with government to force structural reforms, especially on the local level. Both views were expressed, but neither saw the need to force a conclusion on the matter.
But most participants were simply upbeat about the size and diversity of the turnout, and intrigued over the array of choices of workshop subject matter they could sample.

A conference of international scope
The Friday evening plenary deepened the internationalist dimension of the conference. Nancy Neamtan from the Chantier de l'économie sociale in Quebec, the network of networks of all organizations involved in social economy, explained the deep connection with the labor movement through a number of battles and crises, and how the social economy is critical to the survival of the working class, especially working women. Graciela Monteagudo, speaking for the Argentina Autonomista Project, gave a powerful slide show on the efforts of that country's urban street poor to organize themselves in recycling cooperatives, while Jose Sojo of Venezuela described the ongoing challenges with cooperatives surviving in the marketplace.
Jobs for youth
By Saturday morning the conference workshops had the problem of being overcrowded, as more activists arrived in Amherst for the weekend. "Community Owned Green Jobs and Green Energy" was a popular choice. Organized by Massachusetts Coop Power, the presenters gave excellent detailed descriptions of creating green jobs for youth installing solar powered hot water heaters in residential homes. Even low-income families could take advantage of a number of creative plans to cover up-front expenses for the units by borrowing against their future savings on power bills from the utility companies.
"It's 'Win-Win' all round," said Lynn Benander of Coop Power. When queried about how she won over dubious inner city youth to take up the program, she replied: "I put a foam cup of hot water in the middle of the table and asked, 'How would you keep it hot?' and got them to compete for solutions. Then I said, 'OK, good, now how you keep this room and this building warmer? Here's a detector, find the heat loss, and think about how to stop it. Worked like a charm; they got into it."

Partnering to build an inclusive, equitable and green economy
A workshop that followed up on a similar theme was "Building an Inclusive and Equitable Green Economy," presented by the Massachusetts Green Jobs Coalition. "How do we actually do it?" asked Kalia Lydgate, a MAGJC organizer. A student inspired by Van Jones and his book, "Green Collar Economy," she went on to describe how they used his ideas to build cross-sectoral alliances that are inclusive of those needing green jobs the most. "If you walk in a room and it's all white guys in suits, you've got big problems. That just won't work." MAGJC turned out to be a successful statewide coalition and advocate that got bottom up job training and funding done the best way.
"This is one of the most thought provoking and enlightening experiences in my life," said Tylik Railey, a young activist with the Asbury Park Neighborhood Cooperative in New Jersey. "I'm so glad that I am a part of a movement this huge and worldwide. Not knowing too much about solidarity economy, I was a little hesitant into walking into this world of organizers, scholars, students, and small business people. But in little to no time I was sharing my experiences with these same people."
The role of unions in the social movement
The afternoon round featured a workshop on labor. Yvon Poirier of the Canadian CED Network and a retired Quebec trade unionist gave a presentation on the critical role of unions in the Quebec social movements. "With our conservative government in Ottawa," said Poirier, "a progressive agenda is not fully possible right now." Still, he went on to explain the advanced way, compared to the U.S., that since the mid-1980s, Quebec unions made use of their own pension funds to support growth in the social economy that served the basic needs of the population. Others in the workshop brought up some of the problems with "business unionism" in the U.S, but noted there were now a number of openings for work around wider issues. All agreed that SEN activists should take up the Fight for the upcoming Employee Free Choice Act that the GOP Right is trying to block.

Worker cooperatives are at the heart of the solidarity economy
One workshop discussed a number of projects in the Bronx and New York City. Workshop participant Bucket von Harmony, a member of a rural coop in Virginia, reported:
"We learned how many immigrant workers in New York City are treated poorly by their employers. So a group of folks got together and formed various collectives: a childcare co-op, a construction co-op, and a house cleaning co-op. They each have different structures. One requires that everyone put in 2 hours of marketing work a week. The construction co-op gives women the opportunity to participate in construction that they had not access to before and they all pay each other equally no matter what their skill level is. It is awesome to see how sharing and cooperation can better the lives of those who have the hardest time getting by, as so much our movement is made up of those who have had a lot of privilege in the mainstream culture."

Credit unions are also a feature of the solidarity economy.
The workshop, "Guide to a Better Banking System," organized by the Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, spotlighted how they have been hit by the overall financial crisis, when their own national center was caught with securities, supposedly safe AAA investments, that were really based on toxic mortgages. "We'll take a hit,'" said Cliff Rosenthal, "but we'll come through it better than others." He went on to explain the value of credit unions, themselves coops, in meeting the financial needs of local worker and community-base cooperatives.
Rosenthal also led off at the Saturday evening plenary with a short version of the workshop. But the role of credit unions became apparent with the other presenters with him: Van Temple of the National Community Land Trust, which works to develop affordable housing on community-held land; and Nick Regalado of West Virginia's Coal River Mountain Watch, which promotes windmill farms and opposes the "mountaintop removal" method of strip mining coal ravaging the Appalachian highlands. This session concluded with a militant call by Julio Chavez, the former mayor of Trujillo, Venezuela for greater cooperation internationally, and solidarity with the Bolivarian revolutionary process unfolding in his country.
Rejoicing together

A cabaret of solidarity culture closed out the evening with high energy. First was Raging Grannies, a colorful group doing peace and folk songs, and a number of folk singers including Red Valley Fog, Jay Mankita and Ethan Miller. "Brick by Brick", an inner city hip-hop group changed the pace with rap poetry written that day, to much enthusiasm. Finally, a spoken word group read from the writing and speech of famous labor leaders over a span of 150 years, and ended with everyone standing, singing a rousing version of "Solidarity Forever." Among the more grey-haired veterans of labor battles in the 1970s, there wasn't a dry eye to be found.

Wrap-up
Sunday was wrap-up day, as people prepared for catching planes. A last round of workshops featured one of Egalitarian Communes led by Bucket von Harmony, and another on "Women Feminism and the Solidarity Economy" with Ethel Cote, Julie Matthaei, and Nedda Angulo of RIPESS. Angulo gave the final plenary a militant call to expand the work on all continents, and to encourage those who could to attend the upcoming RIPESS meeting in Luxembourg.
Throughout the conference, SEN had three "business meetings" on the work of building the organization and the wider network. It agreed to form a new board of directors and a smaller coordinating committee, as well as setting other priorities and refining its message and mission. Quebec's Yvon Poirier summed up the conclusion:
"Back in June 2007, in Atlanta, there were about 40 people in the final meeting, out of the 80 workshops, that decided to go forward. Now there are about 350 or 400 people in the US that know a lot more, and are certainly interested in one way or another, in promoting Solidarity Economy." With scarce resources, it won't be an easy task. But the times demand it, and if the people who gathered in Amherst are any indication, they will rise to the occasion.
US SEN website:
http://www.populareconomics.org/ussen/
Original article in English
Sub-section titles added by the Editorial Team

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2009-04-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #57
April 1st, 2009

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Musings on the mainstreaming of solidarity economy, public procurement and cultural difference

Message from the Editorial Team
In this issue, Judith shares her thoughts on the impact of solidarity economy in the European context: the inclusion of products which are designated either fair trade or organic in the procurement policies of the national or regional governments, local authorities , as well as large institutions like universities, major industrial or commercial groups. This issue is presently being discussed by several countries.

As reported in our last issue, militants in Brazil are calling for support of a Brazilian Bill on School meals, which ensures that at least 30% of canteen food in schools is sourced from local family farms and Solidarity Economy. In the same vein, RIPESS is proposing to launch a global campaign for public procurement and an ethical and responsible consumption of goods and services.

Judith's article provides an overview of some of the practical challenges encountered, especially in France and the UK. As the title of the article suggests, there are also many initiatives elsewhere. For example, Yvon is aware of two initiatives of the Early Childhood Centres’ Network of Quebec; they are the equivalent to childcare nurseries. Many of these centres purchase organic foods from local farmers. This helps create awareness of healthy eating in young children of preschool age and keeps their parents informed. These centres have also created a joint co-operative for the procurement of all their goods and services.

This question is on the agenda the Lux'09 meeting. It is transversal and concerns responsible consumption (Workshop 6), but also public policies (Workshop 1), networks (Workshop 9) or communication (workshop 10), etc.

All of our Editorial Team will be actively participating in the Luxembourg meeting!! We will share discussions and progress in the June 1st Newsletter, as it will not be possible for May 1st.

As we know that many of our readers will also be present, and we are very much looking forward to seeing you there.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Musings on the mainstreaming of solidarity economy, public procurement and cultural difference.
This short article is based on a number of recent experiences and meetings with which I have been associated, mainly as interpreter, and is an attempt to further the understanding of readers as to some of the threats and opportunities inherent to the development of economic alternatives in the current global situation of multiple crises.

Fair Trade and buying local: a complementary approach?
A recent seminar organised by Max Havelaar for the Fair Trade Towns programme provided much food for thought. This programme which has European Union funding, uses the following definition:

« A Fairtrade Town is a town, city, village, county, zone, island or borough that has made a commitment to supporting Fairtrade and using products with the FAIRTRADE Mark. Any area can work towards Fairtrade status and everyone needs to be involved!

Community organisations, faith groups, businesses, schools and individuals all contribute to making their area a Fairtrade Town by pledging to do what they can to support Fairtrade and promote the FAIRTRADE Mark. »

Fair trade, along with local organic food and the short supply chain or direct producer-to-consumer production of food or goods, (particularly Local Solidarity Partnerships between Producers and Consumers: LSPPC) is a very strongly emerging trend today. While the first is based on the specific criteria of Fair Trade (cf Max Havelaar, WFTO – formerly IFAT – sites), the latter is based on principles of responsible consumption at local level. Both cut out the concept of middlemen, and ensure a decent living for the producers. This in itself means that while the producer is paid far more than if the goods are bought by supermarkets (who try to keep the prices paid to growers/producers to a minimum, and their own profit margins to a maximum), that the short chain means that prices that consumers pay are generally much the same as those of the ‘mainstream market economy’. The quality of food and goods is always very high.

The other key aspect is the respect of International Labor Organisation (ILO) conventions, which guarantee decent work conditions for all producers. And when people can earn a decent living, the question of being forced to take the perilous path of emigration is often solved. This is all the more true when the issue of food sovereignty is also placed at the heart of governmental policy as is the case in certain countries like Mali. If we take all these aspects into account when we buy our fruit and vegetables for the week, it then becomes a reasonable choice to offset a bunch of fair Trade bananas (food miles, but Fair Trade) with a bag of locally grown organic apples (our own local farmers can survive)… ! And these are all aspects that ensure that a genuine local economy, a real economic alternative to the crisis situation can emerge, be it here in Europe or further afield.

Public Procurement policies: what role can the solidarity economy play?
Public authorities in Europe also have the ability to purchase goods on the best cost/price basis, or to include specific social or socio-political clauses. For small items, there is no need to go to tender. For larger amounts, where tenders are compulsory, the specifications may include such clauses as including disadvantaged workers and/or environmental clauses. Italy was the first country to have introduced the social dimension in public procurement in 1991, by reserving certain public markets for social co-operatives. This law had to be re-examined following objections by the European Commission. For the legal discussion on public procurement has now taken on a European dimension. In effect, the inclusion of social criteria in public tenders is still not mainstream practice.

While it is now quite a widespread and generally accepted approach in France to have organic food in school canteens (and so much the better!), the introduction of other products is more recent. An interesting example of just how far public procurement can be taken is the town of Nantes, where specific clauses in public tenders for uniforms for various Municipal services are based on the use of Fair Trade textile (organic cotton in particular). The difficulty here is essentially one of demand exceeding supply; this initiative will hopefully in time induce a whole market turn-around, with supply meeting the public demand for the product. Another key area is that of recycled paper.

Two cultural variables struck me rather forcefully, both during this meeting. The first is that whereas procurement in France tends to be top-down, based on a traditional hierarchical approach. This is a support-mechanism whereby regions, counties and cities are twinned at institutional level with those of the French ex-colonies of the South in the “Priority Solidarity Zone” of « decentralised co-operation », providing financial support for local development projects in many of these countries (often ex-colonies). Various associations, some of which are faith-based also support solidarity projects in the South. The approach in the United Kingdom is quite different. It is civil society and community-led, and frequently has to exert considerable pressure on Local Authorities to buy into projects. The Anglo-Saxon approach also generally includes faith-based NGOs. The role of civil society NGOs provides a bottom up impetus to economic alternatives.

The challenges of mainstreaming the sale of solidarity economy goods and services
Another aspect is the concept of risk-taking and procurement of alternative economy goods and services, even within the solidarity economy movement itself. Fair Trade and organic food are clearly identified products, irrespective of whether or not they are officially certified (this is another issue which is deliberately not addressed in this article). Certain other products and services are now accepted by consumers, be they private individuals or companies. Linux versus Microsoft is a good illustration. Someone buying a Linux system knows that they are not taking an inordinate risk. Yet there remains a general resistance when organising one-off alterglobalisation events, to working with alternative interpreting networks or systems, which are all too often perceived as unreliable, even where the contrary has been proven. This was sadly the case in the decisions taken at the World Social Forum in Belem, which resulted in limited events being covered by interpretation and a failure to enable participants to speak in the language of their own choice.

Is the underlying cause behind these decisions the fear of those in the purchasing seat that « their » event, inevitably a once-in-a-lifetime moment, might not be a success? Yet if people’s ability to take this sort of risk does not increase, how can genuine change occur? Posner and Schmidt in 1984 conducted a well-recognised survey on ethical behaviour and choice by managers. The results point very clearly to the importance of exemplarity, with the example of the behaviour of ones’ superiors being the single most important factor that determines behavioural choice. This means, by extrapolation, that the role played by local authorities in their choice of procurement has a huge potential knock-on effect and impact in terms of setting a positive example. First results of the Fair Trade Towns programme and the awareness it has raised, clearly bear this out. The same could certainly be said for purchasing of alternative goods and services if a little more effort were to be made in procurement.

In conclusion
The challenge facing social and solidarity economy are considerable if it is to occupy a greater place and continue to grow and build a fairer more solidarity-based economy. Only a holistic approach will lead to long-term solutions to the current multiple crises at local and international level, where products become linked to ILO labour standards, with ethical clauses, fair prices, food sovereignty, and lasting relationships. This implies both openness and a collective willingness to change, to take risks and explore alternatives.

Author: Judith Hitchman
Original article in English and in French

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2009-03-02T13:09:00.000-08:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #56
March 1st, 2009

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Proposals by the Solidarity Economy movement at the 2009 WSF

For a new economic and social model
Let’s put finance in its place!
A call for the signature of associations, trade unions and social movements Belem, February 1st 2009

Message from the Editorial Team

Yvon attended the WSF in Belem (Brazil), held from January 28th to February 1st 2009. During the course of this event, members of RIPESS working in close co-operation with the Brazilian Forum on Solidarity Economy (FBES) organized several workshops as well as participating in workshops being run by allied organizations.

In the current context of systemic, financial, and food crises, along with global warming and the economic recession, it appears that the media and some politicians seem to have discovered the wealth of this economy, not only in terms of potential job creation but also for its innovative content and potential for regenerating the economy. We could be self-congratulatory, but that would mean overlooking that the general economic slowdown will hit training programs, associations, small businesses, cooperatives, many workers and people very hard! Unlike banks, we cannot count on the massive financial support of governments!

The strength of the solidarity economy will be to operate more efficiently, by networking to enrich practice and overcome problems. It will not be able to succeed on its own, because of the complexity and the interdependence of the problems caused by neo-liberal globalization, but it can emerge as a powerful vector for the transformation of social relations. We do not know if there is an alternative to capitalism, but what is certain is that there is an economic alternative to total liberalism. The road will be difficult, complex and long. It begins with the alliance of the forces of progress united in these different currents of thought and action, in all continents to represent, lead and provide regular support for the construction of alternatives which are more human and interdependent.

Having participated in the RIPESS Board meeting as well as various workshops organized by RIPESS and its members during the WSF, Yvon would like to draw to your attention to two interesting documents.

To grasp the scope of the first article, "Proposals", including point # 5 of this text, we need to understand the word "territory" as referring to the places where the meetings were held, meaning close to the major thematic debate centres that attract large crowds. RIPESS is not a member of the WSF International Council, making it difficult to gain more formal recognition in the programming of forums, including the logistics of meetings.

In this issue, we present:
• Proposals that originated from organizations of Solidarity Economy present in Belém.
• A call for signatures for a new economic and social model: Let’s put finance in its place! Signed by several international organizations.

The Luxembourg meeting (www.lux09.lu) is an up-coming event, that will allow us to put forward proposals, and hopefully action plans which translate into reality.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

PROPOSALS BY THE SOLIDARITY ECONOMY MOVEMENT AT THE 2009 WSF
In light of the international economic crisis, we affirm that Social Solidarity Economy is one of the strategies that can enable sustainable economic growth; It can contribute to building a new model centred on the well-being of people in all 5 continents:

We, the workers and activists of the Solidarity Economy movement make the following proposals:

1. In the current context of global crisis, alternative economic practices are more than ever the response based on their history as new instruments of social and solidarity finance. It is therefore essential to recognize and support the creation of closer links between economics, sustainability and solidarity finances.

2. It is necessary to revitalize the role of the FAO within the UN system in order to ensure the right to food. This should done by recommending increased food production on family farms and solidarity economy projects. It is also as a means of creating jobs and sources of income to overcome rising unemployment in the world.

3. In future events, we wish to give greater political clout and more practical consistency to the physical construction of the World Social Forum, by ensuring that solidarity economy, local family farming, and materials with a low environmental impact play an ever-increasing part in the infrastructure.

4. We recommend the creation of a network of organizations for local and international economic solidarity exchanges, via the web, based on existing systems and using information technology/free media to jointly develop a network solution.

5. In the construction of future editions of the WSF, given the contribution of the Social Solidarity Economy to the globalization of solidarity, we recommend that the territory (in terms of the location) of the Social Solidarity Economy be geographically located near the main themes in order to design territories that take these affinities into account

6. We support the Brazilian Bill on School Nutrition, which ensures that at least 30% of school canteen food is sourced from local family farms and Solidarity Economy. This implies a strategic action in defence of food and nutritional security, and another model of development: local, supportive, sustainable and culturally diverse.

7. We propose to launch a global campaign for public procurement and for the ethical and responsible consumption of goods and services produced by the Solidarity Economy and family farming. We denounce the destructive impacts that result from the consumption of products of capitalist enterprises and multinational corporations.

8. We join other social movements around the world in their struggles for human dignity, well-being, the empowerment of peoples and the transformation of the current development model.

Proposals submitted and supported by:
Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of Social Solidarity Economy (RIPESS)
Brazilian Forum of Social Solidarity Economy (FBES)
February 1st 2009

Call for the signature of NGOs, trade unions and social movements
Belem, February 1st 2009

For a new economic and social model
Let’s put finance in its place!

The financial crisis is a systemic crisis that emerges in the context of global crises (climate, food, energy, social…) and of a new balance of power. It results from 30 years of transfer of income from labour towards capital. This tendency should be reversed. This crisis is the consequence of a capitalist system of production based on laissez-faire and fed by short term accumulation of profits by a minority, unequal redistribution of wealth, an unfair trade system, the perpetration and accumulation of irresponsible, ecological and illegitimate debt, natural resource plunder and the privatization of public services. This crisis affects the whole humanity, first of all the most vulnerable (workers, jobless, farmers, migrants, women…) and Southern countries, which are the victims of a crisis for which they are not at all responsible.

The resources to get out of the crisis merely burden the public with the losses in order to save, with no real public benefit, a financial system that is at the root of the current cataclysm. Where are the resources for the populations which are the victims of the crisis? The world not only needs regulations, but also a new paradigm which puts the financial system at the service of a new international democratic system based on the satisfaction of human rights, decent work, food sovereignty, respect for the environment, cultural diversity, the social and solidarity economy and a new concept of wealth.

Therefore, we demand to:

• Put a reformed and democratised United Nations at the heart of the financial system reform, as the G20 is not the legitimate forum to resolve this systemic crisis.
• Establish international permanent and binding mechanisms of control over capital flows.
• Implement an international monetary system based on a new system of reserves, including the creation of regional reserve currencies in order to end the current supremacy of the dollar and to ensure international financial stability.
• Implement a global mechanism of state and citizen control of banks and financial institutions. Financial intermediation should be recognised as a public service that is guaranteed to all citizens in the world and should be taken out of free trade agreements.
• Prohibit hedge funds and over the counter markets, where derivatives and other toxic products are exchanged without any public control.
• Eradicate speculation on commodities, first of all food and energy, by implementing public mechanisms of price stabilisation.
• Dismantle tax havens, sanction their users (individuals, companies, banks and financial intermediates) and create an international tax organisation to combat tax competition and evasion.
• Cancel unsustainable and illegitimate debt of impoverished countries and establish a system of democratic, accountable, fair sovereign borrowing and lending that serves sustainable and equitable development.
• Establish a new international system of wealth sharing by implementing a progressive tax system at the national level and by creating global taxes (on financial transactions, polluting activities and high income) to finance global public goods.

We call on NGOs, trade unions and social movements to converge in order to create a citizen struggle in favour of this new model. We urge them to mobilize all over the world, in particular in the face of the G20, from March 28th onwards.

Signatures of organizations and list of signatories at www.choike.org/gcrisis or signatures by email at finance@eurodad.org (indicating name of the organisation, country and email contact)

1. This call is the result of a series of seminars at the World Social Forum 2009 in Belem, which involved among others :
Action Aid, Attac, BankTrack, CADTM, CCFD, CEDLA, CNCD, CRID, Eurodad, Global alternatives Forum, IBON, International WG on Trade-Finance Linkages, LATINDADD, Networkers South-North, NIGD, SOMO, Tax Justice Network, Transform!, OWINFS, War on Want, World Council of Churches.

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2009-02-14T09:35:00.000-08:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #55
February 1st, 2009

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Rickshaw Bank in India
An initiative for alternative employment

4th International Forum on the Globalisation of Solidarity
An invitation to participate

Message from the Editorial Team

As 2009 begins, all we hear is talk of armed conflicts and the chain effects of a recession that could escalate into a major economic depression. Like always, it is the individuals and people who are the most destitute, the most vulnerable, who suffer the most. As in the 1930s, the starting point of the crisis is the most powerful country, the one that has imposed the form and conditions of globalization. We are all concerned and potentially threatened by what is happening. That is why it is essential today to contribute our own thoughts and make our proposals.
The dogmas that we have spent many years denouncing, like deregulation, privatization, and unsustainable consumption in wealthy countries are finally being queried. This provides us with an opportunity to assert that another economy exists.

We have supported change for over twenty years. These changes have progressively spread internationally and recently been reaffirmed at the World Social Forum in Belem, Brazil in January; this will continue in the run up to the 4th International Meeting of Globalization of Solidarity in Luxemburg in April 2009. The future of our alternatives is bright. The actors of social solidarity economy will have the chance of having their message heard in the coming months. We must seize this opportunity for building convergences and alliances and acting together.

We are happy to share a very interesting innovation by and for the poorest with you in this newsletter. As we have repeatedly said, innovation and creativity of alternative approaches, based on the empowerment of people themselves in their economic activity, is one of the key resources, perhaps the most valuable means of changing the course of events.

It is a powerful motivation for all of us.

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Rickshaw Bank in India
An initiative for alternative employment

In India, as in many other countries, people who are uprooted from rural life where they no longer manage to survive, try to improve their situation by moving to urban areas. However, due to a lack of training and skills, they simply increase the number of people living in poverty, often in atrocious conditions. There are currently 8 million rickshaw pullers in India of whom 95 percent do not own their vehicle due to lack of funds. In India, rickshaws are modified tricycles used to transport passengers or goods. To earn a meager living, pullers are obliged to rent them on a daily basis at rates that could be considered excessive (usually controlled by a form of mafia). Out of the average daily income of 75 rupees, pullers are obliged to pay the owner 25 rupees (50 rupees is equivalent to $1 US). And as they do not have an insurance policy, they are in a vulnerable situation if an accident occurs and passengers get hurt. Generally speaking, five people live on this income.

Dr. Pradip Kumar Sarmah, Executive Director of the Centre for Rural Development and a veterinarian by profession identified this problem and tried to find a solution to help these rural people; he thought that the best way was to develop a project that allowed drivers to own their rickshaws.

The project : the Rickshaw Bank

The idea of the Rickshaw Bank was born in 2004. Following a number of trials, a system has been established since 2006 to allow self-employed workers to become independent owners of their rickshaws. In addition, the project includes many innovations:
• A new rickshaw has been developed with the help of the India Institute of Technology using materials that are lighter and more aerodynamic
• The new design makes it possible to install advertising, which increases revenue
• Bank loans now exist to buy their rickshaw, with the help of a development NGO, following agreements with financial institutions and ministries
• The loan is fully repaid within a 12 - 24 month period as pullers use a payment plan equivalent to the same amount of 25 rupees a day they used to pay previous owners
• The loan of approximately 13,000 rupees for the rickshaw also covers money for a uniform, an identity card, a license and two-year insurance
• Solidarity forms within the group as drivers are divided into groups of five (along the lines of loan circles in micro-finance). Every five groups (making up 25 drivers) have a garage to maintain and repair their rickshaws. This place, which is also used for families to access cooking gas, produces a sense of community and becomes a place for exchanging ideas.

More than 3000 drivers have already become owners, and there are so many requests that the Centre for Rural Development can no longer meet the demand. It is important to mention that the project received high visibility in the media, including national television and newspapers. As the project is supported by the different levels of government, and Ministers are often present at launches in new cities, public awareness of the project has increased. It is now planned to expand the project by granting franchises to other organizations throughout India.

The impact

The project is already demonstrating an impact on sustainable community development. This is true at three levels:
• Social - improving the health of drivers and their families; better opportunities for children to go to school, improving law and order (less control by the mafia) and creation of a more positive working environment.
• Environmental - an alternative to the use of fossil fuels (cars) and access to more environmentally friendly cooking gas
• Economic - access to ownership of a rickshaw increases income and living standards, access to financial resources, job creation for young people and opportunities for local companies to increase their sales

The future – the Soleckshaw

A new experimental model of rickshaw, operating on an electric motor with a battery charged by solar energy is being tested in New Delhi. Launched with the participation of the Ministry of Science of India, it is hoped to use the Soleckshaw on a large scale during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

It is a well-known fact that the density of population in the cities of India is such that eco-friendly transportation must be found to move people and goods. While allowing a significant improvement in living conditions for the very poor, the Rickshaw Bank seeks to improve urban life, and with the large-scale introduction of solar-powered rickshaws, the physical demands on drivers will also be considerably improved.

Author : Yvon Poirier
Summary of a presentation at the COMMACT Conference in Brisbane, Australia, October 2008
For further information: www.crdev.org
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4963756.ece

4th International Meeting on the Globalisation of Solidarity
An invitation to participate

The European Steering Committee is actively preparing for the Lux'09 Forum scheduled to be held from April 22nd – 25th, 2009 in Schifflange et Kulturfabrik (Luxemburg). Almost all the members were present when it met January 9th and 10th, 2009 in Saint Omer (in the region of Nord Pas de Calais, France). This location was chosen in response to an invitation by the working platform hosted by the Pactes Locaux. This collective was holding their 5th and final stage of regional capitalization of experiences on the theme of democratic participation and territorial anchoring. This will be the theme of workshop No. 7, one of the 14 scheduled for LUX09. There is an interactive on-line forum for each of these workshops which covers various themes. See - www.lux09.lu

The sum of the contributions of the workshops is intended to bring food for thought to the theme chosen by the Europeans, and validated by RIPESS (Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of Economic and Social Solidarity), for this IV Meeting of the Globalization of Solidarity: Another economy exists: the innovations of the social solidarity economy. Our world is currently undergoing a deep crisis of the growth model. This model has produced unsustainable and deeply unfair globalization. The actors of the social and solidarity economy are aware that Lux'09 represents an important moment and an opportunity to take a step forward. It provides the opportunity based on their collective advances to move out of the woods and assert themselves as stakeholders who can change the rules of the game and move beyond the crisis by coming up with solutions of excellence.

The April deadline is fast approaching and pre-registration is now possible on-line on the site already mentioned above that is dedicated to the forum, and moderated by INEES (European Institute for Solidarity based Economy). We would like to take this opportunity to remind interested persons who wish to participate in Lux'09 that active contribution to on-line discussions is highly encouraged. In fact this is one of the conditions for fully joining in the process. Go for it!

Martine Theveniaut
General Delegate, Pactes Locaux-Lux’09
www.pactes-locaux.org

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:

http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2008-12-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #54
December 1st, 2008

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Mondragon Cooperative Corporation
A critical analysis of the strengths, weaknesses and potentialities of the model

Bamako Declaration
Fair tourism as a vehicle for sustainable development of territories

International Conference of La Via Campesina, Maputo, Mozambique
The challenges of an international movement of peasants

Message from the Editorial Team
The Mondragon Cooperative Corporation (MCC) is known as one of the largest cooperatives in the industrial world. Judith Hitchman presents an article following her meeting with the Communications Manager of the MCC last September. This is not an exhaustive analysis of the challenges facing the MCC, but helps us to understand the key issues of governance and management of a large cooperative, on an international scale.

On the other hand, we bring to your attention the main results of meetings attended by Martine and Judith : the International Forum on Solidarity Tourism (Fair Tourism) in Bamako, Mali (FITS) and the fifth International Conference of La Via Campesina in Maputo, Mozambique.

As our next issue will appear in February 2009, we extend to you our best wishes and hopes for peace and prosperity in the New Year. We are also making collective wishes that the seriousness of the financial, economic, food and environmental crisis engages key leaders to initiate the radical transformation that the world needs. May 2009 bring positive outcomes is our utmost wish!

Editorial Team
Judith Hitchman
Yvon Poirier
Martine Theveniaut

Mondragon Cooperative Corporation
A critical analysis of the strengths, weaknesses and potentialities of the model

Many people are aware of Mondragon, often flaunted as the prototype of a successful industrial co-operative, in a world where the co-operative model is more generally identified with the agricultural or services sectors. We were recently the privileged visitors at the headquarters, and spent a long afternoon in the company of Mikel Lezamiz, the Communications Manager, who kindly devoted his time to us.

The history.
In 1941 Don José Arizmendiarrieta arrived in the small town of Mondragon, situated in the heart of the Spanish Basque country. In 1943 he founded the professional polytechnic school, followed some ten years later (1956) by the first co-op, ULGOR where the FAGOR brand of white goods is manufactured. Three years later, the Caja Laboral, a co-operative bank and Lagun Aro, the in-house welfare system, came into being. The first co-operative group (ULARCO-FAGOR) was born in 1964, followed two years later by one of the more innovative aspects, ALECOP, a plant where part-time jobs are reserved for students in order to enable them to earn a living while studying. It should remembered that Spain, and this region in particular, was still extremely poverty-stricken at the time, and still recovering from the Civil War. In 1974 a research centre was born, and progressively the vast empire of what is now the Mondragon Co-operative Corporation developed. The present form was designated by the Mondragon Congress of Co-ops in 1991.

What is Mondragon today and how does it operate?
Mondragon today is indeed an empire, comprising something over 103,000 people, 120 co-operatives, in the fields of products ranging from industrial, financial, consumer goods, agricultural, educational, research and welfare services. The 69 production plants are situated in many countries around the world, and are not all co-operatives for reasons explained below. In the co-operative Supermarket, EROSKI, the members include consumers. The representation in all the Co-ops also includes a health and safety Committee.

According to the mission statement:
Mondragón Co-operative Corporation (MCC) is an entrepreneurial socioeconomic entity with deep cultural roots in the Basque Country, created by and for the people, inspired by the Basic Principles of our Co-operative Experience, committed to the community, to the improvement of competitiveness and to the satisfaction of customers, to create wealth within society through entrepreneurial development and job creation, preferably membership-jobs in co-operatives.
MCC is based on a commitment to solidarity and uses democratic methods for its organisation and management

MCC encourages the participation and integration of people in management, profits and ownership of their companies, to develop a joint, harmonising project aimed at social, business and personal development.

The 10 Founding principles of co-operation:

1.Open Admission.
2.Democratic Organization.
3.Sovereignty of Labor.
4.Instrumental and Subordinate Nature of Capital.
5.Participatory Management.
6.Wage Solidarity.
7.Interco-operation.
8.Social Transformation.
9.Universality.
10.Education

The price of buying into the co-operative system is fixed at 14,000€, which is withheld from salary over a period of time. Being a member of one of the group’s co-ops entitles all members to an equal share in 20% of the corporation’s surplus. Other benefits include the automatic admission to the in-house welfare system (additional health-care and retirement benefits, preferential loan rates…), and relative job security. The level of life-long training and education is also high, following the 10% national requirement. Access to the technical university, management and language training centres is also guaranteed.

The first positive fact is that in spite of being a multi-national corporation, there have been no delocalisations in the various co-operatives in Spain and the Basque country (Industry, supermarkets, research centres, bank branches and provision of services, 90% of the staff are members of co-ops). The remaining staff (often less than 5%) also have some measure of flexicurity. In 2007, 10 co-ops made a loss. In 2008 this is expected to double, so this will be a key issue in the near future. Various for-profit companies are in the process of becoming co-ops.

What are the strengths and also the weaknesses of the model?
I tried to examine the way in which these principles were implemented in terms of the solidarity economy, which aims to create a more collective form of wealth and well-being, and to see how or whether a multinational corporation could serve the interests of local communities and people.

When faced with the tricky question on the sourcing of products, particularly in the EROSKI supermarkets, knowing how intensive agriculture in the south of Spain is often practiced in conditions that are the modern-day equivalent of slavery, I learned that the chain has had SA 8000 certification for the last two years. This technically means that human rights are thoroughly implemented, decent work respected (including by suppliers), and no child labour involved at any level. Not all products have been covered, but the process is on-going. The Fagor co-op, although not certified also works to SA 8000 standards.

Being a member of a co-operative also involves sharing the risks and accepting a cut in wages in periods of recession…And with the global recession, there will certainly be fewer jobs, be it in Spain or elsewhere. The social impacts are bound to be felt as much in co-operatives as elsewhere.

The many production plants world-wide are not however co-ops. Cultural differences in accepting the universal participative management style and co-operative principles would appear more than anything to be the reason. On the plus side however, they combine the Just-In-Time delivery of spare parts to clients with a minimal carbon footprint. Many are hardly beyond the start-up phase, and not yet profitable, but there is the same transparency of information, an attempt at the same management style and 30% worker-ownership (in the form of shares in the companies) as well as a dedicated sum of 5% profits being reinvested in sustainable local development projects. In many cultures where the corporation is present, there is no history of saving money, which also makes simple profit-sharing more difficult. The implementation of welfare or pension schemes have a greater social impact. It is also worth mentioning that the rate of pay is always at least 10% over the national minimum. Nevertheless the cultural limits of the model remain, even if the philosophy remains intact.

All of this means that there is an exceptionally high level of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). There is a stated will to ensure that Human Rights be fully respected at all times, as well as regulatory compliance, dignity and respect and transparency. The governance model is of a high standard, based on the principle of inter-co-operation and worker control.

An unanswered question: the non-existence of trade unions
Although the co-operative principle of one man, one vote means that there is clear democratic representation, the role of a union reaches far beyond the simple tenet of representation. Particularly when times are tough. Trade Unions also provide the means for workers to remain connected to those outside their own enterprise and sector.

At the end of the day, in a transnational corporation whose products are based on consumer society’s race to produce ever more, the question of the real intrinsic limits of the system is a fundamental issue. Can the co-operative model prevail, and transform society into a more reasoned approach to human beings use of all things? Or will the fact that the production of goods so intimately linked to the capitalist and neo-liberal model be the downfall of what is certainly a uniquely interesting attempt to provide a wider share of the cake at grass-roots level? As Mikel Lezamiz said “We are not angels”…

Author: Judith Hitchman
Original article in English and French

www.mcc.es

Bamako Declaration
Final statement for a fair tourism as a development vehicle of territories

The 3rd International Forum on Solidarity Tourism (Fair Tourism) held in Bamako, Mali from October 20th - 22nd, 2008 was preceded by 3 days of groundwork meetings. The Forum concluded with a declaration whose main points are listed below.

Workshops as round tables showed the significance of favouring, with a development purpose, a territorial approach within which tourism can have a decisive role.

The main issue of such a development is, on the one hand, to contribute to enhance populations’ quality of life who live on these territories and, on the other hand, to protect the natural resources of those territories.

Beyond the various expressions used to name « fair tourism », this one really must integrate the sustainable development objective.

Actors and partners for a fair tourism are invited to refer to the framework and values of what is called today “the social and fair economy”, considering particularities of world regions or countries.

Some operational main lines seem to have priority in order to reach the sustainable development objective through fair tourism:

• Getting public authorities to increase policy support towards fair tourism
• Creating and clarifying appropriate legislative and regulation frameworks to fair tourism
• Favouring local and regional government involvement
• Including fair tourism in an approach that encourages linkages with the whole activities of the territory
• Developing and strengthening means of support (training, financing, accompanying measures, etc.)
• Heightening the setting up and the networking of actors and territories favouring
• existing facilities in order to avoid activities breaking up
• Ensuring a quality-based fair tourism offer that is adapted to customers’ expectations
• Defining better conditions to enter the market.

We must now, all together, go from theory to action: this is our ambition at the end of this 3rd forum, as we are, from now on, aware of the deep duty to reach the objectives for which we are gathered.

Authors: Martine Théveniaut and Alain Laurent, participants at FITS and the workshop of Teriya Bugue.
See the report of this workshop on the site (under construction): www.pactes-locaux.org (French only)
See Base de fiches. Sphère : pactes ; Identifiant : INV ; mot de passe : pactes

International Conference of La Via Campesina, Maputo, Mozambique
The challenges of an international movement of peasants

The fifth International conference of La Via Campesina took place in Maputo, Mozambique from October 19th to 22nd, 2008. It was preceded by the International Youth Conference and the Women’s Assembly.

In the context of the current four-fold global crises – food, finance, energy and climate – these dimensions take on a significant new meaning for this movement which is already 15 years old. The logic of sustainable development that includes the possibility to reassert peoples’ rights to grow healthy, affordable local food is finding an echo like never before. A significant effort is still required to fight Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), which facilitate dumping of the overproduction of industrial agriculture, as well as advocating for a relocalised small scale model based on local empowerment, agrarian reform.

These issues were discussed in plenary and continental sessions by the 500 delegates from every continent present in Maputo. The conference was remarkably well organised and efficient, with a team of 50 interpreters co-ordinated by the collective Lyre.

« The Via Campesina is the international movement of peasants, small- and medium-sized producers, landless, rural women, indigenous people, rural youth and agricultural workers. It is a global, autonomous, pluralist and multicultural movement, independent of any political, economic, or other type of affiliation.
The movement is already some 15 years old. The Fourth International Conference took place in Maputo (Mozambique) from 19th – 22nd October. It was preceded by both the international Youth Conference and the Women’s Assembly.
The core objective of La Via Campesina is to develop solidarity and unity among small farmer organizations in order to promote gender parity and social justice in fair economic relations; the preservation of land, water, seeds and other natural resources; food sovereignty, as well as sustainable agricultural production based on small and medium-sized producers.
La Via Campesina promotes a model of peasant or family-farm agriculture based on sustainable production with local resources and in harmony with local culture and traditions. Peasants and farmers rely on a long experience with their locally available resources. This means producing the optimal quantity and quality of food with few external inputs. Production is mainly for family consumption and domestic markets.
Food sovereignty is the RIGHT of peoples, countries, and state unions to define their agricultural and food policy without the “dumping” of agricultural commodities into foreign countries. Food sovereignty organizes food production and consumption according to the needs of local communities, giving priority to production for local consumption. Food sovereignty includes the right to protect and regulate the national agricultural and livestock production and to shield the domestic market from the dumping of agricultural surpluses and low-price imports from other countries. Landless people, peasants, and small farmers must get access to land, water, and seed as well as productive resources and adequate public services. Food sovereignty and sustainability are a higher priority than trade policies.
The current industrialized agribusiness model has been deliberately planned for the complete vertical integration and to dominate all agriculture activities. This model exploits workers and concentrates economic and political power. La Via Campesina advocates a decentralized model where production, processing, distribution and consumption are controlled by the people the communities themselves and not by transnational corporations. »

Two of the decisions :
• The decision to create strategic alliances with other organisations to jointly take advantage of the international crises and move forward towards a more sustainable and equitable system
• The introduction of the campaign to end all violence against women (physical, mental and institutional). The latter campaign is in conjunction with the World March of Women, whose General Assembly took place at the same time in Galicia in Spain.
The final declaration can be found at : http://www.viacampesina.org/main_en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=623&Itemid=68

Judith Hitchman, interpreter and member of the Lyre collective
Original article in English and French

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development

2008-11-03T08:58:00.000-08:00

Newsletter #53
November 1st, 2008

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

The role of civil society in development
Parallel Forum of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Accra: August 31st and September 1st, 2008

European Social Forum, Malmö, September 18, 2008
Seminar: Building the Alternative Solidarity Economy
Message from the Editorial Team

In this issue, we present two different reports on international meetings; one focuses on a meeting of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Accra, Ghana and the other relates to a seminar on the construction of an alternative solidarity economy during the European Social Forum held in Sweden. They both show that the forms of organization of the civil society movement, unionism being a part, are built to meet the basic needs of populations. We are happy to be involved, even if only modestly.
We are pleased to announce that Judith Hitchman, who you've already read several contributions, has joined the editorial team. Her presence opens a broader intercultural scope to the English-speaking world because of her Irish origins, her professional background as an interpreter, her continuing participation in thematic, continental and global Social Forums. This gives her a great knowledge of the areas covered by this Newsletter and which are also hers.

Editorial Team
Yvon Poirier
Martine Théveniaut

The role of civil society in development
Parallel Forum of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Accra: August 31st and September 1st, 2008

The question of development aid, mainly from North to South, has been a major challenge for over half a century. The majority of donor countries are members of the OECD and have adopted various strategies since the 60s. However, the gap between the rich and the poor of our planet not only has not diminished, but worse, has increased in some parts of the world. Often the "help" was a disguised method to promote exports: the country receiving the aid being forced to buy from the donor country (referred to as "tied aid").

Historical process

With the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the United Nations in 2000, goals aimed at reducing by 50% the number of poor people on the planet within 15 years, donor countries questioned themselves as to the effectiveness of aid, especially since many countries have reduced their contributions as a percentage of GDP. Furthermore, very few countries meet the commitments made in 2000 to devote the equivalent of 0.7% of their GDP to international aid.

Thus, in 2003, donor countries agreed to harmonize their programs and in 2005 adopted the Paris Declaration, which established important rules on aid effectiveness. In particular, there is a willingness to make responsible the countries who receive public assistance regarding administration, transparency and management of aid.

Agreeing with the principle of accountability of countries receiving aid, civil society organizations, and particularly development NGOs, quickly realized that in the Paris Declaration there was no question of civil society. Both CSOs from North and South have been squeezed out of the actions for development aid. They quickly mobilized and decided during the World Social Forum 2007 in Nairobi to make every effort to have recognized the full-fledged role of civil society in the development process. At the same time, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) suggested to the donor countries, the set up of a working group to examine how civil society could play a role in development.

These two initiatives set the stage to prepare a meeting in Accra in September 2008 between donor countries and aid recipients, to take stock of the situation three years after the adoption of the Paris Declaration.

The CSOs who had been virtually absent from the meeting in Paris in 2005, carried out important preparatory work (documentation, Better Aid website) and organized a Parallel Forum which brought together nearly 700 people on the eve of the meeting of donor and recipient countries. The preparatory work and the Forum allowed civil society its rightful place and recognition as an actor in its own, regarding development and was supported by the majority of countries involved, donor countries and recipient countries.

Progress made

The Declaration of the civil society, adopted by consensus at the Forum, made useful proposals in the general sense of the alternate globalisation current (available on the Better Aid website - see below).
Also, the CSOs sought and gained accreditation in order to participate in the official forum. Thus, instead of 14 persons as in 2005, some 80 representatives of CSOs were present and well prepared. They were the spokespersons for all the CSOs and their political message. Similarly, the report of the working group led by CIDA filed specific recommendations for the inclusion of civil society in development aid.

Thus, progress has been made. The Accra Agenda for Action (AAA) approved by the participating countries, recognizes what follows:
Paragraph 20. “We will deepen our engagement with CSOs as independent development actors in their own right whose efforts complement those of governments and the private sector. We share an interest in ensuring that CSO contributions to development reach their full potential.”

Some countries, specifically the USA and Japan have prevented the inclusion in the AAA of commitments collectively requested that donor countries honour their obligations for longer periods and completely eliminate tied aid. " Nevertheless, it is a real breakthrough for CSOs. Obstacles, however, are considerable as they seek to transfer to the UN monitoring issues related to aid and development. For now, control belongs to the OECD. And as many stated during the Parallel Forum, the approach to "aid effectiveness" looks like a form of neo-colonialism. Rich countries impose their conditions while not respecting their commitments (0.7% of GDP). In other words, developing countries must be accountable for their use of aid, but rich countries do not account for non-compliance of their commitments.

Probably the most encouraging and rewarding aspect is to see a collective movement by civil society to assert and organize itself, globally, in order to obtain a genuine development policy based on "an explicit recognition of human rights, gender equality, decent work and environmental sustainability as the objectives of aid”.

Author : Yvon Poirier
Participant to the Parallel Forum
For further information:
CSO website : www.betteraid.org
Government site: www.accrahlf.net

European Social Forum, Malmö, September 18, 2008
Seminar: Building the Alternative Solidarity Economy

This seminar was organised by the GEAN (Global Economic Alternatives Network).

The network was founded by Pasqualino Colombaro, from Cambridge, Massachusetts in the USA. Pasqualino is a labor and community activist. For many years he was a representative of the Service Employees International Union. He is a native of the Abruzzi, Italy. He is also a founding member of Jobs with Justice, the Italian-American Labor Council, Working Massachusetts and the Center for International Social Studies in Rome. He was among the first in Massachusetts to organize events to promote debate locally, nationally and internationally on the role of organized labor and of independent worker initiative on issues of economic empowerment and social entitlements in the globalized economy.

The objectives of the seminar were to move towards the building of a new global network linking ‘best practices’ in the alternative economy and laying the foundations for a similar activity during the World Social Forum in Belém in January 2009.

To achieve these ends, the exchange took a critical look at significant examples in the fields of the social/solidarity economy, of cooperative and trade union initiated alternatives within the public and private sectors in the United States and Europe (Hungary, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and France) as well as Venezuela.

The general discussion attempted to link these experiences to an underlying theory, taking into account how social protections and economies of scale should be considered in forming a new, global economic vision, as new practices of production and work organization develop in the social/solidarity economy and in contrast to the current period, marked by deep social, economic, political and environmental crises which negatively invest the state, the corporations, the financial institutions and the trade unions.

Comments:

Approximately 80 people, most of whom expressed the wish to join the network currently under construction, attended the seminar. They represented experiences and organizations from the US, UK, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, Latin America, South Africa. A wide range of perspectives, all based on economic approaches alternative to the prevailing capitalist model were presented. The common denominator was an egalitarian, bottom-up, worker empowering emphasis leading to broader social and economic impacts, irrespective of the sector in question.

The range covered both broad-based approaches (co-operatives in Latin America and Italy, global trade), and more specific (Pactes Locaux, URGENCI in France and the Cooperativa Puzon in Coro, Venezuela). Hilary Wainwright of TNI spoke about the Unison Trade Union successes in the City of Newcastle, UK, in addressing the currently key question of the defence of public services from privatization, through the institution of new forms of horizontal work organization and of delivery of high quality services to the public.

The financial alternatives were spoken about with reference to the Hungarian LETS system, born of economic necessity, as well as three banks: Ekobanken of Sweden, Merkur Bank of Denmark and Banca Etica of Italy, who despite their respective specificities have all been successful in providing positive and ethical alternatives to financing new economic initiatives.

The only negative aspects of the seminar were due to glitches of the ESF organising committee: the failure to include the seminar in the proper slot of the programme which cut on attendance, and the lack of working booths for interpretation due to insufficient technical support (which did not stop the interpreters from doing a valiant job).

All presentations and background documentation of the seminar can be found at: http://openesf.net/projects/alternative-economies/home

Judith Hitchman
Speaker at this seminar on the example of the Pactes Locaux and the URGENCI network (An Urban - Rural Network: Generating new forms of Exchange between CItizens.)

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2008-09-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #51
September 1st, 2008

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

15th Santa Maria Fair - Brazil
Another economy exits!

World Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi, May 26th-27th 2008
Reflections on different notions of enterpreneurship

Message from the Editorial Team

In this issue we are presenting two articles. Yvon’s participation at the Santa Maria Fair in Brazil enabled him to see the vitality of the solidarity economy in this region of the world. Also, he saw how the city of Santa Maria has been revitalized like his hometown of Quebec City, by mobilizing its citizens and social movements. For her part, Judith Hitchman was able to observe in a meeting in Kenya that various notions of entrepreneurship exist. We wish to share these reflections with you.

Editorial Team
Yvon Poirier
Martine Théveniaut

15th Santa Maria Fair - Brazil
Another economy exists!

Under this theme, the 15th Santa Maria Fair was held from July 11th – 13th, 2008. Santa Maria, a city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, located 300 km from Porto Alegre. Beyond the "fair" itself, which had 150,000 visitors, the fair was also the opportunity for an annual meeting of a growing number of networks and organizations.

Therefore, during the fair, the following meetings were held which are related to the topics of concern regularly presented in our newsletter:

• 4th Solidarity Economy Fair of Mercosur
• 15th Cooperative Education Fair
• 7th National Fair on Solidarity Economy
• 8th Mostra on Biodiversity and Family Farming Fair
• 4th Latin American Seminar on Solidarity Economy and Fair Trade
• A mini-Forum on Social Solidarity Economy (preparation of the 2009 WSF in Belem in the Amazon)

The products from the fair itself demonstrate the ability to live by consuming healthy and natural foods. In its documentation, the Fair organizers state their conviction that "you have to say no to the marketing of products which contain chemicals, agro-toxic, products developped to avoid refrigeration, the industrial production of beer, tobacco products and to motivate consumers to find environmental and natural products, such as sugar cane juice, drinking water, healthy and natural food supply - for the quality of life and health of consumers". The goal is to show that it is possible to consume otherwise by buying local products, which are natural or of good quality.

The 4th Latin American Seminar on Solidarity Economy and Fair Trade was held on July 12th. In the presence of over 150 people, representatives from Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, France, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina exchanged with their colleagues from Brazil.

The following themes were discussed:
• Solidarity Economy as a regional development strategy - the vision of civil society across borders
• Public policies in support of the solidarity economy - dialogue with governments
• Construction of an agenda for the inclusion of solidarity economy in regional integration - dialogue between social networks and governments

After fruitful exchanges on these topics, the participants met to prepare their participation in the World Social Forum in January 2009 which will be held at Belem in the Amazon.

The municipality of Santa Maria is very involved in the Fair, especially since Valdeci Oliveira was elected mayor in 2001. A brief tour of the city helped to understand how citizens’ mobilization made it possible to revitalize the municipality. For example, the municipality transformed an abandoned train station into a municipal library, and built public parks in several places. Employees of the municipality showed us with pride a new popular restaurant that will serve 13,000 meals a day at a cost of one Real (about half of a US dollar). Solidarity Economy is one of the important pillars of the revitalization of the municipality. In her opening speech, the project coordinator of the Fair since its inception, Irmã Lourdes Dill, was proud to say that Santa Maria is the "international capital of solidarity economy".

Author: Yvon Poirier
Fair participant
Representative from North American Solidarity Economy Networks

World Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi, May 26th-27th 2008
Reflections on different notions of entrepreneurship

SACOMA (Sahara Communities Abroad) was established in 2000 to support Kiswahili speaking communities from Sub-Saharan Africa living in the UK, many of whom are experiencing disadvantage, such as poverty, social isolation and discrimination. It aims to empower, inform and educate members of the Kiswahili community to enable them to overcome disadvantage and social exclusion and effectively participate in the social and economic regeneration of marginalized communities in the UK. The main purpose was stabling an enterprise that would serve the education and welfare needs of people from Sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere, particularly Kiswahili speaking communities living as immigrants in the UK.
SACOMA’s mission is working in a world where people are economically and socially independent and have good quality of life. We aim to increase the economic and social development of the community through broadened horizons and also add value to community development initiatives by introducing a new dimension through social entrepreneurship. (From website)
The conference brought together a wide range of speakers from various countries and sectors, and participants from many different walks of life. As a member of the European steering committee for Lux’09, and speaker in a workshop on social entrepreneurship, the conference, dynamic though it was, caused me to reflect deeply on the different meanings attached to the term social entrepreneurship, and the ambiguity the term can cause.

The conference was built on the concept of developing networks as the social cement of society, on building confidence and capacities through micro-projects, aimed at economic development, with special attention to women, youth, the disabled, those with special needs, immigrants, refugees and ethnic minorities. The levers identified were personal development and employability and social development as well as economic development. The aim was to develop the non-tangibles of intellectual and social capital and achieve social cohesion.

The European Commission defines social enterprise in the following manner: « Social enterprises devote their activities and reinvest their surpluses to achieving a wider social or community objective either in their members’ or a wider interest.
This involves the social dimension of the initiatives being :
• An initiative launched by a group of citizens
• A decision-making power not based on capital ownership
• A participatory nature, which involves the persons affected by the activity
• Limited profit distribution
• An explicit aim to benefit the community »

Which is all fine and good, and subjected to many cultural variables, even within Europe. Sadly I had the impression that very few of the speakers seemed to share all the above criteria. Many quite openly favoured the capitalist model of venture capital and profit-making with dividends being redistributed to share-holders, and relegated the social approach to the creation of new jobs. What did however emerge as an important dimension in the WES conference, was the clear importance attached to including the value added stages of production at local rather than European level. This in itself is an important aspect.

All of which really got me thinking about the (often legitimate) way in which corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the social objectives of local job-creation are at odds with the more fundamental approach of the social and solidarity economy which is an attempt to actually review and change the fundamental economic approach to society. The former are market driven by the forces of civil society at a global level, in a collective push to achieve greater equity and control of their lives. The latter is what is emerging as leading the market towards a new and more sustainable model. There seems to be something of a global trend at present whereby the paternalistic approach developed in the 19th century economic model, and which includes a strong faith-based approach to charity, has been transformed into an extension of CSR, without re-examining the fundamental causes of social or economic exclusion, as is the case with the solidarity economy model, which is anchored in self-help and empowerment as pillars of the endogeneous model of local development. This in no way detracts from the genuinely positive impacts of many actions resulting from CSR.

At a time when the issues in developed and developing countries alike are increasingly those of not just job creation, but access to fundamental human rights and well-being in general, the kind of wealth created and the collective approach to endogeneous territorial development that truly benefits the local community as a whole needs to be carefully approached.

Author: Judith Hitchman
Original article in English and in French
For information: www.sacoma.org.uk/

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:
http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2008-07-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #50
July 1st, 2008

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

RTA 2008 : Responsible tourism debated at Territorial Meeting of Auvergne
Responsible tourism - a laboratory for a more cohesive, cooperative and cultural territorial economy

A case of successful cooperation in Italy
An initiative for responsible and environmental consumption

Announcement

International Forum - Globalization of Solidarity

Message from the Editorial Team

As we have many readers who were not subscribers during the first publications of our newsletter in 2003, we wish to clarify that our bulletin is strictly a personal initiative. It is not linked, either directly or indirectly, to an organization or a network, although we are actors of change committed to the life of our time. As we mentioned in the past, we are pursuing an effort of information sharing in order to better understand the challenges of the future and find how to bring about our contribution. Our 50th newsletter is an extension of the global meeting on local development held in Quebec in 1998. We shall return to this topic in a future issue.

In addition, we reiterate the invitation to send us short articles (1-2 pages) that we could distribute. Also, we are always looking for volunteers for translation into English, Spanish or Portuguese.
We wish to clarify that the complete document that Martine summarized in the last issue under the heading The responsibilities of a civil society under construction: a contribution to the debate is available on the site Foundation for Future Generations, in English and French.
www.fgf.be/index.php
http://www.fgf.be/index2.php?section=publication&ID=28&golang=FR
http://www.foundationfuturegenerations.org/index2.php?section=publication&ID=28

Next issue – September 1st

Editorial Team
Yvon Poirier
Martine Théveniaut

Responsible tourism - a laboratory for a more cohesive, cooperative and cultural territorial economy: The Territorial Meeting of Auvergne (RTA) , May 27th –May 28th, 2008, hosted by the Region of Auvergne (France)

It was the 2nd regional step in the approach of the Plate Forme pour l’élargissement du local vers l’Europe (Platform to extend the Local level towards Europe), hosted by “Pactes Locaux” (Local Covenants), within the preparations of the LUX'09 Forum. From a realistic point of view, the same questions were addressed to the guests, some 50 people (not just from France, but also from Bosnia, Mali, Madagascar and Cameroon), from a wide range of stakeholders. The prospect is twofold: "do less harm" with mass tourism and make advances in responsible tourism. This path of progress has been considered by the territorial approach. How can it be the vector of quality human relations and develop balanced economic relations between hosts and guests?

In line with the RTA, a book is forthcoming this summer, with the prospect of introducing the main teachings of the International Forum of Solidarity Tourism, in Bamako, next October 2008.

Background information: Tourism holds the first position in world trade - before the automobile and oil industry. Its average growth is between 4% and 5% and the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) predicts that 1 billion "will arrive at borders as tourists" in 2010. In 2020, it will be 1.6 billion (WTO 2006). International tourism will double in the next 15 years, having quadrupled in the last thirty. Europe and North America, major emitters of vacationers (70% of the world total), also record the bulk of arrivals (76% in 1990, 66% in 2005). Tourism expenditures in 2003 amounted to approximately 6% of world exports of goods and services and almost 30% of services alone.

By increasing its flow, its marketing techniques and remote management, this multifunctional, comprehensive and reticular industry, with the mobility of its customers and its capital, tourism presents itself as the champion of liberalization of markets.

As an aggregate of liberalized services, tourism has a very special economic signature:
 The product marketed is intangible: human warmth, ambiance, exoticism ...;
 The consumption of a good or service by a tourist makes it a “tourist product";
 Highly seasonal conditions influence production, supply and consumption;
 Simultaneity of production / consumption implies strong reactions, in particular because of possible developments between the two aspects;
 The consumer goes to and in the product;
 The product is sold by description, via internet or by brochure. This means immateriality and inability to test. These risks make the customer demand more information and a personalized response;
 The products range from very standard (tourism with no local specificity - same hotels, cuisines and swimming pools) to very specific (unique to each country, customer segment, and niche).

The trade relationship in the industry is moving towards the co-production of personalized service. The contribution of tourism to GDP, employment, economic diversification, the revitalization of the territories is known. But the negative externalities of conventional tourism are also known and more and more contested.
These include:
 Host regions have no control in tourism flows; they are controlled by international groups whose shareholders require double-digit growth rates.
 Abuses and failure to comply with the commitments and the right of customers increase;
 External debt for investment and a currency loss of 40 to 90% decrease the amount of foreign exchange generated;
 Single activity tourism is dangerous because the territory is subject to sudden and unpredictable fluctuations (example: SARS in Asia);
 The right to holidays and leisure are very unequal and therefore create inequality of consumption, social and personal development;
 Tourism jobs are often poorly paid, seasonal and offer poor possibilities to develop qualifications;
 Violations of the rights of workers and exploitation, including sexual abuse of women and children are commonplace;
 Tourism weakens the social fabric and shakes the cultural foundations by strengthening social disparities;
 Air transportation tourism contributes to global climate imbalance. It has impacts on land; it pollutes exploits and creates «artificial» landscapes, monopolizes the land and creates conflicts of use of scarce resources such as water or energy.

Aware of these realities, actors in the tourism industry engage ... and develop or bring to light forms of solidarity, which are more equitable, sustainable, alternative, ethical, pro-poor, gentle, community-based, slow ... which are as such progress in corporate social responsibility, equity, income distribution, environmental concerns, environment friendly purchases, fairer business partnerships.
What do these new practices really involve? How are their added values articulated? How can they be brought in line to strengthen and enhance their impact? Can they answer to stakeholder concerns?

These new approaches face many difficulties to come in synergy with other actors in the sector. The tourism industry, a vertical market - crosses at different levels and times, other sectors and cross logics: those of territory such as suppliers, service providers, business fabric (goods and services), but also tangible and intangible aspects such as heritage, social organizations, infrastructure, public policy, legal and regulatory frameworks and international trade flows. How do all these logics fit together? How can the contact points be dynamic, catalytic, generate effects derived from diversification, development and strengthening? What are the methods?

Alain Laurent - Pactes Locaux
In charge of the Auvergne regional meeting and of synthesizing the 5 activities leading up to the LUX’09 Forum.

For information: BEIRA-CFP beira.cfp@wanadoo.fr
Projet TER_RES (Territoires Responsables/BEIRA-CFP/Interstices www.beira-cfp.org )

A case of successful cooperation in Italy
An initiative for responsible and environmental consumption

Carrara, a city of Tuscany with 65,000 inhabitants is well known for its white marble. The old "Place for herbs" was renewed. Its traditional function has been restored through a market exclusively devoted to products which are organic and typical of the local agriculture.

Initially simple, the initiative promoted by the Deputy to Productive Activities of the Municipality, Andrea Zanetti, has become complex - but also richer - as new actors have joined in.

Each of 14 new counters provided by the administration to 40 vendors chosen to come to offer their products, each illustrate on a panel, the small business of the vendor and its history. So visitors may receive information and advice on responsible consumption, a counter is assigned to the co-leader association of the project ACU, Associazione Consumatori Utenti, and any other association of consumers wishing to participate.

Next to the open market, a hall in the rehabilitated former Moulin Forti hosts conferences on the subject of healthy nutrition, lifestyles, labelling of products, but also all issues that must be associated with consumption: climate change, water, energy, agriculture, waste, world hunger and global justice, rights and responsibilities, solidarity… The annual programme has been set.

To complete the cultural programme around the new market, the Assistant to Public Instruction, Giovanna Bernardini, includes educational initiatives for children, aimed at sustainable consumption in the School Plan. The ACU will lead the activities in schools and elsewhere, which will involve young people. A contest with prizes will be launched.

For now, events are held monthly, every first Saturday, but the market will soon become a biweekly rendezvous and its magnitude will expand further next year. This intention has been repeatedly expressed by the directors. They notably included the market in the Local Plan for Trade in public spaces, which guarantees it a spot through a permanent decision.

The market is indeed an integral part of the strategy of the municipality, which aims to renovate and revitalize the old downtown of Carrara, its old buildings and public places. In doing so, the municipality adds value to its historical heritage and encourages its maintenance.

Special attention for products which are local, organic and typical is characteristic to all directors of Tuscany, following the recommendations of Law No 18/2002 which implements organic/typical/traditional food supply via public tender and supports programs for food education. In a few days, the agglomeration of Carrara will award a contract to public canteens, schools and hospitals, with a call to tender which provides that all food is typical or organic.

The small traditional producers have little or no structured relationships, even in the same territory. The new market has given them the opportunity to begin to network, establish more rigorous contacts with agricultural associations such as Coldiretti, C.I.A.,and CTPB. The latter, for their part, have supported the program by using regional funds under Law 34/2001 for rural agricultural development. The cooperation around the market may well become an additional and important opportunity for improving technology (other than commercial) in agriculture.

The sale of products of small producers / niche market is a challenge in general. It is difficult to get consumers to know products of limited production, and conventional markets barely recognize a price differential sufficient for producers. However, the nature of the work and the expenses are proportionally higher and the bureaucracy is a barrier for them. The role of direct sales and particularly the commitment of GAS (Gruppi di Acquisto Solidale) are essential in their case.

The GAS are an original innovation that builds on the passion of Italians for food. They traditionally lead many individuals/families to visit the peninsula in search of authentic products. The GAS adds the objective of promoting purchases based on solidarity and responsible consumption. These local groups are very independent. People organize themselves, select and purchase collectively and then share products of all kinds, but especially food.

Saving money is one reason to act, perhaps the first one, but not the most important. The key is to discover the best products and often excellent niche products, to help small producers and maintain direct relationships with them, create new friendly relations, support short circuit deliveries, and employ in a useful way one’s free time. In short, the quality of life and satisfaction translate one’s feelings of solidarity; these are the main motivations of these groups, which are extremely varied, which number 500 - 1000 units. The current financial law takes them into consideration for the first time and gives them tax advantages.

When the market opened on May 24th, sales proved to be such a great success that many vendors liquidated all their goods before the market closed. "They were all very satisfied and willing to extend the initiative" said Clara Gonnelli, President of ACU-TOSCANA who worked hard over six months to unite and achieve consensus among many various actors who had never worked together in beforehand.

Pia Valota
Coordinator: ASECO-Alliance of Social and Ecological Consumer Organisations

Announcement

IV International Forum - Globalization of Solidarity

The Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of Social Solidarity Economy (RIPESS) and the European Institute for Solidarity based Economy (INEES) officially announced their next meeting, after those of Lima in 1997, Quebec in 2001 and Dakar in 2005.

The theme for the meeting is: Another economy exists- the innovations of the social solidarity economy.

This meeting will take place from April 22nd – 25th, 2009 at Esch-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg.
You are invited to register on the website in order to participate in the preparatory exchanges and regularly receive information.
www.lux09.lu

For further information :
Catherine Van Ouystel
E-mail: vanouytsel@inees.org

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:

http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

2008-05-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development
Newsletter #48
May 1, 2008

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

The crisis of the current agricultural model
Another agriculture is possible: a proximity agriculture

European Centre for Resources for Employer Groups
Innovative territorial initiatives in the labour market

Message from the Editorial Team

The increasingly globalized agricultural crisis strikes hardest the most vulnerable populations and countries. This issue of our Newsletter is devoted to emphasizing the adverse effects of the excessive «marketization» practiced today on the most basic and fundamental need, that of being able to feed oneself. We could summarize the current situation by a sentence heard over the radio: The obsession with profit is starving the poorest.

The bad news are now a daily occurrence in the media; the UN organisation FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and WFP (World Food Programme) are sending alarm signals.

As for us, we firmly believe that another agriculture is possible, even essential for the survival of the planet and its inhabitants.

Just as the local territory will be the site for harmonisation of consumers’ and farmers’ expectations, the example of Employer Groups (GE) shows that it is at the local territory level that the expectations of employers and employees can be best harmonized.

Editorial Team
Yvon Poirier
Martine Théveniaut

The crisis of the current agricultural model
Another agriculture is possible: a proximity agriculture

Until 1940, even in the most developed countries of Europe or North America, over 95% of the consumption of food came from local or regional production. Therefore, even a metropolis like New York lived on products from neighbouring states like New Jersey (a 100 to 200 km radius).

Less than 75 years later, the situation is exactly the opposite. The arrival of major food chains totally changed the picture. In the province of Quebec (8 million inhabitants) in Canada, the market is dominated up to 95% by four distribution networks. Thus, agricultural production is directed to large centralized storage facilities and thereafter towards grocery stores in each city and region. Although approximately 50% of the production consumed comes from farmers in Quebec, this model has resulted in serious consequences:
As the big chains are looking for suppliers who can supply all their stores, small farms, often family farms disappear;
As the big chains choose the best price, there is a double effect, a downward pressure on prices paid to farmers, and the choice of a producer does not take into account the distances.

In all industrialized countries, the mileage each product travels becomes enormous. Thus, a carrot producer can be 500 km from Montreal. Therefore, carrots are sent to a central warehouse and travel back to the large surface-producing region. The carrot will have travelled 1,000 km before being consumed in its own production region. It would be possible to illustrate this phenomenon for the entire production. These facts are well known.

The industrialization of agriculture, accompanied by a general use of farm machinery, chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to a significant increase in agricultural productivity. Thus, in North America, households spend no more than 11% of their purchases for food, compared to over 20% in 1960.

Although the success of this type of agriculture is undeniable, it has drawbacks; it depends on low-cost energy (oil) and the petrochemical industry products. To illustrate: the production of corn in the USA increased by 346% between 1910 and 1983, but energy consumption for all agriculture increased by 810%. Two other examples: a head of lettuce produced in California and consumed in New York costs 36 times more calories of energy than the lettuce itself contains, a kilogram of grapes from Chile transported to North America emits 6 kilos of CO2.

Meanwhile, structural adjustment policies (SAP) of the IMF to liberalize markets have forced many countries, particularly in Africa, to abandon their agricultural food policies, while rich countries continue to subsidize their own productions. Thus, in Senegal, a kilogram of onions from the Netherlands is cheaper than a kilogram produced in its own country.

And more recently, the logic of free market means that large agricultural production, as is the case for 20% of the corn grown in USA is diverted for ethanol production, further exacerbating the current situation.

Can we act otherwise?

In his book, Deep Economy: the wealth of communities and the durable future, author Bill McKibben describes the alternative. And this alternative already exists, and it is growing. As described in our previous issue (the URGENCI network), agriculture supported by the community, public markets of local producers and organic farming are expanding.

For example, let’s mention that in 1970 in the USA, there were only 340 public farmers’ markets, but in 2004 there were 3,700. The phenomenon is identified in other countries. In the case of Cuba, the collapse of the Soviet Union eliminated the supply of cheap oil. Thus overnight, Cuban agriculture, built on the Soviet model of large farms was radically transformed into community and urban production. Therefore, Havana produces most of its food locally, with an essentially organic agriculture, without fertilizers and pesticides.

The British agronomist, Jules Pretty studied over 200 cases of sustainable agriculture in 52 countries. The results show that sustainable agriculture has the ability to produce more food per hectare than industrialized agriculture, and at lower cost. Industrialized agriculture still dominates because it is the one that gives greater financial returns per hectare.

The reconstruction of local communities

The capitalist agricultural model, particularly in its neo-liberal form, contributes to the disappearance of small farms, resulting in an exodus of people from rural areas to large urban centres. But, even more destructive is the total disconnection which has occurred between producers and consumers.

However, the number of consumers and producers who are building this new approach to agriculture has increased to the point where trends have reversed. In the state of Oregon in the American west, the number of full-time farmers has risen from 13,384 in 1974 to 21,580 in 2002.

In light of the current crisis and with the knowledge and techniques already known, this article shows that close proximity agriculture will be the only one that will allow a major shift towards a sustainable agriculture; capable of feeding the population of each country, capable of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, and capable of rebuilding the social fabric between producers and consumers, between the cities and their surrounding territories.

Author : Yvon Poirier

European Centre for Resources for Employer Groups
Innovative territorial initiatives in the labour market

Time-sharing hiring practises: an organizational innovation that meets the economic and social needs of employers and workers from the same basin of life.

Social invention is part of the Poitou-Charentes region, since the 1985 law creating Employer Groups (GE) was enacted in France. The GE is an innovation to organize time-sharing workers: part-time sharing of skilled employees, seasonal work, increased activity, anticipation of recruitment, stabilization of employment. First largely approved by the farming community, this tool spread through a multi-sectorial approach. Regional results in 2007: 1700 employees, 2100 adhering structures to a GE and a total financial operations of 35 million €. By focusing on a win-win relationship, GE are adapting and anticipating changes in the global market for the benefit of sustainable employment for citizens.

This type of innovation is spreading and is adopted in several regions of France and European countries: In 2001 in Belgium, a first employers group in Brussels, Jobiris, in the agri-food sector, now has some twenty employees. Similarly, in Germany in 2004, the first employers group was in the Land of Brandenburg. There are now four groups in Germany and many projects in the states of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt, especially in the agricultural environment.

To federate is to gather and not standardize: the principle of subsidiarity is vital.

The Employer Groups have organized their 2nd European Convention around a participatory debate in Brussels on February 22, 2008 in the presence of the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimir Špidla, and the president of the Committee of Regions, Luc Van den Branden. The meeting helped to initiate the creation of the European Centre for Resources for Employer Groups, the CERGE. France Joubert, who initiated the movement, will be the first president. The aim of CERGE is to promote the GE tool and to spread in all regions of the greater Europe. The launch adopts the model of the Resource Centre, as practised for almost ten years in Poitou-Charentes. This form of joint organization brings together employers and employees, as well as representatives of the social solidarity economy, with a rotating presidency. It has shown its ability to stand the test of territory to address the problems of labour, employment, but also those of the creation of activities, housing or services, which are interdependent problems. The answers are more inventive, and support that everyone brings a share of success.

Martine Theveniaut, meeting participant
For further information (French only): http://www.crge.com/

Our Newsletters are available on the WEB:

http://local-development.blogspot.com/
www.apreis.org/

Special thanks to:
Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

To contact us (for information, feedback, to subscribe or unsubscribe):
Yvon Poirier ypoirier@videotron.ca

International Newsletter on Sustainable Local Development

2008-03-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

Newsletter #46
March 1, 2008

Summary

Message from the Editorial Team

Why does endogenous development remain the poor relation of development strategies in Europe?

People’s Summit: an invitation
Lima, May 2008

Our friend and colleague, Francisco Botelho passed away on February 3rd, 2008. Knowing that he was ill, in 2006 he wrote the following text which was read at his funeral.

Plenitude

Silence ...

It is true that in this slow sunset, one hears silence more forcefully. But it is not silence.

Tranquility ...

Under the violent light, nature rests. Some bats flutter above the courtyard. Water runs into the reservoir, almost imperceptibly. Everything in nature seems to occupy its own place. But it is not tranquility.

Peace ...

Suddenly, inside and outside me, everything is harmony. At this moment, everything sounds just right. Everything is right. But, nothing needs to be right, because the heart feels the plenitude. But this is not peace.

I do not know what this place has. This place where everything makes sense. This place where I am able to unite all that is in me. Without drama, without anxieties. Plenitude, maybe this is it, which fills me in the old courtyard of the ancestral home of my ancestors. Here I live, here live all my ghosts, here live the souls of Santa Marinha.

Perhaps one day may I be lead here to die. Maybe one day my ashes may be spread on these few meters that I overlook. Because more than any place in the world, I belong here.

Francisco Bothelo

Message from the Editorial Team

It is with great regret that we learned of the passing of our friend. We wish to offer our sincere sympathies to his family and all those who were close to him. We shall miss you, Francisco, but rest assured that you will continue to inspire us.

In this issue we are presenting a reflection on the place of endogenous development, in conjunction with exogenous development. Too often considered minor, this place could well be rediscovered in the current context as quite decisive. This article reflects a European perspective, but the stakes are fairly similar in other continents. Thus, we hope that you find the text as stimulating as we do.

In addition, we wish to share information from Latin America. The People’s Summit next May in Lima will be an opportunity for social movements to present alternatives to globalization policies currently prevailing in our societies.

Editorial Team
Yvon Poirier
Martine Théveniaut

---

Why does endogenous development remain the poor relation of development strategies in Europe?

In December 2007, the Circle of entrepreneurs for the future awarded a Grand Prize on pertinent and impertinent reflection to Marjorie Jouen from the Our Europe Association, for her contribution to the debate on this emerging and controversial theme.

Local resources are encouraged to follow behind exogenous development!

There is competition between territories, in the race for foreign investment. Bottom-up development retains a palliative and marginal character. Today, most means remain assigned to the attractiveness of foreign investments, ignoring the negative externalities of this model. Yet, the industrial strategies of conversion during the 70’s and 80’s in Europe have not fulfilled their promises. Other more modest strategies have been tried in the 90’s: either anticipating closures by creating a myriad of small and medium enterprises, mostly tertiary, or by gently redirecting the local economy by encouraging people’s initiatives, by cultivating a climate to generate activities, horizontal cooperation in the context of decentralization.

Local development, victim of its own success?

Even international organizations got involved. Local development is presented as an instrument suited for countries, regions and disadvantaged populations. The exogenous neo-liberal vision takes over: cumulative phenomena of concentration-agglomeration, specialization and acceleration of competition between regions, discontinuous polarization of territorial development around densely populated areas, new inequalities. Some less developed European countries were able to promote their comparative advantages and take profit of this external shock (Ireland, Finland), while others were unable for various reasons relating to their unique history and/or institutional weaknesses. The current craze for centres of training, whether rural or urban, simply reflects the general policy direction which mobilizes local resources for the benefit ... of exogenous development!

In political discourse, this movement distinguished itself by the progressive tightening of the Lisbon Strategy launched in 2000. Over the years, under the guise of streamlining, most of the recommendations relating to local development have been removed. In France, while the triennial public budget for the support of poles of competitiveness reached 1.5 billion euros, an approximate amount of 400€ million was allocated under the European Social Fund for local endogenous development, for seven years! "Ultimately, it could be said that local development has been the victim of its own success and it has been "hi-jacked" by the dominant economic model. By introducing the concept of competitiveness, the latter has been able to take over for competitive purposes intangible factors like territorial dynamism, or force neighborhood social relations into the market sphere."

Internal weaknesses and significant obstacles

It remains a matter of practice and conceptual tools are lacking. The transposition of uncommon experiments to draw conclusions is difficult, personal abilities playing a decisive role. The concept is vague: socio-political, it means autonomy and capacity for self-organization of local groups, at the socio-economic level, it attempts to provide an alternative to the dominant economy. This ambivalence nurtures diverse and sometimes contradictory expectations. The close ties that unite it to public authorities, making it vulnerable to budget cuts as well as political shifts. Between the private and public sectors, it does not always succeed to free itself from a client-centred approach. For some, it embodies the nostalgic dream of the yesterday’s world without a realistic understanding of the new globalized economic system.

The economic obstacles are considerable. On the one hand, foreign direct investment (FDI) brings new technologies, new knowledge and managerial skills. In France, one out of four new jobs is created thanks to international investment, while one job seven is linked to the existing FDI. Meanwhile, local endogenous development is characterized by a slow return on investment and a low capacity to generate profits. Five to ten years are needed to produce results, the time required to evolve mentalities and structural change in the community. It does not create economies of scale and generates little added value, hence the constant need for outside funding. Finally, it is a development based largely on short circuits and auto-consumption, which is therefore diametrically opposed to the dominant economic interests. The political obstacles stem from the social representations. Globalization can be fascinating. The easy road predominates the "greater public good". It continues to legitimize the nation states as the economic development actors, in defiance of the facts.

Revival avenues to reopen the field of possibilities

In the longer term, however, the state of the natural environment, the fragility of the financial system or the potential for conflicts induced by growing disparities of development suggest that local endogenous development has not had its last word. Do European regions and cities have no other roles than the race to “the best knowledge economy in the world "within the spatial division of labour? This is debatable. In fact, the problem comes from the exclusivity of exogenous development and its propensity to absorb all the rest. However, to function well our economies need some diversity to enable them to absorb any external shocks but also to reduce negative externalities. Nonetheless, local development plays a vital role in eco-diversity. Several avenues are suggested:

A deliberate action so exogenous and endogenous development could coexist: from regulation to financial support, through governing direction and contracting. It may be public, but also private, or rely on the wishes of civil society. In any case, it must be based on the emerging dynamics;
A logic of specification in order not to give free rein to other logic (concentration, specialization, or set of comparative advantages on the competitive model). It produces strong externalities and offers a reduced vulnerability to the exogenous impact, because it works around a set of specific accumulated resources in the territory and strengthens itself through the capacity of individuals and enterprises to redeploy.
The new consumer opportunities related to information technology and communication can aggregate at the global level very marginal applications, achieve profitable sales and production of items which had been neglected over time.
The relocation of the economy though often invoked remains at the level of a slogan. To give it political legitimacy, we must enrich and develop a coherent argument offensive, further the analysis of the negative externalities of agglomerations and establish a statistical system which goes beyond the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) indicators.
Another possibility is to accompany the "residential dynamic" which indicates the existence of motivations for mobility other than employment, notably in connection with the advent of a service-based society and an ageing population. This new situation justifies economically local or regional public policies which would not only be geared towards attracting businesses, but also for the improvement of living conditions (housing, environment, public services, etc.)

If one pushes the argument even further, one can find the basis for a new theory of local development. Other than a palliative [E1] industrial crisis, open to the world as it is, this local dynamic reflects the desire to live together, of the place of residence and the proximity of services. The road is narrow because the toppling over towards consumerism would be a poor relief and the call for civic responsibility, although most promising. remains risky. "Finally, behind the place left by exogenous development to local endogenous development looms the question of the ability of our development model to become more sustainable, in the sense of not wasting natural or human resources and the conservation of the environment as well as the reduction of tensions and conflicts of all kinds. The next twenty years will be a test for all mankind ".
Martine Theveniaut: Abstract of the paper produced under the Grand Prize (Category: Development of territories), 20 pages.

People’s Summit: an invitation
Lima, May 2008

European and Latin American social movements are convening a People’s Summit in Lima in May, in response to the Summit of Heads of State and Governments of Europe and Latin America.

All social movements in Latin America and Europe are invited to mobilize for this meeting, and to sign a call to this effect.

The website http://peoplesdialogue.org/en/node/187 provides all pertinent information regarding the Summit.

Note. This information has been sent to us by Nedda Angulo of the Grupo de Economía Red Solidaria del Perú (GRESP and RIPESS Latin America).
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Évéline Poirier from Canada for the English translation
Brunilda Rafael from France for the Spanish translation
Michel Colin from Brazil for the Portuguese translation

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[E1]« Palliative »est un adjectif. On va dire « palliative care » pour les soins de fin de vie aux malades.