International Seminar on Solidarity Economy in Helsinki, Finland

By | October 22, 2014

From collaborator in the social economy in higher education project, Laura Kumpuniemi

Live stream
You can follow the seminar Reclaiming sustainability – alternative development through solidarity economy on the 17th of November through a live stream. The videos are also available after the seminar through these links.
Part 1 at 13.00 – 15.00 (GMT +2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JJb0cPd8NQ
Part 2 at 15.00 – 18:00 (GMT +2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wovJ-9DAw1E
Solidarity economy is an alternative economic model that focuses on the well-being of both people and the environment. International Solidarity Work organises an international seminar titled Reclaiming sustainability – alternative development through solidarity economy in Helsinki, Finland (Tieteiden talo, Kirkkokatu 6) on the 17 November 2014 at 13.15-18.00 (Finnish time)
In the seminar, visitors from Greece, Brazil, and Syrian Kurdistan Rojava share examples on solidarity economy from their respective countries. There will be a chance to learn about the social economy being built in Rojava’s self-administration, social technologies used to support grassroots solidarity economy initiatives in Brazil, and the solidarity economy movement that has grown in Greece as an outcome of the financial crisis.
The possibilities of solidarity economy have been in discussions in international organisations and many countries have also passed laws regarding solidarity economy. The solidarity economy movement is growing stronger all the time. Welcome to hear why solidarity economy is such an inspiration for many!

PROGRAMME

13.15-13.25 Opening words (Laura Tuominen, International Solidarity Work)
13.25-14.00 Introducing solidarity economy (Tuomo Alhojärvi, Solidarity Economy Network & Ruby Van Der Wekken, Siemenpuu Foundation)
14.00-14.45 Rojava experience of the social economy: reality and prospects (Dr. Ahmad Yousef, Rojava, Syria)
14.45-15.15 Coffee break
15.15-16.15 Social technologies and sustainability (Antonio Cruz, Brazil)
16.15-16.45 Challenges and prospects of the social solidarity economy movement in Greece (Georgia Bekridaki, Greece)
16.45-17.00 Commentary (Outi Hakkarainen, Kepa)
17.00-18.00 Questions and panel discussion
SPEAKERS

Georgia Bekridaki

Georgia Bekridaki has been active in social movements for ten years. She is a founding member of a Greek organisation Solidarity 4 All. The organisation is a collective that gives practical support to various solidarity initiatives. She has also been involved in local time banks and other alternative economy initiatives.

Antonio Cruz

Antonio Cruz has been working on issues related to solidarity economy since the 1990s. He is currently working as a professor at a solidarity economy incubator at the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil. He has also coordinated the network of Brazilian university incubators.

Ahmad Yousef

Ahmad Yousef is a central figure in building a self-administration and social economy activities in the Syrian Kurdistan, Rojava. He also acts as the finance minister of the canton of Afrin.
Please register your participation for the event by the 10 November.
For registrations and more information, contact:
Project coordinator Laura Kumpuniemi Email: laura. kumpuniemi[at]gmail.com