What's Happening?
The Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum (GSEF) recently took place in Bordeaux, France, attracting around 10,000 participants from 109 countries. The forum aimed to reimagine economies based on cooperation,
equality, and sustainability. Despite the global focus, U.S. participation was notably minimal, with only five American speakers among 169 workshops and 13 plenaries. The forum highlighted the ongoing racial and colonial challenges within the solidarity economy movement. African and Latin American delegations revealed the persistent influence of colonial histories, with African representation largely from French-speaking countries and Latin American delegations predominantly White, sidelining Indigenous and Afrodescendant voices. The forum also addressed the undervaluation of the informal economy, which plays a crucial role in many communities worldwide.
Why It's Important?
The limited U.S. involvement in the GSEF underscores a broader trend of American social justice organizers focusing primarily on domestic issues rather than engaging with international bodies. This inward focus may limit the potential for global solidarity and collaboration in addressing economic and social justice issues. The forum's discussions on colonial legacies and racial inequalities highlight the need for a more inclusive approach to the solidarity economy, which could lead to more equitable economic systems. The undervaluation of the informal economy, despite its significance, points to a need for policy shifts that recognize and support these vital economic practices. Addressing these issues could lead to more sustainable and just economic models globally.
What's Next?
The next GSEF is scheduled for 2027 in Maricá, Brazil, a city known for its innovative economic policies, including a public bank and universal basic income program. This presents an opportunity to address the representation issues highlighted in Bordeaux, particularly the marginalization of Afrodescendant and Indigenous communities. Organizers will need to ensure that future forums are more inclusive and address the colonial and racial dynamics that persist in the solidarity economy movement. This could involve intentional efforts to include diverse voices and recognize the contributions of informal economic practices. The success of these efforts could significantly impact the global solidarity economy's ability to address inequality and promote sustainable development.
Beyond the Headlines
The forum's discussions revealed deeper issues within the solidarity economy movement, such as the Eurocentric framing and the lack of acknowledgment of colonial histories. These blind spots must be addressed for the movement to fulfill its potential in creating equitable economic systems. The forum's setting in Bordeaux, a city with a colonial past, highlighted the need for truth-telling and reconciliation in discussions about economic justice. The upcoming forum in Brazil will need to confront these challenges head-on to avoid repeating past mistakes and to genuinely promote a solidarity economy that dismantles inequality rather than manages it.
