Potential and Limits of Social and Solidarity Economy

As interest in alternative production, finance and consumption grows in the face of global crises, this conference will explore the potential and limits of Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) — organizations such as cooperatives, women’s self-help groups, social enterprise and associations of informal workers that have explicit social and economic objectives, and involve various forms of cooperation and solidarity. Through this event UNRISD aims to raise the visibility of debates about SSE within the United Nations system and beyond, and contribute to thinking in international policy circles about a post-2015 development agenda. This conference is being co-organized with the ILO in collaboration with UN-NGLS. Can SSE make a real difference to food security, rural development, gender equality and decent work? What is the role of governments, civil society and the private sector? Can SSE expand while remaining integrative and rights-based?