U.S. Solidarity Economy Network

This participatory workshop will provide an introduction to the solidarity economy – what does it mean, what are successful examples of the solidarity economy, what makes it particularly compelling, what is the state of the solidarity economy movement, what are our strategies for achieving a just and sustainable world? The solidarity economy is not only a framework, it is also a reality that is building ‘another world’ on the foundation of the many experiences that already exist, from cooperatives to community land trusts and from social currency to participatory budgeting. Participants will reflect on their values and visions; see ways in which they are living solidarity economy every day; and think about how they can become more actively engaged in building this ‘other world.’

In this workshop, representatives of Ten Thousand Villages and ZOES (Zona Equosostenible of Italy) will discuss recent developments in the Fair Trade movement in the U.S. and in Europe, both successes and challenges. How can we grow this movement, and maximize its transformative power? After our presenters provide a brief picture of their organization's role in the free trade movement, and the state of the movement overall in the U.S. and Europe, we expect to open up the workshop to a discussion of current issues in the movement. We expect participants to take away from the workshop an understanding of the role of consumer power in transforming the economy. Those involved with Fair Trade organizations will connect with others in the movement to share successes and discuss strategies for growing the movement.

This participatory workshop will provide an introduction to the solidarity economy – what does it mean, what are successful examples of the solidarity economy, what makes it particularly compelling, what is the state of the solidarity economy movement, what are our strategies for achieving a just and sustainable world? The solidarity economy is not only a framework, it is also a reality that is building ‘another world’ on the foundation of the many experiences that already exist, from cooperatives to community land trusts and from social currency to participatory budgeting. Participants will reflect on their values and visions; see ways in which they are living solidarity economy every day; and think about how they can become more actively engaged in building this ‘other world.’

In this workshop, representatives of Ten Thousand Villages and ZOES (Zona Equosostenible of Italy) will discuss recent developments in the Fair Trade movement in the U.S. and in Europe, both successes and challenges. How can we grow this movement, and maximize its transformative power? After our presenters provide a brief picture of their organization's role in the free trade movement, and the state of the movement overall in the U.S. and Europe, we expect to open up the workshop to a discussion of current issues in the movement. We expect participants to take away from the workshop an understanding of the role of consumer power in transforming the economy. Those involved with Fair Trade organizations will connect with others in the movement to share successes and discuss strategies for growing the movement.