The 1st Policy Dialogue on Social and Solidarity Economy in the Latin American and Caribbean Region was held on December 9, 2019 as sessions co-organized by GSEF and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) during the 19th Conference of the International Observatory of Participatory Democracy (OIDP) in Iztapalapa, Mexico. 

The 19th OIDP Conference organized by the Mayor's Office of Iztapalapa is the reference event on participatory democracy worldwide intending to promote the role of cities in strengthening democracy. This conference also represents an opportunity to boost cooperation between cities and international organizations in the field of democratic innovations.
 

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GSEF organizes policy dialogues on the social and solidarity economy (SSE) at the continental level in order to provide opportunities to foster discussions, debates, and exchanges on the current important issues of the sector with all invited actors at the regional level. This year, GSEF organized policy dialogues in Africa (Bamako, April), in Asia (Seoul, October), and in Europe (Liverpool, November) where all the participants exchanged experiences and knowledge and established collaboration networks. These dialogues were also an opportunity to promote GSEF2020, GSEF´s biannual forum to be held in Mexico City in 2020.

The main objectives of this 1st LAC Policy Dialogue were:

• To foster the creation of alliances through GSEF sessions and other networking events with UCLG member cities to allow a better understanding of the role of the Social and Solidarity Economy in current development frameworks;
• To network with new potential members and partners in the Latin American region and to promote the social and solidarity economy and its important contribution to the localization and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
• To provide a space for debates and mutual learning of experiences toward a sustainable and inclusive local development through the social and solidarity economy;
• To promote the upcoming GSEF2020 Mexico City.

Speakers from Colombia, Bolivia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay were invited to participate in this Dialogue in collaboration with the National Institute of Social Economy of Mexico (INAES) and the UCLG Social Inclusion, Participatory Democracy & Human Rights Commission. 
 

The Social and Solidarity Economy is very important to guarantee social and economic rights of all citizens. SSE is a strategy for social inclusion and the transformation of our societies. We appreciate the passion, dedication and support you have all shown, and we would like to invite you to our next biannual forum, GSEF2020 Mexico City.

Closing remarks of Laurence Kwark, Secretary General of GSEF

The presentations and summary of the sessions will be shared soon on this page. 
 

* For more information, please visit the website of the OIDP Conference.