Karl Polanyi Institute Asia in Seoul
Background
Through the GSEF 2013 in Seoul, some key participants began discussion on the establishing of Karl Polanyi Institute Asia (KPIA) in order to foster the Karl Polanyi’s thought, to support research on social economy across Asia and to strengthen international cooperation in the field of social economy. As the outcome of GSEF 2014 which was held on Nov. 17~19 2014 in Seoul, KPIA was formally launched with the Inaugural Assembly of 50 cooperatives members on March 17 2015. So far, KPIA has been increasing its membership up to 250 as interest in Social Economy in Korea grows as alternatives to the blind rule of market capitalism.
Activities
![gsef](http://gsef.prizma.co.kr/newsletter/1508/p01.jpg) KPIA mainly performs its activities such as research, networking, education including open lectures and publishing on social economy area to enhance an in-depth research, and to spread a spirit of solidarity to severe economic and social crises. Furthermore, KPIA tries to build a Model of Pluralistic Economy based on Polanyi’s ideas in the context of Asian social economic situation. Most recently, KPIA gave open lectures for 6 weeks titled ‘Karl Polanyi and Social Economy’ from July 19 to August 20 2015.
Plans
KPIA has been settled as a social economy research institute to promote the spirit of collaboration and cooperation in Asia. KPIA dedicates its work to awakening the public awareness of the significance of the social economy. Alongside its own academic study, KPIA will translate and publish ‘Reflections’ written by José María Arizmendiarrieta who was a founder of the Modragón cooperative movement in this November.
If you need our detailed information, visit to the KPIA’s website: www.kpia.re.kr. You also want to cooperate with the KPIA on Social Economy academic research, KPIA welcomes to your contact through kpolanyiasia@gmail.com.
Association of “the Seoul Declaration” of Japan
Background
After the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, the national attention to seek alternative and sustainable energy has been increasing rapidly with the demand for social economy to solve high income disparity. After the GSEF 2013, majority of people who participated in the event and agreed with ‘the Seoul Declaration’, which was adopted by 8 local governments and 9 civil networks during the GSEF 2013, were gathered to organize meetings to discuss the declaration in various regions across Japan. As the result of such recognition, the Association of “the Seoul Declaration” of Japan (ASDJ) launched in the spring of 2014.
Activities
![gsef](http://gsef.prizma.co.kr/newsletter/1508/p02.png) Before the GSEF 2014 inaugural meeting, ASDJ had a pre-forum titled ‘Pre-GSEF’ at Meiji University in Tokyo on November 2 2014. There were over 200 participants such as leaders, activists of cooperatives, credit unions, farmers and representatives of local governments. Also, representatives of Seoul Metropolitan Government and GSEF staff participated in the meeting as invited speakers. After the GSEF events, ASDJ had organized two report meetings at different cities in Japan to build the social consensus on the importance of social and solidarity economy.
Expectations
Unfortunately, the term “Social Economy” is not recognized politically and legally in Japan yet. In fact, however, there are many movements and civil organizations that aim to activate social economy activities in Japan. Although some local governments also are joining such social movements and organizations, the social network is not enough to promote social and solidarity economy. Alongside the GSEF’s global network, ASDJ could be one of the crucial actors for social economy network in the world as well as in Japan.
by Shiro Wakamori, the representative of the ASDJ Official website: www.seoulsengen.jp
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