Special feature
- Karl Polanyi Institute Asia (KPIA)
- Association of “the Seoul Declaration” of Japan (ASDJ)

GSEF Secretariat new team members

Up to date news

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

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

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

Yeon Sook EOM Secretary General (GSEF Secretariat)

GSEF secretariat was invited to the Tokyo meeting organized by ASDJ in Japan, Sep. 6~7 2015. Ms. Yeon Sook Eom, as a Secretary General of GSEF, will participate in the meeting to share social economy experiences in terms of local government and civil network.

Dong jun HA Team Manager (GSEF Secretariat)

Since July 3, 2015 Dongjun has been taking charge of the Policy Team at the GSEF secretariat as a team manager. He served in the Seoul Metropolitan Government for more than 15 years. Prior to joining the GSEF, he had worked in several areas to improve the lives of Seoul citizens. He served as a team leader in the department of Climate Change & Sustainability also in the Planning department of Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Held preparatory meetings for the forthcoming GSEF SC meeting

Throughout August, together with Seoul Metropolitan Government and civil society social economy organizations, GSEF hold a series of preparatory meetings for the forthcoming GSEF Steering Committee (SC) meeting which is scheduled to be held on Nov 2~3, 2015 in Seoul.

GSEF introduced in Germany

Young Kim, the secretary to the co-chairman of GSEF and the director for the Seoul Social Economy Network, has participated in Information Tour on Social Innovation in Germany from Aug. 9th to 15th, 2015. This tour is a sponsored program by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, aiming to give an opportunity for participants to understand Germany’s social innovation system as well as to exchange experiences of each participant on social enterprise and social innovation in his/her country. Representatives from 16 countries joined the week-long program. Young introduced GSEF to program participants and a wide range of people in German social innovation scene.

News from GSEF members

Mr. Juan Mari Aburto Rique who participated in the GSEF 2014 Inaugural Meeting as a representative of the Basque Country was inaugurated as the Mayor of Bilbao City effective from June 2015. Bilbao City is a capital of Basque government and one of the world leading cities in urban regeneration and promotion of sustainability.

Ms. María Ubarretxena Cid who had served as a Director of Social Economy in Basque government also was elected as the Mayor of Mondragon City this year. Mondragon is best-known for its cooperative model and the world’s largest worker cooperative.

On behalf of GSEF members, GSEF secretariat would like to convey our most sincere congratulation on their assumption of new responsibilities.

Participation in Seoul Declaration meeting in Tokyo, Japan

GSEF secretariat was invited to the Tokyo meeting organized by ASDJ in Japan, Sep. 6~7 2015. Ms. Yeon Sook Eom, as a Secretary General of GSEF, will participate in the meeting to share social economy experiences in terms of local government and civil network.

Attending the RIPESS Europe Congress in Berlin, German

GSEF secretariat (Kyong-yong Song, GSEF Co-chairman) will be attending the RIPESS Europe Congress on ‘Solidarity Economy and Transformation’, Sep. 10~13 2015. The trip to Berlin will provide a great opportunity to share the vision of GSEF with RIPESS Europe delegates also to discuss with the collaboration opportunity in promoting social and solidarity economy.