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Signing a Partnership Agreement with the Mont-Blanc Meeting 19 April, Paris, France
As a continuation of the discussions had in the previous MBM 10th anniversary meeting in Paris. GSEF co-chairman Rev. Kyong Yong Song and Secretary General Laurence Kwark had a meeting with the representative of the Mont-Blanc Meeting. Two organisations signed the partnership agreement to strengthen exchanges and joint efforts of promoting the SSE globally based on each organisation’s strengths. Further discussions on cementing the partnership will be continued in Montreal this September. Check out the MBM’s initiatives on their website.
 
Discussion on hosting the GSEF2018 (4th edition) with the Basque Country 26 April, Bilbao, Spain
GSEF co-chairman Rev. Kyong Yong Song, SG Laurence Kwark and president of HBM Cooperative Management Institute Inchang Song, had a series of meetings with the Basque Government. Attended by key SSE policy makers of Basque Country (Ministry of Social Policies and Employment, Social Economy Division of the Basque Government), Two parties discussed about hosting the next edition of the GSEF (4th) in Basque region (City of Bilbao, City of Mondragon). The Basque Country is a world leading player in the field of social economy; it is renowned for its sustainable development initiatives in urban regenerations (Bilbao) and cooperative enterprises (Mondragon). GSEF will further develop cooperation with the Basque country in promoting the SSE in as an alternative model of achieving sustainable development.
 
Strengthening the partnership with the GSEF SC members based in Europe 21 April, London (UK) / Paris (France) - Cambridge House/Locality, Groupe SOS
GSEF SG Laurence Kwark and Co-chairman Rev. Kyong Yong Song visited Cambridge House (representing Locality) and Groupe SOS who are the GSEF Steering Committee members based in Europe. Throughout the meetings, strategies of expanding presence of the GSEF in Europe and joint initiatives and opportunity for joint research projects were discussed.
Co-chair of GSEF, Rev. Song gave a presentation at the Arizmendiarrieta’s Centenary 22 April, Bilbao, Spain
Arranged with the help of HBM management Institute, Co-chair of GSEF, Rev. Kyong Yong Song gave a presentation at the Arizmendiarrieta’s Centenary – ‘Towards a Social and Solidarity Economy, Cooperativism of Mondragon and the Third Sector’. Father Arizmendiarrieta is widely acknowledged as the founder of establishing the basis of Mondragon’s cooperativism. Along with government officials from Basque Country, representatives of social economy networks and universities, Rev. Song introduced the way to strengthening the social and solidarity economy and overcoming challenges in the context of Korea’s experience of developing the SSE eco-system. Through the Centenary and other meetings such as cooperatives, Basque local government councils and social economy networks, GSEF had an opportunity to strengthen its close tie with Mondragon.
GSEF co-chairperson, Mayor Park wins the Gothenburg Award for Sustainable Development17 April, Seoul, Korea
GSEF Co-chairperson, Mayor Won-soon Park wins the Gothenburg Award for Sustainable Development. Since 2000. The Gothenburg Award which is administered by politicians and local governments in Sweden such as City of Gothenburg and enterprises. The Award has been granted each year who made notable contributions to the sustainable development future. Mayor Park has been recognized through his policy initiatives of sharing economy in various sectors such as cars, housing, carparks, and libraries in Seoul.
Click for more details about the award and Seoul’s innovative initiatives.
 
GSEF 2016 Pre-forum by iCoop, Prof. Margueritte Mendell's visiting to Korea 19 April ~ 3 May
Organised by iCoop Korea, GSEF 2016 pre-conference was held in Gurye on 22 Apr. More than 5,000 cooperative members gathered to discuss the role and task of SSE in tackling the urban crisis. Also numerous civil society organisations and representatives of local governments participated in the forum to discuss how they can contribute to the agenda setting. Head of Karl Polanyi Political Economy Institute (Concordia University, Canada) Prof. Margueritte Mendell also participated in the GSEF2016 pre-forum to share her insights on the topic. During her visit in Korea, she also gave a series of lectures to various local governments (such as Yangcheon-gu, Gangdong-gu) and she presented in the forum on Inter-Asia connection Workshop organised by Seoul National University and seminars organised by Karl Polanyi Research Institute Asia and Seoul Social Economy Center. Through the series of lectures, prof. Mendell introduced the history of Quebec’s social economy development and how SSE can contribute to resolving soci-economic challenges by providing alternative models in the context of Korea.
 
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