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Social and Solidarity Economy

Wed, 15 June 2016, 12:30 to 14:00

Room 00-13, Ground Floor Chambers Building, OU, Milton Keynes

International Development seminar presented by Dr Alex Borda-Rodriguez (Secretaría Nacional de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación, Ecuador) and Professor Hazel Johnson (DPP, OU), who will explore the politics of innovation in social enterprises in Latin America and co-ops and development.

Lunch (provided) from 12.00, presentation & discussion 12.30 - 14.00. To reserve your free place, please email Claire Emburey.

Abstract
Increases in inequality and the inclusion of low-income people in development on adverse terms raises questions about how low-income people's participation in national development should be changed for the better. We observe that conceptualisations of inclusive development tend to fall into two broad perspectives: one is policy oriented and directed at redistribution of benefits, the other focuses on the voice, control and agency of low-income populations. We consider whether Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) organisations (i.e. co-operatives, mutual societies and community- based organisations) bring these two perspectives together and promote a different kind of inclusive development.

By reviewing field data on co-operative unions in Malawi and SSE organisations in Ecuador, we suggest that inclusive development is a negotiated process, rather than an ideal, and that SSE organisations have the potential to shape policy, enable low-income populations to come together and became part of the market economy in sustainable ways. Malawi has experienced a revival of its co-operative movement which can be best described as a bottom-up process, by contrast Ecuador has adopted the SSE model as a development paradigm in which the state plays a key role in the promotion of inclusive development. Both cases show how the values and principles that drive SSE organisations are translated into action and the challenges and limitations these organisations face.

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International Development Research Office
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