Global Courant 2023-04-30 15:33:22
The city of Dakar (https://villededakar.sn), in collaboration with the network of actors and local authorities for the SSE (Réseau des Acteurs et des Collectivités Territoriales pour l’ESS – RACTES), the Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum (GSEF) and the Ministry of Microfinance and Social and Solidarity Economy of Senegal, is actively preparing to host the Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum (GSEF), which will take place on African soil for the first time. The GSEF 2023 will take place from 1 to 6 May 2023 and will explore the theme of “the transition from the informal economy to collective and sustainable economies for the territories”.
This international meeting will be structured around several main themes: the Jeun’ESS pre-forum on 1 and 2 May, dedicated to young people and the recognition of their participation in this economy of the future, the creation of jobs and new opportunities; the Femm’ESS pre-forum on 3 May, a day dedicated to the vital role of women within the structures and enterprises of the SSE; and the main forum on May 4, 5 and 6, which is divided into 7 major themes or “pathways”, being the co-construction of public policies that create decent jobs for youth and women, the blue economy, the green economy, the digital economy , funding, policy dialogue and research. By mid-April, more than 2,000 participants had already registered.
“We are witnessing a historic moment. We must stop, change course and lead the environmental and social transformation of our economy; an economy that has proved vulnerable to crises. We need to be more resilient,” said Pierre Hurmic, Mayor of Bordeaux and co-chair of the GSEF.
“The social and solidarity economy must become the standard that will regulate tomorrow’s economy”, the standard that emphasizes the primary interest of people and the fact that we work together over capital alone, and that structures a sustainable economy of proximity,” added he to it.
Ms. Victorine Ndeye, Minister of Microfinance and the Social and Solidarity Economy, praised the progress of preparations for the Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum. The Government of Senegal has made the social and solidarity-based economy a fundamental priority that contributes to strengthening a democratic society and to creating added value in the formal and informal sectors through the redistribution of wealth, by helping companies and organizations built on solidarity and the importance of social issues.
At the helm of the event’s host city is Barthélemy Dias, Mayor of Dakar, who affirms: “We are delighted to welcome the Forum on African soil for the first time: it is an honor for all Senegalese people.”
The Mayor of Dakar takes responsibility for bringing the voice of Africa to the Forum for the very first time on the continent.
He reminds us that the informal sector represents 80% of the continent’s economy, while 70% of the population is under 30 years old. This human capital is affected by unemployment, underemployment, lack of training and a lack of opportunities. “Africa’s growth could be twice as strong if our Human Development Index (HDI) were higher,” he adds.
Dakar, the capital of the GSEF 2023, has an ambitious goal: to create 20 million opportunities from 2023 in education, professional experience, jobs and access to finance to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Realizing this ambition requires close cooperation with all players involved in economic and social development, explains Dias.
The “Dakar Appeal” will definitely be all about taking action. “We want a forum of action, not just a forum of ideas,” he concludes.
The GSEF is an international event organized every two years to promote the social and solidarity economy (SSE) around the world. Previous years’ forums were held in Seoul (2014), Montreal (2016), Bilbao (2018), and Mexico City (2020). This year the Forum will bring together between 4500 and 5000 participants from all continents. The GSEF member cities are the main organizers of this event.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ville de Dakar.
Press contact:
Karine Jouanelle
Phone: +221 768 66 17 50
E-mail: (email protected)
GSEF website: www.Dakar2023.GSEF-net.org
About the GSEF:
Every two years, the GSEF leads a Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum, together with member cities on all continents. It has become a must attend event for SSE; a real sign of its dynamism. Each forum adopts a statement linking host cities and participants, formalizing the commitment to work towards this people-centered economy as well as the essential tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This meeting is an exceptional platform for mutual learning and exchange of knowledge and views on all aspects of the social and solidarity economy. The GSEF is a global network of local governments and networks of civil society organizations committed to promoting the social and solidarity economy (SSE) as an “alternative style of economy” for the benefit of all; a freer sense of local development, focused on people and aware of the environment.
The GSEF brings together 86 members from 37 countries across five continents, including 32 local governments, 38 SSE networks and civil society organisations.
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