Project C5 - From Social Economy to Solidarity Economy: Changing Perspectives in a Volatile World (Phase One)

Abstract

This project focuses on examining the definition of social economy being used by BALTA and critiquing its conceptual capacity to effectively guide policy and practice in a volatile and rapidly changing global context. Describing some key elements of the context from which CED and the Social Economy have emerged over the last 30-50 years as a point of departure, the project will examine the Pearse definition being used by BALTA to guide its mapping work and offer an alternative formulation that cuts the conceptual cloth very differently. The resulting paper, to be done in April, will be used as a basis for consultation with selected practitioners and researchers in Canada and the United States. The results of the consultations will be documented by the beginning of July and be the basis for further work defined in phase two of this project (see Annex A – Project C6 -2007).