Gothenburg was the host city of the European Social Economy Conference last week. The Conference, divided in three days, was full of remarkable panels and experts providing knowledges to the public. Our team was present in the Conference and organized a workshop alongside CECOP.
The day started with the words from the Commissioner Nicholas Schmit, who highlighted the role of social economy to build a stronger and more resilient Europe. Patrizia Toia, member of the parliament and Co-chair of the Social Economy Intergroup thanked Social Economy Europe and specially our President, Juan Antonio Pedreño, for his crucial role in promoting social economy within Europe.
Also, our President Juan Antonio Pedreño, and our Vicepresident Alain Coheur were speakers of the first panel discussion “Why it is important to continue supporting the development of Social Economy”
Our President remarked:
The Minister of Labor and Social Economy and 2nd Vice President of the Government of Spain Yolanda Diaz pointed out that the implementation of the SEAP is going to be a priority for the Spanish Presidency, and invited all the social economy family to San Sebastian on November 13 and 14 for the European Social Economy Conference, where Social Economy Europe will have a lead role in its organisation including the celebration of the second edition of the European Social Economy Awards.
On the last panel discussion, “Lessons and legacies for the future” our vice-president Patrizia Bussi was a speaker and stressed out the added value of the social economy to the society.
What is the uniqueness of social economy on twin transition? Could it be the key to develop more sustainable, inclusive, fair and democratic societies?
Some answers for that questions were given in the successful workshop organized by SEE and CECOP “Social economy as driving force for green and digital transition” in which the 1st part of the panel has been focused on green transition. We have had prof Bjorn Wikhamn from University of Gothenburg, Hanna Surmatz from Philea and Lorenzo Giornelli from Ceramiche Noi as speakers. In the 2nd part of the session, focused on digital transition, we were pleased to count with the participation of Sibylle Reichert from AIM Healthcare, Petter Joelson from Digidem Lab and Gianluca Pastorelli from DIESIS.
Certainly, the Conference was a perfect initiative to continue raising awareness about the power of social economy as a key player on the international scene. We were happy to be part of this family that keeps growing in order to put social economy at the top of the European strategy.
