Alexander Borda-Rodriguez Social and Solidarity Economy Organisations in the Global South: Theoretical and Practical Implications for CE Alexander Borda-Rodriguez The Open University Exeter Symposium “Circular Economy Disruptions – Past, Present and Future” June 17-19/2018

POINTS OF DEPARTURE - GLOBAL MARKET ECONOMY Limited government Economic freedom Recurrent economic crises Flexible labour markets: pauperization of labour Profit motive – constant growth and capital accumulation Dynamic and innovative Share economy (i.e. Uber)

Gross Domestic Product MALAWI Gross Domestic Product USD 6.4 billion (2017 IMF) UNILEVER (2017) Turnover €53.7 billion Net profit €6.5 billion 

CIRCULAR ECONOMY (CE)   Restorative and regenerative by design Aims to: redefine growth and product and services to design waste out Designs out waste and pollution Keep products and material in use Regenerates and restores natural resources Current evidence-based research shows that CE has barely engage with the ‘social side of things…’

SOCIAL AND SOLIDARITY ECONOMY (SSE) The SSE refers to specific forms of enterprises and organizations. Common types: co-operatives, mutual benefit societies, associations and social enterprises. SSE organisations’ principles and values are rooted in collective ownership, concern for the community, self-management, reciprocity and equity which means that members have voice, agency and power to collectively mitigate the effects of a global market economy that extensively relies in the pauperisation of the labour force. SSE organisations promote and run economic organizations that are people-centred.

SSE IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH SSE organisations’ ethics, values and guiding principles prioritise their members and their communities above profit, and embrace autonomous management, a democratic decision-making process and the primacy of people and work over capital. SSE organisations reach marginalised people. Based on data from 156 countries, CICOPA found that co-operatives alone provide work for at least 280 million people across the globe which accounts for 9.46% of the world’s employed population. Embedded in all sector – resilient – inclusive

SSE SOLUTIONS…   Alternative ways of eating: short circuits, community-supported agriculture, food sovereignty, etc Using local complementary currencies Access to resources: land, water… Alternative ways of working and producing Access to healthcare and homecare services Recycling and managing waste Alternative ways of living: community housing and cooperatives Creating commons Territorial embeddedness: citizens’ initiatives and public policies Alternative forms of education: popular education and cultural initiatives SSE research Alternative forms of consumption: fair trade and responsible consumption Strengthening movements via networking and pooling Alternative media Women’s initiatives Alternative travel: responsible tourism Youth initiatives Alternative finance: responsible finance Using and creating open source technologies Transition towards local and renewable energy and ecomobility http://www.socioeco.org/solutions_en.html

IMPLICATIONS FOR CE What drives circularity/sustainability? Perpetuation of capitalist economy (a.k.a global market economy)? What is the place for humans (i.e. labour force) Rethinking incentives (what drives change) Terms of engagement (society, market and government)