1. 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

2. 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)

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

4. 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…’

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)