The objectives

While there are many national forums for leaders from the social economy, their purpose is often to focus on specific or topical issues or develop common policy positions. They are also aimed at people working in the same or similar part of the social economy. International organizations exist, but these are also set up by organizational form (e.g., cooperatives, mutual societies, NGOs, etc.).

There is really no forum, particularly on the international level, where senior executives in cooperatives, mutual societies and nonprofit organizations can exchange ideas across sectors, nor is there really any forum where

- the main directions for the social economy are defined;

- common strategies for major social-economy organizations are developed;

- emblematic projects are decided on as well as how they will be implemented.

In contrast with the mainstream economy, the social economy lacks both a clear presence on the international scene and close working ties with foreign counterparts, which increasingly hampers developing international projects.

These observations raise the question of the social economy’s lack of visibility, representativeness, and legitimacy among the general public, which has a vague understanding of the social economy yet, in principle, views it positively.

To fill this gap, a group of senior executives from the social economy consequently decided to set up the Mont Blanc Meetings to bring together leaders from the social economy in both France and abroad on a regular basis in a forum that combines forward thinking and strategic planning, work and projects. The overall aim of the Mont Blanc Meetings is to give the social economy greater visibility, recognition and credibility.

Senior executives from different countries representing every part of the social economy are invited to these meetings. Guest experts provide explanatory and constructive input during the meetings. The forum gives the social economy greater exposure and demonstrates that the social economy can speak with a single voice.

Read the introductory note by the organizers, Thierry Jeantet and Jean-Philippe Poulnot