Press release - 16 July 2007

Since 2004, the social economy has had its own international summit bringing together leaders of mutuals, associations, cooperatives and foundations from around the world.

The 3rd Summit will take place in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, on 9 and 10 November 2007 on the question of:

Sustainable Consumption, Production and Distribution of Energy

The Response of the Social Economy

Not a day goes by without the media highlighting the damaging effects on the environment and the climate of over-consumption of energy in developed countries. Not a day goes by without an NGO criticising the lack of access to energy that many inhabitants of the planet suffer from. Not a day goes by without a conflict – be it economic or political – breaking out concerning access to or distribution of raw materials.

The issue is no longer just economic and environmental, but has now become geopolitical.

Even though it is a fashionable issue, the theme of the production and accessibility of energy, and the themes of how energy is used is of concern to the whole of humanity, at differing levels. It is no longer possible to ignore and by-pass the difficulties – even catastrophes – involved which will only increase if we remain passive; the social economy is naturally concerned!

Today the question of the substitution of fossil fuels by bio-energy has been raised.

But who will produce and distribute it? The same “self-centred” multinationals or companies with a social dimension, with a different form of governance?

Who will “benefit” from this change?

Which sustainable footprint energies should be produced?

How can these forms of energy be made available in both the North and the South?

With its particular values, what position should the social economy take in relation these challenges and how should it deal with them?

Alongside the main players from the social economy worldwide to answer these questions there will also be representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Environment Foundation, the International Labour Office (ILO), The United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Cooperative Alliance, and the European Trade Union Confederation, among others

http://www.rencontres-montblanc.coop//

In parallel, they act together to ensure that the values of the social economy, a person-focused economy, are taken into account by international organisations such as the WTO, the World Back, regional organisations (Mercosur or the EU), as they already are by the International Labour Office and the International Organisation.