Press release - 15 September 2007

Since 2004, the social economy has had its own international summit grouping together leaders from 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:

The sustainable consumption, production and distribution of energy

The response from the social economy

At this meeting the “Mont Blanc Appeal” will be launched, this is a worldwide declaration from leaders in the social economy

This 3rd summit will be an opportunity to present concrete commitments made by various organisations in the social economy around the world.

Chaired by Thierry Jeantet, the organising association will be welcoming:

- Jean Fabre, deputy director of the European Bureau of the United Nations Development Programme (UNPD)

- Ivano Barberini, president of the International Cooperative Alliance

- Preben Maegaard, president of the World Wind Energy Association

- Yannick Glemarec, executive coordinator of the Global Environment Facility

- Zdravko Genchev, vice-president of the UN Energy Efficiency 21 Project

- Ignacy Sachs, initiator of eco-development and integrating development concepts

Other experiences will also be presented on (among other subjects): consumer cooperatives in Japan (Seikatsu Clubs) and Switzerland (Migros), an organisation for animal traction in Madagascar (Mita), an “intelligent” building in the UK (CIS), a solar village in India (Kamataka), the Energie-Cités network in Europe etc.

The organisers are available to provide you with any elements you might need to prepare articles announcing the event.

Press contact:

Isabelle LARDON: (33)-1 41 85 49 50

Thierry JEANTET, President of Association Les Rencontres du Mont-Blanc: (33)-6 07 28 12 72 - thierry.jeantet@euresa.org

THE MONT BLANC MEETINGS

The aim of the leaders involved in the Mont Blanc Meetings is to position the social economy more clearly in the field of internationalisation through setting-up projects designed to give greater visibility to the organisations involved and to encourage the development of joint projects.

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 Bank, regional organisations (Mercosur or the EU), as they already are by the International Labour Office and the International Labour Organisation