Together with the market led economy, the solidarity-based economy needs to grow not only because it is a viable proposal for sustainable development but because it offers solutions to those who are at risk of social exclusion, Joe Gerada, CEO of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, said.

A solidarity-based economy rewards enterprises and entrepreneurs with a social and environmental conscious for their ability to compete while exercising social responsibility and contribute to sustainable development. On the other hand, it also entails the consumer to take responsible and informed decisions with regards to consumption and the use of their savings.

Speaking during a conference in Paris, Mr Gerada emphasised that the new forms of shared responsibility should help to bring about a sense of society, a sense of belonging and commitment thereby allowing the building and achievement of common social objectives. The values of present day European society are not always conducive to this as the culture of personal achievement, economic and consumer oriented values dominate and at times erode solidarity.

Mr Gerada referred to the Strategy for Social Cohesion adopted by the committee of ministers in 2004 that stressed on the co-responsibility of all parties in order to ensure the well being of all in the face of the current changes and the multi dimensional issues contributing to increased risk of poverty.

There is a growing preoccupation among citizens to promote new forms of economic actions to be included in a social cohesion approach given the means at their disposal, especially with regards consumption and savings. Mr Gerada emphasised the ethical and solidarity-based potential of the citizens’ initiatives in their daily choices to complement and reinforce social action.

These initiatives which are by nature within the reach of all, such as supporting your local grocer as opposed to do the shopping from the mega supermarkets, constitute a lever for the fight against poverty and social exclusion and a means for committing the responsibility of society as a whole. Mr Gerada went on to suggest that these concepts and initiatives are integrated in the next National Action Plans of all European countries and those of the EU in particular.

Mr Gerada spoke during the closing session of a conference jointly organized by the European Commission, the Council of Europe and IRIS, the European Inter-Network of Ethical and Responsible Initiatives. He was speaking in his capacity as vice-chairperson of the social cohesion committee of the Council of Europe and included Jerome Vignon, the Director General for Integration and Social Inclusion at the European Commission; Alexander Vladychenko, Director General of the Social Cohesion DG111 at the Council of Europe; Martin Hirsch, High Commissioner for Active Solidarities against Poverty; Christine Gent, President of IRIS; Elise Willame, chairperson of the Social Protection Committee at the European Commission and Francine Bavay, vice-president of the Ile-de-France Region.