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 as well as spreads and shares wider the responsibility for social cohesion, Foundation for Social Services chief Joe Gerada told a Paris conference.

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 obliges the consumer to take responsible and informed decisions with regard to consumption and the use of their savings.

Mr Gerada said that the new forms of shared responsibility should help 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 growing pre-occupation 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. He 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 shopping at 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 suggested 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 organised by the European Commission, the Council of Europe and IRIS, the European Inter-Network of Ethical and Responsible Initiatives. Mr Gerada 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.

This article was provided by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services which incorporates Agenzija sedqa (www.sedqa.gov.mt), Agenzija Appogg (www.appogg.gov.mt) and Agenzija SAPPORT (www.sapport.gov.mt