Events

The work of the Task Force takes various forms. Members and observers often participate in events related to SSE. The Task Force also regularly hosts side-events during relevant UN processes and civil society conferences. Those activities help raise the visibility of the role that SSE organizations play in sustainable development.

Overview of some events attended or organized by TFSSE members and observers:

• 20 September, 2016, high-level side event at the margins of the 71st UN General Assembly, organized by the International Leading Group on SSE (ILGSSE) and the Government of France with the presence of the French President François Hollande, “Social and Solidarity Economy: Key Sector for a Sustainable Urban Development.” At this event, FAO was represented by Ms. Maria-Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General, who delivered a statement on behalf of FAO, Chair of the UNTFSSE.

• 20 July, 2016, 1.15-2.30: Side event at the 2016 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development entitled “Social and Solidarity Economy as a Strategic Means to the Implementation of the SDGs” in collaboration with the Government of France and Costa Rica.
• Strong Task Force representation at High Level event of the Leading Group on Social and Solidarity, 29 September 2015, New York
• Fifth edition of the Social and Solidarity Economy Academy, 27-31 July 2015, Johannesburg
• Side-event in Addis Ababa on Financing for Development, 13 July 2015, Addis Ababa
• Side event on SSE at the 8^th session of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development, 4 February 2014, NY.
• First meeting of the Leading Group on SSE, General Assembly, 22 September 2014, NY.
• Conference of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on “Social economy and social innovation as drivers of competitiveness, growth and social well-being“, 1 October 2014, Brussels.
• TFSSE side-event at the 41^st session of the Committee on World Food Security, 17 October 2014, Rome.
• TFSSE session at the Global Social Economy Forum, 17-19 November 2014, Seoul.

Publications

The TFSSE publishes documents jointly written by its members and observers. The first Task Force position paper argues that the post-2015 development agenda should pay more attention to the potential of social and solidarity economy (SSE). We illustrate this potential by examining the role of SSE in selected issue areas which, we believe, are central to the challenge of socially sustainable development in the 21st century. The position paper is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

The latest position paper entitled “Realizing the 2030 Agenda through Social and Solidarity Economy” highlights how SSE can play a crucial role in the realization of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs by promoting inclusive and sustainable development through concrete social, institutional and innovative practices. The linkages between SSE and all the 17 SDGs draw attention to its potential as an alternative model of development.

The website of the TFSSE serves as library for publications of UN agencies that tackle SSE related issues. This provides an easy access to a range of information on what the UN is doing in connection with SSE.