UNTFSSE will hold its 4th Technical Symposium on October 2-3, 2023

The UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) was created in 2013 in response to a growing concern within the UN system to rethink development in the wake of multiple global crises and in the context of the post-2015 development agenda paying attention to the social and solidarity economy (SSE). The UNTFSSE aims to raise the visibility of the SSE within the UN system and beyond. The members and observers have committed to undertake collaborative activities to:

  • enhance the recognition of the role of SSE entities in sustainable development;
  • promote knowledge of the SSE and consolidate SSE networks;
  • support the establishment of an enabling institutional and policy environment for SSE;
  • ensure coordination of international efforts and create and strengthen partnerships.

 

After years of continuous effort by the Task Force, on April 18, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution “Promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy for Sustainable Development” (A/77/281). The governments of Chile, Senegal, and Spain co-led this effort with support from the government of France. The resolution provides an official definition for the Social and Solidarity Economy and acknowledges that it can contribute to the achievement and localization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNTFSSE regular meetings are held virtually every 2-3 months, and since its creation, the Task Force has held three technical symposia where joint action plans were discussed and agreed upon: Rome in 2016, Trento in 2019, and online in 2021.

The 4th UNTFSSE technical symposium will take place on October 2-3, 2023, in Montreal, Canada, in partnership and through the support of the city of Montreal, the province of Quebec, and Caisse D’Économie Solidaire Desjardins. The event will contribute to strengthen UNTFSSE’s team and actions and build on the different members’ and observers’ broader expertise to promote the SSE and implement the UNGA Resolution. The symposium will bring together about 50 participants, including representatives of UNTFSSE member and observer organizations, partner invitees, and high-level representatives of Member States leading the charge on SSE.

 

The two-day agenda will address gaps in the implementation of the UNGA Resolution and solidify a task force strategy and work plan. Break-out sessions will cover key topics such as:

  • collaborating with Member States and developing guidelines for them to put in place SSE policies and programs;
  • education, curricula, and research initiatives;
  • localization of the SSE (sub-national and regional);
  • supporting SSE actors and their funding; and
  • statistics of the SSE.

Additionally, members and observers will have time to meet both together and separately, in order to further collaboration and collective action.

 

English