• The three institutions signed a manifesto that emphasizes that “the Social Economy has significant challenges to adapt to the future of work, while contributing to respond to technological changes, energy transition, digitalization and environmental imbalances, demographic and inequality correction ”.
• The president of CEPES stresses that "we are on the path of Social Economy being one of the fundamental agents of the future because it has principles and values that, as demonstrated during this Academy, contribute to building a better world."
• The XI Edition of the ILO Academy of Social and Solidarity Economy had more than 350 personalities from 40 countries who discussed the future of work.
• The link to download the Manifesto is available at: https://www.cepes.es/documentacion/424
Madrid, October 18, 2019.- The International Labor Organization (ILO), the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Social Security; and the Spanish Business Confederation of the Social Economy (CEPES) approved a manifesto that reinforces, among other agreed points, the central role of the Social Economy in the future of work.
This tripartite declaration was agreed on the occasion of the XI Edition of the ILO Academy of Social and Solidarity Economy, closed today in Madrid to discuss the future of work worldwide, and which had more than 350 participants from 40 countries, Government representatives - national, regional and local - business and union organizations, companies and social economy entities, international organizations and academic and research staff.
The president of the Spanish Business Confederation of the Social Economy (CEPES) and 'Social Economy Europe', Juan Antonio Pedreño , stressed “the importance of the ILO Academy and the approved manifesto, which makes visible worldwide the important contribution it makes Social Economy in the debate about the future of work, evidencing that it is a model that humanizes globalization, and that, by its values, creates stable and quality employment, sustainable, that does not relocate, inclusive - by including groups with employability difficulties–; peer between men and women; which encourages the inclusion of young people in the labor market and demonstrates that it is possible to combine economic and social profitability, as well as contributing especially to two major challenges: aging and depopulation, the so-called empty Spain ”.
"The Social Economy," added Pedreño, "is on the path of being one of the fundamental agents of the future by having principles and values that, as demonstrated during this ILO Academy, contribute to building a better world."
Likewise, the president of CEPES stressed another of the conclusions of the manifesto, such as the contribution of the Social Economy to the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations. “This academy has helped us to value SDG 17 ('Partnerships to achieve the objectives'), since so far the ILO, Social Economy and Government of Spain had not worked together, but there are two recent facts, the conclusions of the ILO of Geneva and those of this Academy, which commit us to do so. I firmly believe that this alliance will serve to achieve great results for the future, ”said Pedreño.
The director of the ILO Office for Spain, Joaquín Nieto , explained that “the ILO has dedicated its efforts this year to understand what the changes in the future of work will be and what are the proposals that there areIt should be done to make it more promising, and all the conclusions include the Social Economy as a very important factor in job creation, but also in the attributes of decent work and quality ”.
Nieto also stressed the need for Social Economy in the face of the important challenges we face in the future, such as globalization or climate change, which, in his opinion, will have a direct impact on employment.
The Secretary of State for Employment in the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Social Security of Spain, Yolanda Valdeolivas , stressed “the values that the Social Economy has not only to build a better quantitative and qualitative society, but also its very important effect on the rest of the economy, which should permeabilize the rest of society so that everyone feels involved in defending those results and values. ”
Valdeolivas also highlighted the indisputable support of the Government of Spain towards CEPES and the business model it represents, which is experiencing a moment of great international expansion. "The Social Economy," said the Secretary of State, "does not distinguish between borders and is very recognizable in the countries where it has a presence, as has been noted in this Academy."
Values of the Social Economy in the debate on work
The manifesto supports that “the Social and Solidarity Economy has important challenges to adapt to the future of work, while contributing to respond to technological changes, energy transition, digitalization and environmental, demographic and correction imbalances of inequalities ”.
In addition, it confirms that the Social Economy creates and maintains stable and quality jobs, ensuring young people's access to the labor market and the promotion of effective gender equality. It also promotes competitiveness and business diversity, with a business model that corrects social and territorial inequalities through a more equitable redistribution of benefits.
In addition, the Social Economy is a pioneer in social and technological innovation, offering solutions to economic, social, digital, technological, energy or demographic challenges, also from R + D + i. In addition, it facilitates the sustainable development of the territories, fixing the population, avoiding relocation and valuing their natural, cultural and tourist resources.
Other reasons for giving a priority place to the Social Economy in the debate on the future of work is its contribution to the provision of quality social services or to strengthen the Welfare State and the social model, facing the consequences of demographic change.
In addition, it promotes social inclusion and equal opportunities for all people, especially for those with disabilities and with others in a situation or risk of social exclusion; and it promotes a productive model that favors the decarbonization of the economies, advances in the production of renewable energies and in the circular economy.
Taking into account all of the above, the XI Academy of Social and Solidarity Economy states:
• That it is necessary to incorporate the Social Economy and its representative organizations in the debates and initiatives for the full achievement of the objectives of the Declaration of the Centenary of the ILO, so it is proposed the elaboration by the ILO of an action plan on the contribution of the Social Economy in favor of decent work and against job insecurity.
• What was proposedne to the state, regional and local governments the incorporation of the Social Economy in their policies aimed at the effective achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• That the establishment of a United Nations Resolution on the Social Economy that recognizes and promotes these companies and entities is a priority.
• That governments, European and regional institutions and international organizations be urged to strengthen the visibility and competitiveness of Social Economy companies through public policies and other initiatives.
• That it is necessary to organize congresses and events that make visible the reality and importance of the Social Economy and facilitate the exchange and coordination of initiatives for the definition of legal frameworks and public policies suitable for the Social Economy.
• That the Social and Solidarity Economy be incorporated into educational systems at all levels from primary to university, as well as to empower the training of its workers to face the changes in the future of work.
• That close collaboration be promoted between expert personnel, research centers, statistical institutes and companies and Social Economy organizations to establish and disseminate methodologies and instruments, including impact measurement, in order to create more and better jobs.
ILO ESS Academies
Prior to the closing ceremony and the reading of the manifesto, the plenary session was held 'High level dialogue: what public policies for a person-centered agenda for the future of work? The role of the SSE ', moderated by Roberto Di Megio , of the ILO, and in which the Director General of Social Economy of the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Social Security of Spain, María Antonia Pérez León; the general director of the Mexican Institute of Social Economy (INAES), Juan Manuel Martínez Louvier ; the advisor of the Ministry of Agriculture of Tunisia, Nawel Jabbes , the head of the Social and Solidarity Department of the Ministry of Labor and ESS of Luxembourg, Marco Estanqueiro .
Pérez León highlighted the international leadership of Spain in the area of Social Economy, being the pioneer country in creating a specific regulatory framework on this business model (Law 5/2011 of Social Economy). It also reflected the important work done by this model to avoid depopulation and create or maintain business fabric in the Spain emptied. He also recalled that 80% of work in the Social Economy is fixed, stable, of quality and employs about 200,000 people with some type of disability.
The 11th edition of the ILO Academy, held throughout the week in Madrid and closed today, focused on the future of work and was organized by the ILO, the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Social Security; and the Spanish Business Confederation of the Social Economy (CEPES).
