• CEPES proposes that the declaration of this XXVII edition highlights the commitment and contribution of Social Economy companies to this year's slogan, which focuses on the 2030 Agenda and the challenge of the pandemic.
• The Social Economy encompasses, in just six countries in the region -Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Spain and the Dominican Republic-, more than 73,000 companies and entities, which generate 3 million direct and indirect jobs and which associate more of 47 million people.
Madrid, April 20, 2021.- The Spanish Business Confederation of the Social Economy (CEPES) has requested the collaboration of the governments of the Ibero-American community to promote the Social Economy business model in the countries that make up said community and create a favorable environment for the recovery and socio -economic reconstruction of the region.
This was stated on the eve of the XVII Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government , which is held this Wednesday, April 21, in Andorra under the slogan 'Innovation for sustainable development-2030 Goal. Ibero-America facing the challenge of the coronavirus ' .
“It is essential to establish a space for work and cooperation between the governments of the Ibero-American community, promoted and directed by the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), together with the participation of representative organizations of the social economy, to be able to draw up a common agenda that allow this business model not only to face the consequences of the pandemic, but also to generate sustainable and inclusive growth in accordance with the 2030 Agenda ”, stated the president of CEPES, Juan Antonio Pedreño.
CEPES proposes that , based on the recognition in favor of cooperatives and other Social Economy companies that have already held the Ibero-American Summits of Montevideo in 2006 and Santa Cruz de la Sierra in 2003, the declaration of the XXVII Summit highlights the commitment and the contribution of Social Economy companies to the slogan of this year's summit, focused on the 2030 Agenda and the challenge of the pandemic.
Thus, the Confederation has pointed out that the Social Economy constitutes an "indisputable" socio-economic reality in the Ibero-American community , with companies and entities of all sizes, from SMEs to large business groups, present in all sectors of activity. An example of this weight and relevance is that, taking into account the reality of the Social Economy in only six countries in the region (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Spain and the Dominican Republic), it encompasses more than 73,000 companies and entities, that generate 3 million direct and indirect jobs and that associate more than 47 million people.
THE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL ECONOMY IN LATIN AMERICA
Furthermore, as is the case in Europe, CEPES highlights the role of the Social Economy as a key actor in the sustainable development of Latin America. Thus, the European Economic and Social Committee already confirmed in 2021 in its opinion "The Social Economy in Latin America" that the Social Economy resolved in this region serious situations of lack of social and economic equity and violation of fundamental rights.
“It is a key tool in the fight in favor of decent work and overcoming socio-economic informality, being essential in the processes of local development and social cohesion. The Social Economy encourages plurality and economic democracy. For this reason, it is considered a priority to promote allthe capacities and effects, contributing to a necessary change in the productive model ”, stated Pedreño, who also stressed that the final Declaration of the Eighth Meeting of Organized Civil Society European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean in 2015 , recognizes“ the importance of the Social Economy in sustainable economic development, since it can complement other forms of organization and economic activity ”.
Likewise, the Secretary General of the United Nations , in his report 'Socially just transition towards sustainable development: the role of digital technologies in social development and the well-being of all', has indicated that the Social Economy “embodies another alternative model of growth that seeks a new balance between economic efficiency and social and environmental resilience ”.
On the other hand, the United Nations Inter-Institutional Working Group on Social and Solidarity Economy , of which the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is a member, together with 18 other UN Agencies, has indicated that the social economy “ can play a key role in realizing the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs by promoting inclusive and sustainable development through concrete social, institutional and technological innovations and practices ”.
In addition, CEPES has pointed out that the United Nations Resolution by which the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted , recognizes “the role that the various members of the private sector, from micro-enterprises and companies, will play in the implementation of the new Agenda. cooperatives to multinationals ”.
Pedreño considers that all actions towards the Social Economy in Latin America must go in parallel with the work of the European Commission, which is working on the approval of the European Action Plan for the Social Economy by the end of 2021.
