<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1613" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Please circulate widely. Thanks. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic'"><STRONG>The
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
/><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place> Solidarity Economy Network
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic'">invites
you to the first national</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic'">
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; COLOR: #ff9900; FONT-FAMILY: Papyrus"><FONT size=6>Forum
on the Solidarity Economy: <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><FONT size=6><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; COLOR: #ff9900; FONT-FAMILY: Papyrus">Building Another
World</SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center> </P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic'">March
19-22, 2009 </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">w</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600"> </SPAN><st1:PlaceType w:st="on"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic'">Univ.</SPAN></st1:PlaceType><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic'"> of
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Massachusetts</st1:PlaceName>, <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Amherst</st1:place></st1:City></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center> </P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic'">Co-convened with
Universidad de los Andes (Venezuela) & RIPESS-NA (Intercontinental Network
for the Promotion of the Social Solidarity Economy – N. America)
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: #ff6600"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">The
first U.S. Forum on the Solidarity Economy aims to bring together a diverse
array of people and organizations to share ideas and practices, to forge new
connections, and to build a more powerful and cohesive movement for a just,
democratic and sustainable economy. This four day conference will include an
inspiring range of solidarity economy tours, workshops, plenaries and cultural
events. We invite </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">solidarity economy practitioners
and resource organizations, social movement activists, workers, academics,
students, researchers, cultural workers, journalists and other fellow
travelers,</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"> to
come and be part of the growing global movement to build ‘another economy’ and
‘another world’.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">What is the
solidarity economy? <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">The Solidarity Economy (SE) is
an alternative framework for economic development that is grounded in principles
of solidarity, equity in all dimensions, participatory democracy, sustainability
and pluralism. The solidarity economy framework seeks transformation rather than
band-aid solutions, yet rejects one-size-fits-all blueprints. It isn't abstract
theory nor pie in the sky utopianism. Rather, it pulls together and builds upon
the many elements of the solidarity economy that already exist. Some are new
innovations, some are old. Other elements have yet to be realized or even
imagined, and the journey of creation is ongoing.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Growing
Movement<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; mso-fareast-language: #00FF; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-language: #00FF">A
vibrant movement for another economy is growing in the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place>
and around the world. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">People are working together to
build an economy that is grounded in principles of social solidarity,
cooperation, egalitarianism, sustainability and economic democracy.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Indeed, we need not build a new
economy from scratch; the seeds of a robust solidarity economy are already
planted. Many features of existing economies are likely ‘keepers’, for example,
environmental protections, minimum wage and labor regulations and public
education. Other elements of the solidarity economy could be characterized as
‘economic alternatives’ such as worker, consumer and housing cooperatives, land
trusts, social currencies, community supported agriculture, social investment
funds, participatory budgeting, green technologies, and the commons movement.
Solidarity economy practices are also powerfully rooted in social and economic
justice movements that are organizing against the oppression of women, people of
color, poor people, people with disabilities, workers, immigrants, indigenous
peoples and against the destruction of the planet.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Taken together, all of these
elements offer stepping stones toward a new way of organizing our economy that
social movements around the world are calling the "solidarity economy." There is
a growing global movement to advance this framework as an alternative to the
failed model of <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">neoliberal,</I></SPAN><A
title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1" href="mhtml:mid://00000230/#_ftn1"
name=_ftnref1><SPAN class=MsoFootnoteReference><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><SPAN style="mso-special-character: footnote"><SPAN
class=MsoFootnoteReference><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><FONT
color=#000080>[1]</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"> corporate-dominated
globalization.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">While some elements of the
solidarity economy have existed for hundreds of years, the framework itself is
young and still evolving.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Defining
the solidarity economy is an ongoing process of practice, research, reflection,
discussion, and debate, and we look forward to engaging with all of you with
open minds and spirits<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Why a Forum on
the Solidarity Economy</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">We face today an historic
opening to create and push for a new framework for social and economic
development – one that puts people and planet before private profits and power.
There are serious cracks in the ruling model of economic globalization that we
call <I>neoliberalism</I>. Its policies that privilege big corporations and Wall
Street have contributed very generously to the crisis that we currently face: a
world sliding into a serious economic downturn, greased by a teetering financial
system, an obscene divide between rich and poor, deepening poverty, growing
unemployment, rising food and energy prices, and climate change.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Its global promoters - the World
Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization are
dogged by protesters and beleaguered by criticism from outside and inside their
ranks. In <st1:country-region w:st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Venezuela</st1:country-region>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Chile</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Uruguay</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Paraguay</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Ecuador</st1:country-region>, and <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Bolivia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, left-leaning governments
have been swept to power under the banner of anti-neoliberalism.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Ironically, the global
penetration of neoliberalism has created conditions of misery and poverty that
are fueling the growth of the solidarity economy. In the midst of growing
inequality and corporate power, government cutbacks, privatization and
de-regulation, many people and communities are building pieces of the solidarity
economy. These may be acts of resistance, idealism, practicality, survival or
desperation. In <st1:country-region w:st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region>
and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Venezuela</st1:place></st1:country-region></SPAN><A title=""
style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2" href="mhtml:mid://00000230/#_ftn2"
name=_ftnref2><SPAN class=MsoFootnoteReference><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><SPAN style="mso-special-character: footnote"><SPAN
class=MsoFootnoteReference><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><FONT
color=#000080>[2]</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN
class=MsoFootnoteReference> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">the government and grassroots
are working together to foster the social solidarity economy with remarkable
success.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">In the context of the current
economic crisis and the possible death throes of neoliberalism, we have an
opportunity to push for a fundamental transformation in our economic and social
system, one in which the very assumptions about ‘what the economy is for’ are
challenged and transformed. Is the economy about maximizing profits and growth,
producing and consuming ever more and more, and a rising stock market? Or should
it be about people, our communities, connecting with family, friends, neighbors,
kindred spirits and fellow humans;<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>decent healthcare, jobs, education, and a healthy environment;<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>opportunities to realize the best of our
human potential; and the ability to have a say in how we achieve all of this?
The solidarity economy is a global movement to push for the latter kind of
economy.</SPAN><A title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3"
href="mhtml:mid://00000230/#_ftn3" name=_ftnref3><SPAN
class=MsoFootnoteReference><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-special-character: footnote"><SPAN class=MsoFootnoteReference><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><FONT
color=#000080>[3]</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">While the <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> has many
solidarity economy practices and institutions, the term itself is almost unknown
in this country. This Forum on the Solidarity Economy seeks to remedy
that. In the midst of what has been called the worst economic crisis since the
Great Depression, it is time to build the solidarity economy in the U.S and link
up with the global movement for economic and social transformation. The Forum
will be a space to meet, network, learn, discuss, debate, share, strategize,
tour the local solidarity economy, celebrate and join the
movement.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Aims of the
Forum <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">1)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Raise awareness
and understanding of the solidarity economy among the general public,
practitioners, support organizations, labor, academics, and social
movements.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">2)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Strengthen
cross-national linkages between all social solidarity economy sectors,
practitioners, academics, and social movements. This includes strengthening
linkages through RIPESS (see co-convenors below) and its continental networks.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">3)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Build up the U.S.
Solidarity Economy Network and strengthen linkages between all solidarity
economy sectors in this country. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">4)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Identify concrete
strategies to advance the solidarity economy and where possible lay the
groundwork for implementation. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">5)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Celebrate the
solidarity economy.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">6)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Publish a book of
the conference proceedings. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">7)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Publish a special
issue of the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Cayapa</I> (Venezuelan
journal on the social solidarity economy) focusing on the social solidarity
economy in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">8)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Seed a
cross-national research working group on the social solidarity economy.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Co-conveners</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">The U.S. Solidarity Economy
Network (SEN) has convened this Forum as the first such conference on the
solidarity economy in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>SEN emerged out of a series of
solidarity economy meetings at the U.S. Social Forum in June 2007. This Forum
will be our inaugural meeting and we have interspersed several SEN
organizational meetings in the schedule where we will make key decisions about
structure, strategy and priorities. These meetings are open to anyone and we
welcome input from all, although only members will be allowed to vote.
Individuals and organizations will be able to join SEN at the
Forum. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">We are delighted that the<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Universidad de los Andes in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Venezuela</st1:country-region></st1:place> is working with us to
convene this Forum. It just so happened that they were planning a conference in
the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region>, focusing on the
social solidarity economy in both the <st1:country-region
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Venezuela</st1:place></st1:country-region> around the same time that
we were planning to have ours. It made sense to combine the conferences and work
together. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Venezuela</st1:place></st1:country-region> is engaged in some of the
most innovative and wide-reaching initiatives to build the solidarity economy,
in large part due to the serious support of the Venezuelan government. At the
same time, we want to be clear that this is one model among many, and while
tremendously important and inspiring, it is not the only
path. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">We are also happy to have RIPESS
(Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of the Social Solidarity Economy) on
board. This global network of networks connects solidarity economy networks that
exist in North and South America, Europe, Asia and <st1:place
w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>RIPESS was instrumental in SEN’s founding meetings at the U.S. Social
Forum, and brings to this conference great knowledge, experience, and
international connections regarding the solidarity economy. RIPESS will be
having its Fourth International Forum on the Solidarity Economy in April 2009 in
Luxemburg. We plan to organize a delegation from the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place> to
attend the Luxemburg conference and will dovetail this effort with the
organizing and outreach for our Forum. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Forum
Participation<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">The program will kick off on
Thursday March 19 with a tour of the solidarity economy in the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Pioneer</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Valley</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. The rest of the program will
include plenaries, concurrent workshops, and cultural events. We are working
hard to integrate a process in which participants get to meet each other,
brainstorm and strategize. Our hope is that people will take away some concrete
next steps. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">We
currently have 9 broad tracks for workshops. Workshops can be cross listed under
multiple tracks. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">1)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Solidarity based
finance, complementary currency<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">2)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Commons movement,
social welfare programs, housing <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">3)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Solidarity based
production, jobs, labor, unions <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">4)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Solidarity based
distribution, marketing, consumption<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">5)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Solidarity Economy
(SE) & the environment, sustainability, climate change<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">6)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">SE & food
sovereignty, food security, agricultural sustainability<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">7)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">SE &
democratic participation/ local economies<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">8)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">SE research,
measurement, collaborations<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">9)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">SE networking,
organizing & social movements<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">If
you are interested in organizing a workshop, we will be sending out<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>a finalized list of tracks, workshop
guidelines and proposal forms shortly. We will try to accommodate as many
proposals as possible while maintaining a balance in terms of what (issue), who
(race, class, gender, age, academic, SE practitioner, SE support organization,
activist), and where (geographical base). <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Forum Working
Groups<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">We have formed
five working groups to plan and coordinate the Forum. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">1)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Outreach Working
Group – responsible for outreach through listserves, blogs, calendars and other
electronic media, as well as pieces in print, radio, TV.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">2)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Survey – we’re
working on a survey that will help us plan the Forum and prioritize
recommendations for action. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">3)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Program –
responsible for coordinating the SE tour, plenaries, workshops, and cultural
events, conference materials, process/pedagogy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">4)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Logistics –
responsible for coordinating venue, accommodations, food, scholarships,
registration, transportation, translation, childcare. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">5)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Fundraising –
responsible for raising money to support the conference through grants,
individual donors, program booklet ads, and grassroots
fundraising.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Please let us know
if you would like to contribute your talents to any of these groups.
</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Contact Emily Kawano at
emily@populareconomics.org<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Join
us!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Mark your
calendars! Save the date! Spread the word!</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"> <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Join a working group! </B>Another world is
possible and the foundation exists all around us. Come and build the solidarity
economy together. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">For more
information or to get involved in a working group, please
contact:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Emily Kawano,
Coordinator, U.S. Solidarity Economy Network, www.ussen.org, 413-545-0743,
emily@populareconomics.org<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">U.S.</SPAN></st1:place></st1:country-region><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"> Solidarity
Economy Network Coordinating Committee<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: auto"><FONT
face=Georgia><FONT size=1>Carl Davidson<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 4">
</SPAN>Global Studies Association, <st1:place w:st="on">N.
America</st1:place></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: auto"><FONT
face=Georgia><FONT size=1><SPAN class=smaller>Tanya Dawkins </SPAN> <SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 3">
</SPAN>Global-Local Links <SPAN
class=smaller><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: auto"><SPAN
class=smaller><FONT face=Georgia><FONT size=1>Jessica Gordon Nembhard <SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: auto"><FONT
face=Georgia><FONT size=1><SPAN class=smaller>Melissa Hoover & John Parker
<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place> Federation of Worker
Coops </SPAN> </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: auto"><SPAN
class=smaller><FONT face=Georgia><FONT size=1>Emily Kawano <SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Director, U.S. SEN & Center for Popular
Economics<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: auto"><SPAN
class=smaller><FONT face=Georgia><FONT size=1>Julie Matthaei <SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>& Jenna Allard<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Guramylay: Building the Green Economy
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: auto"><FONT
face=Georgia><FONT size=1><SPAN class=smaller>Michael Menser <SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 3">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Amer. Fed. of Teachers</SPAN><SPAN
class=smaller>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> of NY</SPAN> <SPAN
class=smaller><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: auto"><FONT
face=Georgia><FONT size=1><SPAN class=smaller>Ethan Miller <SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 4">
</SPAN>Grassroots Economic Organizing</SPAN> <SPAN
class=smaller><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: auto"><FONT
face=Georgia><FONT size=1><SPAN class=smaller>Cliff Rosenthal & Dan Apfel
<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">National Federation of Community
Development Credit Unions <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: auto"><FONT
face=Georgia><FONT size=1><SPAN class=smaller>Neelam Sharma <SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 3">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Community Services
Unlimited</SPAN><SPAN class=smaller> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: auto"><FONT
face=Georgia><FONT size=1><SPAN class=smaller>Dan Swinney & Erica
Swinney<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Center for Labor and
Community Research <BR></SPAN>Elandria Williams<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 3">
</SPAN><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Highlander</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Research & Education</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<DIV style="mso-element: footnote-list"><BR clear=all>
<HR align=left width="33%" SIZE=1>
<DIV id=ftn1 style="mso-element: footnote">
<P class=MsoFootnoteText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A title=""
style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1" href="mhtml:mid://00000230/#_ftnref1"
name=_ftn1><SPAN class=MsoFootnoteReference><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><SPAN
style="mso-special-character: footnote"><SPAN class=MsoFootnoteReference><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><FONT
color=#000080>[1]</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"> Neoliberalism is currently the
dominant global economic model which favors the corporate and financial elite by
pushing for an agenda of privatization, de-regulation, lower taxes, ‘free’ trade
and markets, and minimal government.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoFootnoteText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV id=ftn2 style="mso-element: footnote">
<P class=MsoFootnoteText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A title=""
style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2" href="mhtml:mid://00000230/#_ftnref2"
name=_ftn2><SPAN class=MsoFootnoteReference><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><SPAN
style="mso-special-character: footnote"><SPAN class=MsoFootnoteReference><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><FONT
color=#000080>[2]</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">In <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Venezuela</st1:country-region></st1:place> the term "social economy"
is often used instead of<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>"solidarity economy" to refer to transformative economic institutions and
organizing efforts.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In other
countries, most notably <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region> and the E.U., "social economy"
refers to enterprises with a social aims and doesn’t necessarily embrace broad
economic transformation. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoFootnoteText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV id=ftn3 style="mso-element: footnote">
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A title=""
style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3" href="mhtml:mid://00000230/#_ftnref3"
name=_ftn3><SPAN class=FootnoteCharacters><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><SPAN
style="mso-special-character: footnote"><SPAN class=FootnoteCharacters><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><FONT
color=#000080>[3]</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>More information about the
solidarity economy framework, including articles and in-depth papers, can be
found in SEN's Resource Library at </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><A
href="http://www.ussen/node/resource_library"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><FONT
color=#000080>http://www.ussen/node/resource_library</FONT></SPAN></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>