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<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From: </span></b><br>
Emily Kawano, Exec. Dir., Center for Popular Economics, 413-545-0743, <a
href="mailto:emily@populareconomics.org">emily@populareconomics.org</a> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>The Forum on the Solidarity
Economy is happening soon. You can register <a href="http://www.ussen.org/"
target="_blank">online</a>. <b>Hope to see you there. <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#FF6600'>The U.S. Solidarity Economy Network </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'> <span style='color:#FF6600'>invites you to the
first national</span></span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;color:#FF6600'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Papyrus;color:#FF9900'>Forum on the
Solidarity Economy: </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Papyrus;color:#FF9900'>Building Another
World</span></b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;color:#FF6600'>March 19-22, 2009 </span><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#FF6600'>w</span><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;color:#FF6600'> Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center'><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#FF6600'>Co-convened
with Universidad de los Andes (Venezuela) & RIPESS-N.A. (Intercontinental
Social Solidarity Network-N. America)</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>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 solidarity economy
practitioners and resource organizations, social movement activists, workers,
academics, students, researchers, cultural workers, journalists and other
fellow travelers, to come and be part of the growing global movement to build
'another economy' and 'another world'. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#FF6600'>What is the solidarity economy? </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>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. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#FF6600'>Growing
Movement</span></b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";
color:black'>A vibrant movement for another economy is growing in the U.S. and
around the world. </span><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>People
are working together to build an economy that is grounded in principles of
social solidarity, cooperation, egalitarianism, sustainability and economic
democracy. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>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. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>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>neoliberal,</i></span><a
href="http://?ui=2&view=js&name=js&ver=a9SCC6X1Wbg&am=x_k6ocT3aCEJBf1qUObqFA#11eca9ed18df2e58_11eca9d1411dc0b6_11cc4c8880010e04_11cc4b9632a0bee9__ftn1"
target="_blank" title=""><span style='font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>[1]</span></a><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> corporate-dominated
globalization. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>While some elements of the solidarity economy
have existed for hundreds of years, the framework itself is young and still
evolving. 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.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#FF6600'>Why a Forum on the Solidarity
Economy</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>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. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>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 Brazil, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay,
Paraguay, Ecuador, and Bolivia, left-leaning governments have been swept to
power under the banner of anti-neoliberalism. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>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 Brazil and Venezuela</span><a
href="http://?ui=2&view=js&name=js&ver=a9SCC6X1Wbg&am=x_k6ocT3aCEJBf1qUObqFA#11eca9ed18df2e58_11eca9d1411dc0b6_11cc4c8880010e04_11cc4b9632a0bee9__ftn2"
target="_blank" title=""><span style='font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>[2]</span></a>
<span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>the government and
grassroots are working together to foster the social solidarity economy with
remarkable success.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>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; decent healthcare, jobs,
education, and a healthy environment; 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
href="http://?ui=2&view=js&name=js&ver=a9SCC6X1Wbg&am=x_k6ocT3aCEJBf1qUObqFA#11eca9ed18df2e58_11eca9d1411dc0b6_11cc4c8880010e04_11cc4b9632a0bee9__ftn3"
target="_blank" title=""><span style='font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>[3]</span></a><span
style='font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>While the U.S. 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.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#FF6600'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#FF6600'>Aims of the Forum </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>1)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>
</span><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Raise
awareness and understanding of the solidarity economy among the general public,
practitioners, support organizations, labor, academics, and social movements.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>2)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Strengthen
cross-national linkages between all social solidarity economy sectors, practitioners,
academics, and social movements. This includes strengthening linkages through
RIPESS (see co-conveners below) and its continental networks. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>3)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Build up the
U.S. Solidarity Economy Network and strengthen linkages between all solidarity
economy sectors in this country. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>4)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Identify
concrete strategies to advance the solidarity economy and where possible lay
the groundwork for implementation. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>5)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Celebrate
the solidarity economy.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>6)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Publish a
book of the conference proceedings. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>7)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Publish a
special issue of the <i>Cayapa</i> (Venezuelan journal on the social solidarity
economy) focusing on the social solidarity economy in the U.S. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>8)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Seed a
cross-national research working group on the social solidarity economy. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#FF6600'>Co-conveners</span></b><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>The U.S. Solidarity Economy Network (SEN)
has convened this Forum as the first such conference on the solidarity economy
in the U.S. 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. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>We are delighted that the Universidad de
los Andes in Venezuela is working with us to convene this Forum. It just so
happened that they were planning a conference in the U.S., focusing on the
social solidarity economy in both the U.S. and Venezuela around the same time
that we were planning to have ours. It made sense to combine the conferences
and work together. Venezuela 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. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>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 Africa. 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 U.S. to attend the Luxemburg
conference and will dovetail this effort with the organizing and outreach for
our Forum. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#FF6600'>Forum Participation</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>The program will kick off on Thursday March 19
with a tour of the solidarity economy in the Pioneer Valley. 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. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>We currently have 10 broad tracks for workshops
and a <a href="http://www.populareconomics.org/ussen/node/107" target="_blank">preliminary
list of workshops</a> can be viewed on our website.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>1)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>
</span><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Solidarity
based finance, complementary currency</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>2)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Commons
movement, social welfare programs, housing </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>3)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Solidarity based
production, jobs, labor, unions </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>4)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Solidarity
based distribution, marketing, consumption</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>5)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Solidarity
Economy (SE) & the environment, sustainability, climate change</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>6)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>SE &
food sovereignty, food security, agricultural sustainability</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>7)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>SE &
democratic participation/ local economies</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>8)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>SE research,
measurement, collaborations</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>9)</span><span style='font-size:
7.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> </span><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>SE
networking, organizing & social movements</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>10) Housing, land and community</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:
.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";
color:#FF6600'>Support the Forum on the Solidarity Economy<br>
</span></b><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";
color:black'>Co-sponsorship</span></b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:
"Georgia","serif";color:black'>: Support the Forum on the Solidarity Economy by
co-sponsoring the event. This means including your organization's name in our
materials, providing a sliding scale contribution and helping with outreach.
For more details, see <a href="http://www.populareconomics.org/ussen/node/101"
target="_blank">FSE Co-sponsorship</a>.<br>
<br>
<b>Buy an ad: </b>Support the Forum by taking out an ad in the FSE Program
Booklet. For rates and deadlines, see <a
href="http://www.populareconomics.org/ussen/node/105" target="_blank">FSE ads</a>.<br>
<br>
</span><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";
color:#FF6600'>Join us! </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>Mark
your calendars! Save the date! Spread the word!</span></b><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'> Another
world is possible and the foundation exists all around us. Come and build the
solidarity economy together.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'>For
more information or to get involved in a working group, please contact: Emily
Kawano, Coordinator, U.S. Solidarity Economy Network, <a
href="http://www.ussen.org/" target="_blank">www.ussen.org</a>, 413-545-0743, <a
href="mailto:emily@populareconomics.org" target="_blank">emily@populareconomics.org</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b><span style='color:#FF6600'>Co-Sponsors</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.livingeconomies.org/" target="_blank">BALLE</a><a
href="http://www.natfed.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1" target="_blank"><br>
</a><a href="http://www.populareconomics.org/" target="_blank">Center for
Popular Economics</a><br>
<a href="http://www.clcr.org/index.php" target="_blank">Center for Labor &
Community Research</a><br>
<a href="http://www.charter-human-responsibilities.net/spip.php?rubrique20"
target="_blank">Charter of Human Responsibilities</a><br>
<a href="http://www.csuinc.org/" target="_blank">Community Services Unlimited</a><br>
<a href="http://www.cooppower.coop/" target="_blank">Co-op Power</a><br>
<a href="http://www.cdi.coop/" target="_blank">Cooperative Development
Institute</a><br>
<a href="http://www.cooperativefund.org/" target="_blank">Cooperative Fund of
New England</a><br>
<a href="http://www.commongoodbank.com/" target="_blank">Common Good Finance</a><br>
<a href="http://www.goodwork.org/index.php" target="_blank">Good Works</a><br>
<a href="http://www.growingthegreeneconomy.org/" target="_blank">Guramylay:
Growing the Green Economy</a><br>
<a href="http://www.highlandercenter.org/" target="_blank">Highlander Research
& Education Center</a><br>
<a href="http://www.nasco.coop/" target="_blank">National Association of
Student Cooperatives</a><br>
<a href="http://www.natfed.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1" target="_blank">National
Federation of Community Development Credit Unions</a><br>
<a href="http://onthecommons.org/" target="_blank">On the Commons</a><br>
<a href="http://www.snhu.edu/388.asp" target="_blank">School of Community
Economic Development, SNHU</a><br>
<a href="http://www.usworker.coop/front" target="_blank">U.S. Federation of
Worker Cooperatives </a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#FF6600'>U.S.
Solidarity Economy Network Coordinating Committee</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Carl Davidson, Global Studies Association, N. America<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Tanya Dawkins, Global-Local Links <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Jessica Gordon Nembhard, Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Melissa Hoover & John Parker, U.S. Federation of Worker Coops <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Emily Kawano, Director, U.S. SEN & Center for Popular Economics<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Julie Matthaei & Jenna Allard, Guramylay: Building the Green
Economy <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Michael Menser, Amer. Fed. of Teachers, City Univ., NW <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Ethan Miller, Grassroots Economic Organizing <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Cliff Rosenthal & Dan Apfel, National Federation of Community
Development Credit Unions <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Neelam Sharma, Community Services Unlimited<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Dan Swinney & Erica Swinney, Center for Labor and Community Research
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Elandria Williams, Highlander Research & Education Center<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><br clear=all>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal>
<hr size=1 width="33%" align=left>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><a
href="http://?ui=2&view=js&name=js&ver=a9SCC6X1Wbg&am=x_k6ocT3aCEJBf1qUObqFA#11eca9ed18df2e58_11eca9d1411dc0b6_11cc4c8880010e04_11cc4b9632a0bee9__ftnref1"
target="_blank" title=""><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>[1]</span></a><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> 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><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><a
href="http://?ui=2&view=js&name=js&ver=a9SCC6X1Wbg&am=x_k6ocT3aCEJBf1qUObqFA#11eca9ed18df2e58_11eca9d1411dc0b6_11cc4c8880010e04_11cc4b9632a0bee9__ftnref2"
target="_blank" title=""><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>[2]</span></a><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'> </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Georgia","serif";color:black'>In Venezuela the term "social economy"
is often used instead of "solidarity economy" to refer to
transformative economic institutions and organizing efforts. In other
countries, most notably Canada and the E.U., "social economy" refers
to enterprises with a social aims and doesn't necessarily embrace broad
economic transformation. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><a
href="http://?ui=2&view=js&name=js&ver=a9SCC6X1Wbg&am=x_k6ocT3aCEJBf1qUObqFA#11eca9ed18df2e58_11eca9d1411dc0b6_11cc4c8880010e04_11cc4b9632a0bee9__ftnref3"
target="_blank" title=""><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>[3]</span></a><a
name="11f6265d6594a692_11f624f0c453cfed_11f484"></a><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif"'> 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:10.0pt'><a
href="http://www.ussen/node/resource_library" target="_blank"><span
style='font-family:"Georgia","serif"'>http://www.ussen/node/resource_library</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>TO
UNSUBSCRIBE, send an email to wmjwj@wmjwj.org with a Subject of "Unsub
Workers' Rights".<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>[Workers'
Rights] posts opportunities for you to learn about and show solidarity with
workplace and working class struggles. And these events are opportunities for
JwJ members to fulfill their pledge: <a href="http://www.jwj.org/pledge.html"><span
style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'>"</span><span style='color:blue'>I'll
be there for workers' rights at least five times a year!</span><span
style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'>"</span></a> This is the core
mission of Jobs with Justice (<a href="http://www.jwj.org/"><span
style='color:blue'>www.jwj.org</span></a>), affirming that workers' rights are
human rights. To subscribe, send an email to wmjwj@wmjwj.org with a Subject of
"Subscribe Workers' Rights".<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Western
Mass Jobs with Justice<br>
640 Page Blvd #101<br>
Springfield MA 01104<br>
(413) 827-0301 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p><o:p> </o:p></p>
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