APAY Regional Workshop on Social Economy
Last Updated (Wednesday, 11 September 2013 16:51)
26 June to 1 July, 2013
Seoul, Korea
Introduction
Social Economy is considered as an alternative economic system when the market economy has totally failed to bring economic emancipation for the people in modern days. The outcome from the Bretton Wood Institutions formed in the last century after the WW2 never brought good news for the mass people of the countries of the South. The market economy dwelt on the values of profitability only, made the world divided between the rich and the poor and the gap ever widening. The recent economic recessions in US and Europe lead to untold suffering of the people and the bailout procedures only helped the financial institutions earn more while leaving the vast majority of the mass people in deprivation.
In such a situation there is a need for an alternative way to nurture the economy, based the values of cooperation, mutual respect, social entrepreneurship and social welfare. The social economy, is termed as ‘third sector’ and ‘non-profit sector’, refers to the various organizations between the state and the market, fulfilling both economic and social welfare objectives. The organizations include associations, traditional co-operatives, social co-operatives, charities, foundations and other types of organizations. These organizations usually do not distribute the profit but invests those again for cumulative effects of their missions. Volunteerism is the key human resource of social economy. The decision making bodies of these organizations are generally comprised of volunteers. Historically it has been observed that when people are economically depressed, they unite in solidarity and form social enterprises for their mutual benefit. Such enterprises prevail both in the South as well in the North too.
Common Characteristics of Social Enterprises is that they promote solidarity and mutuality. These enterprises are established to serve a common need, run by the consumers themselves, not for profit but for providing better products and service at the most reasonable cost. The profits are re-invested for greater interest of the stake holders. Mutual respect is held high, as it runs on the rule of ‘one man, one vote’. The Board is directly accountable to the stake holders. The emergence of social enterprises has created space for social leadership and volunteerism.
The YMCA being a social and volunteer organization, can also be termed as a social enterprise, aimed towards the total holistic development of a human being. The YMCAs in Korea, Australia, Hong Kong and some other YMCAs in our region are involved in operating social enterprises, mostly with an objective to create employment for the youth. These are good examples of social enterprises among the YMCAs in our region. There is an ample scope for the YMCAs to get more involved in social enterprises for the economic emancipation of the people. The necessity of responding to the economic needs of the people is important for the well-being of the people.
This matter was particularly felt at the APAY Leaders Roundtable held on December 2011 in Singapore, the Strategic Plan of the APAY was developed here and subsequently adopted at the Executive Committee Meetings held in March 2012. Social Economy has been incorporated in the Strategic Plan of APAY as a thrust sector for the present Quadrennial. Keeping these in mind, the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs is planning to hold a workshop on social economy with key lay and professional members of the YMCA movements in our region during the month of June 2013 with the following Objectives:
- To enhance the knowledge of Social Economy of the participants.
- To visit model Social Enterprise initiatives to gain first-hand experience on Social Economy.
- To learn about the best practices of the YMCAs involvement in Social Economy and also other NGOs leading in this field.
- To examine the possibility of YMCAs increased involvement in Social Economy.
- To develop a framework for APAY’s further involvement in Social Economy.
Participants :
Lay and Professional Leaders who are involved in social entrepreneurship activities in their own YMCAs or do have special interest to initiate such programs in their YMCAs are eligible to participate in the Workshop.
The Venue ‘Why Korea’ ?
The YMCAs of Korea have been effectively engaged in promoting Social Entrepreneurship Programs and gained much expertise in this field.
Worldwide conversational topic of today is ‘sustainability’. According to the ‘Future of Cities – Earth Environment Report 2007’ by World Watch, emphasized areas on social economy that will be an alternative to the order of world market so called new liberal globalization should be expanded for the existence of sustainable community.
Starting from cooperative movement in 1920s, YMCA Korea has been doing various efforts on social economy movements such as lighthouse consumer cooperative (in 1990s), workers, social enterprise, fair trade and etc. to understand and fulfill it from a community viewpoint and has been contributed to promote social economy areas in Korea as well.
We would like to share case studies of Korean social economy movements and also to explore visions and ways to promote social economy movements on APAY level, as such it would be appropriate to hold the program in Korea. This would enhance the effectiveness of the workshop, enriched with the Korean YMCA experience in Social Entrepreneurship.
Oversees participants are requested to book their flights for Seoul International Airport. The local hosts shall make arrangements for airport pickups.The venue of the program is : -
HOTEL SHINSHIN,
93-43 Bukchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-080
T) +82-2-2139-1005
F) +82-2-2139-1010
W) www.hotel-shinshin.com
Dates of the Workshop
26 June to 1 July, 2013(inclusive the day of arrival and departure). The participants are expected to arrive in Seoul on 26th June and depart on 1st July 2013.
Program Schedule
See attachment for Detailed Program Schedule.
Weather
The weather is Seoul during the end of June is around 27 to 30 degrees Celsius. Light dresses are recommended.
Cost of Participation
The Subsidized Participation Fee is US$400 and the Registration Fee is US$50 including the Green Fee. The cost includes food, accommodation, conference cost, cost of exposure from 26th June (Lunch) till 1st July (Breakfast).
Travel and Participation Subsidies are available only for the YMCAs with financial constraints. Registration Fee is mandatory for all participants. Requests for subsidies should reach the office before 31st May 2013. The last date of registration is on 31st May, 2013.
Deadline of Registration
The last date of registration is on or before 31st May 2013. All registration forms should be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Contact Persons :
Duncan Chowdhury
Executive Secretary for Programmes
Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs
T) +852-2780-8347 / 2770-3168,
E)
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Mr. Chung-Jae Lee, Sen.
Exe. Secretary, Planning & Coordination
National Council of YMCAs of Korea
T) +82-2-754-7891~4,
E)
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Mr. Pil-Gu Lee, Executive Secretary,
Policy &Movement In charge of workshop (Main)
National Council of YMCAs of Korea
T) +82-2-754-7891~4,
E)
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Ms. Meejung Lee,
Secretary, Planning & Coordination
National Council of YMCAs of Korea
T) +82-2-754-7891~4,
E)
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