(Madrid, February 8, 2013.) - Members of the Red ESMED, Association of representatives of the Social Economy of Algeria, Spain, France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Tunisia, have held a meeting in Madrid with the aim of defining the lines and work priorities for the development of the social economy in Euro-Mediterranean area.
At this meeting, the Spanish Business Confederation of Social Economy (CEPES) was chosen unanimously by all members ESMED to continue doing the work of coordination and leadership of the organization.
To enrich the discussions and analyze future work, participated in the meeting were representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID) and the Economic and Social Council (CES).
A major decision was taken to accept the inclusion of organizations representing cooperatives of Egypt and Turkey, Who presented in late 2012 as candidates to be part of the Network ESMED.
The aim of the Network ESMED, which was created in 2000, is to promote cooperation and dialogue among the major organizations of the social economy in Europe and North Africa.
The Madrid meeting also allowed to evaluate and compare various national and international priorities to strengthen the Social Economy in the Mediterranean which will translate in the implementation of initiatives and projects that generate development in the Mediterranean countries.
CEPES president, Juan Antonio Pedreño, stressed that "the expansion of the network to these countries, strengthen the recognition of the organization as the referent of the social economy at the national and international institutions working in the development of this region."
Pedreño said that "the Mediterranean is a priority region for CEPES""We are convinced that only through collaboration with other actors representing social economy of the area can continue to generate employment and sustainable economic growth, inclusive, in a region that suffers serious inequalities". Added the president of CEPES.
In addition, the chief executive of the Employers of the Spanish Social Economy added that "all members of the Network are betting on ESMED as main platform for collaboration, for CEPES is a privilege that all members continue to put their trust in us to continue leading this project. "
Pedreño has finished saying "is more relevant today than ever bet on the Social Economy in the Mediterranean, as an actor that responds to the expectations of various democratic and social change that have been opened with the Arab Spring."
The Cooperative Enterprise in the Mediterranean - 2012
Report of the Social Economy in the Mediterranean - 2011
