• At the conference 'Social Economy: a direct path to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals', experts called for this business sector occupies a prominent place in the design and implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda place.
• The president of CEPES recalled that the Social Economy "is a business model whose values and principles are fully consistent with the objectives of the sustainable development agenda."
(Madrid, November 9, 2016) .- The Social Economy has to be a major player in the Sustainable Development Goals (ODS) and form a prominent part of the future of the Spanish Cooperation and the design and implementation in Spain Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 as today made clear at the conference 'social economy: a direct path to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals'.
In this event, held at the headquarters of the Economic and Social Council (CES) by the CIDEAL Foundation for Cooperation and Research and CEPES, with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID) noted that United Nations recognizes Resolution amending the ODS were established in 2015 the important role that cooperatives and, therefore, companies and entities of the social economy, play in the implementation of Agenda 2030 as part of the private sector.
President of CEPES, Juan Antonio Pedreño, stressed that "the Social Economy plays a leading role in achieving this new sustainable development agenda through its ability to promote an economic model that combines business efficiency with values such as solidarity, responsibility and social cohesion delas serving people. "
Pedreño pointed out that "the social economy is, therefore, a business actor adds value in many areas and dimensions encompassing sustainable development agenda"
During the day, the interventions of experts from the Social Economy have shown several examples of how this economic fabric acts locally and all over the world, confirmed its strong social commitment and presence both in Spain and internationally.
In Spain, CEPES represents more than 43,000 companies and 2.2 million direct and indirect jobs with a turnover accounts for 10% of the national GDP, lie that there are 2 million Social Economy companies in Europe, ie 10 % of all European companies, which employ 14.5 million employed persons; equivalent to 6.5% of the working population in the European Union.
Globally, UN estimates that cooperatives have nearly 1,000 million members and generate 100 million jobs, which represents 20% of employment rather than multinational firms. Mutuals, which is another form of social enterprise, offer health coverage and social protection to 230 million people worldwide.
The experts also assessed that Social Economy contributes to achieving the ODS established by the United Nations, especially in the objectives related to generate sustained, inclusive and sustainable growth, achieve full employment and ensuring decent work for all people, inclusive industrialization and innovation.
At the conference also it highlighted the contribution that the Spanish Social Economy performs in terms of Spanish cooperation and how to contribute concretely and to this new agenda. Between 1998 and 2014, the business sector represented by CEPES as Spanish employers ' Social Economy, executed about 100 cooperation projects in 43 countries, where they were managed
Entities of Social Economy and ODS
At the conference also it noted that the Social Economy has international recognition, while possessing state and international organizations through which it is possible to channel its contribution to the ODS.
Among the supranational institutions, the United Nations have an interagency working group on Social and Solidarity Economy involved in several of its agencies such as the International Labour Organization (ILO). At European level, acting agencies such as the Social Economy Intergroup of the European Parliament or 'Social Economy Europe', which is the European organization of the Social Economy.
In Spain, CEPES is the representative business organization of the Social Economy that maintains an ongoing dialogue with the Government, the European institutions and international organizations and other private sector actors and civil society involved in the implementation of ODS.
Working day
Along with interventions president of CEPES, the conference was attended by the director general of the CIDEAL Foundation, Manuel Gómez; and the general director of Self - Employment, Social Economy and CSR of the Ministry of Employment and Social Security, Carmen Casero.
Joining them involved representatives of United Nations agencies, such as ILO and AECI, and experts in the field of development cooperation such as Foundation Mundukide, ONCE, Association of Asturian Societies Associated Work and Social Economy (ASATA) , CIDEAL Foundation, CEPES, UNICEF, CCOO and FERROVIAL. During the day described and commented on some cases and practical experiences, both in Spain and in the Dominican Republic, where they revealed the contributions from the field of Social Economy and the company may be made to the achievement of the ODS.
CES president, Marcos Peña, said that "the Social Economy is an essential piece for system efficiency, since it is an efficient economy". He also said that "since the Social Economy can be highlighted to the new governance two essential elements. The first is that rebalances inequality, uniting social and territorial cohesion system efficiency, and the second that encourages participation and confidence. "
Meanwhile, Carmen Casero, stressed that "the Social Economy is one of the pillars that has Spain and is protected by the Spanish Constitution , " while he said that " it is a model for other countries."
Cooperation experts, CSR and Social Economy present at the conference also addressed issues such as the added value of social economy to the ODS or how through partnerships contribute to their achievement.
About CEPES
The Spanish Business Confederation of Social Economy Spanish Business Confederation of Social Economy (CEPES) is the largest institution representing the Social Economy in Spain, becoming a platform for institutional dialogue with public authorities. Its 28 members represent the interests of more than 42,800 companies, represented 12.5% of employment and with a turnover around 10% of GDP. Partners with more than 200 regional structures arenational or regional organizations and business groups, representing the interests of Cooperatives, Labor Societies, Mutual Societies, integration enterprises, special employment centers, associations of disability and Fishermen sector.
On the CIDEAL Foundation:
The CIDEAL Foundation carries out development cooperation projects for more than 30 years in various countries of the South. Founded in Madrid in 1983 as a private non-profit organization, now it has permanent delegations and experts in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
In addition, as a research center, the CIDEAL Foundation also conducts numerous postgraduate courses and seminars programs. It also has a publishing company with which he has published more than 70 books, some of which have become standard works of reference in the sector. This task complements its field work, through which has carried out projects to promote development in more than 25 countries to date.
