[>] 8th of July, 2008
Economy of Solidarity. Gdansk Social Economy Conference
From 26th to 28th June 2008 Gdańsk Social Economy Conference has been held. It was important, international event for third sector, self government and social economy representatives. The Foundation for Social and Economic initiatives was proud to organise this event with cooperation from the Regional Information and Support Centre for NGOs and on behalf of the Cooperation Fund Foundation.
Host City - Gdansk
The conference opening took place at the Baltic Philharmonic. In the first plenary session one could find among the speakers representatives of the Polish government, self-governments, European Commission and European social economy networks.
In the afternoon topical breakout sessions started. Sessions have been devoted to the following subjects related with the social economy: financial and technical infrastructure of the social economy in Poland, possibilities of financing of the social economy, law regulations, relations with business community and with public administration, and local and regional development.
One of discussion panels
On Friday afternoon, 27th June, topical breakout sessions ended with conclusions in Gdansk Shipyard. Mr. Jakub Wygnański presented
21 points of social economy manifesto .
In the evening the gathered audience witnessed a historical debate in the Gdansk Shipyard. On this occasion three prominent politicians met:
Mr. Lech Wałęsa – first popularly elected president of Poland after ’89,
Mr. Tadeusz Mazowiecki – first Polish prime minister after ‘89 and former finance minister, prof. Leszek Balcerowicz. Debaters discussed consequences of the regime transformation of ’89 in Poland. Debate focused on the future of solidarity, understood as a value of pluralistic climate that helps in solving social problems, not in socialistic and populist politics categories.
Conference gathered nearly 500 participants, over 70 came from different European countries . Meetings abounded with experience exchange and discussions about social economy and perspectives for third sector development in Poland.
Long Market in Gdańsk hosted on Saturday 28th June the Social Economy Fair, where passers-by had a possibility to visit various social economy enterprises, see and buy their products and services. Social cooperatives and other social economy ventures presented among other products artistic handicraft and woodencraft.
At the same time the Kaleidoscope of EQUAL Community Initiative –
a review of social economy undertakings took place.
Cinema in Dom Harcerza hosted a premiere of a documentary film about Polish social economy entitled “Social Entrepreneurship in Poland”.The film tells of the traditions and roots of the social economy and presents the challenges facing the sector today.
Our Address [>]
Please direct remarks regarding the website to fise@fise.org.pl.
