Finding Future Breakthroughs in the Core of Value Consumption Social Economy Sector and Establishing Win-Win Solutions with Citizens and the Vulnerable
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As we move beyond the pandemic into an endemic phase, a gathering of social economy entities at the core of value consumption?such as social enterprises, cooperatives, village enterprises, and self-support enterprises?will be held to share the current situation and explore future directions.
On the 27th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will hold the '2022 Seoul Social Economy Week Online Event' over two days, from the 28th to the 29th. This event commemorates 'Social Enterprise Day' (July 1 annually) and 'Cooperative Day' (the first Saturday of July annually). Since 2012, the city has held the 'Social Economy Week' event every year.
This event is co-hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the four major social economy sectors (social enterprises, cooperatives, village enterprises, and self-support enterprises). Its purpose is to find ways for mutual growth between social economy entities, citizens, and consumers, and to widely promote social economy that leads value consumption together.
The event consists of ▲a commemorative ceremony ▲a symposium ▲and events. First, at the commemorative ceremony, despite economic and managerial difficulties due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, awards will be presented to four meritorious companies that have contributed to revitalizing the social economy and supporting vulnerable groups in society, along with screening videos introducing social economy enterprises.
The meritorious companies are ▲'Sesangeomneun Sesang,' a social enterprise that started with the mission of popularizing fair travel and fair trade and expanded its business into eco-friendly ventures contributing to the spread of social value ▲'Moa Social Cooperative,' which developed the brand 'Cafe The Heairim' and has continuously worked to create jobs for people with mental disabilities through cafe operations ▲'Yeongdeungpo Clean Cooperative,' a self-support enterprise that has contributed to improving residents' convenience and creating jobs for low-income groups through cleaning and disinfection of public facilities, vulnerable areas, and multi-use facilities ▲and 'Chamsongil Community Cooperative,' a village enterprise that has contributed to the local community through job creation for visually impaired masseurs and volunteer activities.
The symposium will be held under the theme 'Social Economy Running Again,' with experts from various social economy sectors participating. The main topics include changes in each social economy sector due to COVID-19 and plans for future development. The symposium will conduct in-depth discussions on six subtopics: ▲Social Economy Amid the COVID Crisis ▲New Attempts and Achievements ▲New Crisis and Challenge 1 (Changes in Government and Local Government Support Policies) ▲New Crisis and Challenge 2 (Climate Crisis and ESG) ▲New Leap through Self-help, Cooperation, and Community ▲and Future Vision of Social Economy.
Detailed information about the '2022 Seoul Social Economy Week Online Event' can be found on the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s ‘Hamkke Nuri Mall.’ Additionally, an event offering gift certificates to citizens who participate online (viewing certification) will be held. Jeong Soon-eun, the Social Economy Officer of Seoul City, said, “This year’s Social Economy Week event is a time to find solutions for the difficulties and re-leap that the social economy has experienced during the long COVID-19 era of over two years,” adding, “We will continue to provide support and efforts so that the social economy can lead citizens’ valuable consumption and help vulnerable groups.”
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