In Lima in 1997 and more overtly in Quebec in 2001, local, regional and national groups of the social solidarity economy brought the international dimension of their agendas to the forefront of discussion.
It became clear that the international aspect of the SSE was not being taken into consideration when dealing with national issues. Besides, these questions are now considered beyond national borders and have become a crucial part of the services that are offered by local and national groups.
Moreover, grassroots actors join forces to address cross regional issues that they can no longer ignore or leave in the hands of just leaders alone. The time has come for another world that fully incorporates our aspirations and our realities.

The players in the social solidarity economy want to develop proactive links that reach beyond the local environment. The hope for a world that is changing and for a pluralist economy to become reality strengthens actors and reinforces the desire to widen solidarity. Advocating the pluralist economy is equal to publicly recognizing that the social solidarity economy helps to speed up changes that are necessary for another more just and democratic world.

We now know that combining work with solidarity to make sustainable and fair products of good quality requires a change in development patterns. To achieve this, we need various means of promoting the social solidarity economy. It is with this in mind that the Dakar meeting intends to analyze our practices, in order to develop joined up thinking and encourage means of empowering people.

Within RIPESS, an international commission has been established to collectively develop the following program.
It was established to enable diversified expressions of action and knowledge in the social solidarity economy. More than a platform, it is an ongoing open space in which to build the international dimension of the social solidarity economy.

Get involved: that is the objective. What one person can achieve, many people can do better. As an African proverb puts it: the impact on a process is only sustainable when it is the work of a large group pulling together. The following content presents an ideal chance for you to become involved. A whole continent is reaching out to you to dare hold the flame of solidarity entrepreneurship high for all to see.

Abdou Salam FALL

President of RIPESS