Brussels, 22/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - Can a social and solidarity economy compensate for the weakness of Euro-Mediterranean policy that lies at the mercy of persistent impasse? The question has been asked by the Institute for Mediterranean Studies (IPEMED) which will bring together a panel of experts in Paris on 15 November to discuss this issue.
In light of the upheavals in the Mediterranean region, the economic crisis and the increase in public deficits, the role of the state and of the market economy has to be considered by the countries of the North and those of the South and East Mediterranean, says IPEMED, which promises a preliminary report on the issue for the meeting.
Given the needs in terms of jobs - 40 million jobs will have to be created between now and 40 years hence in the countries of the South and East Mediterranean - and alternatives for young people in the Mediterranean region, the social and solidarity economy is one of the lines of approach and areas for collaboration for the construction of an economically integrated and sustainable Euro-Mediterranean region. The IPMED states that initiatives that spring from the social and solidarity economy sector bring solutions by putting the human being at the heart of economic development and encouraging social cohesion, and could help to meet the challenge which can sometimes appear insurmountable. (FB/transl.fl)