First National Fair of the Social and Solidarity Economy, June 19-21
Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God Glorify Him
The Ministry Delegate to the Prime Minister in charge of Economic and General Affairs is organizing the 1st Social and Solidarity Economy Fair "ECOSS", from June 19 to 21, 2008 at the Casablanca International Fair.
The 1st Social and Solidarity Economy Fair "ECOSS" is timely in giving the social economy the dimension it deserves as a strategic tool for collective development. A major event, it brings together all operators in the sector – Cooperatives, Microcredit Associations, and Mutuals – to demonstrate their capacity for action, highlight their achievements, and encourage "networking" for better interaction. It thus serves several objectives such as promoting local human development initiatives, enhancing cooperative, mutual, and associative movements; providing a commercial opportunity for social and solidarity economy businesses, and encouraging experience sharing and partnerships.
More than 160 participants will attend this unifying event to inform Moroccans from all social categories about the positive impacts of the social economy within the framework of community development.
The 1st Social and Solidarity Economy Fair "ECOSS" will be a demonstration that will showcase the achievements and projects of each region in terms of creating solidarity economy units for sustainable development, initiating income-generating activities, combating exclusion and precariousness... in order to raise awareness among the 20,000 expected visitors from different regions of the Kingdom about the relevance of the social economy as an adapted response to the challenges and difficulties of our society.
This meeting will also be a platform for promoting the spirit of solidarity in line with the INDH: the Wilayas have sponsored the participation of more than 40 associations and cooperatives.
Furthermore, this first edition is distinguished by an active synergy between the public economy, the social economy, and the market economy. This is symbolized by the effective presence of the public administration, the widespread participation of Ministries, Regional Councils, Wilayas, and CRIs... and the sponsorship of associations or cooperatives by citizen companies.
This event is the embodiment of a supportive Morocco that allows actors with different perspectives to meet, bring their visions closer together, pool their energies to articulate their projects, and encourage the growth of socially responsible investment.
In addition to the exhibition, the fair also aims to strengthen the skills of managers and leaders in the social economy through various workshops scheduled for the occasion.
Thus, conferences and debates will animate the event to lead a joint reflection on topics such as: "Social and Solidarity Economy: Actors and Values"; "Activity and Employment Systems in the Field of the Social and Solidarity Economy"; "Solidarity Finance"; "Marketing Challenges"; or "Integrating the Social Economy as a Tool for Local Development".
Published June 17, 2008
