ASEC hosted on Oct 26, 2026 an online conversation with two RIPESS leaders Mr Yvon Poirier (Special Advisor on advocacy and governance-RIPESS) and Ms Sandra Moreno Cadena (Executive Secretary RIPESS). This was attended by about 25 ASEC partners.
What is RIPESS?
RIPESS or the Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of Social Solidarity Economy, explained Yvon is not an international organisation but an intercontinental movement of grassroots organisations. It is continental networks committed to the promotion of Social Solidarity Economy (SSE). The members are six continents and one international organisation. These are:-
- Africa – RAESS
- Latin America and the Caribbean – RIPESS LAC
- North America – RIPESS NA
- Asia – ASEC
- Europe – RIPESS EU
- Oceania – RIPESS Oceania
- URGENCI – Community Supported Agriculture around the world
RIPESS brings together national and sectorial networks, thus ensuring strong territorial anchoring. The combined local and global scope gives RIPESS legitimacy to promote SSE, foster intercontinental cooperation, and advocate at different levels.
Details on RIPESS in their website:- https://www.ripess.org/about-ripess/?lang=en
What are RIPESS’s major achievements?
In the presentation by Yvon Poirier he highlighted the major achievement of RIPESS in the global advocacy role. Securing the recognition for SSE by the ILO, the UNTFSSE, the UN Resolution on SSE and the African Union Ten-year strategy on SSE
Another major contribution of RIPESS is towards the “Roadmap to eradicate poverty beyond growth”. A report by the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Mr Olivier De Schutter. Here consistent to SSE, economy must be a human rights-based economy.
In this document it is clearly stated that “…SSE offers a laboratory for developing the post-growth economy” (p83)
What are some implications for ASEC and Asian partners?
Ms Sandra in her presentation highlighted five possibilities as proposals to consider. These are:-
- Protect civic space. Solidarity and early warning mechanism; anchor SSE in law and local governments.
- Right to food. Two or three Asian experiences join the research with the Special Rapporteur.
- Just transition. Carry the Santa Marta approach into cities and communities
- Finance with safeguards. Shared criteria for ASEAN’s finance goal: ILO principles and the UN Beyond Growth Roadmap
- Solidarity digital economy. From Bangkok: AI, data and platform cooperatives — with youth at the centre
It was a very fruitful conversation together and the Asian partner secured a better appreciation of the global advocacy role in ensuring SSE is at the heart of the 2030 agenda and beyond.
