Who we are
The Asian Solidarity Economy Council is the Asian hub for enhancing the responsibilities of stakeholders in co-creating a compassionate, solidarity economy. It brings together 18 national and continental networks in 21 countries of Asia.
What we believe in
Promoting SSE in Asia is about re-learning the cultures of Solidarity in the territories. It is revaluing the traditional norms while accepting and learning from the more modern and innovative experiences of SSE not only from Asia but across the globe.
Areas of work
Activities of RIPESS Asia/ASEC are generally aligned with the global work program of intercontinental RIPESS, classified into 5 impact areas:
- Promotion of the SSE Global vision
- Capacity building
- Building relationships with international organizations and public policy advocacy
- Communication
- Networks and Mapping
Some Actions
Learning journeys on SSE practices in Asia
ASEC-RIPESS-Asia offers learning journeys to SSE practitioners in the continent. You can visit practitioners that work on new and innovative practices in for example the Philippines, Cambodia, Japan, Korea or Malaysia. The trip will be attended by a member of the executive committee, and will not only be a sight visit but will also be an opportunity to learn about the leading trends in SSE in Asia; as this is vital in understanding the significance of the practitioners’ initiatives.
Previously in 2019, ASEC hosted an International Conference on Transformative Economy which focus on Revitalizing Rural Economy through Social Solidarity Economy, held in Jogja Indonesia.
CONTACT US if you are interested in participating to this event.
Promotion of the SSE Global vision
For the pas 5 years, ASEC has participated annually in the ASEAN People Forum and managed to host Transformative & Solidarity Economy (TSE) as part of the 11 convergence spaces in the ASEAN People Forum 2020 in Vietnam. Additionnally, ASEC created the SSE Academy, online conversations with other stakeholders in order to understand how they were coping with the pandemic and this new situation impacted grassroots communities.
Join us in the workshops, learn from other Asian experiences, and see what you can contribute to spread the Global Vision.
Initiate your own South-South Triangular Cooperation in Asia
We invite SSE practitioners in the region to connect with other practitioners to further lengthen the value chain of SSE in Asia. Specifically, we want to be a hub where producers can meet vendors and manufacturers, or where traders can access ethical consumers in other countries of Asia.
If you are looking for a SSE partner in Asia, ASEC/RIPESS-Asia is the place to access!
Building relationships with international organizations and public policy advocacy
RIPESS Asia/ASEC participates in international conferences for the purpose of networking and advocacy of favorable public policy on SSE.
It has promoted the visibility/recognition of SSE and engaged in policy advocacy with UN-ESCAP, UNTFSSE, ILO SSE Academy, ASEAN, ASEAN Foundation, ICCO Cooperation, WFTO-Asia, Global Movement of Moderates, Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, Alliance for Responsibility in the 21st Century (AR21), and the ASEAN Civil Society Conference / ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC-APF).
Members
ASEC brings together SSE actors from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, People Republic of China, Philippines, Republic of Guinea, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam.
Association of Social Entrepreneurs in Indonesia (AKSI)
Country: Indonesia
Credit Union Promotion Centre
Hongkong Chamber of Social Enterprises
Country: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
China and Beyond Network (CABN)
Coalition of Socially Responsible Small & Medium Enterprises in Asia
Ethnos Asia
Family Capital Centre
Global Citizens for Sustainable Development
World Fair Trade Organization – Asia
Resources
RIPESS Asia/ASEC has published and disseminated the following publications:
- Jayasooria, Denison, Quinones, Benjamin & Abdullah, Saifuddin (2015). “Fostering an ASEAN Community through Solidarity-based Community Enterprises”. Kuala Lumpur: Institute of Ethnic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
- Quiñones, Benjamin (2015). “Social and Solidarity Economy in Asia: A South-South and triangular cooperation perspective”. Geneva: International Labour Organization.
- Quiñones, Benjamin (2014). “Rediscovering Social Solidarity Economy in Community-based Supply Chains”. In Philippine Journal of Social Development Vol. 6 No. 1, 2014. Quezon city: University of the Philippines College of Social Work & Community Development.
- Jayasooria, Denison (2013). “Developments in Solidarity Economy in Asia: Trends, Potential and Challenges”. Kuala Lumpur: Institute of Ethnic Studies, UKM.
- Quiñones, Benjamin (2012). “Sowing the seeds of solidarity economy: Asian Experiences” Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia: Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Binary University College.
Executive Committee
- Datuk Dr. Denison Jayasooria, Chairperson (Institute of Ethnic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)
- Dr Eri Trinurini Adhi, Deputy-Chairperson (Bina Swadaya Foundation, Indonesia)
- Mr. Kon Onn Sein, Treasurer (Executive Director, Yayasan Kajian dan Pembangunan Masyarakat)
- Dr. Benjamin R. Quiñones, Jr. Member (University of the Philippines, College of Social Work and Community Development)
- Mr Kumar Loganathan (Sarvodaya Action Research Centre, India)
- Ms. Poonsap Tulaphan, Member (Homenet – Fondation for Labour and Employment Promotion, Thaïlande)
- Mr. Shigeru Tanaka, Member (Deputy Secretary General, Pacific Asia Resource Centre)
- Secretary : Mr James Ryan Raj and Mr Chandra Firmantoko
Contact us
ASEC / RIPESS ASIA: connect@asec-sse.com
Join ASEC
If your territorial, sectorial or inter-sectorial network or initiative would like to join ASEC, you are more than welcome to join. Your membership would strengthen the visibility of your organization at continental level and would enable you to share your experience and practice with others.
