This opening period will place the 7^th edition of the Bordeaux GSEF 2025 Global SSE Forum in a context of international developments that will determine the future of transitions and set the tone for a committed event.

Speeches by:

• Pierre Hurmic, Mayor of Bordeaux and President of the GSEF
• Alain Garnier, Vice-président de Bordeaux Métropole en charge de l’ESS et de l’Économie de la proximité
• Jean-Luc Gleyze, President of the Gironde Department
• Alain Rousset, President of Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council

Message vidéo de : Emmanuel Macron, Président de la République française

Tour de table :

• Stéphane Montuzet, Co-Chair of GSEF and Chair of CRESS Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• Benoit Hamon, Chairperson of ESS France
• Simel Esim, Director of Cooperative and social and solidarity economy, Unit COOP/SSE and Chair of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) 

This edition of the Global SSE Forum comes at a crucial time on the international stage, just a few days before the World Social Forum in Doha, which will bring together heads of state and international organizations to accelerate the establishment of a new global social contract. How are states strengthening the recognition of the SSE by international organizations? How are they helping to promote SSE at the continental level in a turbulent context? What national policy should be pursued for SSE, and with what resources? These are crucial questions on which the ministers attending this plenary session will share their views and commitments.

Panelists:

• Dr. Alioune Dione, Minister of Microfinance and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Senegal
• M. Gilberto Carvalho, National Secretary for the Popular and Solidarity Economy in the Government, Brazil (on video)
• Mme Maria Amparo Merino Segovia, Secretary of State for Social and Solidarity Economy, Minister of Labour, Spain (on video)
• M. Luis Gutiérrez Reyes, Secrétaire à l’ESS, Ministère de l’Economie, Mexique
• M. Kim Kyung-soo, Ministre, comité Local à la Présidence, Corée du Sud (on video)
• M. Maxime Baduel, Délégué ministériel à l’économie sociale et solidaire, France
• Mme Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities at the OECD

Moderation: Stéphane Montuzet, Co-Chair of GSEF and Chair of CRESS Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Faced with a global economic model that contributes to widening inequalities and accelerating the degradation of our planet — carbon emissions, erosion of biodiversity, overexploitation of natural resources — it is essential to support and amplify the transitions already underway. This plenary session will address how, by combining our strengths, we can rethink our models, transform our territories and strengthen the positive impact of the economy on society and the environment.

Panelists:

• Mme Isabelle Ferrand, Directrice Générale de la Conférence Nationale du Crédit Mutuel, France
• Mme Maryline Filippi, Lecturer and researcher at Bordeaux Sciences Agro, France
• M. Antoine Grolin, Chairman of Nhood, France
• M. Kako Nubukpo, Economist, former Minister of Togo and former Togolese Commissioner within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) Commission

Moderation: M. Denis Stokkink, Economist

Plenary session organized by GSEF and CIRIEC (Centre for Research and Information on Public and Social Economy)

Previously characterized by a fragmented approach (divided between legal families) and sometimes limited to the remedial function of the SSE, new local SSE policies are turning it into a pluralistic and transformative socio-economic model capable of meeting the challenges of sustainability and inclusion.
• Is this simply a modification of the system, allowing the SSE to coexist alongside a capitalist economy that remains the norm?
• Where do these new policies have the potential to change this system by rebuilding it around the SSE, its rules, processes and organizations?
This plenary session aims to bring together, share and discuss the work carried out by the GSEF and CIRIEC on local SSE policies.

Panelists:

• M. Rafael Chaves, Chair of the Scientific Committee at CIRIEC Spain
• Mme Eider Inunciaga, Councillor for the City of Bilbao, Citizen Services and Participation, Agenda 2030 and International Affairs, Spain
• Mme Marguerite Mendell, Economist and Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the School of Public and Community Affairs and Director of the Karl Polanyi Institute of Political Economy, Quebec City
• M. Washington Quaquá, Mayor of Marica, Brazil
• Mme Nathalie Tubiana, Director of Finance and Sustainable Policy at Caisse des Dépôts, France

Moderation: M. Timothée Duverger, Lecturer and researcher, Chair of the Scientific Committee of the Global SSE Forum Bordeaux GSEF 2025, France

The rise of dictatorships and authoritarian regimes around the world, the weakening of traditional democracies, the return to obscurantism and the growing importance of technical solutions are shaping a world that we thought was reserved for the imagination of fiction writers. Faced with these upheavals, for which it holds part of the solution, will the SSE offer firm resistance or will it be among the first victims of these abuses? This plenary session will open up a collective and beneficial space for analysis and responses.

Panelists:

• M. David Cobb, Coordinateur du réseau américain de l’économie sociale et membre du conseil d’administration du RIPESS, États-Unis
• M. Benoît Hamon, Chairperson of ESS France
• M. Issa Kassis, Maire de Ramallah
• Mme Anne Savinel Barras, Chairperson of Amnesty International France

Moderation: M. Thomas Legrand, Editorial writer at Libération and producer at France Inter, France

In this International Year of Cooperatives proclaimed by the United Nations, the Global Forum is part of a busy international agenda, between the 4th Conference on Financing for Development (FF4D) and on the eve of the second World Summit for Social Development in Doha in November. Since gaining international recognition in 2022 and 2023, the SSE has been seen as a key lever for achieving the 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. How can we continue to implement the various recommendations and resolutions in practice? This plenary session will take stock of the situation by asking organizations to confirm their role in the SSE and questioning them on the practical scope of the commitments made and the action plans implemented.

Panelists:

• Dr. Sabelo Mbokazi, Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Migration at the African Union Commission
• Mme Ruth Paserman, Director-General DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission
• M. Mauricio Rodríguez Amaya, Director General of the Department of Social Prosperity (DPS) at the National Government and Council of Ministers of Colombia (attendance to be confirmed)
• M. Lope B. Santos III, Directeur général, National Anti-Poverty Commission (CAPC) – ASEAN, Philippines (on video)
• M. Sébastien Vauzelle, Head of the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat at the United Nations

Moderation: Mme Aude Saldana, Secretary General of GSEF, France

The future lies with local areas and the people who live and work there. In a fluctuating and uncertain global context, this scale empowers local communities and enables them to develop robust local responses to societal and environmental challenges. The GSEF network, founded in 2013, emphasises the role of local governments and mayors by affirming their crucial role in governance and in resolving the major challenges of the 21st century, whether climate change, social cohesion or inequality.
These two plenary sessions illustrate this conviction and highlight the fundamental partnerships between local governments and civil society, accompanied by a renewal of democratic processes and the need for ongoing dialogue.
They will offer an overview of initiatives and experiences from around the world, providing inspiration for other elected officials and actors in the SSE.

Panelists for Part 1:

• M. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, Mayor of Accra, Ghana
• M. Mamoudou Jaffar Ball, Regional Councillor and GSEF Representative for the Nouakchott Region, Mauritania
• Mme Kim Bora, Maire de Anyang, Présidente de SSEGOV et nouvelle Coprésidente continentale Asie du GSEF, Corée
• M. Freddy Montes, Mayor of Belén de Umbria, Colombia
• Mme Emilia Saiz, Secretary General of UCLG (United Cities and Local Governments)
• Mme Ana Umbelino, President of Reves Network – European Network of Cities and Regions for the Social Economy and Vice – Mayor of the municipality of Torres Vedras, Portugal

Panelists for Part 2:

• Mme Monique Ayi, Mayor and Chairperson of REMCESS (Network of Cameroon Mayors for the Social and Solidarity Economy), Cameroon
• M. Mohammad Azaz, Mayor of Dakah, Bangladesh
• Mme Jeanne Barseghian, Mayor of Strasbourg, France
• M. Christophe Bouillon, Mayor of Barentin and President of the Association of Small Towns of France
• M. Yves Coppieters, Minister for Health, Environment, Solidarity, Social Economy, Equal Opportunities and Women's Rights in the Walloon Government and the Government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Belgium
• M. H. Hadianto Rasyid, S.E, Mayor of Palu, Indonesia

Moderation: Mme Mahel Coppey, Chair of RTES (Network of Local Authorities for a Social and Solidarity Economy), France

The issue of financing SSE actors is a major concern throughout the world, both in terms of resource mobilization and governance. Re-examined financing mechanisms and economic rules must enable a massive redirection of investment towards the SSE. What virtuous alliances between governments, development finance institutions and communities will enable the principles of the SSE to be anchored in financial governance, taking into account local realities? How can we move from finance that serves a minority to finance that serves people, territories and the planet? To discuss this, the speakers in this two-part plenary session will present their visions of finance based on solidarity, ethics, democracy and social justice.

Panellists for Part 1 – How can we secure funding for the SSE to strengthen its position in the wider economy?:

• Mme Frédérique Destailleur, Chairwoman of the Management Board of Caisse d’Epargne Aquitaine Poitou Charentes
• Mme Gisèle Rossat-Mignod, Directrice du Réseau de la Banque des Territoires, France
• M. Aly Rahim, Head of the Alliance for Civil Society and Social Innovation (CIVIC) at the World Bank
• M. Rémy Rioux, Chief Executive Officer of the French Development Agency (AFD)

Moderation: Mme Denise Fatoumata Ndour, General Administrator of Sen’Finances and Chair of the International Association of Investors in the Social Economy (INAISE)

Panelists for Part 2 – What are the challenges involved in consolidating SSE financing stakeholders? :

• Mme Véronique Faujour, General Delegate of the Grameen Foundation – Crédit Agricole, microfinance credit, France
• M. Young Kim, Member of the Board of Directors of SVSFund, Korea
• M. Pascal Michard, Chairman of Aéma Group, France
• M. Daniel Sorrosal, Executive Secretary of FEBEA

Moderation: M. Dominique Lesaffre, Member of the GSEF Advisory Committee

In many developing countries, the informal economy remains a central reality. In so-called developed countries, it is the very nature of the relationship to work that is changing. For better, but also for worse, when this change goes hand in hand with precariousness and intensified forms of economic and social domination. The rise of gig work is a striking illustration of this. In this context, what levers can the social and solidarity economy activate to organise workers regardless of their status? How can we ensure decent working conditions and real social protection for all? Can the SSE offer a credible alternative to the dominant model and rebalance the balance of power? This session will bring together analyses, testimonials and courses of action.

Panelists:

• Mme Simel Esim, Director of Cooperative and social and solidarity economy, Unit COOP/SSE and Chair of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE)
• Mme Sonia George, Member of the Executive Committee of the IDWFED (International Domestic Workers Federation)
• M. Laurent Grandguillaume, President of the National Association for Zero Long-Term Unemployment, France
• M. Youssouf Kamara, Bicycle courier in Bordeaux for AMAL (Association for the Mobilisation and Assistance of Couriers), France
• M. Jules Lella-Konan, Director of the Assembly of Regions and Districts of Côte d'Ivoire (ARDCI)
•  M. Federico Parra Hinojosa, Social and Solidarity Economy Specialist at WIEGO (Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing)

Moderation:

• M. Quentin Chapus, Lecturer and researcher, socio-economist specializing in development
• M. Jean-Philippe Berrou, Professeur des Universités en sciences économiques, Les Afriques dans le Monde, Sciences Po Bordeaux

The prevailing model considers economic growth to be the sole indicator of the health of our societies. In light of rising social inequalities and the accelerating ecological crisis, this dogma is now being called into question. Among the measures that can be implemented, economic citizenship offers a promising avenue. Giving citizens a greater role in economic decisions would allow for better integration of social and environmental issues that are often neglected. This plenary session will explore how to re-embed democracy in the economy in order to imagine a fairer and more sustainable model of development.

Panelists:

• M. Matthew Brown, Membre senior du Democracy Collaborative et président du conseil municipal de Preston, Angleterre
• M. Stéphane Junique, Chairman of the Vyv Group, France
• Mme Sarah McKinley, Community Wealth Building independent consultant
• M. Joseph Njuguna, Policy Director at the ICA (International Cooperative Alliance)
• M. Jérôme Saddier, Chairman of Crédit Coopératif, France

Moderation: M. Timothée Duverger, Lecturer and researcher, Chair of the Scientific Committee of the Global SSE Forum Bordeaux GSEF 2025, France

Civil wars and conflicts between states dominate world news. These armed conflicts often stem from the exploitation of resources and populations, the perpetuation of certain modes of domination, and tensions linked to migration flows. This plenary session will examine the dynamics enabled by SSE tools to pacify social relations and avoid conflicts, as well as the links with NGO action. It will also highlight the role of the social and solidarity economy in post-war reconstruction.

Panelists:

• Mme Fanélie Carrey-Conte, Secretary General of CIMADE and former Secretary General of Enercoop, France (attendance to be confirmed)
• M. Omar Freilla, Co-founder and coordinator of the Collective Diaspora, Americas
• M. Ahmed Galai, Winner of the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize, Tunisia
• Mme Merem Tahar, Envoyée spéciale jeunesse du Président de la 15e Conférence des Nations Unies
• M. Georges-M Magambo Budundwa, Executive Secretary of the Platform of Local Authorities of the Great Lakes Countries (PALPGL), Democratic Republic of Congo

Moderation: Mme Sybille Mertens, Economist

Déclaration internationale de la jeunesse présentée de manière slamée sur scène par 50 jeunes des délégations présentes.
Déclaration de Bordeaux, posant la feuille de route politique qui conduira jusqu’au prochain Forum.
Passing the torch to the city that will host the SSE Global Forum in 2027.