On Thursday 23^rd February, more than 140 participants joined the webinar on “Future opportunities and challenges for the Social and Solidarity Economy” which was organized by INSPIR/WSM, RIPESS, WEIGO and the IYCW. We first discussed the future challenges for the different SSE actors (civil society, trade unions, small scale SSE collective and cooperative producers and employers, ILO and other UN institutions, states, regional bodies, local authorities). These discussions were based on the 2022 International Labour Conference’s General Conclusions and the International Labour Organization Action Plan.

First, we asked participants to define the Social and Solidarity Economy with one word. The answers were: “humanity, solidarity, democratic economy, social purpose, sharing of wealth, contributory, human centered, reparative, collective ownership, sustainable, possible, community, non-profit, economic sustainability, post-capitalist, cooperation, principles, equality, values, alternative, future, support, just, co-construction.”

For so long women have been exploited, discriminated, harassed, and oppressed in the factories, houses and societies, and looked at as fragile, weak and vulnerable beings who are only meant to stay at home and look after their family.

But the truth is that women are a crucial part of the social, political and economic development all over the world. Their role in the different parts of history can’t be hidden, because the struggle of women for dignity, equality and equity at workplaces and in societies around the world is not a new trend.

Today we women are continuing the struggle of these activist women who left their mark throughout history. We are fighting in the footsteps of all those who have already achieved so much for us: women workers, trade unionists, suffragettes, scientists, housewives, students - women who revolted!

The IYCW took part in the 2022 International Conference of NGOs at UNESCO Headquarters (Room II) & online, which was held in Paris from 14-16 December 2022 with the general theme, “Breaking barriers – What role for civil society organizations towards a sustainable future.”

Through this conference the NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO built their program and route map for 2023-2024 and brought to UNESCO their propositions, demands, issues and relevant topics about youth, education, peace, culture, patrimony and technology among other subjects.

The conference discussed about the main efforts and reminded the challenges to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs, as well as the role of the NGOs, the civil society organizations (CSOs) to achieve these objectives, more particularly the actions to reinforce partnerships in the global movement for the transformation of education in this rapidly-changing and challenging world.