Solidarity Roadshow at Għar id-Dud - 14-15 June

Go to: What is the Social Economy - X'Inhi l-Ekonomija Soċjali

Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust (KKĠ), in close collaboration with the Third World Group, is very much concerned about the economic and social needs of the poor and marginalized communities it encounters during its work. What form of “economy” can respond to these needs, without endangering its resource base?

The answer seems to be found in the Social Economy. In contrast to mainstream economics, whose major driving force is the profit motive, the social economy focuses on the economic, environmental and social development of the community. It offers ownership within a community or among people with a shared interest, while benefiting both the community and individual members.

On Saturday 14 and Sunday 15, five local NGOs and their Italian guests shall be holding the first Solidarity Roadshow at Għar id-Dud, Sliema, next to the Chalet. Volunteers from these socially-oriented organisations have combined social and environmental concerns with the consumer’s need for high quality and healthy products. They will be entertaining visitors with music and various activities while selling hand-made food-stuffs and crafts.

Music shall accompany the activity throughout the day, with popular local singer-songwriters Walter Micallef and Vince Fabri playing at 8pm. The special foreign guests are the North American native Indian duo called Wabanag (in picture above with Renzo Spiteri, right).

The participants will show that a social economy is possible, and profitable for all those involved. A social economy focuses on the economic, environmental and social development of the community. It offers ownership within a community or among people with a shared interest, while benefiting both the community and individual members. 

Members of Koperattiva Franco Si shall be selling organic vegetables such as lettuce, rucola, marrows and peas as well as producing ġbejniet from pasteurised sheep milk. All of these are produced by disabled people. This initiative, which is growing more popular both locally and abroad, allows people with disabilities to fulfill their potential while serving their own community. Residents at Dar Nazareth, who are also disabled, shall also be participating in this activity. Their goods include candles, drape dolls, marmalade and the rediscovered hansa products, which like those of ganutell are making a popular comeback.

Other participants are the Gaia Foundation and the Genista Foundation, who produce environmentally-friendly products which are organic and grown locally. The activity is being organised by Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust, who in close collaboration with the Third World Group and CRIC, the regional development initiative based in Italy, are involved in the promotion of social activities and sustainable development.

For this activity, CRIC shall be providing a roving exhibition accompanied by a troupe of musicians and artists. The team has already visited southern Italy, Spain, Algeria and Morocco, and will now conclude its educational campaign in Malta. Participation is free, and an attractive information leaflet will be handed out for free to all visitors. ProġettSkart shall be providing the separation bins for plastic, glass, paper and metal waste.

For further information contact Vince Caruana at shanti@global.net.mt or Karsten Xuereb at karsten@vol.net.mt. This initiative is being supported by the Eu through the Med2000 project promoting sustainability in the Mediterranean.

What is the Social Economy - X'Inhi l-Ekonomija Soċjali

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