Today, Tuesday 28 September 2021, ICMIF came together with the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), the Global Social Economy Forum (GSEF), SSE International Forum (SSEIF) and the Association Internationale de la Mutualité (AIM) for an launch event of the International Coalition for the Social and Solidarity Economy (ICSSE).
The International Coalition of the Social Solidarity Economy brings together intercontinental networks of associations, cooperatives, foundations, social enterprises, mutuals and local and territorial authorities.
The Charter for an International Coalition of Intercontinental Networks of the Social Solidarity Economy states that “We, the International Coalition of the Social Solidarity Economy (ICSSE) […] commit ourselves to joining forces in order to deploy a common voice and actions to make our achievements and resources visible and recognised. Those of the women and men who bring this resilient economy to life, an economy centered on the human being in an approach that reconciles ecological, social, citizen, economic and financial solutions.”
The objectives of the Coalition are to gather, strengthen and make known a community of Social Solidarity Economy (SSE) actors, to deepen advocacy for the recognition of SSE and to promote SSE as a field of economic activity that must be recognised and that is useful for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking during the launch event, ICMIF Chief Executive Shaun Tarbuck said: “Being sustainable is in the DNA of cooperatives and mutuals so it is appropriate that we now pool our advocacy to showcase what our sector can do together under the banner of the ICSSE. We are delighted to be part of this international Coalition.”
Shaun Tarbuck took the opportunity to highlight the current successes of the mutual and cooperative insurance sector, saying: “Mutual and cooperative insurers represent almost 30% of the world’s insurance market and USD 10 trillion in assets. ICMIF is the only global body that represents mutuals and now, as we approach our 100-year anniversary, represents over 210 organisations in 65 countries. These insurers represent the leaders not just in the mutual sector but in the whole industry. ICMIF members have grown in the last 10 years by 40%; the mutual sector by 30% and the industry by 17%. So, if growth is the measure of success, then ICMIF members are the best in the insurance industry.”
He concluded by saying: “The pandemic has given the world a serious opportunity to change the status-quo and reset itself to make society and business fairer and to work together to impact the big issues we face such as the sustainability of our planet. There has been a significant move towards being purpose-driven and sustainable by businesses in general and this Coalition of Social Solidarity Economy actors will help us benefit both people and planet.”
Joining Shaun Tarbuck in the launch event were Daniela Bas, Director of the Division for Inclusive Social Development at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA); Bruno Roelants, Director-General, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA); Paul Ladd, Director at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD); Laurence Kwark, Secretary General, Global Social Economy Forum (GSEF); Xavier Michon, Deputy Executive Director at United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF); Alain Coheur, Co-President and Pedro Bleck da Silva, Special Advisor to the Presidium, both of the International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies (AIM); and Elisa Torrenegra, Co-President , SSE International Forum.
