Project of a Platform for political dialogue and the promotion of ethical, socially responsible and solidarity-based initiatives in the economy

During the Forum 2004 “Socially responsible consumption and finance systems: public authorities’ and citizens’ commitment for social cohesion” and on the basis of its Social Cohesion Strategy, which emphasises the idea of a shared responsibility between public authorities and civil society, the Council of Europe is examining the possibility of setting-up a platform for political dialogue and the promotion of ethical, socially responsible and solidarity-based initiatives in the economy.

The platform should enable:

- analysis and highlighting of relevant ethical, socially responsible and solidarity-based economic initiatives for social cohesion;
- pooling experience gained with partnerships and dialogues on various levels, and apply the lessons learned;
- a more precise definition of the public authorities’ role in providing support, establishing legal frameworks and making action systematic;
- reception, discussion and preparation of proposals to increase the impact of these initiatives.

The platform should involve the participation of following groups of actors:

- representatives of public institutions represented within the Council of Europe (Parliamentary Assembly, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, NGOs enjoying participatory status with the Council of Europe);
- the networks involved in developing socially responsible consumption and finance systems
- the national authorities responsible for specific domains,
- researchers and networks of researchers working on these themes, who can clarify particular issues, take appropriate follow-up action, and facilitate dialogue and the definition of objectives,
- media representatives, who can play a vital role in publicising these new approaches and practices, thus ensuring that the public has a better understanding of the concept of shared responsibility,
- business representatives, who will be asked to explain their views on shared responsibility for social cohesion and sustainable development at different local and regional levels,
- trade unions who will present employees’ views on shared responsibility.

It is expected that the platform will help to:

- show public authorities how they can support ethical, solidarity-based and socially responsible economic initiatives on the part of citizens by running awareness-raising campaigns, pursuing appropriate public procurement policies and creating favourable conditions, particularly in fiscal and legal terms,
- foster ethical, socially responsible and solidarity-based citizen initiatives, particularly in countries where they are still rare,
- promote an exchange of views on this theme with other international organisations and institutions, such as the European Union, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Labour Office (ILO), other United Nations agencies, the Council of Europe Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and other development banks.

and, more generally:

- integrate the social and environmental dimensions more fully into the economy, thanks to increased interaction between public policies and ethical, socially responsible and solidarity-based economic initiatives taken by citizens,
- ensure greater social cohesion and sustainable development at national, regional and local level.