The socio-economic model of the Commons in Europe (El Prat de Llobregat)

Context

Local governments have to rethink their way of doing politics with more and more citizens’ initiatives emerging across Europe that are establishing new organisations, introducing a shared economy and leave the image of a passive citizenry behind them. The challenge ahead is therefore to build specific structures and processes that foster synergies between the public and the commons domain.

These developments could lead to a prototype of transformative cities, being the driving force introducing the socio-economic model of the Commons as the new paradigm. Governmental structures however must be reformed to constitute a so-called Partner State, where politicians perceive their constituency as a community of citizens with a lot of experience and creativity and top-down politics are left behind.

About the event

By highlighting several best practices from Catalonia and all over Europe and in particular the municipal level as the most fertile ground for commons practices, this conference will showcase inspiring examples of how this Partner State can be realised and organised in the best possible way.

Draft Programme

9:30 – 10:00 REGISTRATION 

10:00 – 10:15 WELCOME Susanne Rieger, Green European Foundation Co-president

10:15 – 10:30 INTRODUCTION TO THE CONFERENCE Sergi Alegre, Fundació Nous Horitzons

10:30 – 11:15 KEYNOTE: A NEW SOCIO-ECONOMIC MODEL – COMMONS IN EUROPE Dirk Holemans, Director Oikos Think Tank and City Councillor of Ghent (Belgium)

11:15 – 11:45 COFFEE BREAK

11:45 – 12:45 MUNICIPALITY AND THE COMMONS

• The case of Barcelona Lluís Torrens
• The case of Prat de Llobregat Lluís Mijoler

12:45 – 13:45 ECONOMY OF THE COMMONS

• Esperanzah! Foundation Òscar Rando
• Obrera de Vivendas Cooperative Dolors Camats

13:45 – 14:15 SOCIETY OF THE COMMONS: The example of the region of the South Perpignan District (France) Bruno Soula

14:15 LUNCH

Register now by sending an email to fundacio@noushoritzons.cat and stay tuned for updates by following us on Facebook or Twitter to learn about our other activities.