The Regional Livelihoods and Food Security Team (MVSA) of Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean participated in the 7th Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum (GSEF 2025), held in Bordeaux, France, from October 29 to 31, 2025. Representatives Patricia Hurrahs (Cáritas Argentina) and Eduardo Hori (Cáritas Mexicana) brought the voice of the region, which brings together 16 National Cáritas dedicated to building more fair, supportive and sustainable economic models.

Meeting of regional and global views

During the forum, they were able to learn about a wide diversity of experiences promoted in different parts of the world - mainly in Europe, North America and Africa - linked to the economy social and solidarity, as well as sharing Cáritas LAC's regional perspective on the new economies. Patricia Hurrahs also participated as a panelist, presenting the structure and work of the Cáritas LAC MVSA Regional Team and the experience of the Cáritas Argentina Ecosol Network.

In this space, the MVSA team presented content based on its Positioning Document on the Social and Solidarity Economy, which brings together learnings and testimonies from the National Cáritas of the region. The text reflects how, from the territories, alternatives are being built that promote decent work, community organization, fair trade and care for the Common Home.

The representatives highlighted that in France the social and solidarity economy is highly institutionalized, reaching an important level of development within the national economy and representing approximately 13% of formal employment. They also valued the atmosphere of dialogue and fraternity experienced during the meeting, where it was possible to exchange ideas and reflect on the common challenges faced by communities in different regions of the world.

Exchange with Cáritas Bordeaux

Patricia and Eduardo made an institutional visit to Cáritas Bordeaux, where they were able to learn about the organization of their regional team, the initiatives they support, their work priorities and the sources of financing that support their actions. They visited local solidarity economy experiences such as the Boutique solidaire textile, the shared Garden of Cenon and the restaurant and solidarity warehouse Epi'Solidarité.

During the exchange, both Cáritas found common points in their forms of organization and in the challenges they face, which opens the possibility of identifying future spaces for collaboration and mutual learning.

With their participation in the Global Forum and the visit to Cáritas Bordeaux, the MVSA Regional Team reaffirms its commitment to the promotion of an economy focused on the life, justice and dignity of people, in coherence with the work that Cáritas LAC has been promoting throughout the region.

The Positioning Document synthesizes this vision by showing that another economy is already underway: a social and solidarity economy that transforms multiple debts—economic, social, ecological and climatic—into paths of hope through community support, social organization and advocacy for the common good.

From Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean, the MVSA team will continue to weave alliances, strengthen networks and share learning so that the economy is truly at the service of life and people.