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UN-INSTRAW will participate in a seminar on the financial crisis organized by the Universidad del País Vasco (University of the Basque Country), in which answers and alternatives from a feminist economic viewpoint will be discussed. The seminar, entitled “Solidarity Alternatives to the Financial Crisis,” aims to contribute to reflection and debate on the current financial crisis, as well presenting alternative approaches and practices.
The seminar, which will be held on 26 June 2009, will discuss the crisis with emphasis on the concrete answers originating from different research trends and alternative economic practices, such as ecological economics, feminist economy and solidarity economy.
Amaia Pérez Orozco, a UN-INSTRAW researcher based in Madrid with the Institute’s Global Care Chains project, will speak of a multifaceted crisis in which we all play a leading role.
“The crisis probably marks the end of a global development model. The collapse of the financial system is the merging point for other dimensions of the crisis and brings to light the weaknesses of the growth model. Thus, the financial crisis merges with the environmental-, food- , and sustainable livelihoods crises and also, of particular importance to this session, with the care crisis. We must not let the spectacular nature of the financial breakdown make us forget these other structural crises. In our discussions of the crisis, let us not forget its interconnectedness,” highlights Pérez.
The care crisis is global. This is confirmed by the transnational movement of millions of women who leave their countries due to the impossibility of guaranteeing social reproduction in their place of origin, and who migrate to other countries where their work covers an existing and increasingly grave deficit in the care sector. The unremunerated care provided by women is an essential component of the invisible base on which the economy is built. In addition, it is this care sector that absorbs the structural tensions generated by a system that places human life at the service of accumulated capital.
“At this historic moment we have the opportunity to discuss the new course that global development will take. We must highlight the care issue and how it is affected by the crisis in the development agenda.”
At this time it is important to appropriately evaluate the situation, avoiding an exclusive focus on the study of macro figures. A good diagnosis will encompass the interaction of all economic and social spheres of activity; will take precautions to avoid overlooking informal labour and particularly care work; and will highlight the systemic tensions that are maintained by inequality.
“This is the contribution we make from a feminist point of view; it is from this holistic perspective that we extract alternative answers to the crisis,” declares Pérez.
The period to register for the seminar is from 4 to 24 June. The seminar welcomes different audiences, such as professionals and postgraduates, professors and the public in general.
Read more on the University’s webpage
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