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Duration: 3 x 45 minutes
The term ‘economy’ refers to the entire system that includes producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services in a particular region or country. However, current economic models are not sustainable and harm the environment. Students will be introduced to the concept of a ‘good economy’ and its models, including the three main ethics of permaculture: care for the earth, care for people, and fair distribution.
The economy encompasses the entire system of producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services within a specific region or country. It encompasses various elements such as companies, industries, markets, financial institutions, and individuals. This system plays a vital role in the overall well-being and development of society.
The economy is currently encountering several challenges. These challenges encompass income inequality, environmental sustainability, access to resources, and economic stability. Various initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Fair Trade Practices, and Responsible Business Practices are being implemented to tackle these issues.
It is impossible to achieve the three ethical principles of permaculture without establishing new, fair, and sustainable economic foundations: caring for people, caring for the planet, and ensuring fair distribution.
In the context of permaculture, economics focuses on designing systems that are economically viable, socially just, and environmentally sustainable. It includes strategies such as localizing production and consumption, supporting regenerative companies, promoting fair trade, and reducing waste.
A good economy is an economy that:
There are various models and approaches to defining a strong economy, each with its own principles and goals. These models are not mutually exclusive, and elements of each can be combined to create a more comprehensive approach to a strong economy.
Fair trade means ensuring that producers receive fair prices for their products, promoting sustainable production, and supporting social and environmental standards.
Fair trade aims to guarantee that producers receive fair prices for their products, which helps cover the costs of sustainable production. To support primary producers, we agree to pay a slightly higher amount than what is paid for the same product in local supermarkets or shopping centers.
Fair trade aims to empower small producers by providing them with direct access to markets, eliminating middlemen, and enabling them to negotiate better deals.
Fair trade encourages sustainable agriculture and production methods that minimize negative impacts on the environment. This includes the promotion of organic agriculture, conservation of biological diversity, and responsible management of resources.
Fair trade works to ensure safe and fair working conditions for workers, such as banning child labor, guaranteeing reasonable working hours, and promoting gender equality.
Fair trade aims to support community development projects, such as the construction of schools, health facilities and infrastructure, by using a portion of the fair trade premium paid by customers.
Ethical banks, also known as sustainable banks or socially responsible banks, are financial institutions that prioritize ethical and sustainable practices in their operations.
Ethical banks typically operate based on a set of values and principles that help them make decisions. They seek to support projects and companies that meet social and environmental criteria, such as promoting renewable energy, fair trade, sustainable agriculture, and affordable housing. They also refrain from financing activities that are harmful to people or the planet, like extracting fossil fuels or manufacturing weapons.
Ethical banks not only focus on their lending practices, but also prioritize transparency and accountability. They strive to openly communicate where customers’ money is invested and ensure that it aligns with their values. Some ethical banks also partake in impact investing, directing funds toward initiatives that generate positive social or environmental outcomes.
Cooperatives are a distinct type of business organization that prioritizes democratic decision-making, joint ownership, and the well-being of its members. They operate on the principle of “one member, one vote,” ensuring that each member has equal influence on the cooperative’s affairs, regardless of their level of investment.
Cooperatives can exist in various forms, including consumer cooperatives, worker cooperatives, agricultural cooperatives, or housing cooperatives. They are established based on the needs and interests of their members, who unite to accomplish shared objectives, whether it’s obtaining affordable goods and services, ensuring fair employment, or securing safe housing.
Cooperatives have a key strength in their focus on people and their communities. Their goal is to provide benefits to their members rather than to maximize profits for outside shareholders. This focus often results in fair prices, quality products and services, and a commitment to local economic development.
Cooperatives promote solidarity and cooperation among their members. By pooling resources and sharing risks, they allow individuals to work together to achieve goals they couldn’t reach alone. This spirit of cooperation can strengthen social bonds and create a stronger sense of community.
Local and regional currencies are forms of currency used within specific communities or regions to complement national currencies.
Local and regional currencies are designed to promote support for local businesses and keep money circulating within the community. By using these currencies, people can buy goods and services from local merchants, providers, and manufacturers, which helps to strengthen the local economy. These currencies foster collaboration with local businesses, promote relationship building, and support sustainable local practices. This, in turn, contributes to job creation, enhances local self-sufficiency, and reduces reliance on external sources. Additionally, these currencies can help mitigate the impact of economic fluctuations on the local economy, as they are not influenced by the same global market forces as national currencies.
These currencies often operate alongside national currencies and have their own distinctive features. They can be physical currencies, such as paper notes or coins, or digital currencies managed through online platforms or mobile applications.
The social and solidarity economy (SSE) includes a wide variety of organizations and initiatives, such as cooperatives, mutual societies, non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and community-based organizations.
SSE aims to tackle social, economic, and environmental challenges by giving priority to the well-being of individuals and communities over profit. It advocates for democratic decision-making, community participation, and the fair distribution of resources and wealth. As a result, it actively promotes social justice, solidarity, and sustainable development.
SSE places emphasis on the social impact of economic activities. Rather than solely pursuing financial gains, SSE organizations prioritize social goals, which include creating jobs, reducing inequality, promoting gender equality, supporting marginalized groups, and protecting the environment.
Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) also promotes empowerment and inclusivity. It often involves marginalized or disadvantaged individuals and communities, providing them with opportunities for economic participation, skill development, and social integration. By involving people in the decision-making process and ensuring equal access to resources, SSE promotes a more inclusive and fair society.
Moreover, Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) promotes collaboration and mutual assistance among its participants. Organizations in the SSE frequently form partnerships, networks, and relationships rooted in solidarity. They share knowledge, resources, and experiences to collectively pursue social and economic objectives, enhancing the overall effectiveness and longevity of their endeavors.
A common good refers to resources available for use by a group, such as land, water bodies, forests, and cultural heritage.
The concept of commons entails managing resources for the benefit of the entire community, as opposed to private ownership or individual control for personal gain. It highlights the significance of shared responsibility, cooperation, and sustainable resource management.
Historically, commons have played a significant role in supporting local economies, preserving biodiversity, and fostering social cohesion. In recent times, the commons have faced challenges such as overexploitation, privatization, and environmental degradation.
There are efforts to protect and revitalize common resources through various means, such as community-based management approaches, participatory decision-making processes, and legal frameworks that recognize and conserve common resources.
The objective is to introduce models of economic organization that promote the development of sustainable and resilient communities while upholding permaculture principles: caring for people, caring for the planet, and ensuring fair distribution.
Plan and organize a cooperative in your school
