{"id":224242,"date":"2020-07-11T12:22:34","date_gmt":"2020-07-11T16:22:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/?p=224242"},"modified":"2020-07-11T12:22:34","modified_gmt":"2020-07-11T16:22:34","slug":"social-and-solidarity-economys-contribution-to-building-socialism-in-cuba-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/cuba\/economy\/cuban-economy\/social-and-solidarity-economys-contribution-to-building-socialism-in-cuba-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"Social and Solidarity Economy\u2019s contribution to building socialism in Cuba (II)"},"content":{"rendered":"

At least two factors suggest the relevance of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) for Cuba today. On the one hand, the diversification of its productive matrix and the social changes that have taken place require a more decentralized productive and distributive approach, in which different actors intervene in a more responsible and articulated manner. Local development strategies arise above all from the grassroots, led by territorial governments, and public-private partnerships empower resources and people. All these elements characterize the SSE.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, the response to COVID-19 has demonstrated the power of a strong and determined central government, capable of mobilizing the necessary resources to save the country. At the same time, the strength of private and community initiatives, in alliance with the public sector, and the reinvention of the private farmer and business community to overcome difficulties have been demonstrated. The public-private partnership is at the base of the SSE.<\/span><\/p>\n

The collapse of tourism, the difficulties of accessing world trade and foreign investment, as well as an increasingly stronger and all-encompassing U.S. blockade, make it necessary to plan economic growth based more on the local market, on our endogenous resources\u2015including human resources\u2015and in social commitment. Similarly, the decentralization of economic activity is a component of the SSE.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the United Nations<\/span><\/a>, many SSE companies and organizations have responded in various ways to the COVID-19 pandemic. These include converting their production according to the needs of the emergency, protecting the health of vulnerable groups, providing food and protective equipment, financial support, culture and art, relocating supply chains, and so on.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cuban media have highlighted the donation of agricultural products by farmers and cooperative members to social institutions and health centers, including hospitals, homes for the elderly and facilities that house people vulnerable to COVID-19. The experiences of a group of private and cooperative businesses that, in the midst of the pandemic, have adapted to continue operating with social commitment and in public-private partnerships stand out.<\/span>1<\/b> Some examples are the following:<\/span><\/p>\n