Abstract - EN
Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is known for pursuing the people-centered prosperity. Through analysis of SSE practices in South Korea, this paper aims to provide empirical bases of elabourating the potential of SSE to achieve SDGs. More specifically, SSE in Korea has been striving to achieve decent work, social inclusion, and social empowerment, which are related to SDGs 1, 5, 8, 10, and 17.
The trajectory of SSE practices in South Korea is closely related to the social needs for decent work for all. Work integration has been one of the essential pillars of SSE in the country since its initial stage. The findings show that SSE has integrated the vulnerable social groups, women, people with disability, and North Korean refugees for example, by providing them with better jobs, increase job stability by changing contract and ownership structure; and provide better work conditions and education and training to workers for the self-actualization as social beings. Organizational transformation and partnership build-up have enabled social empowerment of workers. SSE practices in South Korea may face some constraints and limits, but the paper argues that SSE has potentials as ongoing endeavors for an inclusive and equitable society.
